35 Whelen - Best Option for Eland Huntress?

[sestoppelman]

True but for all that extra 150fps to 200 FPS from mag recoil seems to jump a lot and become unpleasant to those who are recoil sensitive. There are more choices in bullets makers, weights than 35 Whalen when reloading, just giving options to think about.

On that I agree if that was your point. The .35 "WHELEN" or .338-06 are great rounds, had both, but currently only the Whelen. But I have a Ruger 77 Win mag and a post 64 Win mag on the way, just snagged. I remember the first time I ever fired a Win mag. It was in Idaho with factory loads in a model 70 Win. It was illuminating! However compared to the .375 and up its a pussycat, especially if loaded down a tad. I like to shoot 200-225gr bullets in mine using R15 and similar powders for bench target practice.

 

[Timbo]

Considering my spouses more diminutive stature, we are in search of the most versatile set-up in an eland gun for her to use during our next safari, after she informed this trophy is now at the top of her list. Until now she has been extremely successful using her 6.5 Creedmoor or suppressed .270 with all one-shot kills in everything up to and including kudu. My 300 H&H is still on the lighter end of the spectrum for eland and just not a good physical fit, while my 375 Ruger remains a bit much to tame.

After much searching and looking at reviews it appears that the venerable 35 Whelen might be just what we are looking for. The CVA Scout V2 chambered in such appears to check of the most boxes when considering the following criteria:

· Accuracy and quality reviews

· Performance versus recoil#

· Cost and availability of ammunition (225 or 250gr)

· Adjustable fit and weight

· Initial acquisition cost

Any thoughts or better options for the huntress?

IMO there's not much between a 35 Whelan and a 9.3x62. But, if she'd be able to handle the 9.3x62 (with muzzle brake?) she'd be able to take anything she puts her mind to.

 

[sestoppelman]

OK guys, History and spelling lesson for the day. The .35 WHELEN was named for Col. Townsend WHELEN. Not WhAlen and not WhelAn. Its WHELEN. Thank you! And the first guy to blame his device, spell check, auto correct or anything else gets three demerits!

 

[Rob404]

Damn I thought this cartridge was named after Whelen Jennings

 

[sestoppelman]

You mean Wail-on Jennings? LOL

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Damn I thought this cartridge was named after Whelen Jennings

Only in Luckenback, Texas!

 

[Rob404]

So is it a 35Wail-On then?

 

[Red Devil]

Hasn't been mentioned yet, but Swift makes a 280 gr. .35 Cal. A-Frame (SD=.312/BC=.388) that should be an outstanding round if pushed at 2350+ fps.




Red

 

[AZDAVE]

I really like the history of rounds, and for the 35 Whelen if you said it was a elk, bear, or moose hunt I would say get the 35. But since you said eland get a 9.3x62 make sure it fits her and take her to Africa. The larger the rifle the more critical the rifle fit to the shooter is. When my wife started shooting her 338 Ruger compact mag I fit it (all of her rifles have the same stock) to a laminated thumbhole stock with a 1 1/8 kickeze pad on it. She shoot it lights out, I just built her a 375 H&H with the exact same fit for her buffalo hunt next year. So I would get your wife's rifle fit by a competent gun fitter and fit a rifle to her exact physcial size, it helps so much on recoil management.

The 9.3x62 has more history in africa than even the 375 H&H. For the record I took a big eland bull with my 9.3x74 double, one shot through the shoulders with a A-frame he went 20 yards.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Full disclosure, the 35 Whelen is my favorite all time rifle cartridge its my go to round for everything above 40 pounds. Currently their are factory loads available from 180 thru 310 grain. The Sable in my avatar was taken with a single frontal chest shot with a 35 Whelen at 210 yards using a 225 grain Barnes TSX @ 2730 fps, he never took a single step. My current 35 Whelen is a T/C Encore, and I find it quite easy to shoot but I will admit the 200 grn Hornady Superformance @ 2910 fps does get your attention. I could go on and on about the superiority of the 35 Whelen compared to many of today's popular hunting rounds but I wont. It's a great round and your wife will love it, stick with the 225 or 250 grain bullets and she'll have no problem taking her Eland.

