Author Topic: .35 Remington for Elk? (Read 4413 times)

azmike · « **on:** September 19, 2009, 08:08:55 AM »

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I searched for the topic unsuccessfully, so here goes...

I found a burr in the crown of my regular elk hunting rifle. It shot ok at the range, but there is some uncertainty in my mind as to "what if accuracy goes to pot at that crucial moment?".

So, I'm thinking of using my old .35 instead. Anybody hunt elk with a .35 Remington? I would be shooting at ranges less than 150 yards. Thoughts?

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2009, 08:23:23 AM »

I'd not be afraid to do so within that range limitation but accuracy doesn't go to pot over a burr if it's OK at the range it will be OK in the field UNLESS you do something else to mess it up and that's the case even without the burr you found. Without seeing it no one can say if it should or shouldn't affect accuracy. It's a matter of where it is and how bad. If it has messed up the crown you can smooth it up yourself quickly and shoot again to verify all is well. But if it shot OK with it at the range it's not gonna magically get worse in use.

azmike · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2009, 10:53:37 AM »

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll run another 20 rounds or so through it, just to satisfy myself that it's all good, then deal with the burr this winter, as this gun is one I plan to do some tinkering with anyway (bedding, trigger, maybe a rebarrel and restock).

Regards,

Mike

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2009, 10:56:16 AM »

Is it in a place where the bullet touches it going down the barrel? If so it could do damage to the bullet which could but also might not affect accuracy. But such things don't get worse on their own so if it shoots OK at the range then it should do so when hunting.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2009, 01:56:10 PM »

While the crown will definately effect accuracy it is very easy to fix, while usually done on a lathe you can do it yourself at home with a couple of tools you can get from midway for around 50-60 dollars.

That said I don't think you would have any problem with the 35 rem on elk out to 150 yards. It will kill them nicely at that range. I would recomend the buffalo bore heavy 35 remington load a 220gr JSP at 2250fps is quite potent.

mechanic · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2009, 02:02:01 PM »

At the ranges you list, the 35 should kill just about anything on this continent. As you have been told, if it shoots good at the range there is no reason it will suddently change. As a matter of fact, fixing it might make things worse. Wait until the season passes. Just MHO

mauser98us · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2009, 02:09:52 PM »

Heck, make the elk hunt an adventure.Use the 35 Rem. I'm gonna use an open sighted 96 Swede in 9.3 x 57 for elk this year. Luckily ,I have taken enough elk here in Arizona with the death rays. I am also going to take my H&R target model in 38-55 as a back up. I also might take my Krag.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2009, 03:21:01 PM »

Take them both so you have a backup.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2009, 06:22:17 AM »

A round headed screw the right size and a little lapping compound in a cordless drill can fix that crown real quick if its not burred to bad, You don't need a lathe nor 50or 60 dollars in tools.

Inside of a 150 yards like you say and a .35 rem will make short work of an Elk no problems there.

But like GB siad if it don't affect your shot now it won't later.

BBF · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2009, 07:47:03 AM »

Just the idea of taking an elk with the 35 Rem turns my crank

rem700-3 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2009, 08:19:48 AM »

Quote from: mechanic on September 19, 2009, 02:02:01 PM

At the ranges you list, the 35 should kill just about anything on this continent. As you have been told, if it shoots good at the range there is no reason it will suddently change. As a matter of fact, fixing it might make things worse. Wait until the season passes. Just MHO

Well said

azmike · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2009, 04:02:08 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on September 19, 2009, 10:56:16 AM

Is it in a place where the bullet touches it going down the barrel? If so it could do damage to the bullet which could but also might not affect accuracy. But such things don't get worse on their own so if it shoots OK at the range then it should do so when hunting.

It is. I have to head to the store to buy more ammo (I'm down to 6 rounds for this rifle). Then I'll be taking it out to satisfy myself that it's all good. Still might take the .35 out anyway, just because I prefer the way it handles and shoots.

Thanks to all for your replies. As always, GBO is full of good info, discussed courteously. Much appreciated.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2009, 04:39:02 PM »

use the 35 and do yourself a favor and use hornady ftx gummies in it!

Savage .250 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2009, 01:40:45 AM »

Quote from: Oldshooter on September 20, 2009, 04:39:02 PM

use the 35 and do yourself a favor and use hornady ftx gummies in it!

+1

BBF · « **Reply #14 on:** September 22, 2009, 10:32:11 AM »

You could also use the Speer 220 gr, my favorite "boolit". I've "done" moose with it and think it would be fine on elk as well.

Halwg · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:42:57 AM »

I have worked up a load using Speer 220 gr bullets and AA-2520 powder that gives me a chronographed 2160 fps from a 22" barreled Remington 760. I would not hesitate to use that on elk to 150 yards or so. With a 150 yard zero I am only 4.5" low at 200 yards. The energy at 100 yards is 1798 ft/lbs, at 150 yards is 1590 ft/lbs, and at 200 yards is 1403 ft/lbs. So it's probably iffy past about 150 yards.

BBF · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2009, 06:49:15 AM »

Hawlg:
How much ftlb do you feel comfortable with for elk?

