I have discussed turning this action into a 35 Whelen Ackley with my smith. Have a Remington Model of 1917 that I was going to re-barrel to a 338-06 but he did not want to do it, so I converted my Remington 700 instead. Questions is this; is there a process to removing the barrel from action without making a "relief" cut in barrel, thus destorying it, to ensure the action doesn't get damaged? I would prefer to send original barrel off to Danny Pedersen at Classic Barrel Works and have it re-bored to a 35 caliber vs purchasing a new barrel and having it reamed for the 35 Whelen Ackley. Suggestion? Answers?

Thanks!

While I don't know the answer to your question, I had a similar experience with a No.4 Enfield I wanted converted to .308. It was a new condition, unfired Mk 2 and I wanted to sell the original barrel and told the gunsmith so. Beyond doing a generally poor job on the conversion, he milled a huge relief cut around the barrel at the chamber area in order to remove it - said it was too tight to get off otherwise.

Beyond being mad, I remember he told me "if you want to sell it, we can braze in a collar, it'll be good as new." While deeming that "good as new" is pretty laughable, it could be an option if you want to use your original barrel - though I would contend getting the barrel off without having to make a cut in the first place is the better option.

If you have a good barrel vise and action wrench you are good to go. I would send the bare receiver with barrel to Mr. Pedersen and let him take it apart.
Visited with him at the Dallas Safari Club Expo yesterday. A very nice gentleman.

Thanks for the replies so far....anymore??? ;-)

I'm with Butch on this one. Danny Pedersen is a friend of mine and IMHO he makes the very best barrels available today, as well as the best re-bore work around. He can get it apart for ya.