Franco
Member
Does anyone know whether these exist today new or whether any trusted manufacturer has made them in the past? I really like the caliber but would prefer it in a lever gun like a Marlin or Winchester. Thanks.
Lever gun in 35 whelen
- Thread starter Franco
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hogshead
Member
Dont think so . Not in Marlin or win anyway . Browning has the 30-06 I know in their version of lever action but I am not real fond of that. Sure would make a nice bear gun though.
Abel
Member
A BLR in 358 Win. is a better solution to your dilemma.
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...e_id=006&content=blr-lightweight-`81-firearms
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...e_id=006&content=blr-lightweight-`81-firearms
SwampWolf
Member
Other rifles chambered in .358 Winchester were the Savage Model 99 and the Winchester Model 88 (both long discontinued but still can be found used, albeit fetching pretty stiff prices). Also, the Marlin 336 and Winchester Model 94 ("Big Bore") rifles were chambered in the ballistically equivalent .356 Winchester (both also discontinued but considerably more affordable than the aforementioned Model 88 and Model 99). Ammunition availability and cost will remain obstacles to these two fine cartridges.
I'm not aware of any lever-action rifle ever being chambered in the .35 Whelen.
I'm not aware of any lever-action rifle ever being chambered in the .35 Whelen.
Jim Watson
Member
There have been some Browning/Winchester new made 1895s rebored or rebarrelled for such things. If it will shoot .270 and .30-06, it should handle .35 Whelen.
It won't be cheap.
It won't be cheap.
Abel
Member
Well, that's why its a good solution. There is no 35 Whelen lever.
The 35 Whelen gets about 150 fps more than the 358 Win. I don't know if that makes it "quite a bit more gun". The 358 is a short action cartridge, which makes it much easier to fit in a lever action. The Browning BLR is still made in 358. The only lever actions that I can think of that could be rebarreled to 35 Whelen would be the Winchester 1895 or the long action BLR. The short action BLR is much faster handling than either.
Franco
Member
Thanks everyone. That's what I suspected.
Maverick223
Member
I agree with you, and plan to have my Browning '95 chambered for the cartridge (it is '06 ATM)...though I might end up with a Brown-Whelen depending upon what reamers the smith has on hand (in all likelihood he'll have neither). It has ever been a factory offering, nor is it a inexpensive task for a Win. '95, but it is very well suited to the action IMO.
NCsmitty
Member
Not a lever, but occasionally a Remington Model 7600 in 35 Whelen comes up for auction on Gunbroker.
Grice Gun Shop in PA often has special order Remington rifles in stock, and a couple years ago they had the 35 Whelen with maple furniture and it was real nice.
Right now they have the 7600 with blue laminated stocks in 25-06 and 7mm-08 with 24" barrels for $699. They have an online catalog to view.
http://www.gricegunshop.com/
NCsmitty
Grice Gun Shop in PA often has special order Remington rifles in stock, and a couple years ago they had the 35 Whelen with maple furniture and it was real nice.
Right now they have the 7600 with blue laminated stocks in 25-06 and 7mm-08 with 24" barrels for $699. They have an online catalog to view.
http://www.gricegunshop.com/
NCsmitty
mr.trooper
Member
As already mentioned, about the only way this is ever going to happen is to have a gunsmith re-barrel an 1895 Winchester, or a Browning BLR.
Maverick223
Member
While I am sure that someone will make a custom bbl for the 1895, I don't know of anyone that has done so (and I have looked). The breach has some atypical milling that would require quite a bit of precision machining to function correctly. The only adaptations of the '95 that I know of involved reboring/rifling/chambering the same barrel.
Franco
Member
Just bought a BLR stainless TD in 358. Shoots great and I can't wait to use it on deer/elk this fall. I think I'm going to be one of those who becomes religious with this gun.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I know you already found a solution to your problem but IMHO, a rebarrelled Winchester or Browning 1895 would make a wonderful .35Whelen. Although a .375 or .411Hawk 'may' be even better. Not sure how Z-Hat accomplishes those conversions, whether it's with a rebored factory barrel or a new one cut from a premium blank. I'm sure the answer could be found in my backissues of Handloader and/or Rifle magazine but I'm very content with my .405. Which will do everything that needs doing within iron sight range.
Maverick223
Member
Craig, any idea how much he charges? I am very much interested in converting mine (to either .35Whelen or Brown-Whelen).
P.S.: I believe that he re-bores the bbl (at least for a '95).
P.S.: I believe that he re-bores the bbl (at least for a '95).
T.R.
Member
The custom smiths at Wild West Guns can be helpful. Years ago, I read about their many customs based upon the Winchester model 71 and 1886 actions. One custom featured the .348 case necked up to .375. Seems to me that this same cartridge case could be necked up to .358 to meet your needs.
Hope this is helpful. www.wildwestguns.com
TR
Hope this is helpful. www.wildwestguns.com
TR
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Found his website. According to it, only $395 for a rebore, which isn't too bad. A new one starts at $675. I would think this particular conversion would be a really good candidate for a rebore and it should be the only work necessary. Unless the magazine needs a little tweaking.
http://www.z-hat.com/
http://www.z-hat.com/
Maverick223
Member
Thank you for the info, Craig. That's not too shabby, i'll have to give that strong consideration. I also see that the Brown-Whelen is difficult to form, so I think i'll just stick with the original (don't have need of the added velocity anyway). FWIW I don't believe i'll have any problems with the magazine (since it's already '06), the only thing I can fathom is opening up the feed ramp, which shouldn't be necessary either.
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