35 Whelen recoil and terminal performance?

channelkat · Jun 21, 2026

Does my perception match reality? I am under the impression that the 35 Whelen would be a step up in recoil (and terminal performance) from the .30-06, but significantly less than 300 Win Mag or 375H&H. For the rounds you would use, say on a large Eland, would you say this is accurate?

My boy is light and lengthy. He is handling .30-06 and 7PRC just fine, however I am being told by the outfitter that he really recommends 375 H&H on Eland or at least 300 Win Mag, due to the brush and body size in the area.

I am concerned about the boy handling that much recoil at this time. Would a 35 Whelen (firing something like a 200 gr TTSX) be a meaningful compromise? Other thoughts? Perhaps work on lower velocity 375 loads?

BAY · Jun 21, 2026

channelkat said:
Does my perception match reality? I am under the impression that the 35 Whelen would be a step up in recoil (and terminal performance) from the .30-06, but significantly less than 300 Win Mag or 375H&H. For the rounds you would use, say on a large Eland, would you say this is accurate?

My boy is light and lengthy. He is handling .30-06 and 7PRC just fine, however I am being told by the outfitter that he really recommends 375 H&H on Eland or at least 300 Win Mag, due to the brush and body size in the area.

I am concerned about the boy handling that much recoil at this time. Would a 35 Whelen (firing something like a 200 gr TTSX) be a meaningful compromise? Other thoughts? Perhaps work on lower velocity 375 loads?

My Ruger African 35 Whelen is a pussy cat. My 7RM has more perceived recoil, sharp. Not even in the same conversation as a 375. Just make sure the LOP is correct. The 225 Accubond and 250 Oryx are most accurate in my gun. 200 TTSX is accurate as well but actually has a sharper perceived recoil.

channelkat · Jun 21, 2026

BAY said:
My Ruger African 35 Whelen is a pussy cat. My 7RM has more perceived recoil, sharp. Not even in the same conversation as a 375. Just make sure the LOP is correct. The 225 Accubond and 250 Oryx are most accurate in my gun. 200 TTSX is accurate as well but actually has a sharper perceived recoil.

That is a beautiful rifle. I have been eyeballing one myself. Torn between that or converting an old rifle so I could thread for suppressor. Thought this might be the excuse I needed to convince the wife I needed another rifle.

Surgeon7 · Jun 21, 2026

My 35 Hawkeye African shoots 200gr Barnes ttsx very well. Recently all the way through 400 lb black bear right hip to left shoulder on a steeply quartering away shot from 70 yds. Should be plenty for eland

mdwest · Jun 21, 2026

My wife killed her eland with a 225gr ascribing shot from a 35 whelen… 250 yard shot.. dropped him in his tracks… it’s more then enough gun..

Recoil is more than a 30-06 shooting a 200gr bullet.., but not excessively more… my 5’3” wide handles it easily…

Hooknbullet2 · Jun 21, 2026

I killed my Eland with a 300 Win Mag shooting 180 grain Barnes TTSX ammo at 300 yards.

The same load took 3 other Elands as well from my hunting companions.

roklok · Jun 21, 2026

In my experience a .35 Whelen shooting 250 grain at 2500+ has more recoil AND terminal performance than a 300 whatever with 180s.

45-70guy · Jun 21, 2026

I’m 5’6” and 125 pounds, I shoot my 35 whelens all the time 3-4 times a week and it’s not much more than my 30-06.
I just got back SA with my 35 Whelen and a 225g North Fork , it dropped everything I pointed it at.
No eland this time but wildebeest, zebra, kudu, sable, and more. Was the perfect combo in my eyes.
A 200g TSX is probably the best combo for the whelen if you wanted maximum velocity and bullet drop.

dogcat1 · Jun 21, 2026

I use a .300WM or a .280 Rem on eland. No issues.
I prefer to use a .375 HH and have several times.
If you shoot a Whelen, the step to a .375 HH is not a big deal....

Hedge774 · Jun 21, 2026

Where are you hunting and when? Limpopo and the Eastern Cape were extremely dense in April and May this year. A heavier round would be my go to. I wouldn't feel undergunned with a Whelen. I also wouldn't feel over gunned with a 375. Any chance you could find one of each to let him try it out?

Hedge774 · Jun 21, 2026

Also, have you considered a 9.3x62? 286 grains and very mild on the shoulder!

