Budget friendly 35 Whelen

Going over the history and function of the 35 Whelen and how to build one on a budget. No beer was consumed in the presence of loaded firearms. All weapons cleared prior to filming. Don’t be a cry baby.

[@docmcgee3483]

My grandparents were from Kalispell before they moved to Alaska, I've hunted here some with a .35 Whelen, and my first moose rifle was a Winchester 670 in .30-06. Great video!

[@johncheevers6018]

Semper Fi Brother, I got my first 35 Whelen about 20 years ago. I was a rebarreled 98 Mauser, I traded auto work for it. I traded it off at a gun show for a Left handed Savage 110 in 30-06 just before hunting season, and hunted with that. After hunting season, I called my friend that I had traded with and he put a 24 inch 35 barrel on it. I've never looked back. It is one of my favorite rifles, extremely accurate and lethal. It is the "SLAYER". It only leaves it's rest during elk season. Out to 300 yards I own it! The Whelen has never let me down. I shoot 225 grn Nosler Partitions going about 2500fps, and it slays elk. Farthest kill, I mean harvest, has been just under 400yds. I hope you love yours as much as I do mine. Good hunting.

[@markcrawford2896]

I have wanted a .35 Whelen for a long long time.. thanx for sharing the vid.. I believe I will go on a build quest 🤟

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I’m glad you liked it!

[@georgelewis7154]

35 Whelen... My favorite big-game caliber. You chose wisely.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you!

[@robertdunbar5854]

Good project, great caliber ! I went less expensive route of a 28" Pro Hunter fluted Thompson Center bbl for my Encore. Very accurate and kicks like a mule.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

You’re definitely right on the mule kick part

[@jackmeoff5121]

Bought my whelen for $200 at a pawnshop on accident cause I thought it was a 30-06, then did some research. Couldn’t be happier, it’s a Re barreled 30-06 eddystone 1917

[@justintempus7406]

I've been hunting with a Whelen as my primary gun since 2010 and I've owned 5 and shot quite a few more. I've never seen a 1:16 that won't stabilize the 250gr lead cores. That said, I only kept my 1:12 because it can handle the 310 woodleighs when I'm in brown bear country (supposedly they are almost done rebuilding after a factory fire). They only go in the mag when I have a caribou or moose down. General use it's loaded with 225 tsx. I'm hoping Barnes brings back the 250gr monoliths.

[@fedup3582]

I have a feeling that the 225 gr barnes in your 35 whelen would probably handle a brown bear just fine.

[@danielrobey1759]

Another good option is to have Jess at JES rebore a used 270 or 30/06 to 35 whelen. Fast turnaround and runs about $300 or so for a bore job. I’m going to send him my marlin 30/30 and have it bored and chambered in 356 Winchester. As for my whelen it’s a rebarreled Brno mauser with a shilen barrel, chambered in the Ackley improved version… shoots very nice!

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I actually took the original to a gunsmith to ask about reboring and was told I wouldn’t have enough metal on the end to keep it strong much less to cut threads (which I wanted) so rebarrel it was.

[@eddieengland9886]

That's awesome man! I have a CVA single shot in .35 Whelen and love it. I've been looking for a decent priced bolt action but they seem to be non existent. You got a new subscriber with this video! 👍🏻 Ps. Now I'm going on the hunt for a rifle to either use or have re chambered.

[@ericevans5435]

will your cva sling 250 grainers well?

[@eddieengland9886]

@ericevans5435 Couldn't say for sure. At the time I bought the rifle all I could find were 200 grain Remington corelocks so I bought all four boxes they had. The 200's shoot great though and I took a decent buck at 150 yards the first year I hunted with it.

[@donyalewells1388]

I think I’m going to go this route. Thanks for the video.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Glad I could help! Good luck!

[@danielkearney3295]

love my whelen,, built on a mauser 98 with a boyd stock

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I would’ve loved to build it off a Mauser or a 1903. The supply seems to have dried up and prices are a little steep for me.

[@csmats5374]

Subscribed based on that epic opening statement alone. Can't wait to hear what you've got to say. Edit: Now I want a 35 Whelen package just like that!

