35 Whelen and .357 mag

[mrgd]

I just read on a website that one could fire .38 sp and .357 mag through a .35 Whelen.  Is this true?  I know little or nothing about the Whelen, but isn't it a necked up 30-06?  If so, isn't that too big(chamber diameter) for .357? 

Then, if it can shoot .357 and .38 sp, why would anyone ever want a Handi in .357 if they could get the Whelen and have all three? 

trev

[quickdtoo]

That's internet BS!! The 357Mag is available as an accessory barrel now, and next year as a complete rifle, so just get a 357 if you want to shoot the 357.

The 357 round will drop right into the chamber, ALL the way in.... the rim is smaller than the Whelen case head.

Additionally, the 35 Whelen Handi was discontinued, so even if you could do it, which you can't, you can't buy em anymore unless you can find one of the few they made

Tim

[mrgd]

Thanks Tim,

I thought that sounded kind of bunkish.  I knew they were either wrong about the .35 being necked up -06 or about it being able to shoot .357. 

From the performance standpoint, the .35 sounds like an interesting round.  I bet it kicks like a mule.

Trev

[quickdtoo]

The Whelen is a necked up 30-06, that part is true. My RMEF Ultra with the 26" barrel will push a 225gr TSX to almost 2900fps with a max load of RL15, the 22" Handi version will do just over 2800fps with the same load, MattParliament killed a nice mulie and an elk with this load recently, you can see his posts down the page.

Tim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.35_Whelen

[Dixie Dude]

Could someone on the web be talking about the McAce adapters you can buy?  They make them to shoot .32 auto, 30 carbiine, 7.62.39 and .308 to shoot out of a .30-06.  They are single shots.  I think you install the adapter, then the smaller round to use the same barrel.  I have a .308 that just slides into a .30-06 chamber.  Only problem with this is it is you have to use a broken shell extractor to take it out.  The smaller pistol calibers might not be as bad a problem. 

[MTGlass]

Perhaps they're talking about seating a .357 pistol bullet in a Whelen case.  I've heard of doing that in .35 Rem. for plinker rounds.

 

[quickdtoo]

The adapter makes more sense, although MCA doesn't list one for the 35 Whelen, perhaps the one discussed recently that links thru Numrich does.

Tim

http://www.mcace.com/adapters.htm