barrel contour 35whelen

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brybenn

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Hey all I'm trying to decide what contour barrel I want for a 35 whelen I'm going to have made when income tax comes in. The action will be a stevens 200. And most likely ill end up putting in it a boyds stock. I'm thinking 20-22" barrel length for easy carry in the bush and I don't want it longer then my atv is wide

Since its strictly a hunting gun should I say with a factory contour or go heavier to help with offhand shots?
 
Mad_Mikee said:
I just built a 35 Whelen with a 21'' barrel. I went with the Remington magnum contour to help balance out the short barrel.
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That's a very good advice, 35 Whelen has substantial recoil esp with full power 250gr and up bullets. I would hate to shoot 35 Whelen rifle lighter than 8lbs ready to hunt. No less than 20" long barrel and 11/16" dia at muzzle sounds about right.
 
I have a 35 cal Shilen #3 on order that will be a Whelen.

I wanted a #2 but they wouldn't do a 35 in one for me.

The #3 is about .625" at the muzzle and .815" at 6" from the chamber end of the blank.

I plan to have it done to 23" with about an inch long shank of 1.175 OD....going into a Pre'64 Model 70 action.
 
Does anyone know if a #3 21" shilen barrel will fit in a factory stevens 200 stock? Those ugly grey things fit me perfect so in debating whether to keep it or order another stock. I'd like to keep the barrel free floated.
As for substantial recoil what would you compare it to? The whelens I've shot seemed to be pussycats. I've never fired anything loaded over 250grains tho
 
brybenn said:
Does anyone know if a #3 21" shilen barrel will fit in a factory stevens 200 stock? Those ugly grey things fit me perfect so in debating whether to keep it or order another stock. I'd like to keep the barrel free floated.
As for substantial recoil what would you compare it to? The whelens I've shot seemed to be pussycats. I've never fired anything loaded over 250grains tho
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My 35 Whelen is the only one I've ever fired and honestly I didnt think the recoil was anything to worry about. For the first shot I had a good hold of the stock since I didnt know what to expect.

I'm just building up some loads with the Sierra 225gr. Gamekings. I'd probably compare the recoil as similar to shooting a 30-06.
 
If and when I get this gun I'm planning on using 310gr woodlighs or 225gr tsx if it will group them. I'm not worried about recoil I just want a nice mid range thumper for bear and moose
 
I try not to push my firearms to the heavy or light limits for the calibre. If I need to shoot a 300gr. bullet, seems like a good reason to go buy another gun.

ie. 180gr out of a 300wsm
225gr out of a 338win
225gr out of a 35 Whelen (origionally wanted to shoot a 250gr.)
275gr out of a 375 Ruger (origionally wanted to shoot a 300gr)
 
.35 Whelen

My .35 Whelen is built on a pre-64 model 70. Original .30-06 barrel was bored and chambered by the gunsmith that owned it. Is about .600 at the muzzle of the 24" barrel. Very accurate and pleasant to shoot with the 225 TSX load I used for hunting last September.
Geoff
Victoria,BC.
elkandm70.jpg
 
If your going short, then you need a magnum contour just like all of us who ever played with this calibre, I much prefer my 26"er, but a 20"er will make a great woods rifle, enjoy!DZ!
 
My first 35Whelen I built custom about 25 years ago with a fairly heavy #4 contour Shilen - 14" twist. It came at 26" and I shot it like that for a while working up some loads etc. However the concept from the beginning was to bob the barrel to 20" so I had my smith cut and crown to that. I still have it. It weighs about 9 1/2 lbs all up - with old steel Redfield mounts and rings and a 1.5x4.5 Scopechief which I bought new for that project. I would describe it as chunky yet handy due to its length. Very heavy 35Whelen loads are very easy on the shoulder - has an old school 1" decelerator too on the Fajen walnut stock. That said I like Rembo's choice of a #3 contour Shilen. If I had it to do all over again I would order that contour. Here's that rifle when it was wearing a black composite corelight stock briefly.

Custom1908_35whelen.jpg


Since that build (ancient history now) I've acquired many more 35Whelens with barrel lengths of 18 1/2, 20", 22" and 24". I think a 20" or 22" is about right for most and recommend that here. The really short ones have their place as do the longer tubes - I use em all. If 310 Woodleighs are on the menu you MUST get a 12" twist.
 
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