Im thinking about making my next builder a Whelen. Im looking at using 200-225 grn bullets mostly. Would a 1-12 or 1-14 be better for those?

My Whelen has a 23" Douglas premium with a 1:12 twist. It shoots both 225's and 250's very well. I've never tried the lighter bullets.

Theoretically, the quicker twist should stabilize the heaverier bullets better than a slower twist.

Try a search of this forum - I believe this topic has been discussed.

My Shilen barreled Whelen is a 1-14. Shoots 200s, 225s, and 250s just fine. A number of big barrel makers seem to have settled on 1-14 as their standard - e.g. Hart, E.R. Shaw, and Shilen. Remington factory barrels are 1-16 I think, and I've not heard of people having trouble stabilizing 250s.

I'd only go with a 1-12" if I was planning to shoot 275-310 gr bullets. The 1-14" is plenty for up to 250 grs, and is friendlier to cast bullets. Don't discount shooting cast and jacketed pistol bullets for plinker loads, they are lots-o-fun!

I also asked around before I had mine built last winter and the majority opinion then, as now and above, was for the 14" twist. As Paul mentions, it works well with 158 or 180 gr. plinker loads. My 'smith, who has built quite a few Whelens over the years, also did not hesitate to recommend this twist.

My Remington has a 1/16, and stabilizes the 250 gr. bullets without fail. Of course, that is at 5,000 feet elevation.

If you plan to shoot 225, there is no reason to go faster than a 1/16. 1/14 would buy some insurance. HTH, Dutch.

As 9.3x62 says, I also have the 1 in 14" twist in a Shilen barrel, but mine is on a 1903 Springfield action. It shoots sub MOA groups with many bullets between 200 - 250 grains. I have not shot any bullets heavier then the 250 grainers so can not state the stablization of thoose bullets in this barrel.

My opinion, so far with this caliber, is that 225 grain Barnes X or 250 grain Speer will do everything you need.

I've only recovered one Barnes X bullet from my hunting, that was on a 125 yard shot at a bull oryx, the bullet went through and broke both shoulders, and it was found on the off side under the skin with 3 of 4 petals still in tact. I was sold on this combo from that day.

BigBullet

[ 07-05-2003, 18:57: Message edited by: BigBullet ]