Subcaliber inserts for .35 Whelen?

[Matt G]

I love the .35 Whelen caliber, and reload some for it. Occasionally I'll load .357 bullets over reduced charges for fun quieter loads.

What I'm looking for is someone... ANYone, who makes an insert adaptor to allow me to shoot either .38 Spl/.357, 9mm, or .357 Sig through a .35 Whelen.

As JPG mentions in my blog posting on the issue, we could take a .30-'06 .32 acp adaptor and ream it out to accept a .357 cartridge. We'd have to expand the mouth, I think.

Lot of trouble for a simple little doohickey, if someone else already makes 'em.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The simplest soplution is the Hammond Game Getter http://www3.telus.net/gamegetter/

This is a cartridge with an off-center "primer pocket" -- which is actually a chamber for a .22 nail-setting blank. It comes as part of a kit, including a sizer. You lubricate and size 000 buckshot (or muzzle loader balls) for your rifle, insert one in the case mouth, insert a nail setting blank and you have an ideal subcaliber device without all the hassle associated with cartridge devices.

 

[UnforgivingMin]

I *think* Alex Inc. makes an adapter for this.

Alex, Inc.
Box 3034
Bozeman, MT 59772
USA
WWW: http://www.mcn.net/~alex
E-mail: [email protected]

Website seems to be defunct, but maybe you can reach him by email...

 

[Matt G]

Vern, the Hammond is a well-known and well-thought-of device. I've read Seyfreid's article on it before, and was surprised at the quality of accuracy that could be obtained.

But I'm thinking of something that requires less prep. I've got a .38/.357 adaptor for 12 ga., and was highly impressed with how easy it was-- just push in a .38 spl round, and chamber it in the gun. Then a pencil or the like allows the removal of the case. (I guess a thumbnail would eventually get it out.)

This is really what I'm thinking of. Something that will readily take cartridges that I have on hand, and make them usable out of my rifle of approximately the same diameter bore.

The Hammond requires that I obtain buckshot, swage them to size, press them into the adaptor, and then press into the back of the adaptor a special .22 blank cartridge, of which I currently have none, and have no other use for. Jacketed ammunition would not be available.

The "Alex" site link didn't work for me.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The Hammond isn't all that difficult. Yes, you do need the buckshot, or a handfull of muzzle loader balls of the right size, and most calibers require sizing -- but that's the work of a couple of minutes for enough balls for a full day of squirrel hunting.

You have to buy the .22 blanks -- but if you use, say a .357 cartridge in an adaptor, you have to get that cartridge somewhere. Even if you handload, you need bullets, primers and powder.

 

[mnrivrat]

Check with MCA Sports http://www.mcace.com/

if they don't have what you want they may be able to custom make it.

 

[Malamute]

I talked to the guy at MCA a couple years ago, he said he can custom make a 9mm in a 35 whelen chamber adapter.


I have a 32 auto in 30-30 adapter, it's a nice tool to have.