35 Whelen to 35 Whelen AI plus add a Muzzle Brake?

[JesterGrin]

 Hey Gang I am going to have my 35 Whelen Chamber modified to a 35 Whelen AI and thought while I was at it to add a SHREWD Muzzle Brake?

 Thoughts?

[cwlongshot]

I built a 35Whelen in 1987. I haden't fired the cartridage, but wanted a big 35. I listened to others who told of the horriffic  recoil of the 250g bullets I would be using...  SO, I pennied up for a 100$ brake....

Today its in a choke tube holder, same as it has been for over 20 years...

Recoil is a personal thing. While the 250g bullets do recoil I do not find them a problem. What I do not like is the horrendous noise when you touch off a round on our covered firing line... It works very well BTW, making it feel like a 243.

CW

[drdougrx]

I'm with CW on this.  I have a 35whelen and I shoot some heavy loads with the 225gr TSX (took that nilgai in my avatar with it).  I would not recommend a brake as I think you don't need it, though, get it if you want it.  If you are worried about recoil, get a better butt pad and mag-na-port so you wont get the noise and muzzle rise and still have a bit of recoil reduction without the ugly brake.  I did this with a very light 375HH and it works just great.

[JesterGrin]

I have fired some small bore with a Muzzle Brake such as a 7MM STW which was more of a loud CRACK lol. But I would think with the larger bore of 358 it would be better?

But to be honest since I normally do not shoot around people the Sound Problem may not be a Problem. And at the Range it just might be a Plus lol.



You see I live in San Antonio TEXAS and it seems as though now these inconsiderate people with these AR short barrel platforms abound at the ranges and they could care less about others around them. And it is just sooooooooooooo nice when these people do not choke up on the bench and the end of there barrel is at ear level when they fire those things off. And by GOSH those AR-10's are LOUD.

 So Maybe just Maybe I can clear out some room around me lol.

[RevJim]

 I only had a brake put on my 35 whelen AI after I had a neck surgery. I didn't really need it for recoil, but it got my wife off my back about shooting it! I use one a local guy makes, has three huge holes in a row, none on top or bottom ( like an arty brake) it is only loud to someone standing to the side of you.
 I also hate the hot brass those ARs throw at you!

[JesterGrin]

I also hate the hot brass those ARs throw at you!

 Yes it is sooooooooo nice when you are all set and ready to take a shot when one those those nice hot pieces of brass smack you in the side of the face is it not lol.

 I could go on a rant about that subject lol.

 At these small moments I think to myself no wonder so many are against these type of rifles lol. But I have to remind myself it is not the rifle but the NUT behind the Butt.

[roper]

Hey Gang I am going to have my 35 Whelen Chamber modified to a 35 Whelen AI and thought while I was at it to add a SHREWD Muzzle Brake?

 Thoughts?

If you can handle the 35 Whelen no need to have a brake put on.  I've only shot the 225gr AB in my 35 Whelen AI it's not bad.

[RevJim]

  After I had my Whelen AI braked, I bought a custom Brown Precision High Country synthetic stock. This made my rifle super light, and I'm glad I had the brake! I shoot the Woodleigh 310 sn at a solid 2400 fps, with ease! ha  I normally use the Barnes 200 X or TTSX at 2950+, so its a sweetheart with them, in either stock. Good luck to you Pard.

[roper]

  After I had my Whelen AI braked, I bought a custom Brown Precision High Country synthetic stock. This made my rifle super light, and I'm glad I had the brake! I shoot the Woodleigh 310 sn at a solid 2400 fps, with ease! ha  I normally use the Barnes 200 X or TTSX at 2950+, so its a sweetheart with them, in either stock. Good luck to you Pard.

I'm confused as you post this yesterday

" I only had a brake put on my 35 whelen AI after I had a neck surgery. I didn't really need it for recoil, but it got my wife off my back about shooting it"

[RevJim]

