49willys
Member
I have a 1899 finn mosin thats in pretty good shape other than the sewer pipe bore.Would it be feasible to have it rebored and chambered to 35 whelen?
Mosin 35 whelen
- Thread starter 49willys
- Start date
entropy
Member
You're definitely no gunsmith, or you'd already know the answer. I have seen a couple done in .30-40, but they were done a long time ago.
You might find it better to find a way to sell that Mosin to a collector, and buy a .35 Whelen.
You might find it better to find a way to sell that Mosin to a collector, and buy a .35 Whelen.
OP
OP
49willys
Member
No sir,I am not a gunsmith.
NIGHTLORD40K
Contributing Member
No idea if its doable, but it sure would be cool!
Have you shot it yet? Ive seen some sewer pipes that shot just fine.
Have you shot it yet? Ive seen some sewer pipes that shot just fine.
There is a significant difference in rim diameter, body taper and overall length that make me think feeding would be problematic. The Finn reworks of the 1891 are highly regarded, however, so by all means try the rifle with decent ammunition to see how it shoots. You may be surprised.
Scooter22
Member
NO! Bannerman did a conversion like this with the 30-06. The length of a 30-06 case cuts the chamber beyond the front receiver ring into the barrel where it tappers so it isn't supported properly. For the cost and lack of safety put your money into a newer used gun.
HEAVY METAL 1
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2005
- Messages
- 488
Depending on a variety of factors your rifle might have considerable collector value despite the bore condition. Have you had it assessed by a party knowledgeable in MN collecting?
Absolutely not, nor is it safe to convert one of these to 8X57/30-06/270 Win.
Take a look at this barrel shank
That shank contains all of the 7.62 X 54R cartridge (except for the rim) Notice how much metal there is surrounding the cartridge. Did you know the Germans captured hundreds of thousands of Mosin Nagants and wanted to convert them to 8 X57mm? It was a failure. The 7.62 X 54R cartridge is simply too fat. Firing a 8x57/30-06/270 Win in a reamed out 7.62 X 54R chamber will result in burst cases. The German subcontractor who did convert Mosin Nagants had to cut the chamber short. As I understand, if fired with 8 X 57mm ammunition the chamber will blow. These rifles were only used as drill rifles, no blank or real ammunition used in them.
This might be a German conversion: Belgian "Blindee" 8mm conversion
Prior to product liability laws, Bannerman converted Mosin Nagants to 30-06. This is a dangerous conversion, see how much of the chamber had been cut down? Rest assured, most of the cartridge is contained in the thin section of the barrel. Given enough rounds, that thin barrel section will burst.
the bolt face for the Russian cartridge is too wide, Bannerman had a special bolt head made. Take that into account:
The thing is, if you really want to shoot your rifle, consider contacting McGowen for a new replacement barrel in 7.62 X54R. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 7.62 X 54R cartridge in the Mosin Nagant action. Receiver length, feed lips, magazine interrupter, extractor, ejector, etc, were all designed for the 7.62 X54R cartridge. I am confident that the action will feed, eject the 7.62 X54R cartridge more reliably than any other cartridge. Feed and extraction of cartridges conversions on old military actions is never a given. Usually they have lots of little aggravating problems, if they work at all.
Decades ago, an American Rifleman writer had a new custom 7.62 X 54R barrel installed on his Mosin Nagant. It shot as well as any 30-06, maybe as well as the 308 Win. Memory is not exact on the specifics anymore, but I recall the Russian cartridge, matched with good bullets, the right powders, in an excellent barrel, will shoot well. The Russian cartridge is not a bench rest cartridge, but it is very lethal and accurate, way, way, out there.
gotboostvr
Member
You could probably get it reamed out to a 35x54R wildcat of some sort.
Reliability would almost certainly be less hassle.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's an established wildcat out there similar to what you're looking for.
Edited to add: 9x54R, or sometimes referred to as 35x54R or 35 Russian.
Apparently JES does, or did rechamber rifles for that cartridge.
Reliability would almost certainly be less hassle.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's an established wildcat out there similar to what you're looking for.
