Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing 35 whelen on a model 70

So I "need" a 35 whelen. Doesn't seem that anyone other than remington factory chambers it and since we all know that push feed is "bad" for things that bite it will have to be done on a crf action. I have always liked the model 70 featherweight and was wondering if it was as simple as buying one in 270 or 30-06 and having a smith take off the barrel and put on a 35 whelen barrel. Is that all there is to it? Is there anything different about these new m70's compared to before they shut down a while ago?

Thanks

Yes your idea will work just fine.

HOWEVER if it were me I would make it a .338-06.

That's pretty much it for a 35 whelen, same case as the 270 and 30-06, just change barrels and you're good to go. The trigger is the only significant difference between theold M70's and the new manufacture ones.

Ruger did a run of M77 Hawkeyes in 35 Whelen. I know a dealer who may have one NIB.
PM me if you want his info.

For the most part it's a simple barrel swap.. However, the thicker neck of the Whelen might cause some feeding issues that will require some magazine and/or contents tweaks.. Nothin' else..

Just a simple barrel swap. That's how my stainless Ruger MKII .35 Whelen was created. Started as a .30-06 donor.

An alternative, is to obtain a used/standard .30-06 M70 (with a heavier barrel contour than a FW), and have it bored out/rifled to .358" - something most rebore smiths won't do to a .308" FW, because of the FW's small (.500") muzzle OD.

The now .35 Whelan standard M70 can be fitted with a FW stock fairly easily - and you will end up with what visually looks pretty much like a .35 cal M70 FW.

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It is very doable have built several for different folks on a variety of actions. One thing I do on these is I set the head space at minimum due the the lack of shoulder on this round and the fact that Remington has had some issues with there 35 Whelan Ammunition being a bit out of spec. We have seen FTF's on rifles with genorous headspace.

I have had good luck with the M70 push feeds,although I do like the classics better.Did a .35 Brown-Whelen on a PF M70(.243 Win. donor) and would have to say it's in the top three for favorite rifles.Used a Lilja barrel,23" length and can not say that this is the best barrel I ever had,but it is an 1-1.5 MOA rifle which is fine.I think it is a 12" twist and have never played with any bullets lighter than 225 gr.Case forming is a bit of a chore,use the false shoulder method to fireform.Best load H4350SC,250 gr. Nosler PT gives 2620 FPS,recoil not bad.Gun weighs 8.5 lb. field ready,wouldn't back down from too much in North America with this one.