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Re-Boring 30-06 to 35 Whelen

MoreSalsa

MoreSalsa

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2021
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76
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USA
Based on the advice I received in my other thread (thank you), I've decided to have my Howa 1500 30-06 re-bored to .35 Whelen by JES. Any advice on how I should have this done? Twist rate, etc.? I spoke briefly to Jesse a while back and it sounded like he was planning to use a slower twist rate than what some folks on here were suggesting.
 
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DENRIK89 said:

I've never looked into that myself but re-boring sounds expensive and likely inconsistent. Why not just order a 1:12" twist and be range ready for 400 bucks?
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Don't have "20+" weeks to wait. Please check out my other thread where I made my decision if you want to opine on how to get to a 35 Whelen. This is about how to do a re-bore.
 
I had a tikka t3 06 that I sent to JES around 8 years ago that he rebored to 35. It is my favorite elk hunting rifle. I do not remember ever shooting a group over an inch, most are clover leaf groups with 3 shots at a hundred yards out of this rifle. He recommended a twist rate(one in fourteen if I remember correctly), was extremely fast and the work he did for me was spot on. I would definitely use him again. No affiliation with him and I have only talked to him once when I sent him the tikka.
 
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I'd go 12" if I were you... the 259 Hammers will fly true with little work. I was given some early and a simple run up with rl15 was enough for sub moa groups. a 220-225 will still be fine if you decide on mid weight pills...
 
WOW
I spoke with several Barrel Manufactures years ago and they say re-boring a barrel can be done but they won't do it and that it is better/less expensive to use new barrel stock, drill it and rifle it.
Would like to hear how this goes for MoreSalsa with sending in his old barrel and having it re-rifled to another caliber/cartridge.
 
I have read nothing but good things about barrels rebored by JES. I have often thought about sending him a 270 or a 30-06, to be rebored to 338-06.

As far as twist, you will need to figure out what bullet you would prefer to use and let that choice help guide your decision.
 
BAKPAKR said:
I have read nothing but good things about barrels rebored by JES. I have often thought about sending him a 270 or a 30-06, to be rebored to 338-06.

As far as twist, you will need to figure out what bullet you would prefer to use and let that choice help guide your decision.
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WOW thanks for the information. I know a friend that wanted me to re-chamber a rifle. This may be the ticket!
 
I've done a fair bit of reviewing of threads on the matter and the re-boring idea seems like something that a lot of folks are wary of in theory but the folks who actually do it tend to report very good results ... at least when they use JES.

JakeC, you know you made me think of something I hadn't thought of. There is an old M1917 in the family. It's a sporterized version with a chopped down barrel (guessing 20'') and shoots not well. I have assumed that the bore is in rough shape, perhaps among other things. I used it attempting to hunt as a youth and hated its sights and lack of accuracy, so I never really gave it much thought. But you have me wondering if a re-bore could transform it into an accurate rifle. My money is no, as I'm guessing there are issues beyond the bore and I know that there are a lot of M1917s with QA issues, but I'd love to hear any thoughts you have if you know about those fugly rifles.
 
BAKPAKR said:
I have read nothing but good things about barrels rebored by JES. I have often thought about sending him a 270 or a 30-06, to be rebored to 338-06.

As far as twist, you will need to figure out what bullet you would prefer to use and let that choice help guide your decision.
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This is a chicken or egg issue for me since I will be using factory ammo and the round I use will be dictated by which round(s) the re-bored rifle likes. The bad news is that there are not many factory options. The good news is that accuracy out of the gun is really the only consideration that will matter, as I'm not using it in a lead free zone and I'm not too concerned about terminal ballistics when it's drilling a .35 caliber hole. So, as long as it shoots good enough for 300 yard deer hunting, I'll be good to go.

Based on that, I would say that I'd like versatility in the rounds I can use ... if for nothing else than upping my chances of finding a factory round that will shoot well in the rifle. I have picked up some 200 and 250 grain Core Locts and might be picking up some Federal Fusion 200 grains. The Nosler ammo with 225 grain AccuBonds would be a great round for anything I'd ever hunt with the rifle if I can ever get a hold of any.

I hope the lighter bullets shoot well since they are plenty large for what I'll use them for and fly flatter with less recoil. But if the heavier bullets shoot better, I'll go with them.

If I can't find a factory load that shoots okay, I'll probably send it in to a place for customized ammo to be made, since I don't currently hand load. Sounds like some heavy Hammer bullets would be an option in that case. But I'd be tickled pink if I find a factory round that shoots good enough for the intended purpose.

So, not sure if that means I should go with a fast twist rate or what ...
 
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This is just food for thought. My dad was a Tool and Die Maker his whole life, and did Internal Thread Milling work , where working down to .00001 was important on many jobs. He taught me long ago when you cut, or mill , or reshape steel, it moves. If I under stand your plan , you are considering reboring the barrel, then re cutting the Land and Grooves , back into the barrel. If I got it wrong I apologize. I would suggest you go get a new barrel, chambered for the cartridge you want, with the Chamber Dimensions you want ,in the twist you want. Just my Humble opinion. Again, If I misunderstood the project, I am Sorry
 

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