30-06 rebarrel to 35 Whelen

[Bob33]

I have too many 30-06 rifles gathering dust in my gun safe so I’m considering getting one rebarreled to 35 Whelen. The rifle is a Springfield 03A3 action in a stock I made with my father. It doesn’t appear to have the original barrel on it.

I’m looking for recommendations of a gunsmith to do the rebarreling. I’ve considered Benchmark and am open to other ideas.

Thanks.

[kselkhunter]

I did a re-bore instead of rebarrel when I did mine.

Jesse Ocumpaugh has rebored a 30-06 to 35 Whelen and 30-30 to 356 Winchester for me.  He does great work. 
http://www.35caliber.com/

[headshot5]

 

[Angry Perch]

  X2
He did Ruger No. 3 from .223 to .35 Whelen for me, and did excellent work. And fast!

[bearpaw]

Reboring is an interesting concept, is it cheaper than a new barrel? How does the accuracy compare to a new barrel? Pros & Cons?

[wadu1]

An other option is 9.3X62 a lot better than a 35 Whelan 

[yorketransport]

I picked up a sporterized Springfield in 35 Whelen a few years back that's very similar to what you're working on. I believe Don Manning did all the metal work and the stock was finished by a friend and his dad. My friend needed money so I bough the rifle from him and promised to hang on to it until he has the cash to buy it back from me. Beautiful gun, but one of the most unpleasant guns I've ever shot. The stock was shaped to fit my friend's dad and every time I shoot it I get socked in the cheek! I've shot ultra light 458 Win Mags which were more fun to shoot!

Reboring is an interesting concept, is it cheaper than a new barrel? How does the accuracy compare to a new barrel? Pros & Cons?

It makes a lot of sense if you're trying to maintain the look of the original gun. I've heard that the price is pretty comparable to a rebarrel, maybe a little less, and that accuracy is typically as good or better than the barrel was originally.

[kselkhunter]

Reboring is an interesting concept, is it cheaper than a new barrel? How does the accuracy compare to a new barrel? Pros & Cons?

Rebore is only $225.

Accuracy has been very good on my two rifles.   

No real cons of a rebore that I'm aware of.   You'll see JES pop up on many forums as he's the most commonly used from many states. I took my second re-bore to him in person as I had a business trip to Eugene (just north of his home in Cottage Grove).  Very nice guy.   

[Bob33]

Interesting idea. How does reboring work? I assume something is done to increase the bore. Does twist rate factor in? I assume a 30-06 barrel would have a faster twist than desirable for a 35 Whelen. Can reboring change the twist rate?

[yorketransport]

Interesting idea. How does reboring work? I assume something is done to increase the bore. Does twist rate factor in? I assume a 30-06 barrel would have a faster twist than desirable for a 35 Whelen. Can reboring change the twist rate?

On a .30 they can just re-drill the bore to .35 and then cut new rifling in the appropriate twist.

[kselkhunter]

Interesting idea. How does reboring work? I assume something is done to increase the bore. Does twist rate factor in? I assume a 30-06 barrel would have a faster twist than desirable for a 35 Whelen. Can reboring change the twist rate?

Jesse's great. Give him a call and discuss.  He'll explain the options.  He'll set the twist rate to what you want based off what size bullet you tell him you think you'll shoot the most.  For 35 Whelen it's typically a 1:12 or 1:14 twist.   He'll suggest a twist rate, and if you want something different just tell him.   He has the 3 groove and 5 groove ($25 more), and honestly the 3 groove has been fine for me.  Accuracy has been very good.   I shoot mostly 250gr, 258gr, and 310gr through my 35 Whelen as it's my thumper.   But if you plan to shoot 180gr, 200gr or 225gr just tell him and he'll suggest a twist rate for the smaller sizes.  Or you can just specify what twist you want to match the bullets you think you'll shoot the most. 

For 30-06, he'll do re-bores for 338-06, 35 Whelen, and 9.3x62mm typically.  Usually is a 2-5 day process.   Unless he has a huge backlog.  I've never heard of him taking longer than two weeks.  Very fast turnaround.   

[bearpaw]

This is a very interesting topic, I'm glad you asked about this Bob33. I've got a gun I was going to send to the facotry to rebarrel, I think I'll contact this Jesse guy about a rebore, I'm wondering if he could rebore a 300 WTBY to 340 WTBY?

[jdb]

I don't have much to add but my hat is off to you sir! Classic cartridge in a classic rifle! Elmer Keith is smiling down on you!

