35 Whelen or 300 Win??

[Deepfork]

@Deepfork, that’s the plan. I’ll be taking 200 grain Terminal Ascents for my 300 Win.

I have a good supply of 225 grain TBBCs for the 35 Whelen that shot ok out to 200 yards but not as good as the 200 grain Terminal Ascents

The Terminal Accent and Trophy Bonded Tip are among my very favorite bullets. I have used a bunch of them in .308 and 30-06. Great consistent performers.

 

[Cohle]

@Cohle
It's no gag mate
It's s just good old fashioned shit stirring.
250s out of the Whelen at 2,709fps and 225s at upto 2,950fps
They aren't made up velocities they are actual chronoed velocities
You better hope and pray you don't own a 243 as it is my least favourite cartridge and I hate that useless little pissant of a so called cartridge with a passion.
Bob

I’m with you there. I once had a pre-64 model 70 in 243, and I disliked the cartridge so much, I sold it. A pre-64!!
And those velocities with those bullet weights are at least somewhat believable. The one that got me was the 310 grainer @ 2500 ft./s.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’m with you there. I once had a pre-64 model 70 in 243, and I disliked the cartridge so much, I sold it. A pre-64!!
And those velocities with those bullet weights are at least somewhat believable. The one that got me was the 310 grainer @ 2500 ft./s.

@Cohle
That pre 64 243 would have made a lovely 358 Winchester, all it needed was a new barrel and you would have had a great rifle.
It took a bit of work with those 310s to get the right load.
Even with the best powders for it the recommended max load was a full case but low pressure. Other powders gave reasonable velocities ( upto 2280fps) with higher pressure.
I had to figure out how to get more powder in with the slower powder (H4350/2209) . This was done using a 2' drop ruble that allowed the powder settle into the case better and get more powder in with the same amount of compression. This bought the pressure up but still well under max pressure and gave a lot higher velocities. Advanced reloading 101 and experiments until I gained what I wanted.
The main thing to remember in reloading is ALWAYS BE SAFE. IF IN DOUBT DON'T DO IT AND CONSULT WITH THOSE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE THAN YOUR SELF.
If you do things safely you should never have problems and increase your knowledge along the way. Sometimes you get gains, other times you don't.
Some of the older cartridges can be given a new lease if life by properly handloading like the old 30-06, 257 Roberts, 7mm Mauser and others.
Have fun and be safe mate and welcome to the wonderful world of the AH FORUM membership.
Bob

 

[MS 9x56]

An interesting bit of trivia for you:

From 1931 until 1963, James Purdey & Sons only offered magazine rifles in two calibers- The 7x57mm Mauser and the .404 Jeffery.

And there were very good reasons for this.

 

[Andrew62]

@Deepfork, that’s the plan. I’ll be taking 200 grain Terminal Ascents for my 300 Win.

I have a good supply of 225 grain TBBCs for the 35 Whelen that shot ok out to 200 yards but not as good as the 200 grain Terminal Ascents

I’m anxious to hear how the Terminal Ascents work! I hear good reviews on that particular bullet!

 

[Fatback]

@Andrew62, me too. I have shot 200 grain TBBCs out of my 300 win for a long time and they always worked very well for me on everything I’ve ever shot with them. I tried the Terminal Ascents and they were just more accurate than the TBBC at 300 and 400 yards. So I figured I’d give them a try after all the positive reviews I’ve seen on them.

I will be shooting 170 grain ones out of my 7PRC on my Mt. Goat hunt in September for the same reason, they were the most accurate of any of the ammo I tried. I am confident that the ammo will do it’s job if I do mine.

 

[CBH Australia]

@Cohle
It isn't optimistic mate.
Can be done and done safely with NO EXCESS PRESSURE
View attachment 685008
310gn Woodleigh RNSP chrono 12' from the muzzle
What colour is sceptical nowadays
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Bob

How do you set the numbers on the Chronograph? Mines the old type where you shoot over it.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

How do you set the numbers on the Chronograph? Mines the old type where you shoot over it.

@CBH Australia
Very funny Chris, your a shit stirrer.
Someone said that's a bit slow for a K Hornet ( had that at the range at the time).
When I showed him the Whelen I was using all he said was holy shit that's the biggest Hornet I've ever seen and I sent another 319 over the chrono.
Bob

 

[Roughneck]

When I lived in Alaska I used both quite a bit. But for me 35 Whelen hits like a sledgehammer, still have one 35 Whelen and no 300s , use it here in Montana on Elk works like a charm. That’s just my preference from my experience. 300WM is definitely more practical as far as ammo availability but out here most big box stores carry 35 Whelen now. Back when I started using it 15 years ago it was very hard to find any factory ammo.

 

[mgstucson]

When I lived in Alaska I used both quite a bit. But for me 35 Whelen hits like a sledgehammer, ...

That "hits like a sledgehammer" part is where the Whelen punches above its weight class. That is the part where the combination of greater cross-sectional area and higher ME makes the Whelen IMPACT on game hard to describe with numbers, and makes it leave the 300 WM in the dust for use on heavy game. If you like doing most of your hunting BEFORE the shot and not AFTER, I would take the 35 Whelen over the 300 WM. However, since the OP is limited to factory ammo, and since his 300 WM has better performance than his 35 Whelen with factory ammo, and given the availability of ammo in Africa, I completely understand his choice.

