35 Whelen Ron Smith Re-Bore Success

[Double Dropper]

Dropped off a clean stainless Remington 700 in 06 to Ron Smith in Alberta for a re-bore. He was quite the character and great to chat with. Went with a gain twist 1-12 on the factory 24 inch barrel. Excellent Christmas gift for me as it was done ahead of schedule and during the break drove down to pick it up. Rifling was smooth as glass and chamber looked beautiful. Rifle is stock save a Limbsaver recoil pad and a Trigger Tech trigger set to 2.5lbs. Sooooo how does it shoot? I played with 4 loads using 225 grain Sierras, 225 Grain Accubonds, and 250 grain Speers Hot Cors, It did not take much, 225 Grain Accubonds and Varget produced 3 rounds touching at 100 yards, amazing! Shot one through buddies Chrono for 2755 fps! Thats moving, it is gonna hit like a hammer. OH ya, the cost....phone Ron but less than half the cost of a new barrel.

[Dean2]

He is a great guy and produces some wonderful barrels. Glad yours worked out so well. That will make a tremendous all round hunting rifle.

[Double Dropper]

I may have to squeak another rifle in there lol hes getting on in the years. He keeps saying hes not sure how much longer hes gonna punch out barrels but the next day, there he is. Great to deal with.

[58thecat]

very nice, accurate and practical combination. Congrats.

[Pioneer2]

Yes, you would have a hard time getting a barrel from him that wasn't gain twist.I had him re-bore a 50's Marlin 336/30-30 to 38-55 1-16" .376" groove to make use of both .375 and .377 bullets.Scoped shoots around an inch at 100 yards 1600fps with cast 276gr GC

[Double Dropper]

I have a friend with wild boar running loose on his farm....may have to christen the Whelen this month.

[Pioneer2]

I'll send you a nice wild boar Italian sausage recipe I tried last week.