Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 35 Whelan barrel length

I think 12" twist would be better for cast bullets. You may not think so and that is fine. But I do not like fast twists with cast bullets.

I don't know of any bullets that a person can buy for 35 caliber that would require such fast twists, 8 in particular, that you guys are suggesting. Correct me - what bullet requires such fast twists?

Mines 1-12, 20". Shilen. .35Whelen AI.
As far as effective, I'd say depends on intended use, application etc.. and also balance based on barrel contour, stock choice etc.. I'm not a fan of long barrel's, especially in a gun intended for shorter to mid ranges.
I'm shooting 200yds max with mine 95% of the time.

I borrowed a 26 inch barrelled Ruger once flinging 225 TSXs at hogs. I did not find it unwieldy and it put paid to the piggie with aplomb.

I'm interested in hearing why you feel that a fast twist with cast bullets is a problem

My Randall Redman rebored pre'64 M/70 is a 1:14 twist, I've yet to find a bullet that it won't shoot accurately. Jacketed, cast and pistol bullets it puts them all in nice tight groups, it has been my go to whitetail rifle for the last 25 yrs.

22" PN #3 contour with 1:12" twist. I'd go one contour heavier on the barrel for better balance. Curious as to what contour guys use on their 20" barrels.

22"

Mine is a #4 from back when MRC got out of the barrel business and blew all the blanks out for $40ea. I have no idea how it compares to other makers’ #4s, I’ll have to measure the muzzle diameter. I shot it for a while at 22” and decided to go ahead and chop it.

The .400 Whelen has a higher expansion ratio than its parent cartridge, the .30-'06. The .35 Whelen lies somewhere in between. This means that the Whelen cartridges lose less velocity from having their barrels shortened and the increase in noise is less.
Both the velocity and the noise level are satisfactory with the 18" barrel on my Brown Improved .35 Whelen, but should I choose to use iron sights on a rifle I would like it to have a longer barrel, like the one on my Springfield .35 Whelen built by Mark Penrod.

xausa.you have the right master riflesmith.none better.especially with controlled feed actions.

I have no idea how short you can go, but like most here, mine is a 22 inch.