35 whelen barrel twist advice

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ryanthace

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Rocanville, SK
I am currently looking to re barrel a remington 783 from 30-06 to 35 whelen. I have narrowed it down to a 22 inch barrel from McGowan with a #4 contour. My issue is with the twist rate as I can't decide between 1 in 12 and 1 in 14, I am leaning to 1 in 14 so I can shoot as low as 200 grain with no issue. I don't really plan on shooting anything above 300 grains either so any advice from people who have experience with this caliber would be greatly appreciated.
 
The length of the bullet is more important than the actual weight. There's a formula for calculating twist: diameter squared x 150, then divide by the bullet length.

If all you're going to shoot is 200 grs I wouldn't even waste money on getting the '06 rebarreled.
 
I plan on shooting very few if any 200 grain projectiles, I am interested mainly in 225 and 250s. I have a 308 hunting rifle already so I dont need a 30-06 as well. My main use for this rifle is bear and elk.
 
I have built a 35 Whelen and used a 22 inch Shilen barrel with a 1-14 Twist. It shoots everything from the 180-250 grainers extremely well. It shoots the 225 grain Barnes TSX into 3/4 inch groups over IMR 4064. I have loaded up some 310 grain Woodleighs but yet to try. I am sure it will stabilize them no problem. My Ruger No 1 in 35 Whelen has a 1-12 Twist rate. It too shoots the 200 grain bullets just fine. I don't think you could go wrong with either.
 
You will get ever so slightly higher velocities with the slower twist... but in this particular case you can flip a coin to decide... it won't really matter.
 
For 35 cal, it's best to have a twist rate most suitable to the inexpensive pistol bullets you can plink with
 
todbartell said:
For 35 cal, it's best to have a twist rate most suitable to the inexpensive pistol bullets you can plink with
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Interesting take on it. And what sort of twist would that be? Something slower? Any idea what the minimum twist would be to stabilise 250gr pills without issue?
 
Suther said:
Interesting take on it. And what sort of twist would that be? Something slower? Any idea what the minimum twist would be to stabilise 250gr pills without issue?
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Some are fine shooting 250gr with the 1:16, some report issues. My 1:14 Bevan King barrel on my .35 Whelen shoots 250gr in tiny groups. I wouldn’t see a need to go tighter.
 
Still Putting the final touches on a 35 Whelen 16 twist

Plan is 230g cast with gas checks

Go with a 14 twist or slower


nosler data =14
barnes data =16 twist

look at your load data you will be using / twist
 
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No issues with any of the 1:16 twists I use. 125gr pistol Bullets to 250gr RN

I personally see no need for a bullet heavier than 250gr in a Whelen, I’d jump to a .375 chambering if heavier was required.
 
I had a Remington 700 .35 Whelen that I shot a lot for 10 years. It had a 1:16 twist and shot very accurately with 200s, 225s and 250 grain bullets of various sorts. I never shot cast lead or pistol bullets but a 16 twist would give those bullets their best chance of shooting well.
 
I would sell the 783 as is and pick up a better quality rifle in 35 Whelen. Net cost would be about the same, and resale value would be higher. JMHO. I know it is none of my business!
 
pacobillie said:
I would sell the 783 as is and pick up a better quality rifle in 35 Whelen. Net cost would be about the same, and resale value would be higher. JMHO. I know it is none of my business!
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I had thought about that but I have found this to be a solid and accurate platform. The time line in which I may need this rifle could be as soon as this fall and I can't gamble on selling and buying. Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it and all the other replies.
 
ryanthace said:
I had thought about that but I have found this to be a solid and accurate platform. The time line in which I may need this rifle could be as soon as this fall and I can't gamble on selling and buying. Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it and all the other replies.
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Time is getting tight for that rifle to be ready for this fall no matter which route you go.

I'd go with 1:12" given the choice but have had 1:16" Remington 35Whelen bbls shoot 250s well.
 
ryanthace said:
I am currently looking to re barrel a remington 783 from 30-06 to 35 whelen. I have narrowed it down to a 22 inch barrel from McGowan with a #4 contour. My issue is with the twist rate as I can't decide between 1 in 12 and 1 in 14, I am leaning to 1 in 14 so I can shoot as low as 200 grain with no issue. I don't really plan on shooting anything above 300 grains either so any advice from people who have experience with this caliber would be greatly appreciated.
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Good choice on the 783 for yer build. :cool: A 1 in 14" twist works well for bullets from 110 gr on up to 300 gr bombs.
Super explosive effects on small pest critters when hit with 110 gr JHP's at 3000 fps. Cheap entertainment and pleasant
to shoot with cast boolits as well.
 
I put a twelve twist on my 35 because that is what I had sitting on the shelf. If it had been a 14, I would have used that. This is because I know it would make no difference. Mine shoots well with everything from 158's at 1200 fps to 250 grain at 2500.
 
I decided to go with the 1 in 14 twist barrel if anyone is interested, thanks everyone for your advice I appreciate the input and thanks to Jerry at Mystic Precision for being great to deal with. I will put some accuracy results up here when I get to that stage.
 
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