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I really appreciate that! You can go even cheaper than i did. I just wanted the factory sights and a threaded barrel so it jacked the price up by about $150

[@MrWARHAMMER68]

What was said about building the budget .35 whelen rifle was actually recommended by Townsend Whelen himself in one of his books. I've read it and did it also , a couple of years ago with a Mauser-98 stock and action and a barrel purchased from MIDWAY. I have used it in Louisiana and Georgia to kill more deer than I have ever done in a season before.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I’m still reading wilderness and wildcraft by him. I have the American rifle. Wish I could find an old Mauser action for what I bought this winchester for

[@MrWARHAMMER68]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 Yours still came out great. My build ultimately cost me just under $800.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

@@MrWARHAMMER68 thank you. I believe we’re neck and neck on price there actually. You definitely have the cooler gun though

[@MrWARHAMMER68]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 btw , you got another subscriber. Keep spreading that message.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

@@MrWARHAMMER68 thank you so much!

[@darreldwalton8763]

My first Whelan was built on a 1909 Argentine Hauser on a laminated walnut stock. Picked it up when stationed at Malmstrom FAB, MT circa 75 for $150 with a Leupold m8 4x. Hunted elk with it up in The Bob, and along the Divide above wolf creek, but all I managed to take with it was a porcupine that kept raiding our camp... Always preferred 250 gr bullets, they shot the best on paper, gave best downrange performance, and I've yet to meet a critter that argued with them. Odd thing, too is that I seem to feel less perceived recoil with the 250s. Take er easy, have fun, don't got caught!

[@njc110381]

That's a really nice looking rifle - nothing wrong with a budget build if it gets you out in the field doing what you enjoy. I had mine built on a shot out Sako 75 which I picked up cheap. Whelens are impossible to find here in the UK so I didn't have the option of buying one.

[@Jordanhunterg]

You just seem like a cool dude. Honestly I’m definitely subscribing! Keep up the good work!

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you brother. I really try! I really appreciate the support

[@Jordanhunterg]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 love being able to see content like this half the stuff is banned in Canada

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

@@Jordanhunterg I’m glad I’m getting to ya!

[@GreggOwen-l5n]

8:16 put in for tags here in Wyoming next year. I've got a ruger m77 in 35 whelan, love it. Plus we have beer here.

[@fedup3582]

Do you shoot the beer or drink it?

[@JoseCabrera-t7v]

​@@fedup3582shoot Bud Light and drink Coors😂

[@craigleibbrand7761]

Damn cool rifle excellent action proper barrel length chambered for North America's dangerous game cartridge

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you!

[@Nathan-xj4bm]

Love the shirt!! Great video

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you so much! Watch for squatch!

[@Nathan-xj4bm]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 I'm interested in a 35 whelen build to. Also would like the mannlicher stock as well.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

@@Nathan-xj4bm it was a very streamlined process for me. I would definitely recommend a 1:12 twist. Stabilizes those 250gr bullets very well. This thing is very accurate

[@nelsondoan8271]

From Terminal Ballistics Research in New Zealand: “When testing hydrostatic shock on Bovines, I have discovered that impact velocities of 2600fps with suitable bullet weights (and construction) produced instant poleaxe in a repeatable manner. However, in many instances Bovines would attempt to rise, the action of attempting to rise resulting in increased blood loss with death following within seconds.” That sounds comforting if you’re hunting in grizzly country. It has a ballistic near twin, the 9.3x63, which was grandfathered in for dangerous game in many jurisdictions in Africa. Can’t use the Whelen there, but appears to work. I’m guessing the New Zealand guy got his buffalo experience in Australia….

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you for that info! I had no idea. I trying the crank the 250gr up to 2900fps but it seems I’m good at my 2700fps mark that I’ve been consistently hitting

[@nelsondoan8271]

Just looked that one up. Speer has a 2700fps load for their 250. My ballistic program has that bullet, and says it delivers 2599fps at 50 yards for the Speer bullet, great choice for bear defense. Speer seems to be the only source for updated info on the Whelen. A 200 or 225 might take that velocity to 100 yards, bullet choice probably more critical for penetration, but that particular effect has been served well at 50 yards. At longer ranges it should work great, even without the spectacular immediate effect described (on Cape buffalo). Your load, with 4.3” high zero at 100, mid range rise is a bit over 5””, is right on at 275, and 1.75” low at 300. This is my standard deer hunting zero for a .308, has worked extremely well for years, and your Whelen duplicates that trajectory. It also hits 2” above point of aim at 50 yards with this zero, which is very acceptable! But everyone has their own preference on zero, you’ve made a great choice!

