35 Whelen Handi success

[peak98]

Yesterday evening I set up on a fresh logging road by my food plot. The loggers had cleared an additional 20" on each side of the trail I used to get to my food plot. Since the logging had finished about a month ago, I decided to slip in and see if I could bloody my 35 Whelen. I sat up just off the road about 15" up on a ridge about 120 yards before my plot. There was a Pin Oak still dropping in the road 40 or so yards past my plot and deer tracks where covering the ground around it. About 4:30p a deer came from the south and went straight to the pin oak and began to feed. I checked her out to make sure it wasn't a button buck before making the decision to shoot her. I was sitting in a turkey chair and took a rest on my knee, put the crosshairs high on her right shoulder and began to exhale and squeeze the trigger. I saw the impact of the bullet through the scope and she was down. After the hunt was over, I stepped the shot off @ 197 steps. I couldn't go in a direct straight line because of a ditch. I estimate the shot was between 165 and 175 yards. I'm impressed with the 35, the Federal 225gr TBBC took out both shoulders and kept going.

I want to thank the members here and GBO, when I first got this rifle I couldn't get it to group better than 3". I read the info here and pm'd some members to figure out what might be wrong. I free floated the synthetic forearm, installed two nylon washers between the forearm and the forearm screw. Then I worked on the trigger and got it to just over two pounds (same as my Remmy bolt guns). Amazing what a little DIY effort will accomplish. Now she's a honest 3/4" shooter. Pics will be added after I get home in a day or two of the hunt. Hope y'all enjoy the read and good luck with your season.

Now I gotta get a 45-70 or 444 Marlin to try out !

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

you must have that Whelen ridiculously downloaded...

what was the MV you estimate?

I've never heard anyone say the Whelen has little to no recoil.

[petemi]

Nice hunt and good meat in the freezer.

Nanuk, I was kinda wondering the same thing.  I usually shoot with both eyes open and can often see the bullet impact, but most folks don't.  Through the scope on a .35 Whelen with a 165 yard shot it would seem to me you'd be looking at tree tops when the bullet hit.

Pete

[bm330]

i love my 35 whelen,  i purchased it for the mississippi premitive wepon season but have found my self passing on the 30-06 and 270 for the whelen on every hunt.  i have taken 2 so far,  now have meat in the freezer looking for horns only now.

[peak98]

Nanuk- ammunition is factory Federal Premium 225gr TBBC, it's not downloaded.

            What was the MV you estimate ? What is MV?

            Whelen has plenty of recoil ! I shoot with both eyes open unless shooting left handed, then I have to close me right eye. I don't know if
            that has anything to do with seeing impact, but I usually do see impact no matter the caliber I use. This is the first animal I've
            taken with the Whelen. I was sitting in a low to the ground turkey chair, shooting right handed, used my left knee as a rest,  put my left
            index and middle finger on top of the barrel and rested my palm on the side of my knee to help me steady the rifle.
           

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

MV = Muzzle Velocity

[peak98]

Stated muzzle velocity from Federal is 2600fps, out of the 22" barrel it's somewhat slower without a doubt. I have chrono'd the round to be able to give you an exact fps though. I would guess mid to high 2400's though.

[surehuntsalot]

the 35 has plenty of recoil from factory ammo

[peak98]

The hardest kicking factory load I have shot is the 200gr Hornady Superformance. The 180gr Barnes was the mildest. The Federal Premium 220gr TBBC had just slightly more noticeable recoil to me, I shoot the Federals because they shoot good in my rifle. I came close to selling the Whelen until I found this site and learned a little about the Handi's. After I relieved the pressure from the forearm and got the trigger to a shootable pull, the rifle shot well. I'll shoot it from groups at 200 and 300 yards this spring just to see what it is capable of.