One reason for a 1:16 twist as opposed to faster twist could be that, historically 35 calibers in the United States have been used for deer sized game, while 35 calibers in, say Africa aren't, (350 Rigby), Hence the twist rate, Remember in America speed sells, common, practical sense sometimes lapses, because a writer we like said something we want to hear, it's repeated until it's a well known fact. (just look at our last election)
A 1:16 as offered by Remington/Ruger "WILL" stabilize 250 gr bullets. As far as gunsmiths standardizing a 1:14 twist, that is not a standard. That is to sell rifle barrels to customers who "READ" things about twist rates in 35 calibers. I speak of hands on knowledge. I own a 35 Whelen with a 1:12 twist, built to specifically handle heavyweights, although it's never shot anything more than a 250 gr bullet. Does that mean it's to fast to stabilize a 200 gr bullet, 225, or even the 250? When they 1st came out I loaded for a friends Whelen, 1;16 twist, free bore? not in his rifle. 200 and 250's gave excellent accuracy/velocity readings. So much so it has been his standard deer rifle for years.
Because of what has been written the Whelen just can't catch a break. It's been in fierce competition with the 338/06 since who knows when. It was even a factory round from a powerhouse company, as opposed to the 338/06 that became a factory, factory?, round late. In fact if it wasn't for Weatherby I wonder if many shooters would have even known about it. We had, at the time ,the gun hacks pitting a factory round against a wildcat, and people buying it!! "A 35 whelen can't get the velocity out of a 250 gr bullet a 338/06 can!" "The 338/06 250 gr bullet has a better sectional density and ballistic coefficient than ANY 35 caliber!" "It will retain more energy and penetrate deeper at all ranges!" "35 WHELEN!!! oh why, oh why, didn't Big Green standardize the 338/06 back in "87??" AND, my favorite, "35 caliber rounds just are not popular with American shooters."
Ron, see if you can borrow that rifle that somebody bought and check it out yourself. See if the cartridges rattle around, They won't, and then see if you can shoot some rounds through it, for accuracy purposes, If it isn't accurate, contrary to what has been written, it's a good bet it's not the cartridge or the brand of rifle or the particular model of rifle, it's probably just that rifle your holding in your hands. Unfortunately if that's the case some gun writer will find out and write about ALL of those rifles. If your not sure about the factory twist, then by all means get a rebarrel, wouldn't you be money ahead, no matter the extra cost?
Consumer Hands on experience is a dangerous thing unless of course your the consumer laying down your hard earned money. Enjoy your hopefully soon to be 35 Whelen, you'll never look back, and you'll have a heck of a good time defending it, I have. CRASH87
