How many people have a 35 whelen?

[Deepfork]

250 grains is the sweet spot for the .35 Whelen... no need for more than that.

Yep, 245gr Hammer Shock hammer at 2806fps is where I finally ended up with the 35 Whelen. 250gr Norma Oryx at 2680 is another .35 Whelen load I like. As several have said with the 9.3x62, much of the available load data for the .35 Whelen is outdated, too conservative and does not even mention some of the powders that give the best results.

 

[hoytcanon]

Nothing in my experience with over 150 big game kills supports your position.

I'm not asking you to adopt my position, but onlookers should have access to differing opinions and make up their own minds for themselves. 40+ years of guiding and hunting have sufficiently proven "to me" that mono-metal bullets are inferior in most circumstances at cleanly killing game, when compared to other bonded and most C&C bullets on thin skinned big game. That is not to say that they don't work, as they certainly do, but in gemeral, I expect longer, thinner blood trails, as this is generally the case. YMMV.

 

[jwp475]

Damage from a monometal bullet. Animal dropped at the shot. No tracking required.

 

[amschind]

250 grains is just about perfect for any NA game animal; I completely agree. But the question that arises from that assumption is: Why not use a .338-'06 to do the same job? "Because I already have a .358 Whelen that I like and I enjoy shooting it" is a completely reasonable answer, and tons of calibers exist for that reason. My point was that a .338 will struggle to fit a bullet over 250 grains whereas a 9.3 or .358 can fit a 300.

I almost exclusively shoot handloads, with the exceptions being 9mm, 5.56 and .22 LR practice ammo that only needs to go cycle the action, make a hole in the paper or ding on steel and tell me if I was aiming well. For everything else, I just need components available and I'm happy. If the bullet makers can make a variety AND sufficient quantity of high quality bullets in every 0.001" increment from .177 to .510, then more power to us all. We can have grand keyboard battles over the merits of the 248 grain .356 vs the 250 grain .358 and derive that much more enjoyment from the hobby. But when components get scarce and even very popoular components aren't available, that's when I wonder if a winnowing of calibers (not so much cases, since being reusable gives each case manufactured 3-10x the relative utility of each bullet manufactured) might not be best. .257 vs .264 and .243, .277 vs .284, .338 vs .323, .358 vs .356 and .366, .375 vs ..404, .416 vs et c.

I think that obsoleting guns and calibers that folks have put money and more importantly effort into is bad for everyone, and my favorite solution is that at least SOME runs continue in all calibers. I have looked at what would go into actually making cup and core bullets, and if worse came to worst, Casting copper cylinders and then milling them into bullets would be doable if not time-efficient.

This is pretty off topic already, I'm just trying to explain my underlying thinking. To be clear, I don't want and hopefully won't have a dog in this fight, but there was a time not long ago when this very issue arose for all of us and sadly I think that the possibility of shortages arising again now plays a role is cartridge discussions.

 

[Tbitty]

View attachment 625911

Damage from a monometal bullet. Animal dropped at the shot. No tracking required.

Is that a rabbit? Or a sever quartering to/away shot that basically ripped along the ribs?

Monometals are designed to not over expand and provide deep penetration, usually pass-throughs on deer sized game, not tear up meat like that. It's one reason people like them.

That looks like an exit hole from a ballistic tip or extreme expansion bullet, not at all what I'd expect from a Barnes TSX or similar.

 

[jwp475]

Is that a rabbit? Or a sever quartering to/away shot that basically ripped along the ribs?

Monometals are designed to not over expand and provide deep penetration, usually pass-throughs on deer sized game, not tear up meat like that. It's one reason people like them.

That looks like an exit hole from a ballistic tip or extreme expansion bullet, not at all what I'd expect from a Barnes TSX or similar.

Exit from a Hammer Hunter on a deer shot mostly broad side.

Patented Custom Bullets | Hammer Bullets

Hammer Bullets are custom designed bullets offering superior accuracy and ensuring minimal game waste. Our bullets have higher velocity and are lead free.

hammerbullets.com

 

[DG870]

I’ve got to question the “minimal game waste” statement if the picture is shows typical performance on game. I’ve shot deer and hogs with the 250 grain Hornady bullets and been able to eat right up to the hole. I’ll bet that deer went down fast!

 

[Deepfork]

View attachment 625911

Damage from a monometal bullet. Animal dropped at the shot. No tracking required.

I don't like an explosion like that, too much wasted meat. I've seen the same thing on a big whitetail with a 130gr power point in .270. Has a lot to do with where the bullet hits. As far as the mono vs soft point debate....neither or both every situation is different. I am reloading seven rifle calibers right now, 8 different loads (2 different .308 rifles). Bullets for my hunting loads:

210gr Nosler Partition - .338WM
245gr Hammer Shock Hammer - .35 Whelen
186gr Hammer Shock Hammer - .336-06AI
135gr Hammer Power Hammer - .308
165gr Fed Trophy Bonded Tip - .308
168gr Fed Tactical Bonded Tip - 30-06
140gr Fed Trophy Bonded Tip 7mm Rem Mag
270gr Barnes TSX .375 Ruger

I've leaned more towards the soft points until I discovered the Hammer bullets not to long ago I am impressed with them.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@amschind
Woodleighs make a lovely 310gn rnsp and flat nose solid in 35 cal that can be safely loaded to 2,455fps in my standard Whelen.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

250 grains is the sweet spot for the .35 Whelen... no need for more than that.

