Hello, My name is CW and I am a handi haulic...

[Dinny]

Doc,

I think your post on the 356 cured my astigmatism.
I think the 356 vs 35W is kinda like the 7.62x39 versus all da other .308s; folks just like what they like.

BB

I disagree to a point. The 35W is a long action case that is in a class of it's own. It has much greater range than the .356W, but for most of us that range is not needed.


I like the 35W for it's intended purpose, but still struggle to find a suitable rimmed alternative for a Handi. Custom dies are not cheap.


Thanks, Dinny

[silver surfer]

Dinny something I would add to the plus of the .356 is it's rim.  The 35 Whelen has (of late) become notorious for fail to fires.  Guns by the gross (Handi's and T/C's) have been going back to get "fixed".  I will not have a gun that I can not count on.  The second time that 35W miss fired under hunting conditions is the first time I would proof test the action against a large piece of standing Oak tree.  The neck angle seems to be the biggest hinderance to reliability with that caliber, but is no problem for the .356.  The rim is the component that brings up the reliability in firing and extraction, and it provides the reloader with the added option of neck sizing the brass.  A package that is a win, win, win; oh and did I mention win?
In states that now allow this caliber in single shot rifles for big game hunting it is a darned hard one to beat.  It fires, it extracts, it hits like a 10lb. pick-ax, and it is reloadable for the average Joe like myself.  Sure there are some guns that exceed this ugly duckling in performance, but in a single shot rifle under $700 I can't think of one.
P.S. 35 Rem barrel $115, reamer job $100, Whole rifle in original caliber (45-70 preferably) $300, shipping and handling to Ilion NY $50.  $565 total for two guns in lethal calibers capable of anything within the western hemisphere (including zoo's).  You can't beat that with a hickory stick.
 

[Joe S.]

I need to stay out of this post. The 35 rem has been 100% reliable thus far for me. But im liking what im reading about this 356

[gendoc]

The 35 Whelen has (of late) become notorious for fail to fires.  Guns by the gross (Handi's and T/C's) have been going back to get "fixed". 

don't you mean of (of early)......... has anyone had problems with there whelens after the  order# recall ? see faq's
we have seen several here and many in mississippi to function flawless with handloads.
 
my son and i have tried to make our 2 fail.....hard to soft primers, no full length or neck size.
swapping brass between tha 2....
head spacing was excellent on all we have seen.
 
i know a few on here that have had problams with repaired whelen's, but the complete new gun ??
i have not heard or seen any. but i'm only speaking for bout 20 with order#'s past the problems.
 
yall gotta whelen thats givin ya problems before you wrap it rounda tree.... send it to me
i'll pay tha ship'n
 
 
 

[cwlongshot]

In my travels the other day looking for a 35 Remington, the Cabelas in East Hartford Connecticut had 4-5 H&Rs chambered for the excellent 35 Whelen. Mostly syn stocked, but I did see one wood stocked model. The best part was the price, they where $$249.99!!!!
 
It was VERY hard to walk away. Esp when you consider I had 1/2 the cost covered in Christmas gift cards in my pocket.
 
I have a 98 Mauser chambered in Whelen and I have had zero problems with it. I have allot of respect for the caliber, but feel its better in a bolt gun. Rims simply work better in a single shot rifle. Better for head space on cases with small shoulders and better for extraction. Easier to remove form the chamber and generally slightly lower pressured making them Handi friendly.
 
CW

[bikerbeans]

Doc,

I think your post on the 356 cured my astigmatism.
I think the 356 vs 35W is kinda like the 7.62x39 versus all da other .308s; folks just like what they like.

BB

I disagree to a point. The 35W is a long action case that is in a class of it's own. It has much greater range than the .356W, but for most of us that range is not needed.


I like the 35W for it's intended purpose, but still struggle to find a suitable rimmed alternative for a Handi. Custom dies are not cheap.


Thanks, Dinny

Dinny

35 WCF is rimmed and will get you closer to the 35W, about 10 grains less capacity.  Don't know if Mr. Ackley worked his magic on this one.  4D has the reamer, RCBS has a 2 die set, $144 plus freight.  I think you can make 35 WCF brass from 30-40 krag.
 
BB

[cwlongshot]

BB,
 I too have looked and mentioned the 35W a couple times. But its case was a limiting factor. Sure it can be made but the rim thickness needs to be changed its beyond most loaders capabilities. (It shares a case with the 405 Win)
 
BELL and Bertram have brass but notoriously pricey but good stuff.
 
There are other wildcats closely matching the Whelen ballistically. But remember the costs of dies. Custom can be ridiculous and not so common offerings are not always available and somewhat costly as well.
 
CW

[Dinny]

There's always the Greevy Express, but I don't want to spend more on a reamer and dies than I do for the rifle...





Thanks, Dinny

[gcrank1]

Gee, Im starting to feel bad that all Ive got (in that cal. neighborhood) are two 38-55s.........

[dpe.ahoy]

In my travels the other day looking for a 35 Remington, the Cabelas in East Hartford Connecticut had 4-5 H&Rs chambered for the excellent 35 Whelen. Mostly syn stocked, but I did see one wood stocked model. The best part was the price, they where $$249.99!!!!
 
It was VERY hard to walk away. Esp when you consider I had 1/2 the cost covered in Christmas gift cards in my pocket.
 
I have a 98 Mauser chambered in Whelen and I have had zero problems with it. I have allot of respect for the caliber, but feel its better in a bolt gun. Rims simply work better in a single shot rifle. Better for head space on cases with small shoulders and better for extraction. Easier to remove form the chamber and generally slightly lower pressured making them Handi friendly.
 
CW

See, Brian, you don't have a problem!    At least you are able to let go of one now and then, I can only do that if another is coming to fill the slot.    But, if you read below, you see I don't have an addiction.    DP

[dpe.ahoy]

Gee, Im starting to feel bad that all Ive got (in that cal. neighborhood) are two 38-55s.........

Naw, that's a good thing.    DP

[geezer56]

I've had 3 of the whelen's.  The old one, a 97 RMEF that I should have NEVER EVER sold, was flawless.  The other 2 were both problem children.  One had a deep chamber, required all the reloading tricks on first loading to keep headspace right.  Other one was a FTF problem with the receiver.  It is fixed, but now lives somewhere else.  My whelen is a Savage bolt gun.  Rims only for me now in Handi rifles.  And I am pretty sure a 356 Win or the like would be about perfect in a Handi.

[cwlongshot]

I need to stay out of this post. The 35 rem has been 100% reliable thus far for me. But im liking what im reading about this 356

Joe the 35Rem IS a excellent caliber! It's effictiveness on game is not going to be allot less than the 356, until or unless you want heavier bullets at longer ranges.
The 35 Rem (With factory loads) moves a 200G RN at just over 2000 so say 2100fps.
The 356 Win (With factory loads) moves a 200G FP bullet at juat over 2500 so say 2600fps.
 
Tim has a PDF file of a story form a gun rag where the author worked up a  35 Remington to a 35 SUPER. Simply loading the age old 35 Rem to modern pressures. his thinking was modern steels and these have proven safe in his firearms. But they get you damn near 356 Ballistics!!
 

 
SO if your 35 Rem is working for you and you want/need more power work up to Timmys loads and enjoy the preformace of the 356 Win, Dinny, Peter and soon I will enjoy!
 
CW

[Ol BW]

Twoshooter your gonna have to post results for us once you get to shoot that 300 blk!