Just got my .411 barrel yesterday from Shilen. Off to the gunsmith next week. He has a 400 Whelen reamer and has built one of his own plus a few others. I always wanted a 400 Whelen but always put it on the back burner. Michael Petrov's research on the 400 ignited the interest again in a big way.

The barrel will be 24" when completed, the stock will get a little thicker pad and it will end up with a barrel band swivel and a Redfield barrel band sight. A Lyman 48 receiver sight would top off this classic.

Dies were ordered today. I sent off some fired cases from my gunsmiths rifle to CH4D for a set of their dies.

I plan to try Hawks 300, 350, and 400 grain bullets (.035 jacket) along with the Woodleigh 400s, the Hornady 300 grain spitzers and the Barnes 300 X. I have some of Quality Cartridge's 400 Whelen basic and will get a chance to try the COW method of fireforming on some 35 Whelen brass.

It started out as a Model 70 LH in 30-06.

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Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.