.400 Brown Whelen # 2

[FrankG]

Building up the second .400 Brown Whelen . This is on a Springfield 1903 Mk1 action and the 40 cal barrel I bought from Bullshop a while back.
The stock Ive had 20+ years and I thought it was Maple all this time .It was a Monte Carlo big cheekpiece wide forend thing when I started. Had a big flared palm swell grip that I also changed . When band sawing cheek and Monte Carlo off I knew right what it was ............Oregon Myrtlewood ! Smelled like mouse pee when blade got hot . And its hard hard hard !

Steel butt plate is a pre 64 Mod 70 I had .

Now to start sanding .

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/ModocWrangler/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1548_zps4cfa9445.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/ModocWrangler/media/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1548_zps4cfa9445.jpg.html)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/ModocWrangler/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1550_zps8afb132f.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/ModocWrangler/media/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1550_zps8afb132f.jpg.html)

[nekshot]

Nice gun, I really like those older bolt actions in a classy stock as you have. No 80 grit paper on that wood!!!

[RustyReel]

I like it, heck what's not to like. Reshaped stock really looks nice. Any color at all in the wood??

I picked up a Pre-64 Win 70 steel buttplate at a local gun show yesterday that I hope to use on a future project.....It will probably go on something with a little less push back than a 400 Whelen!

Keep us posted on the project.

[FrankG]

The stock has some figure that will show up when I use a dark stain as a base.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Frank: been waiting for this one to come down the pipe. It looks good and that wood will pop when you get the stain on it and a few coats of Oil.

I've been looking for another Springfield Barreled action to do the same thing.

Randy

[FrankG]

Here is the .400 Brown Whelen II , just assembled this morning. :happy dance:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/ModocWrangler/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1556_zps84e5eadd.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/ModocWrangler/media/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1556_zps84e5eadd.jpg.html)





http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/ModocWrangler/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1555_zpscb05d7de.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/ModocWrangler/media/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1555_zpscb05d7de.jpg.html)

[nicholst55]

That looks very nice! Let us know how it shoots.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Came out exactly like I expected it would. A very proper Sporting Rifle.

Can't wait to hear how it shoots.

Randy

[FrankG]

Shot a little bit today . Five shots with 50 grs 4320 320gr cast WD WW/PB Satans lube at 25 yds off sand bags . A little problem on my part ................the bull I scribbled is 1" square and my bead more than covers it to the point I didnt know where I was other than bull was covered ! Think I need a 2" bull so I can reference where I am on it . Any way I am pleased with outcome .
I weighed and its nine pounds empty with sling .

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/ModocWrangler/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1557_zps0a3c188c.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/ModocWrangler/media/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1557_zps0a3c188c.jpg.html)

[FrankG]

Tried a little ladder test at 25 yds ,5 shots going from 50grs to 52grs in 1/2 gr increments with 4320 wd/ww/pb. Recoil increased a little each time but is still pleasant even with steel butt plate . Should be right at 2000 fps . Not showing any pressure signs. Bolt lift and extraction is easy and primers still have round edges.
Have to go to range no and shoot a 'real' target at 50 yds. Id just about bet group will be much the same .
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/ModocWrangler/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1558_zps4bacd44c.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/ModocWrangler/media/400%20Brown%20Whelen%20II/DSCN1558_zps4bacd44c.jpg.html)

[W.R.Buchanan]

Frank: the way to do the bull is to use a piece of 2" blue masking tape 2" long. When you aim at this you sit the top of the front sight even with the bottom of the square.

That way you can index the front sight directly in line with the sides of the square.

If you have a bead instead of a blade front sight then sit the top of the bead even with the bottom of the square. Sides of the bead align with the sides of the square.

Just a thought. This is how I do my various carbines.

The gun looks like it will shoot.

Randy

[FrankG]

Thanks for the tip! Ill look for some when next in town. Its a bead front .

[Buck Neck It]

Is the barrel longer than 24 inches? Hard to tell. Good looking rifle, in my opinion.

[FrankG]

Barrel is 26" on this one .

[Buckshot]

...........Hey that Mk1 Springfield action would be one of those dastardly possible hand grenades. You better send that rifle to me for safe keeping. Just PM me and I'll send my address! :-)

Your pal, Buckshot

[FrankG]

Will do Buckshot ...................right after I wear it out ! :bigsmyl2: