.35 Whelen

[skidmark]

Gentlemen,
To help me make a decision on this Whelen
I need some input on barrel lengths, contours and twist rates
[200-250gr bullets] as I am leaning toward rebarreling
a donor 700 barreled action. Also looking at Pac Nor for the
barrel and job. Any help would be appreciated, Skid

 

[DrMike]

A 22 inch barrel is sufficient for the 35 Whelen. You only gain 50-60 fps with an additional two inches. With 200 to 250 grain bullets, a 14 twist is sufficient. If you ever anticipate shooting some of the heavier bullets from Woodleigh or Swift, you may want to go to a 12 twist, but a fourteen will work just fine. A sixteen twist works for 200 to 225 grain bullets, and if the Remington Classic is any indication, a 16 twist works. My preference is a 12 or 14 twist. I would recommend a contour to match the stock. This is not likely a rifle that you will use for prairie dogs, so a light, whippy barrel will work; but you may find that a little additional weight is comfortable. PacNor makes a fine product; I have their barrels on a couple of my rifles and they serve me quite well. Sounds as if you are looking at a great rifle.

 

[BK]

Kinda depends on what stock you are going to use... If the standard Remington ADL BDL CDL type, I would match the factory Sporter contour @ 23", just because I like a little bit longer barrel. Lighter stocks will obviously call for a lighter contour.

 

[SJB358]

I have the Remington M700 CDL in 35 Whelen. Rifle is about as perfect a set up as I could build. Not sure of the contour or taper, but I would think a #2 or 3 would be about all I would want. A good stock designed to take some recoil would be a must as well.

I am with Mike and would stick with a 1-12 twist. It'll handle everything you can throw at it. I have a 16 twist on mine and it does great with 250 PT's but if I were building, I'd wanna do it right the first time thru.

Good luck, sounds like a great build. 22,23,24" would all be the same to me in the Whelen. None of them gain/lose anything over the other.

 

[JD338]

I have a M700 Classic in 35 Whelen. The barrel is 22" and the 1:16 twist shoots 200 -250 gr bullets under MOA. The 250 gr bullets are at 2572 fps.
For a new build, I would recommend a 1: 12 twist 24" barrel in a #3 contour. Should make for a sweet handling rifle with plenty of speed and power for elk up to 400 yds.

JD338

 

[billbam]

When I did mine I went with a #3 contour 1-14 @23". Very happy with it. Either 1-12 or 1-14 will do

 

[gerry]

The 1 in 16 twist factory guns shoot very well on average with bullets up to 250 gr or so, if rebarreling a gun there is no downside to going with a 1 in 14 or 1 in 12 twist. I wanted the option of using the 310 gr Woodleigh so I went with the 1 in 12 because of that, it still shoots the 200 gr AccuBond and TTSX very well. I have had both 22 and 24 " barrels and both have been good, I like a #3 or #4 contour.

The specs on mine:
Rem 700 SPS action
Benchmark stainless barrel that is a copy of a Pac Nor #4. We cut the shank short so the big taper starts .250" ahead of the recoil lug.
McMillan Edge stock
Leupold 6x36 in Burris Zee Rings

Weight is 7 lbs 4 oz scoped on a proper kitchen scale, You can see pics here:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=20438

 

[ColColt]

Anyone know what the groove diameter is on the Remington 700's in this caliber? I'm going to order a mould and you're asked to specify the "body diameter" which I assume should be about .360" to accommodate what I think to be the .358" groove diameter of the rifle but not sure. That would cause me to only have to size the bullets .002".

 

[sask boy]

I have a RMR custom made 35 Whelen . Here are the specs:
#4 contour PacNor SSM 24" barrel with a 1-14 twist.
A Defaince left hand action with a H&S detachable clip system it has a Timney trigger set @ 3lbs.
It is aluminum bedded on a McMillan Hunter stock.
I have just changed the glass on top from a Leica to a Zeiss Davarie 3-9X36 8)!
I am a one bullet type of guy & I think I have settled on using a 225gr. AccuBond over top of 59.5grs. of RL-15 using Remington brass & Federal 210M primers.
I have Chronied this load at 2740fps or very close to that :mrgreen:. I have a .5moa or better if I do my part!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[skidmark]

I'm Going with Pac Nor also.
Maybe 20 weeks or so, I can't Wait.

 

[skidmark]

I'm Goofy now...
Looking at a new Cooper 52.....
Somebody stop me...

 

[DrMike]

I'm Goofy now...
Looking at a new Cooper 52.....
Somebody stop me...

This crowd? Stop someone from buying a rifle? Surely you jest! Which model you looking at? :grin:

 

[tddeangelo]

My M70 Whelen has a 1:12 twist. Here's one of yesterday's groups at 200 yards with 250gr HotCor's....

The shot out to the right is me...I duffed that one. The next three shot the group. That measured 1.7". The next group went 2.4" with me pulling one a hair right again. Average for 6 shots, 2 groups, was just over 2" at 200 yards, moving a 250HC at 2525-2550.

Not bad...

 

[wildgene]

...I hate those called flyers, not as bad as the "uncalled" ones, but I still hate 'em... :roll: :lol: :mrgreen:

 

[tddeangelo]

I normally struggle to write off flyers, but then it gave me this for the next group:

Shot #1 was in the dot, and I was sloppy and popped off the rifle too fast to get to the spotter to look for the hit. Like I wouldn't see a 358 hole in a Swaro at 10x.... :roll:

:lol:

I minded my p's and q's for the next two and they went where they should.

I feel pretty good about that rifle. A few clicks right, maybe a small elevation change (I like a 200 yard zero), and she's ready to hunt.

 

[sask boy]

There is nothing shabby about a 200 yard target like that!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[tddeangelo]

That's what a 1:12 twist can do.

 

[skidmark]

I'm Goofy now...
Looking at a new Cooper 52.....
Somebody stop me...

This crowd? Stop someone from buying a rifle? Surely you jest! Which model you looking at? :grin:

Model 52 Jackson Hunter...
.35 Whelen.
I'm losing my mind. :shock:

 

[sask boy]

Skidmark, I have not seen a Cooper rifles in these parts. But I have read good things about them. What is the twist or can you order that, also wondering what the cost difference is? I am not sure if I mentioned it in my earlier post, if was to do it again I would likely have gone with 1-12 instead of the 1-14. It likely would not make any difference in what I shoot out of her but if was going to go big I know then it would be stable :wink:.

PS. Sorry I believe I am being too nosy, price is not a factor when it comes to a new rifle :lol:!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

The Jackson Hunter is a handsome rifle. I'm slowly forgiving Cooper rifles after the founder supported Obama way back during his first run. I'm trying not to hold a grudge, and the product is superb.