Rifle Build 35 whelen light weight

[TongassHunter]

Hi everyone, first post here.

I am in the process of putting together my first bolt rifle build.

So far I have a Remington 700 SS long action regular in left handed. My goal is to keep the build as light as possible while also being able to provide bear stopping ability. I live in southeast Alaska, hunt blacktails hard, and do so in heavy brown bear country. Most of my shots are well under 100 yards. I've been hunting a 300 win mag for the last 4 years but would like to do this 35 whelen build as a winter project.

So here are some questions:

Is it possible to put together a 35 Whelen that weighs under 7lbs on this 700 long action? Ideally im hoping to keep the build relatively under control from a cost standpoint. Let's say under $1800. This will include the gunsmithing costs to fit the barrel and blueprint and tune the action.

I'm thinking I'd like a stainless sporter ish contour barrel but doing the math I'm not seeing sub 7lbs as a possibility (rifle only).

700 Long Action 2.70lbs correct???
Stock, either Graybou, HS precision, or Bell and Carlson all weight between 2.1 and 2.35lbs.

Barrels all look to be well into the 2.25lbs range or even more which already has me above the 7lbs mark.

What can I do to hit the sub 7lbs rifle only weight range?

Any help would be much appriciated.

Oh and I'm not wanting to run a carbon fiber barrel because of durability concerns. I hunt steep stuff in the rain. I fall pretty regularly and would hate to damage a carbon fiber barrel while I'm on a hunt.



Thanks


Trevor

 

[Edd]

It's going to be tough but you can get close. Your barrel is going to weigh at least 40 ounces, you didn't say how long you wanted it. A McMillan edge fill stock might be as light as 30 ounces. A trigger, magazine, follower and spring, and an aluminum floor plate will be about 10 ounces. That's 5 pounds without an action. I've not weighed a 700 long action but a Model 7 will weigh about 24 ounces. I would expect a long 700 to weigh at least 2 pounds.

 

[TongassHunter]

It's going to be tough but you can get close. Your barrel is going to weigh at least 40 ounces, you didn't say how long you wanted it. A McMillan edge fill stock might be as light as 30 ounces. A trigger, magazine, follower and spring, and an aluminum floor plate will be about 10 ounces. That's 5 pounds without an action. I've not weighed a 700 long action but a Model 7 will weigh about 24 ounces. I would expect a long 700 to weigh at least 2 pounds.

Thanks Edd.

I was going to go with a 22 in barrel in 1:14 twist. Even with that super light edge stock it's still not coming in under 7lbs.

2.7lbs for the 700 long action with trigger and bottom metal.

1.9lbs for the McMillan edge

Pac Nor barrel calculator for #1 contour 22in barrel says barrel weight would be approx 2.69lbs.

I'm getting 7.29lbs total as an approximate weight estimate.

Man these 700 long actions are heavy no way around it. Wish I hadn't already bought it.

I have a 6.5lbs Tikka t3x 300 win that is all I ever hunt with. My Ruger Hawkeye 30-06 is in the upper 7lbs range and sits in the safe.

Not sure what to do now.

Any other ideas?

Thanks everyone.


Trevor

 

[Juano86]

I have a .25-06 im planning to build into a light weight 35 whelen too. i have looked in to Canadian outfit Wild Cat Composites, they have stocks for the rem 700 from 17-24 ounces and very reasonably priced... link below.
http://wildcatcomposites.com/index.html

 

[Edd]

Any other ideas?

You wil have to spend more money to make it lighter but even if your pockets have no bottom, the most you can knock off is about a pound.

My other idea is, use a faster twist barrel.

 

[Rshooter]

I have a Rifles Inc. in 338 Win. on a 700 action that weighs 6 lb. 8.5 oz with Talley Lightweights and a Leupold 4.5-14 long range. Your weight goal is attainable but it will take more action work, replacing firing pin, shroud, follower and bottom metal with aluminum and finding a very lightweight stock.
I f you have the time or funds to look for a used Rifles Inc. in a suitable caliber, you will not be disappointed. Mine is very accurate.

Ron

 

[TongassHunter]

You wil have to spend more money to make it lighter but even if your pockets have no bottom, the most you can knock off is about a pound.

My other idea is, use a faster twist barrel.

Edd, would you recommend a 1:12 twist rate? I see myself shooting 225gr partitions and accubonds. Also the 200 gr TTSX as well. I wouldn't mind shooting the 250gr stuff but don't know much about what is available in that weight.

I'm not very knowledgeable on the 35 whelen options. I'm drawn to the cartridge because of the manageable recoil, level of power, and that the whelen does not need a 26in barrel like some of the magnums. I do most of my hunting in a rainforest, it's thick, wet, and most of my shots are very close. Lastly the local gun store has plenty of factory 35 whelen loads in stock.

 

[TongassHunter]

I have a Rifles Inc. in 338 Win. on a 700 action that weighs 6 lb. 8.5 oz with Talley Lightweights and a Leupold 4.5-14 long range. Your weight goal is attainable but it will take more action work, replacing firing pin, shroud, follower and bottom metal with aluminum and finding a very lightweight stock.
I f you have the time or funds to look for a used Rifles Inc. in a suitable caliber, you will not be disappointed. Mine is very accurate.

Ron

Ron thanks for the info. I'm having a hard time stomaching the price but I guess it costs to get what you want. I wonder if they do left handed version of their rifle.

These guys are a solution it looks like to my weight target.

Thanks


Trevor

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

Yes..if you can you can trim some unneeded metal from the action--also 22 in #2 contour fluted, Mark Basner use to make a 16 oz stock..I have one with a bit heavier fill around 23 oz.. I can see it looking a lot like the legendary arms rifles...sounds like a fun and useful rifle.

 

[86alaskan]

You may have a little less weight in the barrel than you think. I'm guessing that the quote doesn't take into account that it has a 35cal hole in it, which takes a fair amount of weight away on it's own. also cut a few ounces here and there when it is cut to length, chambered and threaded. manners has several elite hunter stocks than come in under 30oz pretty easy, some of which are pretty far under 30oz.

 

[Hand Skills]

I have a 30-06 - built in the same style as what you're doing back 'round the turn of the century

It's a 700 in a (what is now) wildcat composites stock.

22" bbl, trigger replaced, but otherwise unmodified action.

Mine is sub 7lbs bare.

Check out wildcat composites. Also, a blind magazine is an easy way to shave a couple of ounces.

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/ultra-light-stock-recommendation.209859/

 

[Edd]

Edd, would you recommend a 1:12 twist rate?

Yes I would. Then, if you desire, you will have the choice of using a couple of Hammers new copper bullets. I'm currently waiting on a reamer for a new 35 Whelen build myself. I chose to use a 1:10 twist.

 

[TongassHunter]

Thank you everyone, so I called wildcat composites about ordering up a stock in left handed. I'm waiting for a call back.

As for barrels I'm leaning towards a 1:12 twist now in 22 inches.

Hand skills, you mentioned the blind magazine. Are you referring to the ADL designation? How is feeding and reliability from a blind mag setup? What more is needed to complete the blind mag setup? Spring and follower... anything else?

I want to thank everyone for the guidence and help, I'm almost ready to start ordering everything.

I still need to figure out barrel profile. It was mentioned above that I go with a #2 contour fluted barrel. Anyone know an aproxamate weight in .358 at 22 inches length?


Trev

 

[Edd]

I think you are getting some bad barrel advice. The lightest barrel I would consider is a Krieger #3. They will only build a 358 barrel that light from Chromoly and they won't flute it.

Give me a few minutes and I will tell you the weight.

It will weigh about 44 ounces.