Author Topic: POLL: 35 Whelen Handi Barrel Lenth? (Read 4441 times)

quickdtoo · « **on:** July 17, 2009, 03:25:26 PM »

The 35 Whelen has passed engineering tests and is approved for production, those produced this year will be 22", but next year's production isn't written in stone yet, they're considering a different barrel length, many have expressed an interest in longer barrels, what are your preferences and why?

Tim

mitchell · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2009, 05:09:25 PM »

i voted 26" i just like longer barrels, handis are short enough even with those extra 4 inches they are still handy. barrel blanks come at 27" dont know why nef wants to waist 5 inches of barrel so bad

Ten Ring · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2009, 05:46:36 PM »

I voted for a 24 inch because a 26 inch is too cumberson to shoot out of my shooting windows.
Jim

Sourdough · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2009, 05:58:23 PM »

I voted for 26 inch. I believe that is the length I currently have on my Handi. I have a standard Handi with a barrell from the Rocky Mtn Elk Federation run. It sure shoots nice. I would not want one any shorter.

myarmor · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2009, 06:57:36 PM »

26" all the way!!! I want as much velocity as I can get out of it from the barrel length. If I want it shorter I can cut it back myself or get a Smith to do it easily.
With such a short action/frame already in a Handi Rifle, a 26" barrel is still shorter than a Bolt Action and "Handier" too with the "Mag" advantage

-Aaron

mauser98us · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2009, 07:00:11 PM »

I already have a 21 bolt in 35 whelan. Would like another with a longer barrel and ackleysize it

LONGTOM · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2009, 07:20:54 PM »

I too vote 26".
In fact I wish that all the callibers were offered in this lenght.

LONGTOM

myarmor · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2009, 07:32:18 PM »

Quote from: LONGTOM on July 17, 2009, 07:20:54 PM

I too vote 26".
In fact I wish that all the callibers were offered in this lenght.

LONGTOM

Diddo that! Handi's need more long barrels in certain cals.......26" 308 or 270 anyone?

LONGTOM · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2009, 07:59:16 PM »

Most defiantly the 270!!!
Just that little extra can make a difference on a longer shot.

Don't even start about taking a longer shot.
We have had that discusion, and to each his own.

LONGTOM

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2009, 05:33:51 AM »

26" I just like longer barrells.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2009, 06:29:46 AM »

They could increase their sales overnight if they just started offering longer barrels for most all the calibers in their barrel program.

petemi · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2009, 07:32:38 AM »

I voted 22 inch. I don't believe that much is gained going to 26, and at 26, a Handi, to me, ceases to be Handy.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2009, 07:45:24 AM »

FWIW, I get ~100fps more velocity in the 26" barrel over the same load of RL15 with the 225gr TSX in a 22" barrel, that's like an Ackley Improved performance increase.

A 26" barreled H&R is 42" long overall, a Remington Model 700 30-06 with a 22" barrel is 42½" overall.

Tim

gomerdog · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2009, 12:25:00 PM »

Quote from: petemi on July 18, 2009, 07:32:38 AM

I voted 22 inch. I don't believe that much is gained going to 26, and at 26, a Handi, to me, ceases to be Handy.

Pete

I agree. At the range or in the field, 100fps is meaningless. However, 4 more inches in length can make a big difference in manuverability (Handi-ness) in some hunting situations. But, like someone else mentioned, to each his own.

krod47nw · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2009, 01:27:30 PM »

I went 26" also.

I have the 25-06, and 280 26 inchers, and both are excellent. Besides you can make it shorter if needed, but you can't stretch em....

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2009, 01:45:18 PM »

I'm like most of you. My vote is 26" bbls. In fact I would rather see most handi's minus maybe the pistol calibers come in 26" bbls. Pistol calibers should come in 16.5"

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2009, 05:26:59 PM »

Quote from: myarmor link=topic=178214.msg 1098853699#msg 1098853699 date=1247893056

26" all the way!!! I want as much velocity as I can get out of it from the barrel length. If I want it shorter I can cut it back myself or get a Smith to do it easily.
With such a short action/frame already in a Handi Rifle, a 26" barrel is still shorter than a Bolt Action and "Handier" too with the "Mag" advantage

-Aaron

ABSOLUTELY!!!

Otony · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2009, 05:45:21 PM »

Pretty darn easy to shorten a 26" to ANY length desired within legal and practical limits of course.