[@jamiehurtt3530]

​@@lonesomeoutdoors7801cup and core bullets like the 250 grain speer hotcore in the whelen actually perform better on game at 2700 fps and below velocities ..so yiur 2700 fps is better suited for those Partitions and tsx would handle higher velocities better

[@jfsinc]

Great video. Thank you🙏

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you so much!

[@stevejorgensen5274]

WOW you ended up with an expensive rifle. In 1988 when Remington came out with the round I purchased a 700 classic for $399. A few years ago I built one using a Mark X in 30-06. Barrel came from Midway. Al a gunsmith at Scheels in Des Moines, IA installed the barrel. Shoots as well as the factory 700 I have. I have less than $500 in all. H&H is a British company. Non other than Elmer Keith liked and used the round when it was a wildcat round.

[@timlindskog2440]

I would like to be able to build a .338 federal for that price. Nothing wrong with the Whelan, I just have liked the .338 Federal since it came out.

[@ovejohansen77]

I actually made one even cheaper!! I got a killer deal on a E.R.Shaw Savage 110 barrel in .35 whelen. Paid 160$ for it. so I bought a 250$ savage rifle in 30-06 and my gun guy used 2 hours changing the barrel and inletting the stock! less than 500$ all in all! Would have loved to get a 1/12 twist , but for that price I'll settle for 1/14 twist. Looking forward to test it out for real next year's hunting season. My other hunting rifle for all game is a old Tikka M65 in 6.5x55 (swedish) wich is just one or two foot-pounds over the legal minimum for Scandinavian moose. The Whelen will do everything I'm not comfortable doing with the swede. Moose , maybe wild hogs , and polar bear protection, when sailing to Svalbard. Also, if I hunt places with other dangerous game present , the Whelen will be the natural choice. Love my Swede, but I think this will be another love story. I'm still not decided on where to cut the barrel, It's a bit long now at 24" as I'll add a supressor.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Sailing, hunting moose, Scandinavia! You sound like you have a very exciting life! I envy you. I realize I should’ve told everyone that if I had just gone with a standard length and forgone the factory iron sight reinstall and no threaded the barrel with a cap. But I like all those things so I was willing to pay the extra money. I’m going to do an in depth video on the base price vs the options I went with. That 35 will absolutely cover you for every from polar bears to feral woods people. I run a marlin 45-70 when I’m in the back country here in Montana. Quick and easy to get out of a scabbard while jumping off my horse if needed.

[@ovejohansen77]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 Sounds more exiting than it is..Norwegian moose hunting is mostly sitting on a post/stand , drinking coffee , listening to the oldboys from the farms around here talk about old days.. and maybe , once a day max, someone get to shoot one. Roe and Red deer hunting is more of my taste. I have a old 36 foot sailboat though, and going to Svalbard, carrying a gun of .30 cal minimum is mandatory. Planning my first trip, summertime in 2024!

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

@@ovejohansen77 sounds like a lot of what we do here. We get a lot of mountain hunting done. A good friend of mine hunts up in Norway where he lives. Sounds great!

[@russellkeeling4387]

I agree with your not wanting to shoot 180 grain bullets in your 35. I feel the same as you, if I want to shoot 180 grain bullets I'll just load some for my 06 or go to the ammo shelf and grab some. I got the Whelen because I can, without using maximum loads, push a 225 grain bullet to an average of 2816 fps. That's why I got the 35.

[@michaelrihel9584]

Nice rifle, I bought an inexpensive remington left hand 700 SPS (Ten years ago when they were inexpensive) and had my gunsmith install a Shilen 1:14 twist .35 cal barrel chambered in 35 Whelen. My gun has shot 1/2"-3/4" groups at 100 yards with 200 and 250 grain spitzers. It likes Varget.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you so much! Sound like you got a good rifle too! I’m still testing this one and it is grouping phenomenally, ran into a slight snag that I’m attempting to remedy now before I come out with another video on it. My rifle also likes varget.