Flbt · Jun 21, 2026

channelkat said:
Does my perception match reality? I am under the impression that the 35 Whelen would be a step up in recoil (and terminal performance) from the .30-06, but significantly less than 300 Win Mag or 375H&H. For the rounds you would use, say on a large Eland, would you say this is accurate?

My boy is light and lengthy. He is handling .30-06 and 7PRC just fine, however I am being told by the outfitter that he really recommends 375 H&H on Eland or at least 300 Win Mag, due to the brush and body size in the area.

I am concerned about the boy handling that much recoil at this time. Would a 35 Whelen (firing something like a 200 gr TTSX) be a meaningful compromise? Other thoughts? Perhaps work on lower velocity 375 loads?

My rifle a 358 not a 35w
But to me with the blr I can’t really tell much difference between the 250gr 358 and a 190 gr 308 in recoil
But the hit seams on par with a 338 with 200gr silvertips and corlock on whitetail and hogs.

I would think the 35w would be more of the same a step up from the 358

The new federal pek loads would be interesting in 35 cals

channelkat · Jun 21, 2026

Hedge774 said:
Where are you hunting and when? Limpopo and the Eastern Cape were extremely dense in April and May this year. A heavier round would be my go to. I wouldn't feel undergunned with a Whelen. I also wouldn't feel over gunned with a 375. Any chance you could find one of each to let him try it out?

Caprivi, but unfortunately not until next July, so it may not be an issue by then. I am just not interested in bumping up his recoil until at least after this hunting season. Figured I would use this time to game plan.

channelkat · Jun 21, 2026

Hedge774 said:
Also, have you considered a 9.3x62? 286 grains and very mild on the shoulder!

It is on my list, but even harder to find here. I have no experience, but isn’t that quite a bit more lethal and recoil than the 35 Whalen?

channelkat · Jun 21, 2026

Flbt said:
My rifle a 358 not a 35w
But to me with the blr I can’t really tell much difference between the 250gr 358 and a 190 gr 308 in recoil
But the hit seams on par with a 338 with 200gr silvertips and corlock on whitetail and hogs.

I would think the 35w would be more of the same a step up from the 358

The new federal pek loads would be interesting in 35 cals

The peak stuff is intriguing. Very eager to see where that goes.

Hedge774 · Jun 21, 2026

I think that's a very good plan. Just brainstorming here, if your son shoots the 7 PRC well, have you considered it? Maybe 170 gr?

Hedge774 · Jun 21, 2026

channelkat said:
It is on my list, but even harder to find here. I have no experience, but isn’t that quite a bit more lethal and recoil than the 35 Whalen?

Lethality is subjective, buy I would say yes. Recoil was surprisingly mild for me, and that's with a steel butt cap. Where are you from that it is hard to come by?

channelkat · Jun 21, 2026

I’m in New Mexico, but I think I only saw like 3 in gunbroker, last I looked.

The plan was to use the 7 PRC or .30-06. He’s pretty disciplined with his shoots, and I think he would just wait for a good broadside and be fine, but I am trying to respect the outfitters guidance. I want him to feel confident as well. Ultimately though the boy needs to be comfortable and shoot well. This year I just don’t like the idea of increasing the recoil, until he’s either a little heavier or a little more experienced. Perhaps next year he’ll be fine with The 375.

roklok · Jun 21, 2026

So many variables with felt recoil, but when I plug the numbers into a recoil calculator comparing 300 with 180s at 3000 and a 35 Whelen with 250s at 2550, the Whelen shows a bit more recoil with like rifles, which more or less matches my experience. My favorite 35 Whelen has a narrow butt, and is no slouch in the felt recoil department.

Altitude sickness · Jun 22, 2026

Ask the PH if he prefers accuracy or firepower. Of course both would be nice. But sacrificing accuracy unnecessarily is not wise. A 7 PRC with a quality bullet is plenty for Eland.

Has the PH ever seen a 7 PRC or its ballistics. Most likely not.

Your son shouldn’t need to be shooting through brush.

Unless you just want to buy another caliber or you’re married to that particular PH, I would stick with the rifle your son can handle and shoot well and find a different outfit.

Tell the PH you are Bow Hunting. Is he going to tell you to shoot 300 yards through brush? You just need to get closer and turn down less desirable shots.

It’s supposed to be a challenge not an artillery exercise.

35 Whelen recoil and terminal performance?

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