RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi mainehunt,

A friend of mine, that lived a little distance outside of Wasilla, Alaska, built a .400 Whelen on a Mauser action. We had talked about his building a custom rifle....suitable for Moose, Bear, at reasonable ranges....on a standard action. I suggested a .400 Whelen and provided an article for him from the book "Big Bore Rifles".

He built the rifle....I believe if memory serves me right....and actually had it bored to accept .405 Winchester bullets...instead of .416. Bullets for the .405 Winchester are not as varied as .416, but especially with the recent reintroduction of the .405 Winchester......there is still a good selection. And he also used the .240 Weatherby case. The chamber was bored to headspace on the belt.....and eliminated any possibility of headspacing problems. He used the info provided in the above article...worked up several loads....picked the one he liked best....and used that rifle that year to take a nice "meat" moose. He still uses that rifle and it has become his favorite rifle for nearly everything.

I got to shoot it at the range. What a hoot! But never had the opportunity to carry it hunting.

Once again good luck with your "new" rifle.

Dave

P.S. You'd have to run a check. But last time I had checked companies like Barnes, Hawks, and a number of other semi-custom manufacturers make bullets suitable for the .405 Winchester.....should you decide to go that route.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

I would have a tough choice picking between the 35-Whelen, 338-06 or 280 A.I.??????????

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Thanks Akbound, that is definitely something to consider.

(edited to add;) Dave, have you ever read this?
http://www.z-hat.com/smashing_the_headspace_myth.htm


BTW- What advantage does the 400 Whelen have over the 35 Whelen or the 338-06?

Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi mainehunt,

No....I hadn't seen that particular article before (and found it interesting...thanks)...but I have read past accounts written by Elmer Keith concerning the cartridge. To clarify, on the issue of headspace, my understanding from both camps is this. The shoulder in and of itself...is sufficient. However, extremely careful reloading, (as in resizing the cases), procedures must be followed. And the headspacing has become a problem for quite a few. Someone, down the road, realized that the .240 Weatherby case was essentially only a .30-06 case except with a belt. And by simply doing a chamber reaming job....and switching cases.....the headspace would "never be an issue again". And that is what some have chosen to do! And the case I know of personally....it worked well....and the owner was extremely happy with it!

I think one of the reasons headspacing became such an issue is that many, if not most, of the people building .400 Whelens.....did it with the intent of using it for dangerous game. Therefore they wanted to insure headspacing issues would never be a consideration.

Well, the other part of the question......the .338-06 and the .35 Whelen. I happen to like both of those cartridges immensely. So I am not going to tell you there is anything wrong with them. Because there isn't....and they are very good cartridges....and both factory loads now. So that alone is advantages.

The .400 Whelen on the other hand is not as much of a general purpose cartridge as either of the above. But do you need another general purpose cartridge? You already have a .308 Winchester and a .300 Win. Magnum. The .400 will do better than any of the previously named cartridges in at least two areas. First, as a "stopper" rifle. It will flat out discharge a bullet of sufficient caliber, weight, and energy to without doubt......stop large and/or dangerous game. Second, because it is still a wildcat......it will be the most unique rifle in just about any camp!
And like I suggested before....with a good peep rear and post front.....I'd have trouble imagining a rifle better for that purpose. But before you think of it as only a "short-range" hunting rifle. When loaded with the right bullet....it can easily handle shots to 250-300 yards on game....even with the peeps.

The .400 Whelen duplicates the performance of the .404 Jeffrey which was used successfully in Africa by many game departments as issue rifles....and for culling big and dangerous game. It shoots flat enough for nearly any application against Moose or Bear.....and most of deer hunting as done in the North East. Especially the woods of Maine. John "Pondoro" Taylor himself said of the .404 and its ballistics, "it was entirely adequate against any beast anywhere in the world", or words to that effect!

And.....it is just plain extraordinary. You won't likely bump into many other .400's at hunting camp! A classic cartridge......for a classic action!

Once again....best wishes with your decision!