Edited to add: 9x54R, or sometimes referred to as 35x54R or 35 Russian.
Apparently JES does, or did rechamber rifles for that cartridge.
NIGHTLORD40K
Contributing Member
Sounds like a good candidate for a sleeve and .22 LR conversion..... 
Scooter22
Member
Follow up question? Have you shot it and see how the accuracy is? I have some "sewer pipe" bore milsurps that will hit clay pigeons most of the time at 100yds if I do my part. I'm sure they would hit on a big game animal or human 2-300 yards. They're not target rifles but fun to shoot. IMO try it. If you don't like it sell it to a collector and get any of the modern Savage, Mossberg ect economy rifles in 308/30-06. If you really need a 35 Whelen then you'll have to pay. A 30-06 with a 200grn bullet is pretty close. good luck.
Scooter22
Member
The Draganov and PSL semi auto rifles are still top long range rifles. The older 7.62x54R is right between the 308/30-06 and still works.Absolutely not, nor is it safe to convert one of these to 8X57/30-06/270 Win.
Take a look at this barrel shank
That shank contains all of the 7.62 X 54R cartridge (except for the rim) Notice how much metal there is surrounding the cartridge. Did you know the Germans captured hundreds of thousands of Mosin Nagants and wanted to convert them to 8 X57mm? It was a failure. The 7.62 X 54R cartridge is simply too fat. Firing a 8x57/30-06/270 Win in a reamed out 7.62 X 54R chamber will result in burst cases. The German subcontractor who did convert Mosin Nagants had to cut the chamber short. As I understand, if fired with 8 X 57mm ammunition the chamber will blow. These rifles were only used as drill rifles, no blank or real ammunition used in them.
This might be a German conversion: Belgian "Blindee" 8mm conversion
Prior to product liability laws, Bannerman converted Mosin Nagants to 30-06. This is a dangerous conversion, see how much of the chamber had been cut down? Rest assured, most of the cartridge is contained in the thin section of the barrel. Given enough rounds, that thin barrel section will burst.
the bolt face for the Russian cartridge is too wide, Bannerman had a special bolt head made. Take that into account:
The thing is, if you really want to shoot your rifle, consider contacting McGowen for a new replacement barrel in 7.62 X54R. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 7.62 X 54R cartridge in the Mosin Nagant action. Receiver length, feed lips, magazine interrupter, extractor, ejector, etc, were all designed for the 7.62 X54R cartridge. I am confident that the action will feed, eject the 7.62 X54R cartridge more reliably than any other cartridge. Feed and extraction of cartridges conversions on old military actions is never a given. Usually they have lots of little aggravating problems, if they work at all.
Decades ago, an American Rifleman writer had a new custom 7.62 X 54R barrel installed on his Mosin Nagant. It shot as well as any 30-06, maybe as well as the 308 Win. Memory is not exact on the specifics anymore, but I recall the Russian cartridge, matched with good bullets, the right powders, in an excellent barrel, will shoot well. The Russian cartridge is not a bench rest cartridge, but it is very lethal and accurate, way, way, out there.
Ugly Sauce
Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2020
- Messages
- 7,056
My thoughts exactly.
OP
OP
49willys
Member
I shot a few rds of some mystery steel cased stuff,key holed half the bullets.I think I'll sell it and buy some 35 whelen ammo for my other 2 35 whelens.
db_tanker
Member
Maybe you could think about making a 9.3x54R? I think that would be an interesting caliber for a project?
Random 8
Member
9.3x54R Finn is a real thing. I see no reason why an improved, blown out .35-54R wouldn't be equally doable. You'd probably aproximate .358 Win ballistics.
How about 9.3x53R Finnish? A relic of Finnish 1933 hunting laws that incentivized re-boring and re-chambering military surplus rifles of the day to a larger bore.
It's not a wildcat as Sako factory ammo is available and can probably be special ordered if need be.
Personally I wouldn't b*stardize a rifle like this by modifying it but if OP insists, this might be only a moderately insane way to do it.
OP
OP
49willys
Member
Hell,I have 25+hunting rifles,dont need another.Milsurp are just fun guns.
