Custom CZ BRNO 600 in 35 Whelen AI Good Deal?

[Alaska Luke]

On a whim I stopped at the local guns store. They had a BRNO 600 that had been modified. The barrel was a 20 inch 35 Whelen AI. The stock was fiberglass. No markings but I'd guess Bell & Carlson. No rear site. It is probably 7 pounds.

I did not buy it but was tempted. What do you guys think? I have a 375 Ruger that does mostly the same stuff. I really like the feel of the stock on the 35 Whelen though. My 375 Ruger stock could be better.

I'd have to figure out a rear site.

I'd have to find new scope rings.

The fiberglass stock needs sling swivels installed.

No 35 Whelen AI dies there.

So I'll probably let it go. For less money I could put a nicer stock on my 375 Ruger.

Thoughts? Am I missing anything? Advantages or downsides?

 

[machinistbutler]

This is a hard place to get talked out of buying a gun.


Buy it, if you don't love it do what @TOBY458 would do!

 

[Shootist43]

You could probably get a NECG Rear Peep i.e. receiver sight that mounts to the BRNO "slotted" receiver.
I consider my 35 Whelens a "notch" below my 375 H&H. Yes your 375 Ruger will suffice as you suggest, but sometimes another rifle in the safe brings on a comforting feeling. LOL

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

On a whim I stopped at the local guns store. They had a BRNO 600 that had been modified. The barrel was a 20 inch 35 Whelen AI. The stock was fiberglass. No markings but I'd guess Bell & Carlson. No rear site. It is probably 7 pounds.

I did not buy it but was tempted. What do you guys think? I have a 375 Ruger that does mostly the same stuff. I really like the feel of the stock on the 35 Whelen though. My 375 Ruger stock could be better.

I'd have to figure out a rear site.

I'd have to find new scope rings.

The fiberglass stock needs sling swivels installed.

No 35 Whelen AI dies there.

So I'll probably let it go. For less money I could put a nicer stock on my 375 Ruger.

Thoughts? Am I missing anything? Advantages or downsides?

@Alaska Luke
As you know I'm a great fan of the standard Whelen but I also have a Whelen AI.
Personally I don't think the AI is worth all the hassle for an extra 50 to 75fps more. You have to waste precious projectiles to fire form the cases and dies are expensive. Fortunately I got my dies off ebay cheaply.
A properly loaded Whelen is more than enough and a lot easier. Leave it where it is.
Bob

 

[CoElkHunter]

On a whim I stopped at the local guns store. They had a BRNO 600 that had been modified. The barrel was a 20 inch 35 Whelen AI. The stock was fiberglass. No markings but I'd guess Bell & Carlson. No rear site. It is probably 7 pounds.

I did not buy it but was tempted. What do you guys think? I have a 375 Ruger that does mostly the same stuff. I really like the feel of the stock on the 35 Whelen though. My 375 Ruger stock could be better.

I'd have to figure out a rear site.

I'd have to find new scope rings.

The fiberglass stock needs sling swivels installed.

No 35 Whelen AI dies there.

So I'll probably let it go. For less money I could put a nicer stock on my 375 Ruger.

Thoughts? Am I missing anything? Advantages or downsides?

How much was it?

 

[ldmay375]

If this is the rifle on the Palmer / Wasilla Hwy, I have viewed it also.
Possibly obtainable from the seller, but not on the hang-tag that I would like to know first:
What barrel manufacturer, who chambered and installed, the stock manufacturer, and the coating that is applied to the metal.

The rifle looked pretty cool, and felt pretty handy judging by the one arm that I currently have available.
The cartridge stamping on the barrel was not that favorably impressive to me. But, that may not be indicative to the build.

I might have given it more thought if it were not an A.I., and I could have mentally manufactured any type of personal “need” for another rifle at the time.

On a whim I stopped at the local guns store. They had a BRNO 600 that had been modified. The barrel was a 20 inch 35 Whelen AI. The stock was fiberglass. No markings but I'd guess Bell & Carlson. No rear site. It is probably 7 pounds.

I did not buy it but was tempted. What do you guys think? I have a 375 Ruger that does mostly the same stuff. I really like the feel of the stock on the 35 Whelen though. My 375 Ruger stock could be better.

I'd have to figure out a rear site.

I'd have to find new scope rings.

The fiberglass stock needs sling swivels installed.

No 35 Whelen AI dies there.

So I'll probably let it go. For less money I could put a nicer stock on my 375 Ruger.

Thoughts? Am I missing anything? Advantages or downsides?

 

[Alaska Luke]

I think I saw you in there, arm in sling?

The stock might be Bell and Carlson, but it might also be an MPI. The rifle was light 6 lbs 4 oz on a scale) so clearly the stock was helping. 20 inch barrel. No sling swivels which was interesting. That makes me think the stock was a custom job that never got finished. I'd assume a "drop in" style stock would include swivel studs.

