Scope Recommendation for First-Time 35 Whelen Project

[C.W. Richter]

*Found both Weavers (in a pile of scope boxes, as SWFA has or had a scope trade-in program that I'd use with ones I didn't favor, or when upgrading.) The old one is a straight 4x fine crosshairs (no duplex) but it appears that it's never been touched. 'Saw a pile of 'em on old M70s once upon a time (and Jim Zumbo talked about this very topic, using his on a sheep hunt in WY long ago.)

 

[C.W. Richter]

3006 200 gr NP 2550 fps (a favorite combo bear/deer round for <300 yds, often 50 yds!) You might be able to wring another 100 fps out of it using more dense powders like AA/Western/TAC, but that's about it. The big slugs are long and eat up powder space (an advantage of the shorter .358s of the same weights.) In .350 Rem Mag, I could get 2,950 with a 200 (and another fellow 3,000) both using the aforementioned powder types TAC and AA.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Check out Burris scopes (from inexpensive Fullfields, E1s to the IVs Veracity, etc. ($200-$800), and then check their ballistic reticle program vs. the ammo. you're going to use. You will likely find a combo that works perfectly for that gun. I'm guessing it's polished blue, so you may wish to go with a more vintage scope that's not matte finish, and any of them will be well within the budget range you mention. I put a compact Burris Fullfield IV 4-12x on a customized Rem Ultimate Muzzleloader (as it is 400-500 yds capable, but the area I hunt does present <400 yd shots during the special seasons, but the longest shot I had to take to date was 225.) This scope w/ the ballistic plex is dialed in perfectly to 350 yds (with the significant arc of the heavy, low BC saboted 250 gr .45 cal bullet) <1" groups at 100 yds.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Just an example of the newer Burris (higher end) ballistic plex output (and likely sighted ~1.5" high at 100 to achieve this data). The 2nd is for the original Fullfield and E1 plex (it extends the yardage a bit-you can just say out to 400 yds.) I have NOT done an analysis of the newer 250 gr hunting bullets in .358 (.400ish BC AND better terminal performance but 2,400 fps)

 

[C.W. Richter]

The 3rd above was an analysis for the larger, higher BC 250 gr bullets. As you can see below they're both only terminally suitable for up to 300 yds, so I'd go with the heavier slug (better SD for penetration!)

 

[C.W. Richter]

*we have made some of the most spectacular shots (out to 750 yards using Burris Fullfield scopes of ALL types-including the $300-$400 4-14x. I have only made shots to 300 using the 2-7 and 8x in .338-06 and similar enough 350 Rem Mag. IF you find a great shape older Signature Series (I had one in 2-12x) it'll be polished blue, but these look good on a gun such as the one you describe. https://chuckhawks.com/burris_fullfield_II_2-7x.htm

 

[rdog]

@alexaib
There's only two classic American calibers
The mighty 35 Whelen and the 257 Roberts.
The others just lack class.
Some will say the 30-06 but they are like arseholes, nearly everyone has one so lack class despite being a good calibre .
The 270 doesn't even get a look in. Does nothing a good 25 won't do and if you do the mathematics it 2/3 the diameter of the 06 so only 2/3 as good
Bob

Poor BOB I THINK HE NEEDS HELP

 

[C.W. Richter]

That list is obviously long, but IF you study it, there was actually no need for the modern introductions that do nothing more (excepting Sales & Marketing!) IF 6.5-06 A-Sq actually became a thing, that would've spared a LOT of nonsense, for starters! Americans LOVE deer hunting, so that list is LONG! Nothing wildcatted out of a 757, 06 or 375 case was bad, but that's a LONG list! Gibbs, Keith, Ackley, Uncle Roy, et. al. <bowing> So many greats!! 35W is an oddball in America, but it is considered the "poor man's magnum" among combo deer/elk/bear hunters. Not my first choice, but I know from selling a few that the Nez Perce tribe in ID LOVES .358 for close quarters bear! Limit the range (including African PG using 250s and you'll be happy w/ the results.)

Poor BOB I THINK HE NEEDS HELP

 

[Albert GRANT]

That list is obviously long, but IF you study it, there was actually no need for the modern introductions that do nothing more (excepting Sales & Marketing!) IF 6.5-06 A-Sq actually became a thing, that would've spared a LOT of nonsense, for starters! Americans LOVE deer hunting, so that list is LONG! Nothing wildcatted out of a 757, 06 or 375 case was bad, but that's a LONG list! Gibbs, Keith, Ackley, Uncle Roy, et. al. <bowing> So many greats!! 35W is an oddball in America, but it is considered the "poor man's magnum" among combo deer/elk/bear hunters. Not my first choice, but I know from selling a few that the Nez Perce tribe in ID LOVES .358 for close quarters bear! Limit the range (including African PG using 250s and you'll be happy w/ the results.)

Gotta tell ya, I'm hard on the .358 train. From what I've seen, there seems to be 3 sweet spots in the quarter-ish to half bore range that out perform those around them and produce consistent results outside what the numbers seem to show. These are; .257-.264, .358-.366, and .411-.425. If I could get 3 high quality, classic rifles in these ranges I'd be done and spend the rest of my days enjoying them.

