What do you think the ideal barrel lenghts are for both 308 and 35 Whelen. I picked up a couple of gunsmith unfinished projects both are 24-47 Mausers, both have fairly heavy 24 inch barrels. They look like a 5 contour. I know the 308 wouldn't be hurt at 22 or even 20 inches but what about the Whelen? These will be strictly utilitarian guns nothing fancy. They will have Bold triggers one piece scope mounts that came with them. I need a stock for the 308. Which of the less expensive stocks would you suggest? I know they are not the most desirable actions but the price was deffinitely right.

usually it's considered 10 to 20 FPS per inch of barrel change from factory load data. So chopping back a 24 to 20 of 22 would not mater much.

Try Richard's Microfit stocks good stuff better prices. And for a few buck you can make then look like a real rifle.

ideal for what?

hunting, as short as you can stand, a 308 needs 19" or more per jeff cooper.

a 35 whelen would seem to need more to me, I would not go less than 22.

a richards laminate would be a nice stock.

I have hunted and killed game with 308's with barrels from 18" to 26".

I really like them around 18 to 20" for all but LONG range antelope hunting.

I have killed javellina at 412 yards, lazered, with a 19 3/4" bbled 308.

I had a 350 Rem Mag with a 20" barrel and liked it.

Also my favorite 375 H&H's have had barrels at 20" and 19 3/4".

Oh, I like long barrels too my primary elephant cape buff gun has 28" barrels.

So ballistically I do not think it matters much.

Just build the rifles the way you like.

If you hunt in the thick, in blinds, in and out of a vehicle, or on an ATV, then short barrels are very handy.

For the 35 whelen i would think that 22-24 in should be ok.Can't say about the 308.Good Luck

My 35 whelen AI has a 26" tube on it, and I really love the way it balances. I'm not sure why everybody hates long barrels so much, I don't find it to be a hassle hunting, and I hunt in the sierras which aren't the most open and easy hunting. the thing I find most inconvenient about rifles is weight.

I say go 26" you can cut it back any time. build it, see how it shoots. if you don't like the length, or the velocity is sufficient, go 24", then 22". but start longer.

Red

23 inches on both...good compromise

My Whelen barrel is 23" long.
Doug

Thanks all, I think the 308 will go to 20 inches and the 35 whelen will stay at 24. I have done a couple of Richards stocks, they are rough but usually a higher grade of wood than what they are rated. I think that a select or A grade should be ok for the 308 in old classic style.

I'm coming in with my 2c a little late, but, we have a remington 600 in 308 with am 18-1/2 baqrrel which is an extremely handy deer rifle and very effective. I have a ruger 77 ultra light with a 20" which makes a good deer rifle. I would say that 20" would be good for a .308, and 22" better for a 30-06, due to the volume of the cases. Small cases are more efficient for short barrels. As to the 35 Whelen: I would be using a 35 for large big game and would be more interested in power and range, and less interested in handiness. I don't readily imagine a jump shot on an elk or moose.