 

[spike.t]

Now where is @35bore with all this discussion of the Whelan thing and the great 9.3x62......

 

[Shootist43]

I use a 35 Whelen with a muzzle break. In 2016 I used it to take an Eland. I hand loaded Barnes 225 Gr. TSX bullets to 2730 FPS. The rifle was a sporterized 03 -A3 with a Boyd Laminated stock. Between the extra weight and the muzzle break recoil is minimal. My son was using this rifle and my ammo when he took the Sable mentioned above. Eland are huge, every effort needs to me made to take high percentage shots.

 

[35bore]

Here I am spike.t

Everyone on here that know me, knows that I have always thought and currently do think, that the 35Whatchacallit (as spike.t has referred to it) is probably one the greatest hunting rounds ever developed. It's just my opinion. I think it's a fantastic round for anyone. This may piss some of the ballistic junkies off but I'll say it anyway, with an accurate 35Whelen with a quality bullet I wouldn't feel undergunned hunting anything, period...

 

[spike.t]

Here I am spike.t

Everyone on here that know me, knows that I have always thought and currently do think, that the 35Whatchacallit (as spike.t has referred to it) is probably one the greatest hunting rounds ever developed. It's just my opinion. I think it's a fantastic round for anyone. This may piss some of the ballistic junkies off but I'll say it anyway, with an accurate 35Whelen with a quality bullet I wouldn't feel undergunned hunting anything, period...

Well eventually..... Better late than never to defend and promote that 35 whatchumacallit thing..........one day you will realise that the 9.3x62 is of course far superior......

 

[bruce moulds]

35 whelen vs 9.3 x 62.
a bit like 270 win vs 280 rem.
there is a lot of overlap.
bruce.

 

[CAustin]

Sir the 35 whelen is a great round for sure. But you have two rifles that will both do the job with no problem! If the wife can shoot the 300 H&H well use it. This big boy taken with the rifle pictured a 300 Win Mag Similar to your 300. One shot through the quartering shoulder and he ran 10 yards down hill and died.

 

[lwaters]

Sir the 35 whelen is a great round for sure. But you have two rifles that will both do the job with no problem! If the wife can shoot the 300 H&H well use it. This big boy taken with the rifle pictured a 300 Win Mag Similar to your 300. One shot through the quartering shoulder and he ran 10 yards down hill and died.
View attachment 287378

I toke this eland with one shot. I was using a 300 Ruger Compact Mag. with a 180 nosler partition hand loaded to a little over 2800 fps. That not much more than a 30-06.

 

[Jbg]

Considering my spouses more diminutive stature, we are in search of the most versatile set-up in an eland gun for her to use during our next safari, after she informed this trophy is now at the top of her list. Until now she has been extremely successful using her 6.5 Creedmoor or suppressed .270 with all one-shot kills in everything up to and including kudu. My 300 H&H is still on the lighter end of the spectrum for eland and just not a good physical fit, while my 375 Ruger remains a bit much to tame.

After much searching and looking at reviews it appears that the venerable 35 Whelen might be just what we are looking for. The CVA Scout V2 chambered in such appears to check of the most boxes when considering the following criteria:

· Accuracy and quality reviews

· Performance versus recoil#

· Cost and availability of ammunition (225 or 250gr)

· Adjustable fit and weight

· Initial acquisition cost

Any thoughts or better options for the huntress?

The whelen flattened both of these with one shot. The eland ran 40 yards. Gemsbok went straight down. I used hornady 250 grain. My reloads hit about 2550 fps. My .375 doesn't kill any better on plains game. Buy it!

 

[Jbg]

 

[Rule 303]

Go the 35 Whelen and load either Woodleigh 275 grain PP or 310RN if you want heavy hitting and more than enough penetration. Remember the 350 Rigby Magnum was loaded to Whelen performance and Taylor couldn't pick the difference on Elephants between a 300 grain 375 and 350 Rigby.