Questions for 35 Whelen Fans.

[Steve in MI]

I am in the decision making process of rebarrelling a shot out Rem 700, 30-06.  I definatly want to rebarrel it in 35 cal., but undecided on which chambering.  I already own a Rem. 700 Whelen, and love the performance it gives me. I want to build this rifle, and pass mine down to my boy.  I don't know if I want to stay with the Std. Whelen, or go with the improved. Just how much more velocity will the AI version gain?  Is it a worthwhile endeavor?  I have also thought of opening up the bolt face and going with the 350 Norma mag.  I really don't think I need the power of the mag, but the extra velocity would expand those 35 pills more.
  I'm thinking the length of barrel for any of the Whelens will be 23-24 inches, and the twist is another thing I'm struggling with. Douglass barrels give you a choice of twists, but don't sell their 35 cal. barrels in "air guage" quality.  Mcgowen offers their 35 cal barrels in 1 twist. but will guarantee the accuracy.  
   I do handload and will shoot the 225's prodominatly and occasionaly 250 grainers.
   Can any of you 35 lovers offer up some experience??
                                                   Steve

[Dand]

I am a spectator of the 35 whelen.  Some day I'll get one.  My boss had the improved version and he often said he was very glad he went that route.  Don't know the twist or brand of barrel though likely a Douglas.  Can't remember the length either (22 or 23?) but he sure whacked some nice moose with it as well as winning nearly any gong shoot he ever entered with it.  He preferred Speer 250 spitzers.  He liked it so much he got rid of his 300 win mag. I think he liked the extra zip the improved offered.  Unless you like heavy recoil  or you plan to shoot real heavy dangerous game,  I'd stick with the Whelen over the Norma Mag.

[Paul H]

If you run the same pressures, the improved provides another 50 fps, if that.  Those that claim outrageous velocities achieve them by running high pressures, not by some wonder of the improved design.  The improved has more expensive dies, you have to fire form brass, and the re-sale of the gun is much less than the std chamber.

I had a 35 whelen AI, and would never go that route again.  If your really want more power, then use a noteably larger case, ie 358 Norma or 358 STA.  I went with a 350 Rigby when I had my AI re-chambered, and prefer the larger case.  I would also be happy with the std whelen case.

[Daveinthebush]

It seems a lot of us up here carry the Whelen.  Mine are both standards and because of the guns I won't rechamber them.  Would like a .358 Norma some day though. :eek:

[TopGun]

We took a nice 5x6 bull in Colorado this year with one. The bull was running across a meadow behind 4 cows. The 225 seirra over IMR4064 leaves my muzzle of my custom '03 Springfield at a little over 2600fps. :grin:  It is a thumper. The bull running at 130 ranged yards slowed with each shot. 3 in the chest and 1 in the rear lung/rib cage slowed him with every shot. He was dead on the first shot--all complete pass-thru's.  My 24" ER Shaw Whelen is topped with a B/L Euro Elite and has a nice Fajen walnut stock for in the case--a ramline molded for hunting. It is by far my best Elk rifle. :eek:  I have Weatherby's and Rems, and Winchesters, but this is my el confidant meat gun. It holds 1" when I do my part and has never let me down!!  I thinking of having a Rem 760 pump rebarreled with an 18"er and have it parkerized.  :oops: I think it's one of the best calibers ever devised.  I also have a custom 98 Mauser 35 Improved and it is barely if at all faster but it only a 22" tube. Go Whelen!! Topgun.

[340wby]

this was posted before but it has info you might use

the 338-06 and 35 whelen both potentially provide a noticeable increase in penetration and impact damage on game over the 25-06-30-06 class of cartridges provided the correct bullets are used. if you use bullets of 225-250 grain weight these cartridges do have a noticable increase in effectiveness, if you use the lighter weight bullets much of the cartridges potential usefull advantage over a 270 win-30-06 is lost. if you build a rifle Id suggest a 338-06 for the simple reason that theres a better bullet selection in well constructed bullets,most 30 cal bullets over 200 grain weight are boat tail, thin jacket target  designs or round nose designs, neither is ideall for semi-long range  ELK hunting.( 10-350 yards)
the 225 grain and 250 grain 338 bullets can retain a greater amount of energy at semi-long ranges than most  220grain round nose HUNTING bullets fired from a 30-06 ,there are two 338-06 rifles in use in my group of ELK hunting buddies, both have several one shot kills, both rifles are accurate,and both rifles weigh less than the magnum rifles they replaced, yet both hunters feel that no loss in effectiveness has been made, now keep in mind most ELK are killed at under 350 yards from or hunting camp/group, but I think youll see a noticable increase in effectiveness PROVIDED you stay in the 225-250 grain bullet range to take max advantage of the cartridges best feature, a great deal of penetration and relaively low recoil  and rifle weight compared to some of the similar magnum rifles.the main advantage I see in these two cartridges is that you can build a lighter weight rifle than the big magnums yet still retain a gain in on target power from the  comon and cheap 30-06 basic case, and rifle action and not need to burn  a great deal of powder to do it, or need expensive cases, or a magnum length action.

