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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?

BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?

18 Jan 2016
@ 12:37 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

So I can get a BSC CF2 30-06 for half a thousand $$$. The plan is to get True flight to rebarrel it to 35 Whelen? What's your thoughts. ?

Replies

18 Jan 2016
@ 01:43 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Hi Warwick, the action is ideal. The mag box length is perfect for this. I think the bolt face could be opened too if you wanted a .358 Norma... although the stock pitch on this rifle is not ideal for high recoil. On the other hand...fit a peep sight plus scope rings that are easy to remove in a pinch and you could put that stock pitch to use on a magnum so that in the wet or kaimanawa snow conditions you can keep bush shooting with your peeps.

Just check the stock over if you can, make sure there are no wood cracks around the tang / through the tang / bolt cut out etc.

This one might have the cheaper sheet metal trigger but so long as its not rusted up too much at the set screws, you should be able to tune it fine.

If the stock is OK, go for it. If the stock is cracked, the value is $250 because by the time you get someone like forum member Chris Murphy to make you a new stock, plus the barrel, you are up to the cost of a new rifle (not that you will find any new Whelens or Norma's etc floating around at present.
18 Jan 2016
@ 03:20 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Thanks Nathan. It's in Blenheim so I am at the mercy of the seller! It has no open sights. I have my 1-4 x 24 NXS NIGHTFORCE for up close.









These are the only pics I have
18 Jan 2016
@ 03:43 am (GMT)

Chris Murphy

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
i can go have a look if you like Warwick.
18 Jan 2016
@ 04:03 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Thanks Chris. That would be awesome mate I'll call Mike the seller and see if he mind's
19 Jan 2016
@ 09:35 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Just an update. Chris has kindly inspected the Rifle and said that it's in good condition. Thanks Mate. So I have to do the deal. Watch this space.
20 Jan 2016
@ 04:30 am (GMT)

Mike Davis

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
a very good mate of mine has .30/06 that looks eggzachary like that one, bar his barrel still had sights , she shoots like a dream and even with 180 grain projectiles recoil was /seemed to be waaay less than my .270 not sure how many stars are on his bolt but I remember them being there.
even the crappy mounts and taped up tasco/nikko stirling???? looked the same. try it out as a o6 first off as it may just be OK as it is...you never know what sort of cleaning the previous guy did and a good dung out might produce accuracy enough for your needs.
20 Jan 2016
@ 05:30 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Thanks Mike. Chris said the barrel looks good and the owner said it shoots good + +. I'll definitely give it a whirl before I get it turned into a 35 Whelenator.
That Nathan bloke has a lot to answer for? Sharing all of his awesome knowledge and experience gets a fellow all excited and keen! Would a 26 inch barrel be the go?
20 Jan 2016
@ 08:17 pm (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Just looking at the stock pitch on this one, looks pretty good, not too much offset. Should be nice to shoot.
20 Jan 2016
@ 10:39 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Yeah that's what caught my eye first . I've been looking for a used 30-06 suitable for a Whelen conversion for a while now. I was looking at 358 projectiles availability in nz? Any recommendations?
21 Jan 2016
@ 12:22 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Bullets to play with in no particular order:
200gr Hornady FTX
225gr Sierra GK
225gr Partition
225gr Woodleigh
Hornady 250gr RN (not spire point as this is slow expanding on light framed game).

There are plenty of others, the above are just a few to play with, all effective on deer, the premiums ideal for raking shots, the Woodleigh is suitable for the occasional cattle beast. Can't really go too far wrong with the Whelen although there are some very low SD shallow penetrators along with (at the opposite extreme) some high SD bullets that hold back energy on light animals.

I would suggest that rather than settle on a single bullet, you try a bit of this and that, get to know the bore diameter and how it performs.

21 Jan 2016
@ 07:25 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Yes Ballistics Master! Understood.........!
21 Jan 2016
@ 09:05 pm (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Sorry, as to your other question. A 24" barrel will be enough. You can dock it to 22" later if it seems too long. At 24" it will be no different to hunting with the rifles of old.

The reamers should not be too far away now. Grant put some money into it, I put some in and Dave Manson donated via a discount.
22 Jan 2016
@ 12:07 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Thanks to you all for making the 35s available. I am hoping that it's not too hungry to keep it in powder and projectiles ? I was comparing 338-06 pressures with 35 Whelen in the ADI Handloader's guide. 338-06 Averaged around 10,000 psi higher than the 35 Whelen with same powder and bullet weights and then I looked harder for what I must be missing and it jumped out at me! One is PSI the other is CUP It makes it hard to compare the facts when they're done differently? Oh well. .......

338-06 250 gr HDY SP AR2208 50.0 Grs 2,405 fps 62,100 psi

35 Whelen 250 gr HDY SP AR2208 55.0 Grs 2,486 fps 49,900 CUP
23 Jan 2016
@ 12:17 am (GMT)

Thomas Kitchen

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
hi warwick.
that rifle looks a beauty i even had it on my watchlist just because i liked the look of it but don't need to start yet another project.
my mates got a monarch in 270win i really do like those bsa. just remember you push the trigger forwards or sideways and forwards to get the bolt out. (was a bit of head scratching going on between me and my mate at first)

from memory reloaders supplies got plenty 358 ftx's and they might have another box of gamekings from when they ordered some in for me.

from my understanding there's no real conversion between cup and psi which makes it even harder.