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2009, 03:18:34 PM »

If it has enough speed and weight to make the bullet "work" that's enough. Never really understood using ft/lb for performance on an animal. I'd take a shot at an elk at 200 yd with the 35 if I could get it placed in the right spot. Don't think I would with a 22-250 at 200 yd even if it still had 1403 ft/lb left. DP

mechanic · « **Reply #18 on:** September 25, 2009, 03:35:22 PM »

If you look at the energy on a 45-70 at 500 yds. it ain't that impressive. Unless you were a buffalo in 1875.

BBF · « **Reply #19 on:** September 26, 2009, 06:06:45 AM »

I look at the ftlb at impact range with small to midsized calibers. Let's say 26 to 33.
Above that, the ftlb isn't really telling the story how effective a bullet can be.

Lone Star · « **Reply #20 on:** September 26, 2009, 02:40:03 PM »

I once took a medium-sized Alaskan moose with my 14" .35 Remington T/C shooting a 250 SP Speer at about 1850 fps. The animal was running, quartering towards me on a sand bar after being flushed by my partner. At the 20 yard shot he fell hard and couldn't get up. I finished him with another one behind the ear. The bullet hit the upper leg bone apparently as he put his weight on it. The bone shattered, dumping him hard as the leg didn't support him. The first bullet passed through the leg and deep into the chest, never found it.

Does this prove that a .35 Remington handgun is adequate for moose? I guess so. Shot placement is critical, the bullet has to penetrate, and maybe you need a little luck.

I usually laugh at those who try to quantify killing power with numbers. Foolish miss-use of Taylor KO numbers, lbs-secs and other made-up values can't tell us what matters. But ft-lbs is better than most. At least it is a number easy to calculate and understood by many shooters. And in general, a cartridge shooting an adequate bullet at 1500 fpe will work better on elk than a similar cartridge with only 750 fpe.

.

Tonk · « **Reply #21 on:** October 14, 2009, 03:30:59 PM »

AZMIKE, this is one elk hunter who would tell you to limit your range to a 100 yards going after bull elk! Now I have hit them with my Tripple-4 Malin and heavy cast bullts over 300 grn. They don't just drop in their tracks and another thing, don't get caught up in the numbers game on "energy" of the bullet, this is misleading when it comes to killing big wild animals. I would use a premium heavy bullet and limit my shots to 100 yards behind the shoulder, then you will be eating elk steak this winter.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #22 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:55:55 PM »

I hunted one year with a guy from Laramie. He swore by his 35Remington and his Marlin Lever. Didn't need anything heavier for anything in Wyoming, were his words. "He" could put the bullet where it needed to go to make it happen. That I had the pleasure of witnessing. It took several hundred steps to get to his elk, after the shot. Oh, the elk did come to a screeching halt at the shot.

Maximum yardage is about like required ftlbs. Relative numbers for conversation. Do your practicing and let the rifle do its job.

Regards,
Sweetwater

Cabin4 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 14, 2009, 07:09:09 PM »

Because of the rush to high power mag rounds, people naturally question the capability of these older cartridges like the 35 remy, 30-30, -06, etc. The 35 remy is an excellant round and like others have said, and elk inside of 150 yards is meat on the table as long as you can do your part....

Good luck.

Tonk · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2009, 06:20:19 AM »

Cabin-4, my favorite since they came out has been the 444 Marlin and never put a scope on it either. Then the eyes forced me to change my attitude toward scope lever guns, now the 45/70 has on on it too.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #25 on:** October 16, 2009, 09:38:27 AM »

Quote from: Tonk on October 16, 2009, 06:20:19 AM

Cabin-4, my favorite since they came out has been the 444 Marlin and never put a scope on it either. Then the eyes forced me to change my attitude toward scope lever guns, now the 45/70 has on on it too.

I think we all get there eventually, unless we prematurely quit shooting...

Regards,
Sweetwater

azmike · « **Reply #26 on:** October 24, 2009, 09:27:51 PM »

Quote from: Sweetwater on October 16, 2009, 09:38:27 AM

Quote from: Tonk on October 16, 2009, 06:20:19 AM
Cabin-4, my favorite since they came out has been the 444 Marlin and never put a scope on it either. Then the eyes forced me to change my attitude toward scope lever guns, now the 45/70 has on on it too.

I think we all get there eventually, unless we prematurely quit shooting...

Regards,
Sweetwater

I'm there. Elk opens on Halloween here. I'll post if I get the chance to test the .35.

catboat · « **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:13:35 PM »

I've always liked this article about hunting with the 35 Remington:

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=11266

enjoy

Oldshooter · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2009, 03:13:45 PM »

Thats was a well written story and had valuable information also. Thanks for the post!

Sweetwater · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2009, 03:43:12 PM »

Quote from: catboat on October 26, 2009, 01:13:35 PM

I've always liked this article about hunting with the 35 Remington:

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=11266

enjoy

Great Read!! Thanks! I don't personally own one, yet, but have several friends who do. I have a 356Win that I do dearly love, in a BigBore 94 Winchester. Basically peas in a pod. Most of the differences are on paper.

Regards,
Sweetwater