Post by: Bob33 on July 30, 2019, 08:32:42 AM
I’m looking for recommendations of a gunsmith to do the rebarreling. I’ve considered Benchmark and am open to other ideas.
Thanks.
Post by: kselkhunter on July 30, 2019, 08:50:49 AM
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/
Post by: headshot5 on July 30, 2019, 10:43:45 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on July 30, 2019, 02:16:03 PM
He did Ruger No. 3 from .223 to .35 Whelen for me, and did excellent work. And fast!
Post by: bearpaw on July 30, 2019, 05:43:23 PM
Post by: wadu1 on July 30, 2019, 07:06:44 PM
Post by: yorketransport on July 30, 2019, 07:32:21 PM
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.
Post by: kselkhunter on July 30, 2019, 07:39:33 PM
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.
Post by: Bob33 on July 30, 2019, 08:02:50 PM
Post by: yorketransport on July 30, 2019, 08:08:39 PM
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.
Post by: kselkhunter on July 30, 2019, 08:17:18 PM
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.
Post by: bearpaw on August 01, 2019, 10:15:08 AM
Post by: jdb on August 03, 2019, 05:35:05 PM
Post by: Bob33 on August 05, 2019, 02:50:49 PM
Almost sounds too good to be true. I'll do it and update this thread with what I learned.
Post by: CP on August 05, 2019, 02:56:18 PM
Post by: wadu1 on August 05, 2019, 04:39:54 PM
Post by: bearpaw on August 21, 2019, 06:21:46 PM
Post by: Bob33 on August 21, 2019, 06:54:18 PM
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.
Post by: Bob33 on August 31, 2019, 10:52:07 AM
Post by: bobcat on August 31, 2019, 11:09:41 AM
Post by: dontgetcrabs on August 31, 2019, 11:32:44 AM
That's a great looking weapon! :tup:
Post by: bearpaw on September 02, 2019, 09:11:01 AM
Post by: Rat44 on October 20, 2019, 08:20:21 AM
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 ?
Post by: Fl0und3rz on October 20, 2019, 08:57:45 AM
Very cool! Will be curious to hear how it shoots.
:yeah: :tup:
Post by: Bob33 on February 09, 2020, 06:57:18 PM
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.
Post by: NWShooter on February 09, 2020, 07:01:18 PM
An other option is 9.3X62 a lot better than a 35 Whelan :twocents:
Completely agree.
Post by: kselkhunter on February 09, 2020, 07:26:49 PM
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.
Post by: mountainman on February 09, 2020, 08:46:17 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 09, 2020, 11:00:18 PM
Post by: NWShooter on February 11, 2020, 08:58:48 PM
Should be an elk slayer for sure! Always wanted. A 35 Whelen
Only a bank card away. 👍
Post by: mountainman on April 12, 2020, 03:21:51 PM
Post by: bearpaw on April 12, 2020, 06:44:16 PM
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?
Post by: kselkhunter on April 12, 2020, 06:46:14 PM
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.
Post by: Bob33 on April 12, 2020, 06:46:40 PM
It shows the new caliber. See the image below.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?
Post by: bearpaw on April 12, 2020, 07:05:19 PM