35 Whelen - Best Option for Eland Huntress?

[bruce moulds]

the 400/350 shot a 310 gn bullet, and taylor preferred it over the no 2 and 350 mag with their lighter bullets. (225gn?)

 

[Rule 303]

the 400/350 shot a 310 gn bullet, and taylor preferred it over the no 2 and 350 mag with their lighter bullets. (225gn?)

That would be it. many years ago I read it somewhere. Just been trying to find his book and not sure if there was reference to Elephant or not with the 400/350.

 

[bruce moulds]

rule 303,
at least you still have yours somewhere.
I lent mine to someone, and it is now in the big vacuum in the sky.
bruce.

 

[BeeMaa]

But since you said eland get a 9.3x62 make sure it fits her and take her to Africa. The larger the rifle the more critical the rifle fit to the shooter is. When my wife started shooting her 338 Ruger compact mag I fit it (all of her rifles have the same stock) to a laminated thumbhole stock with a 1 1/8 kickeze pad on it. She shoot it lights out, I just built her a 375 H&H with the exact same fit for her buffalo hunt next year. So I would get your wife's rifle fit by a competent gun fitter and fit a rifle to her exact physcial size, it helps so much on recoil management.

This is a point worth repeating...regardless of caliber, make sure the rifle fits her properly.
As guys (just being ourselves) we might go a little overboard with our obsessing over the proper caliber.
I doubt the Eland will know the difference if she has taken the time to practice shooting from various hunting positions.
Make sure she is comfortable with the rifle, the scope and the recoil and it will be fine.

And because I'm a guy, another vote for the 9.3.

 

[Rule 303]

rule 303,
at least you still have yours somewhere.
I lent mine to someone, and it is now in the big vacuum in the sky.
bruce.

Bruce mine seems to have disappeared into the grey zone. Probably turn up in a place I looked for it in a year or two.

 

[jdhunt3]

Considering my spouses more diminutive stature, we are in search of the most versatile set-up in an eland gun for her to use during our next safari, after she informed this trophy is now at the top of her list. Until now she has been extremely successful using her 6.5 Creedmoor or suppressed .270 with all one-shot kills in everything up to and including kudu. My 300 H&H is still on the lighter end of the spectrum for eland and just not a good physical fit, while my 375 Ruger remains a bit much to tame.

After much searching and looking at reviews it appears that the venerable 35 Whelen might be just what we are looking for. The CVA Scout V2 chambered in such appears to check of the most boxes when considering the following criteria:

I’m a little late to the party, but since I own both a .35 Whelen and a 9.3x62 I thought I’d chime in. Both are more than adequate for Eland and your wife will be happy with either. The 9.3x62 has a bit more energy, and therefore a bit more recoil, but not significantly more.

I will say, however, that in the CVA Scout, recoil is pronounced. She may prefer your .375 H&H over the .35 Whelen in the Scout. Both my .35 Whelen and 9.3x62 are bolt guns and I’d let anybody shoot either. However, I’d not let my wife shoot my single action .35 Whelen (two of my buddies have this configuration for hunting here in Louisiana).

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Considering my spouses more diminutive stature, we are in search of the most versatile set-up in an eland gun for her to use during our next safari, after she informed this trophy is now at the top of her list. Until now she has been extremely successful using her 6.5 Creedmoor or suppressed .270 with all one-shot kills in everything up to and including kudu. My 300 H&H is still on the lighter end of the spectrum for eland and just not a good physical fit, while my 375 Ruger remains a bit much to tame.

After much searching and looking at reviews it appears that the venerable 35 Whelen might be just what we are looking for. The CVA Scout V2 chambered in such appears to check of the most boxes when considering the following criteria:

· Accuracy and quality reviews

· Performance versus recoil#

· Cost and availability of ammunition (225 or 250gr)

· Adjustable fit and weight

· Initial acquisition cost

Any thoughts or better options for the huntress?

IADiver
A mate of mine had a CVA 35 Whelan, very accurate and dependable. The only thing he didn't like was it was extractor not ejector. Recoil was mild.
Unfortunately my budget didn't allow for an eland but I took all my other plains game including Hartman zebra and Oryx and kudu with my 35 Whelan loaded mainly with 225grain accubonds. These are available as loaded ammo thru nosler and turned up almost 2,850fps in my mates CVA with a 25inch barrel.
Another good factory load that would handle you eland and everything else is the federal 225grain TBBC.
CHEERS enjoy your hunt.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My son used a Howa 308 Loaded with accubonds for all his PG and did well. He is 15 years old about 6 feet tall and weighs about 130 pounds. Before we went to Namibia he spent a lot of time on the sticks and in field positions.
When he thought he was good enough he got told to practice more. By the time we got to Namibia he was an excellent shot with the 308 and my 35 Whelan.
Despite his size he could handle the Whelan very well and was comfortable with it if he needed to.
His 308 did for everything he shot but it was comforting to know if needed he could switch to the the Whelan and still be comfortable.
Moral of story practice, practice then practice some more. The result will pay off no matter what rifle you use.
No eland but shows what practice can achieve. Cull Oryx @ around 150yards .308 150grain accubonds.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The CVA Scout V2 you mention shows to be a 5.8 pound rifle before optics. With the 35 Whelan pushing 3,000 or so foot pounds, the free recoil is going to be way up there, I would think.

Also, the Sectional Density for the .35 is on the low end for such a big bullet. (Only .251 for a 225.) Possibly this is offset by the larger cross sectional area, however.

As an FYI we chronograph a shooting buddy's Rem700 7mm RM hunting rifle last weekend. Factory Hornady 162 gr averaged 2,908 using a Magneto Speed V3. Recoil was not mild and probably considerably more than my 338 WM (with brake) pushing a 185 Barnes at 2,925.

Looking at the Swift reloading manual, as well as advertised specs for a couple of factory 7mm RM 175s, about 2,750 to 2,800 fps is realistic for his rifle with 175 grain bullets. I think his barrel is a 22", but it might be a 24.

Shootist
Fedral and nosler both list good factory loads for the Whelan. Using nosler load for the Whelan you get 2,850fps for the 225gn accubonds. Muzzle energies of over 4,000fpe. Let's see the wimpy little 7mm match the grand old Whelan. Speer offers loads with the 250gn hotcore at 2,700fps, treading hard on the heels of the 338mag without all the recoil, blast and fury.
Long live the humble ol Whelan.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well eventually..... Better late than never to defend and promote that 35 whatchumacallit thing..........one day you will realise that the 9.3x62 is of course far superior......

Spike.t
Superior to what, an air rifle maybe but the old Whelan is just a fine cartridge that gets the job done. It's the quiet achiever and doesn't rely on all the hype and hoopla. One day you might realize you 9.3 is nothing more than a metric Whelan.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A while back I bought a used Remington (late 80s mod) in 35Whelen I worked on some loads and got it to shoot great. Over the winter I refinished the stock and I now have a great looking and a great shooter, When I go to Namibia it will be in my gun case

Rob404
Stoke the Whelen with 225gn accubonds and noslers load of 60.5 grains of Varget for a chronoed 2,850fps in my rifle or
The 250 gn Speer hotcore at 2,700fps with a good load of Hogdon cfe223 60gn to 64 grains

The nosler and Speer loads are directly from their respective reloading sites.
Go have fun with your Whelen.
ALL LOADS WERE SAFE IN MY RIFLE BUT SHOULD BE APPROACHED FROM MINIMUM LOAD WATCHING FOR PRESSURES.
Cheers mate
Bob Nelson
Who are you hunting with in Namibia.

My zebra stallion from Namibia with the 35 Whelen

 

[sestoppelman]

Those are some serious barn burner loads! Both show a muzzle energy over 4000 ft/lbs! That's .338 Win mag territory.

 

[spike.t]

Spike.t
Superior to what, an air rifle maybe but the old Whelan is just a fine cartridge that gets the job done. It's the quiet achiever and doesn't rely on all the hype and hoopla. One day you might realize you 9.3 is nothing more than a metric Whelan.

Me and @35bore have a long understanding that I am correct when it comes to the discussion of these two calibres .............I will now wait

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

especially when you compare bullets with similar sectional density.
to a degree, with this also comes ballistic coefficient.
the 338 federal is a great deer stopper, but less of a bigger game cartridge.
bruce.

Bruce moulds
Out to 200 yards both would be fine after that the 7mm leaves it behind.
I would personally liMIT the 338 Fed to 150 yards on such a big animal.
Just my thoughts
Cheers mate Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The CVA Scout V2 you mention shows to be a 5.8 pound rifle before optics. With the 35 Whelan pushing 3,000 or so foot pounds, the free recoil is going to be way up there, I would think.

