[BK]

Most of the stuff posted on this site seems to be tactical/sniper oriented, so I thought I'd bust out a little sporter flavor. This is my 700 Classic .35 Whelen, known affectionately as 'Thumper'.

It is the 1988 (I think) edition of the Classic line that Remington had going for quite a number of years. I have a Burris Fullfield 2-7x scope on it (that I don't really like), to be replaced eventually by a Leupy VXIII 2.5-8x. My current load is a 250 gr. Speer Grand Slam over a forgotten charge of IMR3031. The trigger has been adjusted to ~3.5 lbs. Future load development will center around the Nosler 225 Accubond and Partition, and probably RE15.

 

[El Chorizo]

That looks like a solid gun! I really like those jeweled bolts! Can that be done with a standard Remington bolt, or would I need to start with a stainless bolt?

I saw Larry Potterfield do a 30 second info-mercial on the Outdoor channel one day jeweling a bolt.

 

[BK]

I'm pretty sure you can engine-turn (jewel) and bolt, mine just happened to come that way from the factory. Just from a quick search it looks like the price can vary from $40 to $150.

 

[hypno]

Classic cartridge in a classic rifle. There's nothing like a woody sporter 700, IMO. Looks great.


dom

 

[BK]

Thanks, Dom. It's one of my two most favorite rifles I have.

 

[Quick]

Man, that certainly is a Thumper mate. My shoulder hurts just thinking about it!!

 

[BK]

You know, Quick, it's not that bad. Certainly less abusive that my M70 .300 WinMag.

 

[a300fe1]

Great looking rifle! I am a huge fan of the 700 "Classic" and have been since I was 12 and got my first one (30-06). To me it is one of the best looking rifles ever made. I own two classics in 30-06 and like most of us have a wish list of rifles that contains several others. I always wanted to know about the .35 whelen. I see that you have the "magnum stock" classic (thicker buttpad). Is that round comparable to the .300 win mag? I will try to upload pics of my classics for you. Great rifle BK

 

[BK]

Recoil-wise, it's a touch more gentle than my M70 .300 WinMag, but you defininetly know it went off. I figure I'm good for about 40 rounds off of a bench before I need to really concentrate to avoid flinching. Recoil doesn't seem as sharp as the .300, more of a shove than a punch. I know that's a gunwriter cliche', but I can't help that it's true.

Recoil pad is factory stock. Pretty hard, but it does give a bit. The pads on the newer guns are a lot softer.

 

[a300fe1]

Have you ever thought about putting a muzzle break on it? I had one of my Classic 30-06's accurized by Bob Hart (Hart Rifles) and he put one on, even though I didn't request it but it was one of the best things I have had done to my rifle. Even though the "06" doesn't kick that much, it made a huge difference at the range in my shooting ability. Just meke sure your ears are protected because it is much much louder do to the redirected gas path. Thanks for the reply BK!

 

[BK]

No no no no NO! I hate muzzle brakes with a passion. Between guns and electric guitars and loud trucks my hearing's already damaged enough as it is. I try to save what I have left. If recoil gets to be a problem as I get older or bigger guns, I'll just buy a Lead Sled.

 

[a300fe1]

I will say that my position was always the same as yours. I am an aircraft mechanic and just don't hear as good as I used to. Also for some reason, the longer I've been married, the less I can hear my wife (HAHAHAHA). Do you guys have any coyotes out there?

 

[BK]

Sure. I was driving just North of one of the suburbs of Portland and just about ran over one. One of the other suburbs (Sherwood) has authorized it's police to shoot at 'yotes. However, if I want to actually HUNT coyotes (well, be successful hunting coyotes) I head to central or Eastern Oregon. The underbrush is so thick in Western Oregon that seeing them and getting a shot off before they bolt is really difficult.