What are the pro's & cons of 1x10 and 1x14 twist in a 22-24" barrel for a 35 whelan?

hi: I used to have a .35 Whelan..but don't know the answer to your question...you left out a 1 in 12 twist. I think your best answer would be to call a long time barrel maker like Douglas...they would best answer you & would be a professional,
expert opinion. Generally, longer heavier bullets, all else being equal require faster twists...you didn't say what bullet weight you were going to use? I have a rifle that has a 1 in 7 &1/2 twist,bet you can't guess what it is. An original military US Rifle.
Tom

Generally speaking the faster twist barrel would stabilize the 250 grain bullets better contributing to better accuracy with those havier bullets.

Shilen says 1 in 14 for all weights.

Verhoositz my 35 Whelen AI has a 1 in 12 twist and shoots moa with all 200, 225 and 250 gr bullets even the old Barnes 250 X which I don't think is cataloged anymore.

Bisonland, would that US military rifle be a 6MM Lee Navy?

Bob

My Whelen has a 14" twist and shoots 250's just fine.

My Whelen has the 16, and shoots all 250 gr. cup bullets just fine.

Faster is only needed for copper 250's and heavier than 250 cup bullets. FWIW, Dutch.

quote:

Shilen says 1 in 14 for all weights.

Yes, they probably would.....

Even 1 in 16" as Remington woefully uses will stabilize 250's on paper. BUT, if hunting is your game, especially big, thick stuff; WE NEED to get away from this 19th century "only enough twist to stabilize for best accuracy"

The Germans had a better idea on twist....fast!No wonder the ol' 9.3 x 62 is still going strong!

I would recommend 1 in 12 " minimum for the Whelen and personally am considering building one with 1 in 10" especially for those 310 grain Woodleighs! A little 9.3 x 62 blood into the Whelen would certainly help!

BigRx

Thanks guys for the insight!
Ron

A 1-10 wouldn't be as friendly with cast bullets. I'd go with 1-12 or 1-14. With 1-12, you'll have enough should you decide to try some 280 or 310 gr bullets.

Don't dismiss shooting cast through a whelen, there are few things funner then pushing cast pistol bullets at 1200-1700 fps over 10-15 gr of unique, having mild recoil and report, but suprisingly small groups. Nothing like cheap trigger time, especially when it leaves a big grin on your face.

As I am contemplating building another .35 Whelen, I discussed it with two gunmakers here in Tucson. Both Randy Lawson and Sterling Davenport were unanimous in stating that a 1 in 12" twist was the way to go.
With that said, I wonder why Remington and Ruger had their heads up their asses by going with the 1 in 16" twist? I believe both Whelen and James Howe felt that 1 in 12" was the way to go.
I have the Remington Classic and Ruger 77 with the 1 in 16" twists and a custom Mauser with a 1 in 14" twist. The next one will be a 1 in 12", period!
A bit OT, but when Winchester brought out the .358 Win., they used a 1 in 12" twist. Why in bloody hell did Ruger use a 1 in 16" twist for their .358 M77?
Guess their engineers like their heads in warm dark places.
Paul B.

My 1920’s vintage Hoffman 35 Whelen is 1-12â€.

14" works just fine even with heavy bullets - anything faster is an affectation not a necessity.

The best .35 Whelens that I have known had 1:12" twists, like my Pre-64 M70 with a Douglas Premium 24" long no.4 countour sporter with 12" twist.

I like the 10" twist in .404 Jeffery, .470 Capstick, and 500 A2. It would be a humdinger in .35 Whelen too.

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
The best .35 Whelens that I have known had 1:12" twists, like my Pre-64 M70 with a Douglas Premium 24" long no.4 countour sporter with 12" twist.

I had a 1-12" #3 Douglas in a 358 Win that was the best 35 cal I have ever owned in 40+ years of toying with such things.

I'm just glad no one is telling these Idaho Moose that my Remington is shooting those 250 grainers through them with only a 16" twist. Ignorance is bliss, in this case..... FWIW, Dutch.