Also, the Sectional Density for the .35 is on the low end for such a big bullet. (Only .251 for a 225.) Possibly this is offset by the larger cross sectional area, however.

As an FYI we chronograph a shooting buddy's Rem700 7mm RM hunting rifle last weekend. Factory Hornady 162 gr averaged 2,908 using a Magneto Speed V3. Recoil was not mild and probably considerably more than my 338 WM (with brake) pushing a 185 Barnes at 2,925.

Looking at the Swift reloading manual, as well as advertised specs for a couple of factory 7mm RM 175s, about 2,750 to 2,800 fps is realistic for his rifle with 175 grain bullets. I think his barrel is a 22", but it might be a 24.

Shootist
My mate bought a CVA in 35 Whelen, mounted a 3 to 9 X40 loopy don't know the weight but with the 225gn nosler accubonds @ 2,800 fps and 4,000 for it was very pleasant to shoot compared with another friends Tikka T3 in 30/06.
I guess it was to do with the stock.
Fit a,good recoil pad like limbsaver and shoot away.
Cheers mate Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

On that I agree if that was your point. The .35 "WHELEN" or .338-06 are great rounds, had both, but currently only the Whelen. But I have a Ruger 77 Win mag and a post 64 Win mag on the way, just snagged. I remember the first time I ever fired a Win mag. It was in Idaho with factory loads in a model 70 Win. It was illuminating! However compared to the .375 and up its a pussycat, especially if loaded down a tad. I like to shoot 200-225gr bullets in mine using R15 and similar powders for bench target practice.

Sestoppelman
That's the beauty of the good ol Whelen you can load it to 357 mag handgun up to watch out 338 win mag and everything in between. For game full throttle for practice 35 Remington.
Long live the Whelen.
I ain't biased
Cheers mate Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

OK guys, History and spelling lesson for the day. The .35 WHELEN was named for Col. Townsend WHELEN. Not WhAlen and not WhelAn. Its WHELEN. Thank you! And the first guy to blame his device, spell check, auto correct or anything else gets three demerits!

Sestoppelman
And 5 demerits to anyone who doesn't own one or don't like it. Ha ha ha.
Cheers

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

So is it a 35Wail-On then?

Rob 404
It's only the wail on to people that don't own one because they realised they should.
Cheers mate Bob

 

[sestoppelman]

I am a fan of the round, had several over the years Currently have a nice custom 1903 Springfield that I had bored out to the Whelen. The one I wish I still had was a nice Sauer Mauser 98K that I had barreled and set up as a woods rifle, Lyman Peep sight, matte blue finish. Dang good shooter too, but sold it for something else years ago.
Tried to buy it back but the guy wouldn't cut loose of it, then he up an died and who knows where it is now. Oh well.

I will say I never ran mine up where you are. I was quite happy to be a couple hundred fps below your obviously maximum loads. And they are maximum loads regardless how your rifle handles them. I shudder to think of it.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I am a fan of the round, had several over the years Currently have a nice custom 1903 Springfield that I had bored out to the Whelen. The one I wish I still had was a nice Sauer Mauser 98K that I had barreled and set up as a woods rifle, Lyman Peep sight, matte blue finish. Dang good shooter too, but sold it for something else years ago.
Tried to buy it back but the guy wouldn't cut loose of it, then he up an died and who knows where it is now. Oh well.

I will say I never ran mine up where you are. I was quite happy to be a couple hundred fps below your obviously maximum loads. And they are maximum loads regardless how your rifle handles them. I shudder to think of it.

Sestoppelman
My rifle handles them no worries at all. I tried loading up from min to max. Settled on max best velocity and accuracy. I loaded 3 cases 6 times with my loads a 225 grain accubond, a 225grain Woodleigh and the 250 gn Speer hotcore. No cases showed any stress and when my other cases catch up I will continue reloading the other 3.
The accubonds are seated to an overall length of 3.4 inches and I still have room in the mag and chamber to load a bit longer.
Last Saturday I loaded up some Hornaday 200grain gummy tips.
Didn't chrono them but at 200 yards for the fun of it a 200 gummy, a 250 hotcore and a 225 accubond made a,nice 1.5 inch group. So I can load it with any of the 3 and shoot quite happily to 300 yards plus.
My rifle is a Stevens 200 converted to 35 Whelen, 25 inch 1in12 twist stainless barrel and 3-9X40 Zies scope.

Love the Whelen just like to use it to its full potential as it was designed for.
Cheers mate Bob