It would be a nice all around Alaska rifle but I'm invested in a 358 Winchester (lighter) and a 375 Ruger with plenty of reloading stuff for both. Not getting rid of either.

 

[ldmay375]

That was most likely me. The arm is still in a sling.
I also thought there was a possibility of the stock being an MPI.

I am guessing, but assume the original owner was using an aperture sight that fit ring base.
Or a pop-up version on the rear ring.

I did not pay attention if that was on consignment or a house rifle. If consignment, one could have the store call and see if more information was available on it.

I thought it was a cool little rifle, but saw several more dollars going into it. And already have several projects ongoing.
I am pretty much at maximum capacity of anything above .30 caliber.

I am a big fan of the 375 Ruger also. As well as the 416 Ruger. My favorite closer range moose rifles.

 

[Rick Cox]

Disclaimer: I love 35 Whelen and own two. I sold my CZ .375 HH last year and regret it. But I couldn't see going back to Africa for DG, and needing a shoulder replacement ensures that after three shots off sticks I was really thinking about #4, and even then it was time for ibuprofen. But even so, i shot it well, it was/is a accurate gun. I wish I had put more thought into lighter projectiles and a straight comb stock. Oh well...

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Disclaimer: I love 35 Whelen and own two. I sold my CZ .375 HH last year and regret it. But I couldn't see going back to Africa for DG, and needing a shoulder replacement ensures that after three shots off sticks I was really thinking about #4, and even then it was time for ibuprofen. But even so, i shot it well, it was/is a accurate gun. I wish I had put more thought into lighter projectiles and a straight comb stock. Oh well...

@Rick Cox
Shoulder surgery is the most painful and slow healing surgery you can have and that is speaking from experience.
I had it back in January and am only now being allowed to shoot again.
I have been told to not go any higher than my 25 yet and see how that goes.
I regret at times having it done as due to my age (64) it is worse now than when I started but stuff them I'm still shooting and looking forward to using my Whelen again soon.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I think I saw you in there, arm in sling?

The stock might be Bell and Carlson, but it might also be an MPI. The rifle was light 6 lbs 4 oz on a scale) so clearly the stock was helping. 20 inch barrel. No sling swivels which was interesting. That makes me think the stock was a custom job that never got finished. I'd assume a "drop in" style stock would include swivel studs.

It would be a nice all around Alaska rifle but I'm invested in a 358 Winchester (lighter) and a 375 Ruger with plenty of reloading stuff for both. Not getting rid of either.

@Alaska Luke
Hope you are enjoying the 358 and its seeing plenty of hunting time

 

[machinistbutler]

@Rick Cox
Shoulder surgery is the most painful and slow healing surgery you can have and that is speaking from experience.
I had it back in January and am only now being allowed to shoot again.
I have been told to not go any higher than my 25 yet and see how that goes.
I regret at times having it done as due to my age (64) it is worse now than when I started but stuff them I'm still shooting and looking forward to using my Whelen again soon.
Bob

May I suggest you pick up a .243?

 

[1dirthawker]

May I suggest you pick up a .243?

or maybe a 6.5 creedmore?

 

[jwp475]

or maybe a 6.5 creedmore?

Maybe a 6.5 Apollo Creed LOL

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

May I suggest you pick up a .243?

@machinistbutler
With respect I suggest you buy a tub of butter and cover the barrel with it to ease the pain in putting it somewhere you won't like.
I would rather use a slingshot

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Maybe a 6.5 Apollo Creed LOL

@jwp475
J W If'n I didn't like you I would confiscate that Whelen you love.
Now please play nicely
Bob

 

[jwp475]

@jwp475
J W If'n I didn't like you I would confiscate that Whelen you love.
Now please play nicely
Bob

Thought you would get a laugh out of the "Apollo Creed" reference

 

[MS 9x56]

@Alaska Luke
As you know I'm a great fan of the standard Whelen but I also have a Whelen AI.
Personally I don't think the AI is worth all the hassle for an extra 50 to 75fps more. You have to waste precious projectiles to fire form the cases and dies are expensive. Fortunately I got my dies off ebay cheaply.
A properly loaded Whelen is more than enough and a lot easier. Leave it where it is.
Bob

Not to mention that barrel will flash on the fringes as it is borderline whether you will get vc implore burn in the barrel. If you like hot loads you will have grievous amounts of muzzle flash.

 

[baxterb]

At the risk of the obvious reaction, most people I know who have had an AI rifle don’t anymore.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

At the risk of the obvious reaction, most people I know who have had an AI rifle don’t anymore.

@baxterb
As P.O. Ackley pointed out there's relatively few cartridges that give significant improvement over standard cases, they were done to improve case life and improve velocity. In some cases the velocity gains are not worth the hassle.
Bob