I recently got a 35 whelen from a friend of mine before he passed . The rifle is built on an Argentine mauser 1909 action . And I'm unsure about anything to do with barrel , like rate of twist or make because theres nothing stamped on the barrel. All I know is its a 26 inch barrel and is a real good shooter. My question is, what the advantage if anything of having a 26 inch barrel. I wonder why is wqsnt 24 or 22.
Barrel length
- Thread starter Mac78
- Start date
I would not want a Whelen with a 26" barrel... it is not the sort of cartridge that you would want to wring out a few more fps. For a short to mid range hunting rifle a 22" barrel is probably the best compromise between handling and performance.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
This thread by Ganderite links to an excellent and well researched article.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...ut-Barrel-Length-Muzzle-Velocity-and-Accuracy
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...ut-Barrel-Length-Muzzle-Velocity-and-Accuracy
Hard to say what his intentions were.
He may have wanted the extra velocity, or he may have just wanted to wring out the most he could out of that cartridge for his particular hunting style area or targeted species. He also could have wanted it longer, just because others mostly went with 22" or 24" barrels. You would have to chrony it to determine exactly what velocities you are getting from it.
As it is a real good shooter, and if balances well and feels good to you when shooting, hunting and carrying the firearm, Be happy that you have something to remeber your friend by when you are afield and enjoy! He obviously wanted you to have it and to remember him by. I wouldn't change it in any way in reference to him (JMO).
He may have wanted the extra velocity, or he may have just wanted to wring out the most he could out of that cartridge for his particular hunting style area or targeted species. He also could have wanted it longer, just because others mostly went with 22" or 24" barrels. You would have to chrony it to determine exactly what velocities you are getting from it.
As it is a real good shooter, and if balances well and feels good to you when shooting, hunting and carrying the firearm, Be happy that you have something to remeber your friend by when you are afield and enjoy! He obviously wanted you to have it and to remember him by. I wouldn't change it in any way in reference to him (JMO).
I dont find a 26" barrel to be bad as long as its well balanced. My 458wm wears a 26.5" barrel and other than not being able to get a shot off at a bear hanging on the back of my tree stand its never been an issue for me. If it shoots well id leave it alone personally
With the stock that it is in I would guess that it was a matter of balance (visual and physical). A 22" on that stock would look a bit stubby as your barrel is quite slender. Twist is easy enough to figure out. Mark TDC (top dead centre) on a cleaning rod with a tight fitting patch and push it through the barrel for one revolution of the rod, then measure the distance the rod has moved ahead.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I am one who prefers longer barrels and wish they were offered as an option on more rifles. I like the way they give more forward mass for a muzzle heavy feel which helps shooting from field positions with less wiggle. Lower muzzle blast, and ( not that it matters much) more velocity. I find it interesting that dedicated bird hunters regularly prefer 28" to 26" barrels on their shotguns and have no trouble moving through brush while hunting grouse and shooting them on the wing, but rifle hunters seem to be going to ever shorter barrels for "handiness". 23-24" is about the right bolt action rifle barrel length in many situations for me, but I have one rifle at 25" and like it.
Yeah, but a smaller projectile benefits more than a wider for longer barrel lengths. If we are comparing a 35 to a 270, the whelen will not lose as much velocity with a shorter barrel, whereas the 270 will get louder and not make use of the energy as well.
Your right as to why it was made with the longer tube, but it isn't necessary for that caliber, Id cut it to 20 or 21" unless he only hunts open country.