 

[Roughneck]

That "hits like a sledgehammer" part is where the Whelen punches above its weight class. That is the part where the combination of greater cross-sectional area and higher ME makes the Whelen IMPACT on game hard to describe with numbers, and makes it leave the 300 WM in the dust for use on heavy game. If you like doing most of your hunting BEFORE the shot and not AFTER, I would take the 35 Whelen over the 300 WM. However, since the OP is limited to factory ammo, and since his 300 WM has better performance than his 35 Whelen with factory ammo, and given the availability of ammo in Africa, I completely understand his choice.

Yeah I totally agree. I helped a friend of mine a lot when he guided clients in AK so I got to see quite a few moose fall. My buddy took a big brown bear on the Kenai with a predator control tag which was $10 for residents, he used my 35 Whelen and my handloads with 250gr speers. The boar didn’t make it far he put two shots in both stopped on the opposite side. One other caliber that hits like a hammer that I enjoyed was the 325WSM.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Personally for me, a big part of having a special hunt is using a cartridge that appeals to me and one that I enjoy using.

There may be several cartridges available that would be up to a certain task I ask of it, but some just appeal to me more than others.
That of course doesn't mean that the other cartridges aren't suitable, I just have my preferences...

So I would personally choose the .300WM over the 35 Whelen.

I have owned 3 .300WM's, plus a .300Wby and a .308Norma and really liked them all. I'm just a massive fan of .30 Magnums

Of the over 50 rifles I own or have owned, I have never owned a 35 Whelen - but I have owned a couple of Winchester M70's in .338WM, which I prefer.
Nothing against the 35 Whelen, it's just a cartridge that has never personally appealed to me... that doesn't of course mean it isn't any good. Like I said earlier, I just have my preferences...

So I would choose the cartridge that you would prefer to hunt with and take that... taking a favourite rifle/ cartridge on a special hunt will make it just so much more memorable...

Just my 0.02c

Russ

 

[Choupique]

Sooooooooooooo

Are we gonna talk about how .338 win mag is the right answer or not????

 

[wolfhunter]

I didnt take my 35 Wheelen to africa but it does real well on AK moose 3 have been taken with 225 gr .swift and nosler part.

 

[Fatback]

Sooooooooooooo

Are we gonna talk about how .338 win mag is the right answer or not????

Don’t own a 338 Win, so not an option for me. All of the different ideas shared on this thread are excatly what I was hoping for when I started it. I am more confident right now right the 300 Win than the 35 Whelen at potential distances I might be shooting with the ammo I have available. In different circumstance in the future the 35 Whelen will get the call I am sure.

 

[mgstucson]

Don’t own a 338 Win, so not an option for me. All of the different ideas shared on this thread are excatly what I was hoping for when I started it. I am more confident right now right the 300 Win than the 35 Whelen at potential distances I might be shooting with the ammo I have available. In different circumstance in the future the 35 Whelen will get the call I am sure.

Like you said from the beginning, there really isn't a wrong answer to the question. They are both excellent calibers and both well respected in their own right. Confidence in what you are carrying is important. Have a great hunt and make some memories. Plus, whichever one you take, it gives you a good excuse to plan ANOTHER safari to use the other. Cheers mate.

 

[mgstucson]

How do you set the numbers on the Chronograph? Mines the old type where you shoot over it.

That is what Bob uses 243 rifles are for. You just load the 243 up or down to make your old school chrono read what you want. Of course, that only works until he needs another tomato stake in the vegetable garden, then the 243 rifles find their natural place. Always tie the first string through the trigger guard, making sure the gun is unloaded. An accidental discharge from the 243 could be mistaken for a flying insect and may lead to expensive and unwarranted use of pesticide. With another the 243 rifle safely placed where it does the most good, mama is happy with the tomato plants, and another 243 has found its forever home. Win - win.

 

[Choupique]

more confident right now right the 300 Win than the 35 Whelen

Well thats all that really matters. Ill echo what's been said in here, Both are great.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Personally for me, a big part of having a special hunt is using a cartridge that appeals to me and one that I enjoy using.

There may be several cartridges available that would be up to a certain task I ask of it, but some just appeal to me more than others.
That of course doesn't mean that the other cartridges aren't suitable, I just have my preferences...

So I would personally choose the .300WM over the 35 Whelen.

I have owned 3 .300WM's, plus a .300Wby and a .308Norma and really liked them all. I'm just a massive fan of .30 Magnums

Of the over 50 rifles I own or have owned, I have never owned a 35 Whelen - but I have owned a couple of Winchester M70's in .338WM, which I prefer.
Nothing against the 35 Whelen, it's just a cartridge that has never personally appealed to me... that doesn't of course mean it isn't any good. Like I said earlier, I just have my preferences...

So I would choose the cartridge that you would prefer to hunt with and take that... taking a favourite rifle/ cartridge on a special hunt will make it just so much more memorable...

Just my 0.02c

Russ

@Badboymelvin
You may just have to get over your fear of cartridges you dislike and try a Whelen and come over to the Darkside. It exudes class that the 30s just haven't got. You never know mate you just might like it
Bob