Optimal bbl length for 35 Whelen?

[Dinny]

I may be ordering a new Encore barrel. What barrel length will give me the most optimal results for the venerable 35 Whelen?  Why?

22"

24"

26"


Thanks, Dinny

[Lloyd Smale]

personaly i think anything over 22 would be just weight.

[roper]

I would get either 24" or 26".  Longer barrel going to give you the max velocity with the Whelen.

[drdougrx]

I donno....in the last year I've had 3 35whalens.  A #1, a rem 750 and a 700CDL.  Two had 22" barrels and the 700, a 24".  I didn't see much change in ballistics at all, I think because of bore ratio...over .30 calibers (GENERALLY) just don't loose that much velocity cause there's so much more space to burn the powder.  Now I'm not talking about magnum cartridges that require 70gr of powder ot more...just non-magnums.

All I can SUGGEST is that I would not be happy with barrels under 22" and over 24" for the whalen and for no other reason than balance and asthetics.  I would not be uncomfortable with a 24" though.

[Larry Gibson]

With the Encore action ou don't have the length of the bolt action so take that advantage and use the 26" barrel. 

Larry Gibson

[bigswede]

I think a 20" barrel would be great on a bolt gun, with that encore I think a 22" would be a nice compromise between weight, velocity, and being nice to carry. 

[BBF]

What sort of terrain are you mostly in?
 The Whelen and the 350 Rem Mag are fairly similar. If I recall the first Rem Mags had 18 1/2 barrels. I would settle for a 20 to 22 inch barrel on a general purpose rifle.

[nicholst55]

With the Encore action ou don't have the length of the bolt action so take that advantage and use the 26" barrel. 

Larry Gibson

+1; that 26" Encore will be as short as, or shorter than, a 22" barrel on a bolt gun.

[mauser98us]

be really different. Go with 21 inch. Your friends will be jelous and enemies will marvel!

[rickt300]

I cut my 35 Whelen to 19 inches and still get 2500 fps with a 250 grain Speer spitzer. Plenty flat enough for me and I killed a coyote at a bit over 300 yards with it.  I push my normal deer load to 2600 fps using the 200 grain Hornady spire point.  This is a pretty good load and don't sweat the penetration. It has gone through several large feral hogs (over 300 pounds) and not one of them was hit broadside.

[DDZ]

You would probably lose less than 100 fps between a 26 inch and a 22 inch. More like 80fps. Large bore barrels lose less velocity per inch of barrel loss, than magnums and small bore barrels would. Magnums that burn large amounts of slow burning powder are affected the most by short barrels. If I were choosing it would be a 20 to 22 inch tube. I just find the shorter rifle barrels are much nicer to carry.
I have an 18 inch Katahdin 45/70 barrel for my encore, and I love it. Its like night and day difference carrying it compared to a long tubed bolt action.   

[Dinny]

Hello and thanks to all,
  I have the opportunity to buy a Rem 700 back from a friend. It has a 22" bbl and is chambered for 30-06. I liked the rifle and never should have sold it. When I get it back it will most likely get a Hogue overmolded stock bedded to it, a good Duracoat finish all after it gets rebored,throated and crowned to the Whelen.

Thanks, Dinny

[Larry Gibson]

With the Encore action ou don't have the length of the bolt action so take that advantage and use the 26" barrel. 

Larry Gibson

Let me restate that and add;  get the 26" barrel.  If it is to long for your likes or the conditions of the hunt then you can easily shorten it to whatever you want.  Hard to add barrel if you get it short to begin with and then want it longer.

Larry Gibson

[Dinny]

Larry,
  I read you loud and clear. If I go the Encore route, I will seriously consider purchasing a barrel in that length.

Thanks, Dinny

[bigswede]

Since your building off of a 700 in a 30-06, have you considered a 338-06?  The 338-06 and the Whelen are both great cartridges, just thought I would complicate your decision even further

[Dinny]

Since your building off of a 700 in a 30-06, have you considered a 338-06?  The 338-06 and the Whelen are both great cartridges, just thought I would complicate your decision even further

I has already been complicated by the 338-06 thought. I have a plan and I'm sticking to it....

