400 Whelen

[Milehighshooter]

Got my gun back from the smith! My first big bore (ok big-medium)

Dpcd (Tom Jackson) on AccRel, did the work. Its his custom contour, which is based on the "Duke of Marlborough" contour (very similar to a Brit stalker/Rigby highlander). Douglas .410 bbl 1:14 twist. This is the Petrov/G&H/ Original Whelen correct chamber, not the copy cat chamber that got the bad rep for head space issues.

M70 Classic 24" Douglas bbl. It is going to be sent out for cerakote here shortly after I sella few more items.

Dies are in the way. This should throw a 400 gr bullet around 2125-2160, but I think i'll try to find a good load with a North Fork 360 gr bullet, which has an SD of .301 and should easily hit 2250+ for +4000 ft-lbs. Do believe that'll knock a buff down. Those are the same numbers as the 450/400 with the same bullet.

Right now it's wearing a Zeiss Terra 3X 2-7x32 for test fitment and pictures. May move my Leupold 1-4x20 over from my 375 or buy a FX-II 3x20 or Weaver Classic V 1-3×20. Heck may even try out a Weaver Classic 4x32 Ive got sitting around.

 

[Pheroze]

Cool. Looks like a neat project, and the laminate is very nice. Cutting Edge Bullets may also have a useful alternative for you. Enjoy!

 

[Milehighshooter]

Cool. Looks like a neat project, and the laminate is very nice. Cutting Edge Bullets may also have a useful alternative for you. Enjoy!

Yea CEB has several options, as do NF, Swift, Barnes, Hornady, Barnes and GSC. Oh, not to forget Woodleigh! Surprisingly large selection of .410/.411 bullets

The stock is a Boyd's, it actually came with the gun when I bought it as a 25-06. Was originally slated to be rebored to 9.3x62, but that project went a different direction (mauser). At first I was going to use a 1903 for the 400 but at the last second I went M70 instead. Just easier all around

 

[matt85]

interesting rifle, thank you for sharing!

-matt

 

[BeeMaa]

I love the contrast of the stainless to the laminate.
Good looking rifle.
Let us know how it shoots.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Who will be doing the Ceracote?
What color!
Looking good! Can’t wait to hear how it shoots, but most of all, how it handles DG!

 

[Milehighshooter]

I love the contrast of the stainless to the laminate.
Good looking rifle.
Let us know how it shoots.

Not stainless, just unfinished for the moment.

 

[Milehighshooter]

Who will be doing the Ceracote?
What color!
Looking good! Can’t wait to hear how it shoots, but most of all, how it handles DG!

Im not sure yet, there are a few places around Denver i need to check into.
As to color, probably a black or graphite type color, something that looks close to the Winchester factory matte finish


Its amazingly balanced. Lighter and not as muzzle heavy as I was expecting. Its almost half a pound lighter than my 375, but that has the factory sewer pipe on it. I think that'll be the next project.

 

[5shot]

Im not sure yet, there are a few places around Denver i need to check into.
As to color, probably a black or graphite type color, something that looks close to the Winchester factory matte finish

Although you would have to ship it, check out Glenrock Bluing in Wyoming. He does fantastic work and offers a beautiful Cerakote that looks like satin blue.

 

[Milehighshooter]

Although you would have to ship it, check out Glenrock Bluing in Wyoming. He does fantastic work and offers a beautiful Cerakote that looks like satin blue.

Thanks, I will! Im going to need another gun blued as well, so a good suggestion helps. I'll check them out

 

[5shot]

I get to hang around with a ton of top gunsmiths (1911's) and there are a bunch of them that use Glenock for their bluing.

 

[meigsbucks]

Sharp looking rifle. Unique and interesting cartridge choice. Look foward to hearing how it shoots.

 

[crs]

Very nice rifle in an effective caliber. It should serve you well on any of the larger game, dangerous or not, on any continent.

 

[flat8]

Never heard of a 400 Whelen before today. Here is an interesting read:

http://www.finegunmaking.com/page33/page51/page51.html

 

[Milehighshooter]

Never heard of a 400 Whelen before today. Here is an interesting read:

http://www.finegunmaking.com/page33/page51/page51.html

Michael is the reason this cartridge has been brought back from the dead. There's a +40 page thread over in AR about this, and Mr. Petrov contributed before he passed (RIP). There's even one for sale for a steal of a price(1400) w/dies and brass.

You CAN form it from 30-06, but it comes out a bit short. Its easy to use 35 Whelen brass as well. 270, 280 and 35W brass are all longer. Quality Cartridge has proper head stamped brass though, as non formed cylinder basic brass. This is probably the easiest. CH4D has the correct dies for under $100.

 

[flat8]

PM’d you questions ....

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Very nice rifle. Congrats.

 

[BeeMaa]

Not stainless, just unfinished for the moment.

Apologies, I'm still learning to read...apparently.
There is finish that was recommended to me by Wayne of AHR called Robar NP3 Plus.
I personally have no experience with it, but Wayne spoke very highly of it.
Info below if you are interested.
https://robarguns.com/custom-firearm-finishes/np3-plus/

 

[CAustin]

Good looking rifle sir!

 

[AZDAVE]

Nice rifle looking forward to seeing how it shoots. Have fun and shoot it alott!