35 Whelen conversion

[Bumppo]

Can a Browning 30-06 Lightning BLR Long Action rifle be converted to 35 Whelen by reboring or
rebarrelling? Both have the same pressure and COAL and, of course, share the same parent case. I wonder about the alloy receiver which relies on a barrel extention lockup. Does the factory barrel have enough diameter to be safe and would a rebore interfere with the extension lockup?

[BenT]

I don't think you'll find anybody willling to rebarrel a BLR with alloy receiver in fear of twisting the receiver. If you try to order a new barrel from Browning it is only sold with the receiver.
As far as enough barrel diameter to rebore , you might want to measure barrel diameter on a Marlin in 35 Rem for a reference.

[Tycer]

The BLR is sold in 358 Win. I do not have a lightening, but I'll measure my OD on my pre-81 if you want. You might could get a 358 Win barrel and rechamber to 35 Whelen. As much as a PITA as the BLR is to reassemble, I'm not sure you'll find a 'smith to rebore it.

[Pete44ru]

I have had barrel reborers tell me that they can rebore/rifle a .30 cal to .358 cal as long as the muzzle OD is at least .600".

Since there's no chamber work needed, prehaps the rebore can be done from the muzzle.

I would telephone a reborer (or three) and have a conversation.

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