[@russellkeeling4387]

I'm a fan of Shilen barrels. I had a .275 Rigby built not long ago and used a 24 inch Shilen barrel. I asked them and there is no break in necessary for the rifling and minimal for the throat. It shoots very well and will get better as I work up a nice pet load.

[@russellkeeling4387]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 My likes imr 4064.

[@MisterBrewer]

Beautiful rifle. Looks like it needs a good recoil pad, but maybe a thick jacket will do. 😅 I really enjoyed the video. Subscribed.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I loaded some very warm 250gr pills. I opted for the pad almost immediately

[@MisterBrewer]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 I bet you did! Hope you make some more videos shooting your beautiful 35 whelen rifle. Cheers!

[@enigmasunshine4554]

Hi, I just spoke to Dan at McGowen and he said that they cannot re install the iron sights frommy old 30-06 barrel to new 35 Whelen barrel. Did you got the iron sights installed, somewhere else on your rifle ?

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

That’s very strange because they did it for me. $60 extra or something.

[@enigmasunshine4554]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 , Yeah I contacted them again and they said that they no longer do it anymore, but they have offered that service in the past, it's sad for me though

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

@@enigmasunshine4554 Aw man I hate to hear that. I’m sure another place could do the job you need or once you get the barrel put on you can find a local gunsmith to mount them for you.

[@enigmasunshine4554]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 , yes found a local gunsmith and it will be 100 for the job, sucks but there are not many options i have. Also did you went with carbon steel barrel and bluing or stainless steel and cerakote finish ? as they are only offering either stainless or chromoly finish, no carbon steel at this time and it cost 70 extra for cerakote finish. Also I am going with 23" or 24" barrel, as I heard you saying that you are not getting good velocities out of that 20"

[@sinistersilverado965]

I built my 35 Whelen on a $50 M98 VZ-24 action, and a $79 barrel from Midway

[@benbowditch9265]

First off.. The NEW RemArms is going to be releasing a 700 in 35 Whelen this Fall/Winter. Second I went the 35 Whelen route and built a $3,000 rifle. :) It's on a Savage 110E 30-06 Receiver ($280 for the rifle an scope on Armslist), in a ORYX Chassis, I bought a X-Calibur (Also Kalispell, MT) 31" 1:12" Cryo-treated barrel. I can launch HBN coated Speer 2453 250gr SP at 3,000+ 5,000ft. lbs. 3/4 IPSC steel at 1,000yd with 1,000ft. lbs. I'm currently working on some NOE 278gr Spire Point bullets cast in Zinc and HBN Coated, launched at 3,200fps. 3¢ AP Rounds, Thanks for sharing.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I would like to see the new Remington. Needed a rifle ready for elk this year though. I definitely don’t have as much in mine but I did go a little more expensive than i could’ve. I added the threaded barrel and had the factory sights reinstalled and all that jazz. Could’ve been a $300 job I made it a near $500. Definitely would like to get my velocity up so I bought the hammer 200grs. I’ll be testing those here

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I would like to see the new Remington. Needed a rifle ready for elk this year though. I definitely don’t have as much in mine but I did go a little more expensive than i could’ve. I added the threaded barrel and had the factory sights reinstalled and all that jazz. Could’ve been a $300 job I made it a near $500. Definitely would like to get my velocity up so I bought the hammer 200grs. I’ll be testing those here

[@benbowditch9265]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 Check out Cutting Edge Bullets as well! 275gr Maximus will stabilize in a 1:12"T. They only have a sale once a year for BF, but it's 25% off! I wonder what people shoot the 340gr in? 358 CheyTac!? Haha.. Happy 35 shooting and reloading brother!

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

@@benbowditch9265 thank you brother! I’ll check them out. Definitely looking for a pretty high BC option

[@mylifeisdope916]

thumbs up for getting it done with poverty projects

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you so much

[@grob25]

You had me at budget

[@Savage-xl5hq]

Cheapest and most effective way te rebarrel is savage 110 nice rifle though

[@caleb7190]

225 grain in 35 Whelen can be loaded to shoot 2900 fps safely, it's a beast in a mid sized package

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Really have been trying to find some. Primers are my biggest problem

[@danielrobey1759]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 large rifle primers are a bitch for everyone right now unfortunately.

