I am considering a semi-custom .35 Whelen build project, most likely utilizing a trim Remington M700 action and a McMillan stock. I have years of hunting experience with a broad assortment of cartridges from .243 to .458, but none with the .35 Whelen, which is exactly why I want to give this old classic a try.

My only real dilemma is barrel length.

I�ll press the rifle into action mostly for hunting elk in the dark timber. Shots will almost always be under 200 yards, with the majority of encounters taking place at approximately 100 yards. To save time, I will likely use 225- to 250-grain factory ammunition from Remington, Federal or Nosler. A handy and reasonably lightweight rifle, say 7.5 pounds all up, rifle is desired.

What barrel length � 22 or 24 inches � should I settle on? And why?

The 700 Classic is a 22" barrel 1 in 16 twist. Will handle 180, 200 and 225 bullet weights with same POI. The 250gr drops 8 inches after sighted in with the 3 lite bullets. This is just tests that I've done with my Classic.

Had T/C make me a 24" barrel for my Encore and it was 1 in 14 twist. Would only shoot 1 bullet weight accurately at a time. Say if you wanted 250gr, then sight in and hunt with that 1 bullet weight. Wouldn't shoot 2 bullet weights same POI.

Why not just buy a 700 Classic and just change the stock to a Micky. Forget the build, save some money and have a tack driver with the 700 factory barrel. On a good day when I'm at my best I can get groups of just over 1/2 inch at 100 with the 3 lite bullets.

PS - I forgot to answer your question - 22" barrel

Ken

You won't gain anything from a 24" barrel except extra weight. I prefer a 22" for the Whelen.

I have a 700 classic and it is fairly light as is. If you put one in McMillan "edge" remington classic stock, it would certainly be in the 7 to 7.5 lb. range.

I'd do a 1-14" twist replicating the Standard Rem contour cut to 21" in an ADL Hunters Edge. The Whelen really doesn't need a 24" barrel and 22" would be my second choice. 21" is the number of God (3) multiplied by the number of Perfection (7) so you know it can't go wrong (grin).

Seriously, I just like the way the 21" works on a LA and in the Hunters Edge will look perfectly balanced against the very short forearm of the Hunters Edge.

To me, a Whelen is something built for packing and, again for me, that means light weight.

I did this exact same thing a number of years ago. And don't know for the life of me why I moved it other than I found a steal on a 700KS in 35 Whelen. A little trimmer and lighter was my reasoning. I've long been puzzled at why Remington offers it in a 1:16 twist, but I've yet to find a bullet weight that won't shoot accurately.

I'm for the 22" pipe and could easily see a 21"......Don't really see the need for a 35 Whelen with a 24" tube.

I plan on building a semi-custom 35 whelen as well.
Just gathering parts right now.

Remington ADL 30-06 as the donor (barel is trashed)
Remington Ti style fluted bolt
Holland overside recoil lug
Holland overside firing pin
Holland spring kit (trigger, ejector, bolt stop)
Remington factory bottom DM metal
B&C DM stock
1 piece low talley rings
Leupold VX-II 2x7 33mm (to be ordered still)
Pacnor stainless barrel (to be ordered still)

I'm planning on going with a 21 inch barrel in the 1-14 twist.

Not sure what to shoot yet but probably something in the 225 -250gr. size.

Your question was a 22 or 24 inch barrel. I say 22 inch for 2 reasons. The Whelen is very effecient with a 22 inch barrel and the 22 inch is also handier for the black timber you wish to use it in. I have a 358 Win with a 21 inch barrel and a 9.3x62 with a 20 inch barrel. I am quite pleased with the performance and handling they provide.

12 twist #3 at 22 inches is what I did on a VZ-24 and I really like it.



Mike

A 22" bbl length would suit me fine. Anything shorter and the blast is just a bit much imo.

MtnHtr

22" on my custom stainless Ruger MKII Whelen.

20"
why?... because you don't need anymore than 20" and I find my 20" euro whelen (9.3X62) handles perfectly with a 20" barrel...
CZ550FS

22 in seems best. I cut my barrel back from a 24 to a 22 about five years ago. I often think I should have cut it to 20 in as it is for hunting on our brushy coast.

I didn't notice any increase in muzzle blast.

20"

I have looked for the article many times over the years, and still can't find it. It was in Rifle or Handloader over 10 years ago. Anyway, the subject was barrel length on a 35 Whelen. The author started at 28 in I believe and using the same batch of ammo cut and refired all the way to 18 or 20" I can't remember exact numbers but there was maybe 200 fps difference from long to short. I have a 20" 350 Rem Mag and believe it will do all I need to do. I think you should let your preference decide as it won't effect performance either way. I like short tube guns myself.

I'm in the middle of a 35 Whelen AI project and I had a Adams & Bennett 24" cut down to 22".

I'm in the middle of a Whelen build as well and I went with 22, #3, 1/14.... I much prefer 22 to 24 for carry and stands. I prefer the 22 to 20 for the off-hand balance....but these are personal preference. With the great expansion ratio of a .358 you won't gain/lose much between 24 to 22.

JCM

23", because you can't decide between 22 and 24. This is the reason I have had a lot of 23" barrels on my rifles.

21" The 20.5" barrel on my 9.3x62 doesn't produce annoying muzzle blast and is very handy.

I'm having the bbl on my 35Whelen/7600 cut back to 20". If it was a bolt action, I'd probably go 22".


---> On a bolt action, the length of the forend should be less than half the the length of the bbl to look right.

Seems like great minds think alike. My custom Mauser in .35 Whelen with 1 in 14" twist has a 23" barrel as does my FN Mauser in 7x57. As I could never make up my mind whether I wanted 22" or 24", I just kept it simple and went with 23". I liked the end results.
Paul B.

MD&PJ
+3 on 23" KDJ PS. love my 35 W CDL even with 24" barrel.

I had a 26" whelan for years and man it would cook with the right powders..I cut it off to 20"s and never quite liked it after that??????? Guess it depends on what you like, not what everyone else likes...I still like a long tube for off hand shooting and quick shooting..4 to 6 inches of barrel is about what my pocket knife weighs and I don't see it as a detriment on any rifle...but carbines are nice to have also.