Author Topic: Slipping To The Dark Side (Read 1326 times)

killdeer · « **on:** December 24, 2005, 06:13:55 AM »

Now in my part of the country, based solely on my experience (friends, family,water cooler, and store shelves) the 30 06 /270 is KING with an occasional .243/30 30 thrown in for wives,kids, and even grown men. Seems round here when folks want to step it up or shoot something different 7mm RM or as of late one of the newer wsm/wssm (are these really magnums?) gets the nod. My point being here, seems that when we want more the general trend is to simply go faster. Rarely do we consider anything above .308 calibre. Now I can understand this as there is an immediate satisfaction and considerable evidence when the pin drops to the shooter that you have indeed made a step up. Not to mention what I believe is the general perception (at least round here) that higher velocity is ok, anything above .308 calibre is deemed sheer overkill. Now I've tried a 300 mag and while it works as advertised it seems to me its effect on animals is about the same as its non mag brethren with the biggest difference being the perception of the shooter. Now here is what I am finally getting at if you are still with me. If I really want more, seems to me that a bigger bore at moderate velocities (yes the .35s) will take me to the promised land. Will it? I don't know, but me and these lil ol whitetails are gonna find out next year.

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2005, 11:45:41 AM »

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2005, 12:22:07 PM »

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2005, 12:30:23 PM »

killdeer,

Keep us informed on what .35 caliber you get or already have and the results. Lawdog

Don Fischer · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2005, 05:20:22 PM »

Killdeer,

In order for any of us to give you a proper answer, you'll have to provide one more bit of information. How dead do you want your deer?

With that info you'll get about 25 or 30, min, suggestions,,,,,,,,,,all of which will be correct! :lol:

Don Fischer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2005, 05:23:16 PM »

Killdeer,

In order for any of us to give you a proper answer, you'll have to provide one more bit of information. How dead do you want your deer?

With that info you'll get about 25 or 30, min, suggestions,,,,,,,,,,all of which will be correct! :lol:

oso45-70 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2005, 09:12:54 PM »

Merry Christmas to all the old pharts that hang out in this area and i hope you all have a prosperous and happy new year. :toast: ...........Joe...........

poncaguy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2005, 01:00:25 PM »

I would like to have a Federal 338.................all my rifles, except for a 45-70 , are 308 on down.........

poncaguy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2005, 01:04:09 PM »

poncaguy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2005, 01:06:23 PM »

I would like to have a Federal 338.................all my rifles, except for a 45-70 , are 308 on down.........

killdeer · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2005, 03:43:12 PM »

Lone Star · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2005, 03:49:16 PM »

I wanna double-post like you guys!

Lone Star · « **Reply #12 on:** December 25, 2005, 03:56:42 PM »

I wanna double-post like you guys!

jro45 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 27, 2005, 09:21:53 AM »

You want a 35. Good for you. Have fun with it!!!

killdeer · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2005, 01:06:48 PM »

killdeer · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2006, 05:31:07 AM »

Yep. I want a .35. :grin: Lawdog, I do not have one yet.The only U.S. offerings I have found so far are Ruger mk2 standard in 350 RM and CDL in .35 whelen, although I like both of them I'm holding out to see what the new offerings will be. Also I have zero experience with either chambering and value any input. The only Ruger I own is a 10/22 (whats not to like?), so maybe it's time to give Ruger a shot. I have also heard rumours about big green offering the model 7 in the CDL line. Guess we will see! Good shootin all, lets here about your 350 rem mag/35 whelen experiences/comparisons.

Brithunter · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:17:03 AM »

Hey don't forget the .358 winchester cartridge :grin:

Oh and strictly speaking the new short cartridges cannot be called magnums :roll: after all a Magnum is a larger container which the phrase was borrowed for the wine folks :wink:

Sourdough · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2006, 09:51:56 AM »

Recommend the .35 Whelen over the .350 Rem Mag. Reason, the shells are easier to find. The .350 went out of production a few years back and most suppliers remember and don't want to carry them in their inventory, thinking their resurgence will be short lived. The .35 Whelen is adiquate for anything in North Americia. Even the Big Bears. Recoil is surprisingly low. If you reload you have bullets ranging from the 158gr .357 pistol bullets to 250 grains. I use them to teach kids to shoot big game rifles, and with pistol bullets they are good for plinking and can be shot all day long without causing one to get sore or recoil shy.

I have two .350 Rem Mags one is a Remington 600 and is a beautiful little gun, 18" barrel with a vented rib, and a laminated stock. Kicks like a Georgia Mule (hardest kicking gun I have ever shot), and will only take 200 grain max bullet. Magazine is too short for a longer bullet. The other .350 is a Ruger M-77, and it will take 225gr bullets, haven't checked to see if 250s will fit the mag or not.

I have three .35 Whelens, Remington 7600 Pump, Custom Mauser W/18" barrel, and a NEF Handi Rifle. The Mauser and the Handi Rifle see a lot of use. My 79 year old Dad uses the Handi for Whitetail, and even his poor shots gets results. When Dad was 76 he took a Bull Moose with it. Their only drawback to me is their range, 250 yards max.

JD338 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2006, 06:15:06 AM »

killdeer,

There is something to be said about the 35 caliber hammers.
I have a 35 Whelen in the Remington 700 Classic. Back in '88-'89, I used the Remington factory 200 gr Core Lokt bullets. Killed 4 bucks and recovered 1 slug from a head on neck shot (found the bullet in the right shoulder under the hide).
I switched to the Nosler 225 gr partition when it was introduced in '90 and killed another 12-13 WT Deer and a 250 lb Black Bear. Always get a quarter size exit hole, even on one head on ranking shot. Every deer but 2 dropped in their tracks from high lung shots. The 2 blood trails that I followed were very short and a heavy red carpet of blood.
The Nosler partition is more bullet than needed for WT Deer BUT, they work very well. The 225 gr Nosler BT would make an excellent load for WT deer.

The "dark side" isn't dark at all, you will not be "trailing" shot deer, just dragging them out of the woods. :wink:

Good luck on your decision.

Regards,

JD338

killdeer · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2006, 04:53:36 AM »

Thanks all,
Looks like .35 whelen will get the nod. Now to divert some funds to the Momma don't know account! :twisted: :grin: