So I decided to build the rifle with the .35 Whelen chamber. I'm buying the .358 barrel blank. We will chamber it and turn our profile on the lathe.

Here is my question, Douglas or Shilen barrel? (within $20 of each other)

The Douglas is a 1 in 12" twist, the Shilen is 1 in 14" twist.

What should I get?? ( The gunsmith isn't sure either)

Thanks, Kevin

A quick peek at a minimum twist rate chart shows that the 1 in 14 barrel will stabalize bullets up to 300 grains, the 1 in 12" up to 340 grains. Not something a guy is liable to really need in either case. My Model 673 Rem in 350 Rem Mag shoots well enough for me with factory 200 grain core-lokt bullets and a 1 in 16" rate of twist. Even moving up to handloaded 225 grain partitions I expect to keep the 5 shots into 1.5" that the rifle has proven capable of. If this were my rifle, I think I would go with the 1 in 14" Shilen barrel. Why? It is close to what has proven successful in another rifle, and I like Shilen barrels. If you prefer one maker over the other go that route, if you need the extra $20 for scope caps or somesuch, let that make the decision. I have a nickel I am willing to wager you would not notice a different if basing the decision on the rate of twist difference between the two barrels.

Congrats on the new rifle. I am also fond of the under rated 35 calibers

NESoDak,
Thanks for the info, but let me ask you one more question.

Would the 1-12" twist ever be a negative factor?

MH

With the 35 whelen not being a very fast cartridge you should be fine with the 1-12 twist. Either 1-12 or 1-14 twist should privide you with acceptable accuracy. The 1-14 is a good medium twist rate that would provide you with the widest range of acceptable bullet weights to use. If yo plan on mostly reloading with heavy bullets then the 1-12 might be a better choice. If you are going to use mostly factory ammo then I'd definetly go with the 1-14.

I would advise you against turning down a blank yourself unless you are going to send it off to be stress relieved. Turning down a blank will introduse added and unwanted stress to the barrel and that's not a good thing. A #4 contour is plenty big (stiff) enough for the 35 whelen especially if you are going to chop it down to 20 - 22 inches.

Well, that brings up another question; What length?

Personally I wouldn't go with anything over 22 inches.