What is the optimum twist rate for a 35 Whelen 22" barrel if wishing to use heavy all-copper projectiles such as the Barnes TSX 225 GR FB?
Thanks
K
Thanks
K
35 Cal Twist Rate
- Thread starter Klenchblaize
- Start date
Shilen rifles says 1:12 but it’s worth running your specific bullet you want to use through the Berger bullets stability calculator. From what I can see 1:12 should be comfortably stable with that bullet at 2700fps
bergerbullets.com
Twist Rate Stability Calculator
Our newly updated Twist Rate Stability Calculator not only tells you what your SG is, but it also lets you know if you are reaching your optimized BC.
bergerbullets.com
Many thanks for taking the time to look this up. I'm not too good with either figures or all this new on-line technical stuff!
I'd like to expand this thread to invite observations/experiences of using 35 cal all-copper ammo across all bullet weight options. Clearly it need not be in 35W chambering.
K
I'd like to expand this thread to invite observations/experiences of using 35 cal all-copper ammo across all bullet weight options. Clearly it need not be in 35W chambering.
K
Pleasure, can I ask what you are intending to shoot with the Whelen? It has always appealed to me but seemed slightly hard to feed.
Tricky close range woodland fallow that I need to ensure do not run (far). Neck shots are not always an option.
K
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
I've used 1:12 on two 358 cal rifles , A 35 Whelen and a 350 RM . They both shot everything extremely well . I currently have a 358 W with a gain twist Ron Smith barrel that stabilizes everything . Not a huge advantage in the 358 though , it runs out of case capacity with heavier bullets . I can get just shy of 2400 fps with 250 gr bullets , enough to shoot the wiggle out of most large things in this part of the world .Shilen rifles says 1:12 but it’s worth running your specific bullet you want to use through the Berger bullets stability calculator. From what I can see 1:12 should be comfortably stable with that bullet at 2700fps
Twist Rate Stability Calculator
Our newly updated Twist Rate Stability Calculator not only tells you what your SG is, but it also lets you know if you are reaching your optimized BC.
AB
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
My TSE barrelled .358 Norma Mag is 1.12.
Nathan has some very good stats re this 35. There will be a .35 W page there somewhere also.
Nathan Foster discusses the Barnes bullet options for the 35 Whelen here:
.35 Whelen
He says "Barnes bullets include the 180 grain TTSX, the 200 grain TTSX, the 200 grain TSX and 225 grain TSX. These bullets must be driven fast for best results and shots kept forwards, driven though major bones. Dead runs are common if shots fall behind the shoulder, even though internal wounding can be extremely broad. One has to wonder how game animals manage to run after such a vast level of internal wounding. Further to this, I cannot understand the all too generalized claims of less meat damage after using these bullets for bush hunting. With broadside meat saver shots, meat damage may be limited. But when hunting ‘the thick stuff’ and taking angled shots (a forte of the Barnes bullet), meat spoilage is pretty much a given. If hunting heavy game, the 225 grain TSX is a good option for the Whelen, boasting much higher potential velocities than the now obsolete 250 grain X while still retaining as much weight as other premium bullet designs after impact."
I have only shot one deer with my 35 Whelen, a red hind, which I shot with the Barnes 180gr TTSX at a range of 60 paces 10 days ago. I will be skinning and butchering it later this morning so I'll take a couple of photos and weigh it. The wound channel was about an inch wide all the way through. The bullet hit a rib on the way in and the animal ran about 20 yards afterwards. I was a bit back from the hilar area but you will be able to see from the photos. The blood trail was easy to follow as there was a lot of it.
Personally I think the 180gr TTSX factory ammo which I was using is a good choice for red and fallow in the 35 Whelen. I will chrono it when I next get a chance but Barnes say it is travelling at 2900fps so a good speed if you subscribe to the theory that you need velocity to make the copper expand. I do plan to load some 225gr Gamekings to see how they behave on reds but I have some Barnes Vor-TX 180gr factory ammo which use the 180gr TTSX so I will be using those as I have them and copper will be our only option in the future.
My rifle is a Remington 700 CDL with a 1:16 twist 24" barrel as it came from the factory except it has been screwcut.
.35 Whelen
He says "Barnes bullets include the 180 grain TTSX, the 200 grain TTSX, the 200 grain TSX and 225 grain TSX. These bullets must be driven fast for best results and shots kept forwards, driven though major bones. Dead runs are common if shots fall behind the shoulder, even though internal wounding can be extremely broad. One has to wonder how game animals manage to run after such a vast level of internal wounding. Further to this, I cannot understand the all too generalized claims of less meat damage after using these bullets for bush hunting. With broadside meat saver shots, meat damage may be limited. But when hunting ‘the thick stuff’ and taking angled shots (a forte of the Barnes bullet), meat spoilage is pretty much a given. If hunting heavy game, the 225 grain TSX is a good option for the Whelen, boasting much higher potential velocities than the now obsolete 250 grain X while still retaining as much weight as other premium bullet designs after impact."
I have only shot one deer with my 35 Whelen, a red hind, which I shot with the Barnes 180gr TTSX at a range of 60 paces 10 days ago. I will be skinning and butchering it later this morning so I'll take a couple of photos and weigh it. The wound channel was about an inch wide all the way through. The bullet hit a rib on the way in and the animal ran about 20 yards afterwards. I was a bit back from the hilar area but you will be able to see from the photos. The blood trail was easy to follow as there was a lot of it.
Personally I think the 180gr TTSX factory ammo which I was using is a good choice for red and fallow in the 35 Whelen. I will chrono it when I next get a chance but Barnes say it is travelling at 2900fps so a good speed if you subscribe to the theory that you need velocity to make the copper expand. I do plan to load some 225gr Gamekings to see how they behave on reds but I have some Barnes Vor-TX 180gr factory ammo which use the 180gr TTSX so I will be using those as I have them and copper will be our only option in the future.
My rifle is a Remington 700 CDL with a 1:16 twist 24" barrel as it came from the factory except it has been screwcut.
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I haven’t shot copper in my Whelen but emailed Barnes about minimum expansion velocity. They gave me this below. More than likely you’d want to keep it above 2000fps.
358 200 TTSX- 1800 fps
.358 225 TSX- 1600 fps
I can’t find the twist rate on my rebarrel. It’s back in the states so I can’t check it for you. JES reboring in Oregon did my Rem 700. I thought it was 1:12 twist, but can’t confirm. He would be a good one to email though to get a solid answer on twist rates.
358 200 TTSX- 1800 fps
.358 225 TSX- 1600 fps
I can’t find the twist rate on my rebarrel. It’s back in the states so I can’t check it for you. JES reboring in Oregon did my Rem 700. I thought it was 1:12 twist, but can’t confirm. He would be a good one to email though to get a solid answer on twist rates.
Thanks everyone. All very helpful.
Clearly I'd rather not have to contemplate the use of all-copper ammunition but it would be madness not to tailor a custom configured rifle to shoot the stuff as well as is possible.
K
Clearly I'd rather not have to contemplate the use of all-copper ammunition but it would be madness not to tailor a custom configured rifle to shoot the stuff as well as is possible.
K
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
The Barnes 225 gr is an outstanding bullet for bigger game in the 35 Whelen and 350 RM . I have used the sierra 225s for a number of years on game up to the size of Moose . They worked quite well but I did get a few core separations after hitting major bones on one Moose and one good sized Black Bear using a 350 RM . Both shots were under 50 yards so the velocity was still quite high . Both animals dropped at the shot so I won't complain about bullet performance , that's a lot to ask from a standard cup and core bullet . They should work really well for Reds .
AB
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