When you have to kill every buffalo in the herd! Semi auto .458

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

That thing is a hoot!

One of the most fun conversions I ever saw as an M1 Garand converted to .35 Whelen. That thing, man, I was really tempted to do that conversion on my own Garand. Imagine all the pigs out there...BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM PING!!!

rnovi
That would be some serious fire power. A little heavy but it would be great on hogs. Just a thought how about converting a garand tanker carbine (18 inches of barrel) to the Whelan.
Cheers mate
Bob

 

[WebleyGreene455]

That thing is a hoot!

One of the most fun conversions I ever saw as an M1 Garand converted to .35 Whelen. That thing, man, I was really tempted to do that conversion on my own Garand. Imagine all the pigs out there...BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM PING!!!

There's a group in Ohio (I think) that's been doing some neat M1 Garand projects, from mag-fed to recreating the Italian BM-59. Maybe we should give them some ideas...

 

[Hunter4752001]

Prior to the 1996/7 ban on semi-auto, there were a number of BARs converted to 458 Win Mag in use by sambar hunters in Victoria.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I know a few Johnson (was it 1941?) rifles were made in 35 Whelen. And they were quick change barrels. You could go from 30-06 to 7mm Mauser to 35 Whelen in less than a minute. The Johnson can also hand the high pressure loads.

 

[Forrest Halley]

Maybe not. In the 1985 NRA convention in Seattle I met with the Browning rep and asked why the 338 chambering had been discontinued from the BAR. He said that there were problems with it. So it appears that the action may not have been able to handle the heavier forces.

The should really just be a spring ratio tweak and gas port adjustment. The BAR Mk 2's were slick rifles. I always desired one.

 

[Scrumbag]

Maybe not. In the 1985 NRA convention in Seattle I met with the Browning rep and asked why the 338 chambering had been discontinued from the BAR. He said that there were problems with it. So it appears that the action may not have been able to handle the heavier forces.

Oh right, didn't know that, thanks.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

I know a few Johnson (was it 1941?) rifles were made in 35 Whelen. And they were quick change barrels. You could go from 30-06 to 7mm Mauser to 35 Whelen in less than a minute. The Johnson can also hand the high pressure loads.

M1941 Johnson, yes. Would love to have one, even just .30-06.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I know a few Johnson (was it 1941?) rifles were made in 35 Whelen. And they were quick change barrels. You could go from 30-06 to 7mm Mauser to 35 Whelen in less than a minute. The Johnson can also hand the high pressure loads.

Wyatt Smith
I had a Johnson at on stage, I personally found it to be nicer to shoot than the garand. Also lot is people will disagree but that's life. Your idea sounds good. Pity we can't have them in OZ anymore.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

Wyatt Smith
I had a Johnson at on stage, I personally found it to be nicer to shoot than the garand. Also lot is people will disagree but that's life. Your idea sounds good. Pity we can't have them in OZ anymore.

It was my understanding that the Johnson never really caught on with the US military because the reciprocating barrel didn't combine well with a bayonet and there were a bunch of little parts that could get lost too easily. But on the other hand, I think that the design might've worked out fine for a sporting or target rifle, the same way that the Ross design from WWI was greatly disliked by trenchbound soldiers but had a better reputation in the sporting world. The Johnson's one I'd like dearly to add to my collection.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’ve never seen a Johnson, but what I like is how you can top off the mag without opening the bolt.