Dave

P.S. If it really is that hard to decide. Compromise and chamber for the .375 Whelen Improved. It will neatly split the difference between all the other cartridges mentioned. And you will certainly have no problem with component bullets......and don't need to worry about using the belted case! Maybe the best of all worlds. Still a classic....easy to load for....lethal and sufficiently flat shooting.....and not one in every camp! What more could a guy ask for?

P.S.S. From the looks of another thread......if you chamber for .35 Whelen when Quilly shows up....you won't be the only guy in camp with a .35 Whelen.;) (Actually I'd be surprised if the .35 Whelen isn't already pretty popular in Maine!):D

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

akbound,
This is really cool stuff, you've got my head spinning with different thoughts. There are quite a few 35 Wh up here, but I don't know anyone who shoots one.

So, the .375 Whelen Improved, that one is built on the 06 case right? That sounds good, but I like the idea of going all the way to 40! What the heck, if I'm going bigger than the 300 Win mag, I might as well go big :)

I don't know about this peep sight thing though. I have never used one to any extent. Especially nervous when you start talking about using one at 2-300 yards.

Kevin

PS- I wish we could talk a few hours over a pot of coffee. How long would it take you to drive to Maine?

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi Kevin (aka. mainehunt),

Is that an invitation to go hunting? ;)

Yes, the .375 Whelen Improved would work very well using standard .30-06 cases. Though if you started with .35 Whelen cases you'd be able to complete the renecking in "one pass" through the die. Then pick a bullet, a fire-forming load, and head to the range. When you come home....completed .375 Whelen Improved cases. Also, frequently the fire forming loads are very accurate. With a suitable bullet....properly zeroed.....they would make excellent "deer" sized game cartridges.

If you are uncomfortable with the thought of a peep....stick with a scope. Though if I were scoping it....I'd stick with a good quality, low power variable. Like a 1X4, or 1.5X5, or 1.75X6......or something like that! That would insure you'd still be able to acquire the target quickly. I had a Leupold 1X4 in Warne Q.D. bases and rings on a .458 Winchester Magnum chambered Mauser I owned. The low powered scope offered quick target acquisition. But in a pinch....I could pop the scope....and go to the express sights on the rifle. It worked great for me. But I have also had big bore with Ghost ring peep sights that were even quicker....just not as precise at longer ranges.

The low powered scope would work with either the .375 Whelen Improved.....or the .400 Whelen. Just make sure you discuss (with whomever is actually machining and "smithing"....and finalize decisions....before you start the project).

This is when it's most fun......considering the possibilities!

Once again...good luck.

Dave

P.S. These aren't terrible kickers by any stretch of the imagination....but get a scope with good "eye relief"! And....if you're going with a scope.....mount it with good Quick Detachable bases and rings, (Warne, Leupold, etc.), and have decent express style sights installed on the barrel. (And have them installed properly for a "heavy" rifle. Single leaf rear with a wide shallow V......and a large round white dot...."sourdough" it's called.......on the front. They are much quicker for short range fast shots then any other open sight. But a little slower than a Ghost Ring. Can't have everything;)!)

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hey Kevin,

I forgot to mention. If you go the wildcat route I'd suggest you contact an RCBS representative prior to purchasing a set of their dies. Inquire from them how they would like to insure proper die dimension....with your chamber.....prior to ordering. Usually it is either several fire-formed cases.....or a chamber casting. (Neither are particularly hard to accomplish.....but worth the effort and little extra expense to insure good die performance.)

Dave

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

ak-Dave,

Yeah, that's an invitation. My son and I both received our turket permits, won by lottery. Very exciting, he just turned legal age this winter to hunt in Maine, so this will be his first big hunt on May 1st. Now I have that excuse to buy a 20 gauge. You are in Alaska now, correct? Some day, I hope to make it there for a vacation/hunt.

Have to read more about these Whelen cartridges. Especially the .375 and .400.

Thanks for all your help Dave. Much appreciated.

Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Kevin, not only all the above about the .35 Whelen (or a.338/'06!!), is that you can rebore your present barrel, so you won't have to inlet the stock for a new contour!