Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Rebore.....

If you were going to get a rebore done by JES in 35 Whelen, what action would you use? I've considered my favorite {Tikka}, but I want the option of possibly keeping it at 23 or 24 inches. Does the Tikka have a long enough barrel as is to achieve the velocities I want to get with 200 and 225 gr pills? Thanks. Weatherby Vanguard was a choice being that it comes in 24 inches.

My two choices would be a Remington 700 30-06 or a 03-A3 I have laying around. I've been thinking about doing this also.

Yeah, but you probably have the good ole Remingtons...🤪

Snag a 30-06 from Simpsons. Pushfeed M70 for 400-550 bucks. Let him punch it, then do the stock work afterward.

25yrs. ago I had Randall Redman rebore a pre'64 M/70 to .35 Whelen with a 1:14 twist. It is one of the most accurate rifles in my safe, I shoot 200 & 225gr. bullets exclusively.

I would use any action capable of handling the 35 Whelen. In other words, anything originally chambered for 30/06 for starters but 270, 25/06, 280, etc would work too.

If a certain barrel length is desired, pick a rifle that has the length barrel you want. Going longer than the norm can be challenging but 24" for a 30/06 class rifle isn't too hard. Unless you insist to start with new, that will limit your options some.

For a 280 to 35 Whelen is the shoulder gonna require the barrel turned back?

I've done 06 to 35 and 06 to 9.3x62, but those obviously don't have the shoulder of the 280.

What did that poor Tikka ever do to you?

Ha!

I’d look for a used Winchester classic stainless, but they are getting a little tougher to find.

Haha...I have some dupicates.

I would think so due to the longer distance to the shoulder as you point out. I probably wouldn't bore out a 280 as there are enough fans out there that I could probably sell the 280, buy a donor, have JES bore it out, and still have a few pennies left over!

I had JES rebore a M70 to 35 Whelen and cut and crowned the barrel at 23" upon my request for an additional $25. If I "need" more velocity I'll use CFE223, 2000-MR or XBR 8208.

Yeah, it will be a 30-06 for sure.

I thought the go to was the Rem 740 /7400? They are getting price... at the gun show a newer synthetic 7400 was $550 and an old wood one was the same. Others were much more. Used to be you couldnt even get $350 for one and the gunsmiths wouldnt work on them.

I understand the thought of a little extra velocity from a 24” but in a moderate medium bore like that (I love the Whelen) you don’t gain as much as say a .257 Weatherby. Some studies find the Whelen to be the most efficient cartridge in its class.
A shorter barrel is stiffer and that helps with accuracy, all else being equal. Reboring a given barrel to a larger caliber makes it less stiff, so a little shorter barrel makes up for that.

Just another perspective. Do what makes you happy. That’s the point of all this.

I would just go for my preferred rifle platform chambered in .30-06 or .270 and have at it!