@hoytcanon
The Whelen is just sweet full stop. 180 to 310gn has you covered
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

For those comparing the .35 W, 9.3x62, and .375 HH with colorful words, here's some real data: The .358 is quite similar to the .366x62 but neither are close to the .375, not to mention the effect of bullet frontal area on DG wound channels (aka game-stopping damage). I'd stick w/ .375 & up on DG, and using the lower V 350 gr bullets that have a higher SD and penetrate like a .416/400 grainer. The .35W Ackley Improved likely becomes a 9.3. For med-sized non-DG, both are fine. They always called the 06 wildcats "the poor man's magnums," and I tend to agree. The .358 Norma is perfect for Africa-even on big cats (once a fav tiger cartridge, too!) Ackley Improve that .35W! It's just a reamer away...No special tools, no new brass-just fireform, neck size, load and shoot.

View attachment 416452

@C.W. Richter
Finally got around to developing some loads for the 310gn Woodleigh in the Whelen that will rewrite your results.
A 310 @ 2,455 fps puts an entire new slant on your numbers. The Whelen is now up over 4,000fpe with a bullet with the equivalent SD of the 350gn 375

Bob

 

[ZG47]

I see it raised a bit about I wonder how many people own and use the 35 whelen.
How bout we find out as well as what is your favourite load and why you like the whelen.
Every one knows I'm a Whelen lunatic and get a lot of pleasure loading for it. I'm still working on loads for the 275 and 310 grainers but will get there
Bob

Lunatic? Bob, I reckon that you are more of a fanatical .35 Whelen zealot on a sacred quest to convert the heathens ! Have a good Christmas and look after the BOSS.

 

[EfRed]

@C.W. Richter
Finally got around to developing some loads for the 310gn Woodleigh in the Whelen that will rewrite your results.
A 310 @ 2,455 fps puts an entire new slant on your numbers. The Whelen is now up over 4,000fpe with a bullet with the equivalent SD of the 350gn 375View attachment 653963
Bob

About rifle cartridge selection: My Father worked out of Fairbanks Ak in 1956, where he knew an Eskimo who'd dealt with quite a few polar bears. Dad asked him, "What rifle do you use?" The response, "30-30 or 303 British." In other words, what was available. With proper bullet selection, the .35 Whelan is a very capable cartridge. Astronomic velocities aren't needed. Good bullets are. Agree that a wider bullet helps.

 

[Deepfork]

Bob got me interested in the 35 Whelen a while back. I have 3 rifles, a Ruger M77 African, CVA Scout and a semi custom M70 Classic in .35 Whelen.

My favorite load...I have a 245gr Hammer Power hammer going 2808fps, .75 inch groups from the bench. That is a 2000MR load. I get close to that (30-40fps less) with CFE 223.

I'm fairly obsessed with the .35 Whelen, and the 338-06AI. I never really play with my 338WM or .375s any more.

 

[ZG47]

And ... @Bob Nelson 35Whelen, I do mean Judy when I say THE BOSS!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Bob got me interested in the 35 Whelen a while back. I have 3 rifles, a Ruger M77 African, CVA Scout and a semi custom M70 Classic in .35 Whelen.

My favorite load...I have a 245gr Hammer Power hammer going 2808fps, .75 inch groups from the bench. That is a 2000MR load. I get close to that (30-40fps less) with CFE 223.

I'm fairly obsessed with the .35 Whelen, and the 338-06AI. I never really play with my 338WM or .375s any more.

You really should play with your .338 WINCHESTER MAGNUM. Try 225gr. Barnes TTSX. It will be "enlightening" like watching the aurora borealis around a campfire after you've killed an elk with it. LOL

 

[50Gunner]

I have one 35 Whelen, bought a rusted bore pre-64 Model 70 in 270 Winchester out of Oregon, sent it up to JES for a rebore to 35 Whelen to find the new steel, had it cut 14 twist, had my 'Smith matte black cerakote all the steel, including the steel Talley bases and rings.

Got very lucky and bought a McMillan McWoody stock for 100 bucks shipped cut for a pre-64 Winchester 70 with 13-7/8ths LOP, fits like a glove.

Standard regular light and heavy game load is 250gr Norma Oryx at 2667 fps over CFE-223 powder, if big bull Moose or Elk were to turn away and run from the first hit 250gr Oryx, they'd get a 270gr Northfork cup nosed solid in the quartering away back ribs or on the butt, it leaves the 24" barrel at 2550 fps over Leverevolution powder, and lands only two inches lower than the 250 Oryx at 200 yards.

Now i'm with Big Bob 35Whelen here, I use a drop tube and H-4350 to power the 310gr Woodleighs to 2425 fps, COL is 3.370 inch, they feed, chamber and eject like greased hot links, if legal, or if my PH would allow, I'd bust any Cape Buffalo that ever drew a breath of air with that load, also, if he turned to run, he'd receive a 270gr Northfork cup nose solid as well.

He would be in the salt post haste ; ]

 

[Fatback]

I just had one built from a Ruger Mark II, M77 chambered in 30-06. I have been using Federal a premium factory loaded 225 Grain TBBCs. I’ve only had it a few months but have enjoyed shooting and hunting with it. It had preformed flawlessly on 2 whitetails so far. Hoping to get a crack at a few pigs with it over the next month or two.