Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only 400 Whelen in progress

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.

Cool! Looking forward to a range report.

Very cool! IIRC this was Elmer's favorite rifle for big game.
Retro is cool IMO.
whelennut

mart - often wondered about the .400 Whelen as I have been informed that there is just too little shoulder left for proper headspace.
What do you folks think? Homesteader.

Take a read of this article by Michael Petrov. It should remove any doubt about the 400 Whelen and it's "headspace issues".

http://www.z-hat.com/smashing_the_headspace_myth.htm

whats the ballpark estimate for the project? been a longtime fan of the 35 whelen. the 400 whelen would make for a worthwhile endeavor if it isnt out of this world expensive.

rick35,

I ordered the barrel 3 months ago. It was $300 prethreaded for my model 70. A gunsmith friend with a 400 reamer is doing the barreling and chambering. If you were to get an action barreled I imagine it would run between $500-$600, then add sights and installation, and bluing. A little less than $1000 ought to get you into one ready to shoot and hunt. I am using CH4D dies because the cost savings is substantial over the more popular brands. I have a number of CH4D dies and have been well pleased with them. I will PM you with some more info.

Mart

Mart - thanks for the link...interesting article with plenty of "food for thought". Homesteader.

I had Pac-Nor chamber and install a 400 Whelen on a Rem 700 action three years ago.

[img:left][/img]

400 compared to 35
[img:left][/img]

Good luck with your 400, fun rifle to own

GREAT project there, and I love your choice of a base action. THAT one ought to put the hurt on stuff...

The continuation of this thread is one I will look forward to. That Petrov article was very interesting concerning the chamber dimensions. It would be great to see a picture of you, your new rifle, and a dead elk in the timber as a post script. Can't wait.

Waiting for Swampman to chime in here!

I'm liking that a lot! Too cool.

Since I'm in the same town, mind if I tag along when it is range time?

Not sure how soon I will get to the range with it. I am hoping real soon. I would welcome the company. I work a week on/week off schedule and will have family from the lower 48 this next week off, then a week of work, then it's dipnet time on the Kenai the following week off. I don't expect to be down on the Kenai for the whole week so am hoping everything is in order to head to the range that week (7/12-7/20). It may not be blued or have any sights on it other than a scope but I need to fire form some rounds and break in the barrel.

Mark (Safariman), congrats on the new son in law. I remember your kids being much shorter and younger but that's been a few years ago I guess.

I'll keep this thread updated as it develops. I ordered the dies Friday along with an expander die. Have to order bullets and some more brass as well as a bullet mold. Might as well give this one the full workout.

Mart

Dave,

I would love a poke at an elk with it but it's more likely to get used on a moose, caribou or bear. No elk locally.

Mart

Thanks Marty! He seems to be a good one. That 400 SHOULD poke a Moose, OK....

Mart, I just noticed that you're in Alaska. OK, I'll settle for a moose picture.

Dave93,

That is my hope this year. Our moose season is rumbling right up. It starts up late August and runs to late September. I may have to oil it up good and hunt with an in the white barrel if I plan to take a moose with it this year. I do have a late season tag (November) but it's a muzzleloader only tag.

Mart

I like the idea of a 400 Whelen,I would like to hear the numbers (velocity) on this setup.

raybass,

The 400 Whelen should run around 2150 with 400 grain bullet and around 2400 with a 300 grain. I suppose they could be convinced to run a little faster than that but I believe the good Colonel was aiming to duplicate the 450/400 Nitro in his beloved Springfields.

Mart