23 Jan 2016
@ 12:52 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Hey Thomas. Lol I'd read about the bolt removal intelligence test! the BSA engineers had a warped sense of humor. Reloading dies will have to be ordered in I haven't seen any in NZ? I have a Lee anniversary press so will have to see who's got a set. I see some bloke Steve in Wellington is a wholesale outlet but I think he only selling to the shops not to public? ( I hate capitalism ) The CF2 should be here on Monday. : ) if the 35 stuffs too dear and hard to find I may have to shelf the dream and just run it as is 30-06. For a while and keep a look out for the 35 Whelen stuff online? I really want to go to the 35. Thanks for the post mate.
26 Jan 2016
@ 05:21 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
UPDATE. ........
Lol. My BSA has been a Wanderin! Blenheim to Christchurch back to Blenheim to Wellington and heading to Napier tonight! Haha. At least It will arrive relaxed and fresh. From its intrepid journey?
26 Jan 2016
@ 05:56 am (GMT)

Thomas Kitchen

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
hi Warwick.
LEE sells direct to shop no middle man taking his cut, its a great business model.
you can by direct from lee but its more expensive then the local shops as they don't want to undercut there clients.
i did buy parts direct from lee and there service is great ordered to on my doorstep in 4 days.
the one down side is if you want something thats not in stock you got to wait for next shipment as there's no local distributor.
when i was working on my 35/303 i did talk to reloaders supplies about ordering some whelen dies, but i cancelled it after i went to the 35cal hornady neck die.
i suggest you give them a ring check if they did get the whelen dies and if not ask them to order some next order.

sounds like a journey alright, i ordered a snugpak sleeping bag from england a while ago and the amount of country it passed through was surprising.

luckily we have google now other wise bsa's sick sense of humour would of stumped us

26 Jan 2016
@ 08:35 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Hey Thomas. I rang Reloaders yesterday and have to order dies around $70 for the three die set. I will have to order a neck sizer separate as they don't do the Ultimate die set for the Whelen. . Not many 358 projectiles in nz unless I'm not looking in the right place? I won't be too upset if I have to leave it as 30-06. The 35 Whelen is the goal I'd like to kick. I'm sure looking forward to seeing the rifle tomorrow. Cheers mate.
27 Jan 2016
@ 05:19 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Rifle arrived today. Stripped it down and cleaned it up. Flushed trigger with Carburetor cleaner let it dry and then lubricated with Synthetic engine oil. cleaned the bolt and greased the lugs and cocking ramp. Its like silk now and the Trigger is crisp and breaks like a kettle fried potato chip! Thanks Chris for your time to look it over. Barrels soaking and will scrub and see what she does down range.......







27 Jan 2016
@ 05:22 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
The barrels pressure point bedded on the rosewood tip of the forend.
28 Jan 2016
@ 06:08 am (GMT)

Thomas Kitchen

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
looks a beauty Warwick, looks well looked after for an older gun.

unfortunately you'll have to order some projectiles as the 358 cal isn't that common yet.
we could split the box's of 100's in half if you want to play around with few different projectiles, as i want to with my 35/303.

i really would like lee to expand there ultimate die sets as i had similar issue with 303 brit, buying a rgb and a collet set.


you can't fight off the 35 whelen idea Warwick, you have been guided by Nathan resistance is futile.
i know you would have been looking at reloading data and 30.06 brass thinking all i have to do is neck that up.
its all a slippery slope from there on in ha ha
28 Jan 2016
@ 07:50 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Yeah! Reloaderitis ?
You don't know you've got it until you have it ?
By then it's too late. The brass and copper sealing
Your fate.
If you open the door to the video link below you have to push play
and watch listening to the clip!!! Lol

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mxD-5z_xHBU
29 Jan 2016
@ 05:59 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Lots of green in the bore nylon and brass brushes and soaking with Collins NO.90 Barrel solvent.

29 Jan 2016
@ 07:06 am (GMT)

Mike Davis

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
yip that sure looks nice to me.......
now to play devils advocate......why would you?????
what will your 220grn .35 cal projectile do that a .220grn .30 cal wont?????
what will other .35 projectiles have over other .30cal ones?????
would not the versitility of .30 cal out weigh any percieved gain????
what are you hoping to gain over the dirtyohsix other than brag factor/ something different??????
if my .270 barrrel ever dies it will be a 30/06 that takes its place for the same reasons I wouldnt go .280
ease of re sale isnt a biggy for me but ability to grab a box of factory ammo every now and again is (had a mate turn up for long weekend hunting with his carefully loaded ammo left at home 4 hours away)
looking forward to seeing how she shoots as it is....
29 Jan 2016
@ 07:58 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: BSA CF2 in 30-06, Rebarrel to 35 Whelen ?
Mike you old Devil. Grow a beard! Why wouldn't you???
Yeah I've been thinking exactly the same? I gain 1.29 mm of bullet diameter I can use heaver bullets, recoil is manageable. The 06 has 1:10 twist.
The 35 Whelen is 1:16 twist! In my ADI reloading book the Whelen is faster than the 06 both with 24inch test barrels when comparing 180, 200 and 220 GR bullets. It's not apples for apples as the powder and grains used are different. ( I think it's to do with the pressure applied over the area of a cylinder ?) I can see it from both sides of the fence. The 30-06 has better Long Range potential and will be flatter shooting. I agree that here in Godzone factory ammo will be hard to get. I'm happy to reload and if the Zombies come I'm lucky that they walk in lines. It'll probably take out 10 at once lol . The 35 Whelen will be what it is. I'm going to finish cleaning up the 06 barrel and see how it shoots. There's no need to rush into these things? And I need some brass? Thanks for your interest and well thought out questions.
Better the Shedevil you know than the Supermodel you won't?
The BSA in 35 Whelen will be the perfect accessory for my 1983 SERIES III Land Rover. A British truck needs an English gun in an American calibre? Lol.
Why do we spend tens of thousands buying a fishing boat? When you could buy tons of fresh fish at the market???

 

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