Pretty darn difficult to stretch a 22" or 24" without ruining your day.

I am just saying........

Otony

hotrod0872 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2009, 10:53:47 AM »

26" or longer,got a 28" on my tc and luv it!!

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2009, 11:34:39 AM »

26" for me too. Not so much for the velocity gain, but the extra length will add just a touch of weight to help tame 'er down.

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #20 on:** August 28, 2009, 08:06:33 AM »

I read somewhere that Col. Whelen himself thought that 23 inches was the perfect length for a 35 whelen barrel...none the less, I have a bolt action that I built on an old Savage 30-06 action adding a Shaw barrel. It is a magnum contour. To make it balance, I had to cut it down from 24 to 21 inches. Would love to have a long one to see how it does. As others have said, you can always cut it down. Love this caliber.

JerryKo · « **Reply #21 on:** August 28, 2009, 08:12:48 AM »

So do you have any idea where your velocity is with a 21" barrel...just wondering if you are able to chrony...I
agree a long barrel can be shortened but if 22" gets the job done so be it.
Jerry

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** August 28, 2009, 09:43:47 AM »

Here's one load comparison with the longer barrel, max load of Rl15 and the 225gr TSX, 22" = 2815fps(mattparliament's), 26" = 2895fps(my RMEF), not a lot of difference, but consider that a 26" barreled H&R is 2½" shorter than a 24" barreled Remington bolt gun.

Tim

JerryKo · « **Reply #23 on:** August 28, 2009, 10:25:39 AM »

WOW this is impressive even in the 22" barrel. I remember 3k out of the 26"338-06 with 200gr noslers....

Jerry

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #24 on:** August 28, 2009, 10:27:28 AM »

Have not had a chance to run the 21-inch Savage over my chrony yet. I only know that accuracy is great. Bedding the action and installing a new, trued up bolt head from Sharp Shooters Supply probably helps in that department, too. As Quick indicates, the difference is not huge, which is consistent with every bit of research I have seen when shortening barrels of different calibers (just check out the Chuck Hawks article, for example). The smaller bore, super fast calibers seem to lose the most velocity per inch - I guess it is an expansion ratio thing. But, I agree that the absence of a long receiver on a handi still makes for a pretty handy rifle even with the longer barrel. I don't know, I voted for 26, but I guess I am a little in-between in my thinking still. Rich

myarmor · « **Reply #25 on:** August 28, 2009, 03:08:28 PM »

It sound like Matt might have a "fast" barrel though..."which is a problem you want to have"

I have 2 buddies that bought identical Remingtons Senderos from the custom shop in 300 WinMag at the same time, and one shot 200-300fps faster than the other with identical loads and components.
Talk about frusteration for the other $:-\$

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #26 on:** August 29, 2009, 05:58:22 AM »

I went with the 26" also. I prefer a blade front sight with a peep rear (learned to shoot with the M1 Garand). The longer barrel gives a longer sight plane, which translates into tighter groups on the target.

-WH-

db22 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2009, 11:23:33 AM »

No one has brought up the issue of a heavier barrel soaking up some of the recoil produced by pushing a 250-grain slug at full throttle. I think the 26" barrel will be a lot less unpleasant to shoot, and so I will wait until next year to see if Big Green offers a longer tube on the Whelen.

mitchell · « **Reply #28 on:** August 30, 2009, 11:37:04 AM »

i too will be waiting on the 26 inch barrel if i dont hear of them next year i think a 1903i have may have to start a new life as a 35 whelen

Boxlock · « **Reply #29 on:** September 14, 2009, 02:53:48 PM »

I voted for the 26", though I had to think about it for a minute. As someone said, a H&R with a 26" barrel is approx. the same overall length as a 22" barreled bolt gun, or my Rem. 7600 for that matter. Besides, I like the look and balance of the longer barrel in a single shot rifle. They are nearly all barrel, and I think that is graceful. I have a Target Model in 38-55 Win. with a 28" and like the look and feel of it very much. Also, one can use all the weight that slightly longer barrel can give as the recoil of a stout 35 Whelen would not be an enjoyable recoil experience to put up with very many times, though tolerable in a hunting situation.
'quickdtoo', how do you like the recoil of your 405 Win., I believe you said you had one. Do you load it up to full spec. or keep it mild?

Poll

What barrel length would you like on a 35 Whelen, and why?

Author Topic: POLL: 35 Whelen Handi Barrel Lenth? (Read 4441 times)