I have a Stiller Precision Predator action that I want to turn into a 35WHEELEN AI and would like some advice as to what barrel length and twist to go with.
Thanks for the help! I plan on a Hart barrel -- not that it matters.
Originally posted by BISCUT: I have a Stiller Precision Predator action that I want to turn into a 35WHEELEN AI and would like some advice as to what barrel length and twist to go with.
Thanks for the help! I plan on a Hart barrel -- not that it matters.
For me personally, I'm a sucker for carbines. Seeing as how you're going to an improved version, I would go 20" with a 1:14 twist (no need for a 1:12 twist) and 225 grain bullets which is where the Whelen seems to shine. Drop it in a nice synthetic stock and you've got a go anywhere do anything gun if ever there was one.
Posts: 8827 | Location: CANADA | Registered: 25 August 2004
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Posts: 2135 | Location: Where God breathes life into the Amber Waves of Grain and owns the cattle on a thousand hills. | Registered: 20 August 2002
I'm in the Northeast so long shots are not exactly plentiful. Brush is!!! Really looking for a solid deer/black bear gun. Don't want to say I wouldn't take it to other regions but that would not be very often at all.
Not locked into AI if it is indeed true I would be better served w. a 23" as opposed to a 20" barrel. Rather have the utility of 20" when comparing the gain of going AI but needing a 23" barrel.
Very interested in hearing what you all have to say on the subject.
biscut, Here's what I built 24" 12 twist on a 700 Remington. shoots lights out with 225 and 250 grain bullets. Many sub .75" groups with the 225 Ballistic Tip and IMR4064.
Two times I have noticed bothersome muzzleblast while shooting deer, moose etc. Both were 20" barrels.
My Whelen has a 24 inch barrel and I have no trouble turning around in tight woods. I'm not sure about the twist, but its a Douglas barrel and she's not picky about bullets.
Originally posted by mad_jack02: My 35 Whelen Ackley shoots 225 gn. bullets out of a 24" barrel with 1-14" twist, and groups about 5/8" @100 yards all day long.
MadJack02:
What are you running for a stock? What powder and would you happen to have any chrony info? I ask because I was looking up 35Wheelen in the Nosler book and noticed a rather large velocity disparity between powders.
Unless you have a good deal or familiarity with Hart, don't limit yourself to 1 in 14" if you are building a custom gun.
Don't be surprised if lead is banned in 5 years.
The norm is going to be high BC mono-metal and I would go 1 in 12" You will have no stability issue's no matter what bullet you want to shoot. The mono-metal bullets are tough and stand up well to fast twist rates. There will be no accuracy issue or bullet destruction going 1 in 12".
A 20" barrel is no more manuverable than a 22"
Anybody who says a 23" barrel is cumbersome compared to a 22" is stuck on tradition. The extra 1" gets the muzzle blast away better. Make your decision based on muzzle blast vs. velocity in the 35 Whelen. 24" would be the best for muzzle blast control.
Keep in mind an odd number as in 23.5" gives you the option to re-crown later on after a couple thousand shots. That is very important, especially if you clean carelessly.
Frankly ALL of my bolt action rifles (save one) have atleast a 24" barrel and the ONE that is a 22" is simply waiting for me to install the 24" barrel I already have for it.
The idea that the longer barrel gets in the way more is something I've never noticed in the woods.
I tend to use my rile barrel to push branches out of my face and the lnger barrel is avtually better at that....
So with all that I'd go with a 24" barrel on a 35Whelen.
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Posts: 4601 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: 21 March 2005
Originally posted by 0X0: My experience with barrels (and framing studs in house building) is that you can always cut them shorter. It's near impossible to cut them longer.
For the AI version I'd probably go for a 22" or slightly longer tube - 12" twist. That's only because one assumes that additional velocity is being persued. My 35Wh AI wears a 24" tube. However the 35Whelen AI doesn't lose too much with a shorter barrel IMO either.
For a standard chamber 35 whelen a 18 1/2" on up works fine. I have two with 18 1/2" tubes (16"twists) and one custom Mauser I built with a 20" tube (14" twist Shilen). Velocities are perfectly fine from all these length tubes for my hunting purposes - woods hunting bear and moose.
On my Ruger M77 i have a Shilen 22" barrel, twist is 1:14. It puts 225 grn Sierra Gamekings in clover leafs at 100 meters if I do my part. Same with Woodleigh 250 gr RN.
I use this rifle for red deer hunting, often at dusk/dawn and moonlit nights on snow covered fields. The mussleblast from this 22" is no bother at all, and it is my "go to" big game rifle
Arild Iversen.
Posts: 1880 | Location: Southern Coast of Norway. | Registered: 02 June 2000
Well, I don't have a .35 Whelen, but I have a 673 in .350 RM and a 9.3x62 with a 25.5" tube. I believe the .350 has a 22" tube, and it's just about perfect. As I recall, the twist is 1:16, which is great for the lighter bullets.