Thanks, Dinny

[Dinny]

Since your building off of a 700 in a 30-06, have you considered a 338-06?  The 338-06 and the Whelen are both great cartridges, just thought I would complicate your decision even further

I has already been complicated by the 338-06 thought. I have a plan and I'm sticking to it....

Thanks, Dinny

[Barstooler]

Dinny

When I built my Whelen back in 1966 I had a 1903 Springfield Mk I barrel action rebored and chambered to the Whelen and had the barrel cut from 24 to 23 inches and recrowned.  My "wildcat" chamber was cut with a slightly longer throat than today's Whelens, and that plus the 1:10 twist means it can handle very heavy bullets.  You should get similar results if you are reboring a 30-06.  Might want to consider a slightly longer throat than the Rem SAMI standard when you rechamber.

Barstooler

[Dinny]

Although it was not one of my previous picks, I recently purchased a 28" Prohunter Encore barrel in 35 Whelen. I'm gonna shoot it for a while before I decide on shortening it, but the thought is in my mind to take a few inches off.

Thanks, Dinny

[bigswede]

Have you shot it or started load development yet?  From my experience the larger calibers are a lot less picky when it comes to finding the right load.  Have fun and keep us posted.

[Dinny]

I just got the barrel yesterday. With temps in the upper single digits, I will wait another week or so before I dedicate some serious time to shooting it. I have high expectations!!

A range report will follow.

Thanks, Dinny

[bajabill]

curious why you went with rebore instead of a rebarrel.  What was the cost for that?  I guess I am missing one thing though, how much would it cost to install/headspace a new barrel on a 700?

[jmayton]

I just had my 1917 Enfield rebored from 30-06 to 338-06.  The Whelen was a strong consideration, but when I looked at the available bullets in 338, that sealed the deal.  It cost $319 for the rebore, rechamber, and shipping.  I had the action lapped and checked so that was another $50.  But it's not real expensive.  I'll be working up loads next week to see how it shoots.

[351 power]

like to know if you think a 26" barrel gives less muzzle blast. thanks

[Dinny]

like to know if you think a 26" barrel gives less muzzle blast. thanks

I didn't see much of a difference between shooting a 26" and 22" Whelen. I had plugs and muffs on while shooting both of them.


Thanks, Dinny

[BBF]

Although it was not one of my previous picks, I recently purchased a 28" Prohunter Encore barrel in 35 Whelen. I'm gonna shoot it for a while before I decide on shortening it, but the thought is in my mind to take a few inches off.

Thanks, Dinny

That 28" barrel calls for a bayonet lug welding job

[Sourdough]

Do you reload?  I have two .35 Whelens ojne with a 26" barrel, the other has an 18" barrel.  I generally use factory ammo for the longer barrel.  I reload my own using a faster burning powder for the 18" barrel.

[roper]

like to know if you think a 26" barrel gives less muzzle blast. thanks

I didn't see much of a difference between shooting a 26" and 22" Whelen. I had plugs and muffs on while shooting both of them.


Thanks, Dinny

 

Did you chronograph and of the loads yet?

[Dinny]

A few months after spending alotta money on the Encore, I decided I didn't favor it. All the barrels were sold before I developed loads and chrono any of it. I have come to the conclusion that when I need another Whelen, it will be of the bolt-action persuasion.

Thanks, Dinny

[roper]

A few months after spending alotta money on the Encore, I decided I didn't favor it. All the barrels were sold before I developed loads and chrono any of it. I have come to the conclusion that when I need another Whelen, it will be of the bolt-action persuasion.

Thanks, Dinny

I've done that afew times.  I'm about ready to have a 35 whelen build going to be maybe 26.6" long barrel and the way it looks get the rifle toward the end of this year maybe first part of next.