Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Remington Model 30 express factory 35 Whelen

I found a Remington Model 30 Express Big Game in 35 Whelen. It has the factory Lyman side mount so I assume it is the SX model. The stock is a high monte carlo reminisent of the Bishop rifles and according to the seller has GB Fletcher on the inside of the forearm. According to seller this was a stockmaker that Remington had that did custom work. Bore is bright and action tight. What does anyone think. I can purchase the rifle for $550.

If you don't buy it, I will. The Remington Model 30 was, and is, a fabulous rifle and you couldn't build a 35 Whelen on a surplus P14 or P17 action for that price. It's a steal: buy the thing then post pictures!

I have one and so should you! Heavy but a chunk of history. Bear

Did Remington offer that caliber back then? Or is it a rechambered 35 Remington? Every now and then I see or hear
of Model 30s in 250 Savage that were rechambered from
25 Remington.

I know they didn't offer it,but they did offer the 35Rem.

The barrel on the rifle was stamped 35 Whelen and it not only had the Remington stamps but on top of the barrel they had Remington and the location of manufacture. It is a Remington Barrel and appears this rifle is all original as far as the action and barrel goes.

Those are nice rifles. I have four Enfields.The Express had a better stock,and I think it cocks-on-open. Remington did a professional design and conversion.It could be a custom shop or a rechambering.

In the condition you describe it is certainly worth $550. Remington didn't offer the model 30 in 35 whelen as a standard chambering, so if it can be documented to have left the factory chambered in .35 whelen it is probably worth a minimum of 3 to 4 times the asking price. Even if it's just a period correct custom gun it is a bargain at $550.

Weagle

If the rifle was really made by Remington, there should be some way to document it. It is certainly a non-cataloged format of stock style and chambering, but $550 isn't much $$ in 2008 dollars, so if you like it, you should buy it.

You might want to contact John Lacy, the guy who wrote the Remington 700 book, to see if he could provide some contacts with serious Remington 30 collectors. I am always leery of guns that are in a non-cataloged configuration and don't have any documentation that would show a paper trail to support what the seller claims it to be. I've been burned more than once on deals like this, so I am more likely to pass on an opportunity that seems too good to be true.

Jeff

The stock has the crossbolt in the right location. The barrel has Remington and trademark on top of the barrel along with the Illion location. The only caliber mark is on the barrel and it clearly states 35 Whelen. I did some research and found the 30S model had a high comb stock whcih describes this gun but they did not have any pictures for reference. I think I am buying as it made it through the gun show and the guy lives just down the road. If I find out the stock is not factory than maybe a new stocking might be in order. I could see this rig in a full mannlicher as the barrel is 21 1/2 inches and has a nice full ramp on the front with gold top bead. This is not the barrel band sight you see on the Model 30. It has a Lyman peep that goes with the gun and is era.

I think you got a very good deal on your rifle, Model 30s
have been pretty scarce for the last few years in my opinion.

If you're happy with the rifle, isn't that all that really matters?

Jeff

I'm with Jeff 100%, and who wouldn't be happy with a nice 30S chambered in .35 whelen. That's a keeper.

Weagle

I like the saound of that rifle.
I would have snaped it up for sure. I was tempted to buy a 30s in 7X57 a while back, but it was just too rough and heavy for the caliber, But a whelen is ok with a little weight...tj3006

If you like it, the price sounds right for a shooter, and they are very hard to come by. I'd buy it, like the fellows above said, as long as your happy. But if you're buying it because its "uncatalogued factory", don't get your hopes too high.

Tim

You passed on a 7x57? I've never seen one offered for sale.How much were they asking for it?

Tim

In sixty years of extensive reading about guns I have never come across a mention of a .35 Whelen factory Remington 30. You would want to have an "advanced" Remington collector, if there is such a person, examine it closely. Color me skeptical that it is original.

I am sure it is not original and that it was a re-chambering. but non the less the action is tight and the rifling clean so I bought it . I was looking for a shooter anyway.

I'm guessing this is a 30S with a M-700 barrel that's been set back.

But I'd love to see a picture that proves me wrong.


Okie John

I will get some photos togehter sometime.