[Bob33]

I just got a call from JES in Oregon: ship them the action and barrel and a check for $250, and in a week they ship it back. I drop it in the stock and I have a 35 Whelen.

Almost sounds too good to be true. I'll do it and update this thread with what I learned.

[CP]

I'm considering doing this to my 30/30.  I've always wanted a .356 Win.

[wadu1]

This post has got me thinking. I have a early (about 1964) 22-250 with a commercial FN Mauser action it shoots well, but I'm in the market for a 6.5 CM. So I guess it's time to re-bore it's 26' barrel should be great project.   

[bearpaw]

I talked to JES today, sounds pretty easy to ship directly, since there is no sale you don't have to worry about going through an FFL.

[Bob33]

I talked to JES today, sounds pretty easy to ship directly, since there is no sale you don't have to worry about going through an FFL.

I took the stock off so it fit in small box. It cost about $15 to ship. It should be back any day now.

[Bob33]

Magic. 2 weeks and $250 later I have a 35 Whelen, intact with it's original looks and sentimental value.

[bobcat]

Very cool! Will be curious to hear how it shoots.

[dontgetcrabs]

 

That's a great looking weapon!   

[bearpaw]

That's awesome Bob, I'm also anxious to hear how it shoots.

[Rat44]

Looking to have my Rem 700 re barreled.
Current barrel is too short for the cartridge.
Seems JES only rebores ?
I am in the Tacoma area so any body local to look at ?

[Fl0und3rz]

Very cool! Will be curious to hear how it shoots.

 

[Bob33]

Update. It's taken some time to get the barrel broken in and find a load it likes. Given it was a 60 year barrel and probably not the best quality at the time, that wasn't too surprising. It likes the 200 grain TTSX loads pretty well which should make a dandy elk cartridge out to 250 yards or so. The 225 grain loads were less successful. Could be lots of factors including twist rate.

I now have a gun that looks identical with all the same character and memories that I grew up with, in a .35 caliber cartridge.

[NWShooter]

An other option is 9.3X62 a lot better than a 35 Whelan 

Completely agree.

[kselkhunter]

Update. It's taken some time to get the barrel broken in and find a load it likes. Given it was a 60 year barrel and probably not the best quality at the time, that wasn't too surprising. It likes the 200 grain TTSX loads pretty well which should make a dandy elk cartridge out to 250 yards or so. The 225 grain loads were less successful. Could be lots of factors including twist rate.

I now have a gun that looks identical with all the same character and memories that I grew up with, in a .35 caliber cartridge.

Good to see you got it out to shoot.  My JES rebore (1:14 twist) 35 Whelen likes 200gr and 250gr bullets.  Didn't spend much time on 225gr.   250gr Speer and Nosler bullets seem to group the best.   Loaded 50 rounds of 250gr bullets this afternoon for the 35 Whelen.   310gr tests coming up soon.

[mountainman]

Should be an elk slayer for sure! Always wanted. A 35 Whelen

[Magnum_Willys]

30-06 Old school all-time classic and Whelen takes it even further.  The original wildcat ?

[NWShooter]

Should be an elk slayer for sure! Always wanted. A 35 Whelen

Only a bank card away. 👍

[mountainman]

Yep lol😉

[bearpaw]

I just got a call from JES in Oregon: ship them the action and barrel and a check for $250, and in a week they ship it back. I drop it in the stock and I have a 35 Whelen.

Almost sounds too good to be true. I'll do it and update this thread with what I learned.

Bob, did they stamp the barrel with the new caliber or does it still show the old caliber?

[kselkhunter]

I just got a call from JES in Oregon: ship them the action and barrel and a check for $250, and in a week they ship it back. I drop it in the stock and I have a 35 Whelen.

Almost sounds too good to be true. I'll do it and update this thread with what I learned.

Bob, did they stamp the barrel with the new caliber or does it still show the old caliber?

I don't know about Bob's barrel, but JES stamped both of my re-bores with the new caliber. 

[Bob33]

I just got a call from JES in Oregon: ship them the action and barrel and a check for $250, and in a week they ship it back. I drop it in the stock and I have a 35 Whelen.

Almost sounds too good to be true. I'll do it and update this thread with what I learned.

Bob, did they stamp the barrel with the new caliber or does it still show the old caliber?

It shows the new caliber. See the image below.

[bearpaw]

Looks great, thanks Bob!