 Actually, I suppose I should clarify. I had the neck surgery in 2000, and for almost a  year I had to lay off anything with recoil, why? Because my wife was there when the Dr said to "take it easy", ha. Which, being the Type A she is, she always reminded me of! (if she was 6ft tall, I would have had to kill her, I swear! ha But, being just 5" 1", I manage to still "be the boss around here"! ha) So for 6 mos afterward I hunted with a 220 Swift with a brake on it. I also had the Whelen braked so when I started back shooting it with the 200 X, it was also a kitten. She felt I was "safe enough" not to tear the plate and screws loose in my neck,ha.   Fast forward to 2002 when my left retina got a tear in it ( non recoil related btw,ha) and I went through 6 mos of three failed procedures. (They would laser the tear closed, fill my eye with a liquid and a gas bubble, had to lay on my side for two weeks the first time, then on my stomach for 1.5 weeks two other times, bummer!)
 I was really concerned because I had a business/hunting trip planned for South Africa later that year, so in order to hold the repaired retina in place they filled my eyeball with silicon oil! (blind in it for 6 mos until the last procedure in early 2003) This also enabled me to fly (no gas bubble) and be active. Since I had previously had the brake put on the Whelen , I was able to take it and hunt a little.
 When I returned is when I had the lightweight stock put on for the early mountain hunts here. I traded the Classic stock to my smith for the work in pillar bedding the new synthetic,etc. Later, I hunted late season cow elk in January 2004 with my "just returned from Iraq" GNY SGT  Marine SIL and it was minus16 deg in the big canyon we were in; my synthetic stock felt like it was a block of ice! ha So I rounded up a new CDL wood stock and had it set up so i can switch from early/wet to late/bitter cold seasons here. I also had a moly something coating baked on the rifle to make it weatherproof. I use Leupold QD bases/rings witht wo scopes- a Bushnell Elite 2x7 for really wet weather/longer shots at smaller critters,etc and a Leupold 1.5x5 for most of the time.  Yes, I have tons of money/time put into it, but "The Whelen" (as I fondly call it) has become a real personal friend and killer of fauna! ha.
 I'm off today is why I gave the long answer, drinking coffee, looking down at the dog! 

[rickt300]

I also had neck surgery a couple of years ago, three discs replaced. The doc said give up the Whelen when I asked him about it and so I did for a year then started using lighter loads. My Wife is also a Type A! I don't know how or why she puts up with me except I have to keep my toy room locked. I can now shoot full loads with the 250's with no real problems, maybe a bit of a stiff neck but nothing compared to putting up with my sister in law. My rifle is no lightweight and it has a very good recoil pad.

[RevJim]

  I tease people about the cadaver bone used in my neck fusion; I tell them it came from a woman. When they bite, and ask how do I know, I say "Because now I cry at movies and I'm worried about my hips', ha. Life is too crazy not to laugh at it, ha. Glad to hear from another "Type B" out there!    Let me give you a "heads up"...pay any amount of money, spend any amount of time to "make double dog sure" your "Type A" wife gets the right Hormones! Mine tried the Depoprevara shot ( mares urine estrogen extract) and I almost did not survive for 6 mos! Wow! She now uses the bio identical and life is wonderful..well, semi wonderful, she is still Type a, ha.
 

[rickt300]

Bio Identical Hmmmm now if I could just get her to take advice.......

[yellowtail3]

I don't like muzzle brakes - Obnoxiously loud, esp if next to you at the range.

[RevJim]

 Actually YT, the kind I use is not bad at all "if" you're the one shooting it or standing behind it. I tried a "holes all around" KDF style brake on a .340 W one time, and it was "Horrible" (notice how I capitalized the H?) ha.
  When I am at the range, I try to get down to one end of the line. As usual, someone will eventually show up to sit right beside me, and I always warn them that my brake is loud. They either put up with it or move somewhere else. Now, if the line is busy, I will come back another day until I can get down by myself. I have had guys sit down by me when I was chronographing (when I was using non braked rifles) and their brake always gave my chrono a false reading from the blast. They didn't care. I just timed my shots when they were between shots or cleaning.

[guns-o-fun]

I put together a 35 whelen a couple of years back starting with a savage 110 action, new bolt head, etc. and a Ross Featherweight stock.  Don't know if the stock makes a huge difference, but I have shot plenty of 225s at just north of medium loads and have never considered recoil to be a problem.  I think a lot of people who have never fired a decent 35 whelen rifle have exaggerated ideas of what the recoil is like.  Just my experience, of course.

[mauser98us]

No to the brake,yes to AI. Also if you can handle heavily loaded 30-06 rounds,200+ plus grain the Whelan actually to me,has less felt recoil due to the different bore expansion ratio. bigger bore,same case. Also make sure your rifle is stocked properly and has a nice soft recoil pad like a deccelerator of kick-eze.I can shoot my Whelan off the bench longer using stiff loads much more comfortably than heavily loaded ought-six.

[wsjones]

"No to the brake,yes to AI!"
 
There you have it.  Just add a limbsaver pad or similar if you don't already have one and don't worry with the brake.  -WSJ

[JesterGrin]

Ok I have to ask what is wrong with a Muzzle Brake? It sure looks as though it has benefits?

[roper]

Hey Gang I am going to have my 35 Whelen Chamber modified to a 35 Whelen AI and thought while I was at it to add a SHREWD Muzzle Brake?

 Thoughts?

Nothing wrong with adding a brake but you asked our "thoughts". 

[thetrio]

I have a Match Grade Arms ultra light rifle in 35 Whelen AI. The rifle weighs around 7 pounds with the scope. The rifle has their muzzle break and it appears not to bother folks too much when I have shot at the range or hunted with it. I shoot 250 grain partitions in it and it seems to tame the recoil pretty well and it hits like a hammer.
If it is cheaper to put the break on it while at the gunsmiths vs shipping it back and forth, I would get the break and make sure to have a thread protector. If cost is no problem for you or the gunsmith is close (and is not too busy), I would shoot the gun without the break and if then determine you need it, have it installed.
My 2 cents...

