As a pure business decision, I don't think Kimber should chamber for the Whelen. The demand just isn't there. Everybody loves the Whelen until they are presented with the opportunity to buy one. I remember seeing NIB Rem 700 CDLs in .35 Whelen going for $450 on Gunbroker about a year after Remington starting making them again.

There are few factory ammo options for those that don't reload. And most reloaders/enthusiasts agree that modern bullets have increased the effectiveness of other, smaller cartridges, making the Whelen a less than ideal solution for many hunting applications. People with limited funds have the Whelen too far down on their list of "My Next Rifle."

That said...I own a Whelen and love it! Just for kicks and giggles, I'll post a pic of it. It's a Rem 700 CDL and now sits in a factory synthetic stock that I painted:
[Linked Image]


Wade

"Let's Roll!" - Todd Beamer 9/11/01.