The first reply of 20" and 1:14 twist is very hard to beat; maybe go to a 22" if you want, but I hardly think it necessary. Since you are building a hunting rifle and not a range rifle, I would think that your priority should be ergonomics.
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Originally posted by theback40: chock up another 24" 1-12 twist AI. It shoots 200 grn horn and Rem spitzers along with all the heavyer ones very nicely.
Me, too!
A 35 Whelen and 24" barrel with a 1-12 twist should be standard. If you vary from this standard you should have a real good reason to do so.
For a standard chamber 35 whelen a 18 1/2" on up works fine. I have two with 18 1/2" tubes (16"twists) and one custom Mauser I built with a 20" tube (14" twist Shilen). Velocities are perfectly fine from all these length tubes for my hunting purposes - woods hunting bear and moose.
What? Could you repeat that, I couldn't hear you very good.
I'm also thinking about a Whelen. I want to shoot the Woodleigh 310g at 2100-2200fps, try to match the old 350 Rigby. Anyone try these? What was the twist? I would guess 1-12 or maybe 1-10.
I've been debating the Whelen build for a while now myself. Lately I'm leaning towards the 9.3x62, but not sure why. The Whelen in the U.S. make a lot more sense. If I were building, I'd do a 22-24" barrel with a fast twist to shoot the heavier bullets. I'm a big fan of heavy and slow, like myself. LOL!
Posts: 539 | Location: NE Alabama | Registered: 11 February 2007
Originally posted by dean119: I'm also thinking about a Whelen. I want to shoot the Woodleigh 310g at 2100-2200fps, try to match the old 350 Rigby. Anyone try these? What was the twist? I would guess 1-12 or maybe 1-10.
For those I would go 1:12, from 275 grains and less, 1:14.
Posts: 8827 | Location: CANADA | Registered: 25 August 2004
My 35 Whelen is 1 in 14", 24 inches long. The twist has been OK for everything I have tried, 180-250 grains. I never tried or wanted heavier.
The length is fine, but the rifle is too heavy. Its too heavy because the barrel is too fat, the stock is too fat and dense, and maybe the barrel is longer than needed. I prefer hunting with a shorter barrel.
I have a 458 Win Mag with a 20 inch barrel, and it is my favorite deer rifle. Yes, it is loud, especially in a covered shooting house at the range. Off of a back deck, with the sound bouncing off the deck and house, it was much louder than the 24 inch barreled rifle we shot at the same time. On grass or in the woods, it doesn't seem louder.
For me, short is more pleasant to hunt with, but less pleasant at the range.
Jason
Posts: 582 | Location: Western PA, USA | Registered: 04 August 2003
I have some experience in Upstate NY and New Hampshire and I have a 35 Whelen. My opinion for you would be a 24 inch standard Whelen chamber with 14 inch twist or if you want to shoot heavier than 250 traditional bullets or mono's, 1 in 12. The 12 inch twist is available from Douglas and a couple others I think. The AI verision if you just want it is fine but the standard whelen is all you need for most anything in NA. At 60K psi, it is a real stomper of a load. Hunting in the NE woods for me was mostly a matter of sit and wait so the 24 is fine. I also find the 25.5 inch barrel on mine to be no problem walking in heavy woods to swing and sight but that is just me. A short light would work well too but we are talking a Whelen here and they are not a 243 in the recoil department so think about how you feel about recoil in the decision. I like weight in the barrel for offhand shooting too. Best of luck to you and have fun!
"The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their conscience, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights." ~George Washington - 1789
Posts: 2135 | Location: Where God breathes life into the Amber Waves of Grain and owns the cattle on a thousand hills. | Registered: 20 August 2002
Originally posted by BISCUT: Thanks for all the input guys. I'm going w. the AI version with a 24" 1/14 twist. A little vanilla but I think this will work just fine for me.
Go with the regular whelen version 22" tube 1-14" twist rate, the AI only gets about 50fps more than the regular whelen this is of course loaded to same pressures. A lot of guys who claim their AI'd version is getting 150 or more fps are most assuredly running high pressure. If you dont believe me go over to www.24hourcampfire.com and ask muledeer A.K.A. John Barsness an acomplished gun writer and handloader who uses pressure equipement....
Posts: 498 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: 22 May 2004
Originally posted by BISCUT: Thanks for all the input guys. I'm going w. the AI version with a 24" 1/14 twist. A little vanilla but I think this will work just fine for me.
Done deal. Ordered the barrel today and just got a used 3piece set of REDDING competition dies in 35WHEELEN AI plus 20 SWIFT A-FRAMES and 40 WOODLEIGH's. Original user had them left over from preparation for a Africa hunt.
I have run Whelens with 1 in 12”, 14” and 16” twist. I have also had owned them with 22” and 24” barrels in factory, Shilen and Lilja barrels. After years of fooling around with this round both at the range and elk hunting, I have settled on a 1 in 12” twist and a 22” Lilja barrel for my remaining Whelen that I intend to keep forever. CP.