[@enigmasunshine4554]

What's the nameof the company, where you send the action to and get new barrel build ?

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

All the info can be found here mcgowenbarrel.com

[@enigmasunshine4554]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 , Thanks

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

@@enigmasunshine4554 you’re welcome

[@mojomike3913]

Got you whooped! Built my 35 Whelen AI for $450 all in. Started with a 1908 Brazilian Mauser 98 that I got for nothing, turned out it already had a Timney trigger installed when it was Bubba'd. I put a short chambered Green Mountain barrel on it that was

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Think I’d file that one under special circumstances, my friend. Sounds like an excellent build though.

[@craigleibbrand7761]

The 35 Whelen is North America's dangerous Game cartridge compared to the 375 H&H Africa's dangerous game cartridge.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I would agree

[@fedup3582]

That doesn't look like the factory 670 stock, did you do some work to the stock?

[@houndsman406]

Good video

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Thank you

[@craigleibbrand7761]

Action looks like a Winchester 670. It competed with Rem 700 A D L.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Yessir. It is a 670. Like I said in the video, I’m too poor for a model 70 so I bought this 670

[@craigleibbrand7761]

It's a good action you did well

[@craigleibbrand7761]

You might be able to kill a small female jackrabbit with the 06 but Elmer Keith would say 35 Whelen with 250 gr. bullet.

[@kesleycottrell1416]

If you have a Model 98 Mauser action you can build almost any rifle you want.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Exactly

[@russellkeeling4387]

Not long ago I looked in to buying a new Mauser 98 action and found I could afford to just buy a rifle for less money. I did find a Ruger M77 action, it's not a control round feed, but I'm more than happy with the results.

[@MarioMario-nj6kz]

I want a Remington pump rifle in 35 whelen

[@easttexan2933]

Dude, how many beers you had before staring this vid? Hilarious.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Only 1. Unfortunately this is just how I am without aid from beer. Beer only makes me louder.

[@ghunt09]

CVA Scout in 35 whelen is a bargin

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

It is but I wanted a bolt

[@clintonlayne9253]

I just ordered a CVA Scout in 35 Whelen.1/4/24. But after watching this video I have a Winchester model 70 Ranger that I can convert to a 35 Whelen.I also have a Santa Barbara Mauser in 270 that has the drop floor plate . I also have a Brazilian 08/30 in 3006 which shoots poorly it might be a better choice although prices on Mil Surplus have gone threw the roof lately.

[@craigleibbrand7761]

If it was left hand I would like to own it.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

There’s plenty of left hand candidates at my local shop.

[@blackpowder4016]

You could have had the old barrel bored out and rifled for half that.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

Definitely could’ve gone cheaper even on the barrel build. I wanted threading and a match barrel. The only barrel would not have had enough meat on it left after a rebore.

[@jimtodd7168]

This guy is talking so fast I can't understand a word he said.

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I get called a slow talking southerner where I live now in Montana

[@pabloco091]

Hells yeeah

[@kwalsemann3919]

20 inch barrel is to short for caliber,24 or 26 would be better overall.

[@jeffreywilson690]

I like the 35 but prefer the 338/06

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I was really looking hard at the 338-06 but I also like the 338 fed. So going to spin up a 338 fed for my son one day.

[@jeffreywilson690]

@@lonesomeoutdoors7801 I also looked at the 338 Federal first but Brownells had a Edward Shaw 338 out six barrel in stock for $200 I went that route haven't looked back

[@russellkeeling4387]

Am I wrong in saying the 338-06 is still a wildcat and not produced by any manufacturers yet?

[@jeffreywilson690]

@@russellkeeling4387 a square some years ago, weatherby had rifles,nosler made ammo Very expensive if not hand loading for

[@ghunt09]

Whelen didnt have anything to do with the development. It was just named for him.

[@jamiehurtt3530]

You could've had jes reboring turn an 06 into a 35 whelen for about 300 bucks in two weeks

[@dansalopek7104]

have you dropped the queer beer or are you still sending AB money?

[@lonesomeoutdoors7801]

I had to rewatch the video because it’s been over a year. I forgot I had a month there where I drank it because it was the cheapest at my gas station. I’m a miller man and have been since I was 8