Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats RFI: 35 Whelen Build

I have a commercial FN 98 that I want to have made into a 35 Whelen for hunting bears on tree farms in bad weather.

Looking for a smith who can rebarrel and stock it. Who do we recommend? Is Dennis Olson still the top guy for this kind of thing? How much action work (if any) will it likely need?


Okie John

I put (had put on, actually) a 35 whelen barrel on an FN action. No work required and that was one of the slickest feeding rifles I have ever handled. BTW a 35 whelen with 250s kicks "significantly" more than a 30-06 in the same stock, fwiw! Still, I should have hung onto, or bought back that rifle! Such is the life of a gunnut!

Jkob can do it.

If shaen will do it, can’t go wrong. Shooter71 on here
Had a local guy do this one, shilen, McMillan Classic.
225 SGK’s over Varget are thumpers and do this.

I can't think of a way much better to get a Whelen than that 98 Commercial
you mentioned. I have a 700 Classic in a Brown stock but still figuring to do the same with one of my FNs as a starting point.

Except maybe a M70 or a 1903…

I'd suggest a well loved M1903 action. I think it'd be a great idea actually.

Awesome idea. 35 Whelen is my favorite cartridge. I have two rifles that were built by a local smith. First is the classic version of steel and wood on an '09 Mauser action. Second is a Mcmillan stocked for target/steel plate on a M70 action with heavy barrel. I usually feed it 200/225gr bullets. Sometimes 250s if I'm feeling sporty. The Mauser is actually more comfortable to shoot. I believe the stock is just perfectly shaped and sized for me. Assuming weight around 8/9lbs. The M70 is much heavier; around 15ish.
Personally I like the looks of Mauser actions. I have an old Husky in '06 that's just beautiful. Nothing wrong with Wins or Rem 700s I have those as well but those old Mausers are just nice.