 

[Tanks]

I think Nightforce scopes would be in your price range as well.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Poor BOB I THINK HE NEEDS HELP

@rdog
I'm beyond help mate.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Gotta tell ya, I'm hard on the .358 train. From what I've seen, there seems to be 3 sweet spots in the quarter-ish to half bore range that out perform those around them and produce consistent results outside what the numbers seem to show. These are; .257-.264, .358-.366, and .411-.425. If I could get 3 high quality, classic rifles in these ranges I'd be done and spend the rest of my days enjoying them.

@Albert GRANT
257 Roberts or 25-06
35 Whelen
416 Taylor or 425 express
Done.
Bob

 

[jruby]

I have a 1950 columbian mauser that has been chambered in 35 whelen. I chose a freedom 2-7 leupold..I am quite happy with this configuration. A step up to me would be a leupold 2.5z8
This is not a long range cartridge. 300 yards to me is about max. I think many people over scope thier rifles. I have sight degradation due to my diabetes and I think a medium power scope works great. IMHO.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have a 1950 columbian mauser that has been chambered in 35 whelen. I chose a freedom 2-7 leupold..I am quite happy with this configuration. A step up to me would be a leupold 2.5z8
This is not a long range cartridge. 300 yards to me is about max. I think many people over scope thier rifles. I have sight degradation due to my diabetes and I think a medium power scope works great. IMHO.

@jruby
My philosophy is if you can't shoot it using a say 3-9 or 3.5-10 power it's probably to far away anyway.
Bob

 

[RETD16]

Hi All,

I've recently acquired a RJ Renner "Old African " Ruger M77 in 35 Whelen from an esteemed forum member. I have a collection of African rifles (Dakota 76s and Model 10s mostly) wearing Swarovskis, and I've got a Leopold VX-5HD on my Tikka 30-06, but I don't really have any other experience with optics.

This is my first 35 Whelen (!) and the idea for the rifle is a classic American "workmanlike" rifle, despite the RJ Renner name for the upgrade package. Something recalling the classic Griffin & Howe rifles, perhaps. My ideal scope would be something like a Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42, but obviously that's not terribly "workmanlike" or budget conscious.

Essentially, I'm looking for a great scope in the $750-1.5k range to mount on a rifle in the $2-3k range. Putting a $2-4k scope on this rifle doesn't feel right for this project. Tell me if you think I'm being utterly silly about that...

The use case for the rifle is primarily focused on North American big game (bears, moose, bison, elk, etc) at short to medium range (not shooting past 400 yards or so). Planning to shoot 200gr TTSXs and 225gr TBBCs. I appreciate a scope with large magnification range because my eyes aren't exactly great, but want to have something useful for close work in timber.

I've been seeing Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-12x42 and Meopta Meostar R2 1.7-10x42 scopes in the $900 range. I have heard amazing things about both, but also some not-so-amazing things recently about Meopta (not sure if it applies to the Meostar line).

Anyone have strong opinions on these two scopes? Any other options I should consider to get Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42-like performance/magnification range on a bit more of a budget?

Thanks for your time!

-Alex

I really like the Trijicon scopes and I’d recommend looking at the Swaro Z3 line of scopes. Very good glass for the price.

 

[MS 9x56]

Many hunters and most gun rag writers don’t seem to understand the magic of the 35 caliber. For hunting the thick stuff or hunting drives you can’t beat the 120 year old 35 Remington. For more open country but not mountainous as American western states, perfect for mid range encounters with bears and moose the 358 Winchester is all you need. Then as Bob so eloquently champions for stretching it out to 4-500 yards the 35 Whelen is your huckleberry. I would recommend vintage leoupolds straight 4x for 35 rem, 1.5-6x for 358 win, and a plain old 3x9 for the Whelen. There you have classic combinations for classic rifles and calibers in America.

 

[gbflyer]

I would easily recommend this scope for your 35 Whelen. It has proven durable, is well priced, and the reticle is versatile. 30mm tube, it is no lightweight. I have it on one of my Whelens right now. Europtic, who is a sponsor here, has them on sale.

Sightron S-TAC 1-6x24 IR AR1 Riflescope 26022​

 

[jruby]

Maybe it's just me but I have never trusted an optic that requires a battery for a hunting rifle..
Maybe I am a luddite at heart. If it uses a bettery it had better have a set of cross hairs that dont need be illuminated. Thoughts?

 

[dchum]

Maybe it's just me but I have never trusted an optic that requires a battery for a hunting rifle..
Maybe I am a luddite at heart. If it uses a bettery it had better have a set of cross hairs that dont need be illuminated. Thoughts?

that’s how all these scopes work, so worry not…

 

[MS 9x56]

Maybe it's just me but I have never trusted an optic that requires a battery for a hunting rifle..
Maybe I am a luddite at heart. If it uses a bettery it had better have a set of cross hairs that dont need be illuminated. Thoughts?

Right there with you.