here some info

http://www.weatherby.com/rifles/ball_338-06_A.shtml

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/33806.htm

http://www.quarterbore.com/library/articles/33806.html

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/w33806.html

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=70

http://www.tntreloading.com/item13654.ctlg  

btw I hunt with a 340 mag and a 35 whelen, BOTH cartridges definatly have greater penetration than the 30-06 I used to hunt ELK with. the differance in on game performance  between the 35 whelen and 338-06 is extremely small, but again theres a better selection of bullets with thicker jackets and a slight advantage in ballistic cof. in the 338 bullets
heres some 35 whelen stuff.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/350Mag_35Whelen.htm

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/35whel.htm

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/35w.html

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=75

http://www.cybertorpedo.com/africanhunter/firearms/35wheleninzimbabwe_01.htm

http://www.rifleshooter.com/Project%20guns/Whelanpics.htm

  btw if your into a slightly more exotic cartridge dont forget
9.3x62 and 9.3 x 64  use 250 g or 286 g bullets.

http://www.cpcartridge.com/9.3X62mm-P.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/9x62.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/9-3x64.htm

[TopGun]

I can see 340wby hits all the good sites too!! I have a 338-06 that I absolutely love and it too is very accurate. It's going to take a white tail or three this year, I hope! :grin:  I use the 200 gr Nosler Balistic tip and it is one of teh most accurate I own. I shoot DCM Match rifle so I know what accuracy is, and this caliber is it.  I have some Hornady 225 and some 250 to start, but it'll have to wait till after the season opens.  

[Ct Kid]

35 Whelan ... Do it.Had  a 03-A3 rebarreled with a douglas 1 in 14 twist barrel.I shoot hornady 250 gr round nose  with50 grs of IMR 4895.behind it.Not the max load but works for me.The twist is good for the 250 grainers.As far air guage barrel you don't need for the ranges that the whelan is effective for.Rem factory ammo did not shoot well at all,did alittle reloading and the first four shots went into 5/8 of an inch and then I got so excited the fifth shot opened up into 1 1/4 inch.So the barrel is plenty accurate.Hope this helps. The Ct Kid

[LILED]

Mine is a remington 700 action with a Douglas 1-12" twist 22" barrel it is the imp. version. It will shoot 250's into 1" all day. I'd get the slower twist and shoot 250's. the imp. version has less case streching and just looks cool. Both are great! It is one of the best hunting guns out there.


                                           Ed

[DLH]

      I had the same urge last winter!!!!   having 4 Whelens, 1 Pump, 1 Encore pistol, and 2 bolts on Mausers,  I wanted some thing different, so i rechambered one of the bolts to a 358 Norma mag.  YEP!!  it sure kicks MORE!!  Eats More powder!!! shoots the same groups as the orignal Whelen (same barrel just rechambered)  As to power;  I haven't hunted nothin that needed more power the the Whelen!!

    Just my thoughts,  but have fun!!!

[Ct Kid]

Shot two deer this year with the Whelan.Did'nt know what to expect.I've hunted with the 308(bang it's dead) but it blew everything  up inside.Used nosler.hornady and speer over the years. If you don't hit them in the lungs ,it ruins alot of meat.Then went to the 358 win,great is all have to say,it does the the job,very nice.The next step is the 35 whelan  as they say you can eat right up to the whole.This year on two deer it was true(shot placement had everything to do with it) For my area maybe that is   to much but it works for me. Ct Kid

[Ct Kid]

By chance do you know the twist rate of your Whelans.What do you shoot,reload or factory.Remingtons are supposed to have 1 in 16 twist not that  it is bad but have read anything over 200 gr that they have been known to keyhole at 200 yards.Talked to douglas and they recommened  the 1 and 14 twist for heavier bullets.To each his own.Good shoting...