Rick Cox
AH elite
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2015
- Messages
- 1,391
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- Location
- Armstrong British Colombia
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- Armstrong Fish and Game Club
- Hunted
- Namibia, South Africa, British Colombia Ca.
Rick CoxView attachment 343555 I just received my new Winchester Supergrade M70 in 30-06, which is going to be rebarreled to 35 Whelen. Taking it to Dave Jennings (gunsmith) in Pritchard BC today. Should I have it chambered in standard 35W or in 35W AI?
Thanks Bob. I was waiting for you to weigh in. I wanted to go with 25" but the barrel my gunsmith has in stock is 24" so that is what it is. 1/12 twist. Components of this sort are hard to get here in Canada from the States, duties, laws, paranoia etc. He is getting most of his barrels from Germany now. He tells me it takes 6-12 months to get a barrel from the US.Rick Cox
Having had and used both standard and AI I have to say the STANDARD WHELEN is the way to go. The lack of shoulder on the STANDARD for headspacing is utter bullsh##, if good reloading practice is followed.
To me it's not worth the effort of fireforming the cases and using 6 to 8 grains more powder to get the same velocity. Nosler and Speer list some very potent loads for the Whelen with 225 and 250 grain bullets. Try CFE223 and you will be amazed at the velocity and groups you get.
I went for a 25 inch 1 in 12 twist stainless barrel for my Whelen.
Cheers mate Bob View attachment 343594
Yes I reload.I say do what you would like. If you are intrigued with the AI then go for it.
But the question is do you reload? If so then the AI may be better from the reloaders point of view. One nice thing about the AI is that you can shoot standard 35 Whelen factory ammo through it if you don't have any ammo loaded up.
I like the longer barrels too! But 24” isn’t bad. I prefer 25”-26” barrels. My Whitworth .416 Taylor has a 22” barrel which I wish was a 24”, but the price was right for the rifle. Good luck on your choice!Thanks Bob. I was waiting for you to weigh in. I wanted to go with 25" but the barrel my gunsmith has in stock is 24" so that is what it is. 1/12 twist. Components of this sort are hard to get here in Canada from the States, duties, laws, paranoia etc. He is getting most of his barrels from Germany now. He tells me it takes 6-12 months to get a barrel from the US.
At any rate, I'll stick to regular 35W. And I'll try the CFE223 loads again. Last time it didn't work so well.
Rick Cox
Having had and used both standard and AI I have to say the STANDARD WHELEN is the way to go. The lack of shoulder on the STANDARD for headspacing is utter bullsh##, if good reloading practice is followed.
To me it's not worth the effort of fireforming the cases and using 6 to 8 grains more powder to get the same velocity. Nosler and Speer list some very potent loads for the Whelen with 225 and 250 grain bullets. Try CFE223 and you will be amazed at the velocity and groups you get.
I went for a 25 inch 1 in 12 twist stainless barrel for my Whelen.
Cheers mate Bob View attachment 343594
Actually, I think in certain calibers the AI is a great choice. My father in law has a 6mm AI. P.O. Ackley was a brilliant gunsmith, machinist and wildcatter. But, I believe as calibers go up in size, maybe the velocity benefit isn’t as beneficial? But, as always, to each their own?I have 2 AIs and would not have the standard.
Love the longer barrel! Reach out and touch something !Rick Cox
Having had and used both standard and AI I have to say the STANDARD WHELEN is the way to go. The lack of shoulder on the STANDARD for headspacing is utter bullsh##, if good reloading practice is followed.
To me it's not worth the effort of fireforming the cases and using 6 to 8 grains more powder to get the same velocity. Nosler and Speer list some very potent loads for the Whelen with 225 and 250 grain bullets. Try CFE223 and you will be amazed at the velocity and groups you get.
I went for a 25 inch 1 in 12 twist stainless barrel for my Whelen.
Cheers mate Bob View attachment 343594
Rick CoxThanks Bob. I was waiting for you to weigh in. I wanted to go with 25" but the barrel my gunsmith has in stock is 24" so that is what it is. 1/12 twist. Components of this sort are hard to get here in Canada from the States, duties, laws, paranoia etc. He is getting most of his barrels from Germany now. He tells me it takes 6-12 months to get a barrel from the US.
At any rate, I'll stick to regular 35W. And I'll try the CFE223 loads again. Last time it didn't work so well.