35 Whelen rate of twist?

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have used three .35 Whelen rifles, and they have given me good service. A Remington 700 with 1-16" twist, a custom Ruger #1 with 1-14" and my current Sako AV classic rebarreled with 1-12" twist. I only shoot 250 grain bullets, except for fooling with 225's a couple of times. All three shot well, all three were effective on game, all three could safely reach 2500 fps / 250 gr. with IMR 4064 or Varget or RL15. I like the 1-12" twist Sako the best, not because of the twist but because it fits me the best. So I got rid of the others. Would like to try the new Speer loads with CFE223 powder, but actually find I have no need for more speed than I already get with the older powders.

Long Walker
Try the Speer loads with cfe223 you will be very happy with the extra performance and extended range. It will be just as accurate with that load maybe even more so. My Whelen cuts clover leaf groups with their load.
Cheers mate Bob

 

[walk-in]

I currently own a 35 Whelen that started life as a Ruger 77 Mk II in 30-06 and was rebarrelled before I bought it. It has a 1:14 twist. I've used it for the last 15 years or so with 250 gr. Kodiak bullets (no longer available, unfortunately). I've killed several moose and at least 1 caribou and black bear with it. It just so happens that I've never been carrying it when I've come across a grizzly. I've been generally satisfied with it, but I think that the barrel is too light since it was made to the same external contours as the factory '06 barrel in order to fit the original stock.

Just yesterday I ordered a new barrel from Krieger for the 35 Whelen that I will be building on a Husqvarna action. I ordered it with a 1:12 twist. I will continue to shoot my 250 gr. Kodiak bullets until I use them up, and then probably switch to Swift A-frames. I haven't been unhappy with the Ruger, but I expect this one to be better.

 

[hawkeyesatx]

375 Ruger Fan
I spoke to Nathan at balistic studies for quite some time about the Whelen and he agrees that 1 in 12 or 14 twist is ideal. With the velocities the Whelen is capable of he suggested reading the 358 Norma study as his Whelen study is based on the old standard loads. Nathan was a very knowledgeable man and easy to talk to. I enjoy his informative and enlightening REAL WORLD tests. He does a lot of the testing with his wife and clients.
Cheers mate
Enjoy your 375 Ruger it is one of the better cartridges introduced in the last few years
Bob Nelson

Is a 1 in 10 inch twist too much for a 35 Whelen?
I just bought an 8mm Sporterized Mauser with a 25 inch barrel that I'm going to have rebored to the regular 35 Whelen, and have been wondering if a 1 in 12 twist, or 1 in 10 twist would be better.
I saw that you went with the 1 in 12 twist Bob.
If the 1 in 10 inch twist is necessary, due to too much stress on the bullets, then I'm going with your rate of twist.


Hawk

 

[mdwest]

FWIW mine has a 1:14 twist and has had no trouble with 200. 225, or 250 gr loads..

I didn’t intentionally select 1:14 per se.. that just happens to be the twist rate that Green Mountain used when they made it, and for $92 I was willing to give it a try and see what I thought..

I haven’t been disappointed at all

 

[Longwalker]

I've had .35 Whelen rifles with 1:16", 1:14 and 1:12 twist. All worked as they should with standard lead core bullets from 225-250 gr. I only tried 200's in the 1:16 twist rifle and they shot OK too. I think 1:12 is as fast as I'd be comfortable with.

 

[hawkeyesatx]

I've had .35 Whelen rifles with 1:16", 1:14 and 1:12 twist. All worked as they should with standard lead core bullets from 225-250 gr. I only tried 200's in the 1:16 twist rifle and they shot OK too. I think 1:12 is as fast as I'd be comfortable with.

I believe you're right.

I'm going to stick with a 1 in 12 twist.


Hawk

 

[jwp475]

My 35 Whelen is aa 1885 Highwall that I had the barrel rebored from 30-06 to 35 Whelen with a 10 twist. I'm just getting bullets, dies and suitable powder to start reloading. I went with a 10 twist groups with factory loads 180 TTS Vortex, 200 grain Superformance and Nosler 225 Accubond are running .5 MOA for 3 shots with each

 

[hawkeyesatx]

My 35 Whelen is aa 1885 Highwall that I had the barrel rebored from 30-06 to 35 Whelen with a 10 twist. I'm just getting bullets, dies and suitable powder to start reloading. I went with a 10 twist groups with factory loads 180 TTS Vortex, 200 grain Superformance and Nosler 225 Accubond are running .5 MOA for 3 shots with each

That’s really good to hear!
That’s quite a long barrel on the 1885 too!
What kind of velocities are you getting in that long Tom? Just curious.


Hawk

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My 35 Whelen is aa 1885 Highwall that I had the barrel rebored from 30-06 to 35 Whelen with a 10 twist. I'm just getting bullets, dies and suitable powder to start reloading. I went with a 10 twist groups with factory loads 180 TTS Vortex, 200 grain Superformance and Nosler 225 Accubond are running .5 MOA for 3 shots with each

@jwp475
How bout a,photo of the hiwall it would be a lovely rifle. The powder you want for the Whelen is Hogdon CFE223. IT GIVES THE 225s and the 250s a real set of balls.
Bob

 

[jwp475]

The only powder that I have suitable for the 35 Whelen is Powet Pro Varmint

 

[jwp475]

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