[JesterGrin]

Hey Gang I am going to have my 35 Whelen Chamber modified to a 35 Whelen AI and thought while I was at it to add a SHREWD Muzzle Brake?

 Thoughts?

Nothing wrong with adding a brake but you asked our "thoughts".

Roper Yes I did. But by some saying no to the Brake I was wondering why people did not like them. The only thing I have found thus far as to why they may not like the Brake is because of Noise. But other than the Noise it seems as though it has benefits that outweigh the noise. So that is why I was asking why people do not like them expressly?

[roper]

Hey Gang I am going to have my 35 Whelen Chamber modified to a 35 Whelen AI and thought while I was at it to add a SHREWD Muzzle Brake?

 Thoughts?

Nothing wrong with adding a brake but you asked our "thoughts".

Roper Yes I did. But by some saying no to the Brake I was wondering why people did not like them. The only thing I have found thus far as to why they may not like the Brake is because of Noise. But other than the Noise it seems as though it has benefits that outweigh the noise. So that is why I was asking why people do not like them expressly?

I have rifles with brakes on them for various reasons but I do understand at the range the noise can be a problem to some.

If your trying to convert someone over to liking them that may be hard.

[wsjones]

I have one rifle with a factory brake (Winchester 70 300 WM with BOSS).  Had it since 1995.  It's awfully loud, even when hunting.  That said, I've never replaced it with a CR (no brake) version, and it does work to reduce recoil.  But I honestly don't think one absolutely necessary, for me at least, on the medium bores that I have or may someday have.   I do have another 300 WM and a 35 Whelen, and a 350 Rem Mag., none with brakes, that really don't seem to be kickers once fitted with a decent pad.   338 RUM or Lapua or 340 Weatherby or 358 STA?  Maybe, but I've never shot any of those.  -WSJ

[Singlebarrel]

I have extensive back and neck injuries and have found myself recoil sensitive in my old age.  I can shoot my TC Prohunter Whelen with 200 grain bullets in the 2,650-2,700 fps range, but nothing any heavier.  I do not like muzzle breaks.  What about Mag-na-Port?  Does that generate as much noise as a break?

[RevJim]

 I like Mag na Porting, very good option and I feel it does not add to the noise as does a brake. You can stick with the 200gr  bullets ( I have used the Barnes 200X for years out of my Whelen Improved) and the porting will give you that extra shootability. Go for it bro!

[Singlebarrel]

Thanks for the comeback Rev.  I am going to look into it.  I can shoot the Remington 200 grain, but the Hornady Superformance that really shoots good in my gun has started to work on me.  According to my chronograph it averages 2914 fps out of my 24 inch barrel. Remington says theirs is 2675 but have not checked it yet.  The difference in felt recoil is very noticable and the Remington shoots three inches lower at 50 yards than the Hornady round.
I just received my dies and I should be able to taylor a load to my liking. As long as I am hunting deer I really don't have any need for anything over standard velocities.  However, it would be nice to be able to shoot something a little hotter once in a while or go to a heavier bullet and not worry about the recoil. 

[RevJim]

 I have never shot anything with a cup/core 200gr bullet out of my Whelen, but have shot plenty with the 200X. And I can tell you that they worked wonders on elk size animals. However, for deer/hogs, I don't think a man could ever go wrong with any of the 200gr factory loads out there. They are indeed easier on the shoulder.
hey Trio- my bad experience with the loud brake was also a Match Grade Arms Ultralight, but in .340W. It was a shooter, but super loud, and worse, it kicked the guts out of a leupold 2.5x8 and then a Zeiss Conquest 3x9, while on my trip! I finished my hunt with a 300WM. When I returned, I had sent it back to MGA and they rebarreled it to .338WM. I had it mag na ported, and it still holds up, but I only shot the Barnes 185XLC. I gave the rifle to a good friend. I did love the 340W cartridge though, and later played with a couple 338 RUMs. Now, my Whelen AI does everything I did with the boomers, so I only use it now. Only two rifles in my cabinet now is a BAR 270 and the Whelen AI (well, a Garand in the trunk of the car too,ha)

[RevJim]

Hey Jester- the brake I use ( and recommend) is similar but same principle) as www.westexasordinance.coms brake. Mine is permanent, but they make theirs removable. Take a look at them. The three big holes model.
PS I grew up in Liberty co! I've hunted all around San antone, mostly leakey and Uvalde, but also Llano, Del Rio and Nixon.

[JesterGrin]

RevJim I hunt down around Carizzo Springs TEXAS.

The only Negative that I have read thus far is that a Muzzle Brake can be loud. It looks like the benefits outweigh the Negatives.

So this is the plan at the moment. Have the barrel cut from 24" to 22" and install a Brownells Muzzle Brake and re-chamber to 35 Whelen AI and coat with Dura-Coat HK Black.