I am building a 35 Whelen on a VZ33 mauser action.

What does you guys suggest as being the optimum barrel lenght for function and looks.

I am leaning towards either 20 or 22 inches but want the thing to look and feel "right". I am not overly worried about losing a few feet per second in ballistics , the plan is for 250 grain projectiles at moderate velocity causing less meat damage.

Thanks in advance

Me, I'd save the vz33 for a light recoiling cartidge. Maybe that's easier said than done in NZ.

To get the barrel proprtions so it doesn't look huge compared to the small ring size you will need to thin the barrel diameter over the chamber area. Doing so of course sheds weight. Only you can be the judge but most folks don't like heavy bullets at modrately fast velocities in light weight rifles.

One way to mitigate the recoil would be to go with a 24" bbl.

Realistically, 22" to 24" is the norm but if 20" is handier and you don't care about max velocity, then have at it. It sure would make for a light quick handling medium bore, not unlike the 9.3x57.

Thanks Mike - I know you secretly want my vz33 action.....

I can build the Whelen on another action I have - an Armee d'Haitee ( Haitian )bitsa but the vz is in much better condition . Spose I could also use my P-H 8mm-06 action but would have to wreck an otherwise fine rifle.

Just wanting to get away from the "small bullet at hyper-veocity " mentality with a nice looking , functional mauser in a historic caliber.

Thanks fr your input , always welcome.

Mike & I are in the same boat on this one. You would probably be better served saving the VZ33 & useing a VZ24 instead. (22" bbl)

+3. That VZ deserves to be a 7 x 57!

My .35 Whelen is on an Oberndorf Mauser action and the barrel is 23" long. I built up a 7x57 on an FN action and went with 23" on that one as well. Seems to be a nice compromise and both rifles balance out nicely. I went with 23" just to be different.
Paul B.

MUZZA
you can always make a longer barrel shorter, but you cant make a shorter barrel longer
Remember, once you start thinning barrels to save weight you need real magic to get them to shot real well, the barrel should be the last place you should take weight off
Daniel

my whelen is in a Spandu action and the barrel is 24 ins. long.i have carried it elk hunting twice didn't get to shoot at one but i have killed 3 deer with it.

I would start with 24 inches and see how the rifle balances; I wouldn't go any shorter than 22, but that's just my personal preference.

I like to ring out all the performance possible, however, due to the high expansion ratio, a couple inches shouldn't hurt much. Lou

My .35 Whelen is on a 1903 Springfield with the military barrel rebored from 30 to 35 caliber and shortened to 23 inches. Thus it has a 1-10 twist for heavy/long bullets!!

It handles very nicely and has taken deer, elk, and bear. I recently installed a Timney trigger, turned the bolt, reblued the action, and added a good Leupold scope. After reinleting and refinishing the stock I am in the process of sighting it back in.

Barstooler

quote:

the optimum barrel lenght for function and looks.

anything over 16" is fine.....I'm becoming quite fond of 21" barrels....why?....does one need a reason?

Like Jeffe says, opinions vary.

To me, 24" is minimum.