Barrel length ?

[new snake owner]

I have an opportunity to aquire a 98 mauser sporter in 35 whelen and it has what I think is a loooong barrel 26".  I am able to buy it right and can spend a few dollars on it and was thinking about a shortening the barrel.  I was wondering if going to 20" would be to short?  I always though that there was a calculation to figure out how long it needed to be to get complete powder burn and this is why the question.

[Rick Teal]

I don't believe there is such a formula.  Things vary greatly depending on the powder burn rate.

The .350 RemMag has virtually the same case capacity as the Whelen, and the same bore diameter, and it is able to shoot right with the Whelen, even though it was originally chambered in the Models 600 and 660 Remington (18" barrels).  It may be worth looking at loads developed for the .350 in these rifles to get an idea of appropriate powders for a short barrelled Whelen.

My Remington 7600 in Whelen has been producing velocities of about 2640 fps with 220 grain bullets in its 22" barrel, without pressure signs.

I have a Remington 760 carbine in 30-06.  This rifle (as well as an older Remington 742 with a 22" barrel) graphs 180 grain factory ammo at around 2600 fps.  I've been using a medium burn rate powder and getting 2630 fps out of my handloads.  I quit testing, because I have no use for greater velocities from this rifle.