24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 3 of 5 1 2 3 4 5
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,639
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,639
My first elk was a scrub bull taken at 301 yards....(Leica measured).....All it took was one shot from my .35 Whelen and a 225 grain partition bullet. Since then I have killed elk with a .280 Remington, a .30-06, and a .300 H&H......all one shot kills.....all worked nicely.....all with premium bullets (accubond, partition, and TTSX)

To say one is better than another is pure poppycock.....having said that, if I was to own a single elk rifle it would be a .338-06 simply as a "middle of the road" gun.....and it does have some "cool" factor which is worth very little in actual practice.

Last edited by vapodog; 08/18/19.
BP-B2

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,701
J
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
J
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,701
I used that 35 Whelen AI for a tad over 20yrs. I had many adventures with it, successful ones too! Now I'm back full circle from 20 yrs ago....300 win mag, but will the Barnes 150TTSX. I used the older Barnes 180 XBT back then and myself and several friends used it to kill many head of Plains Game.

Last edited by Jim_Knight; 08/18/19.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,416
B
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
B
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,416
How about a 338-06 on a commercial FN m98 action and McMillan (?) Stock, Timney trigger.

Very high "cool factor."

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14093369/1


"Behavior accepted is behavior repeated."

"Strive to be underestimated."
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,453
Campfire Regular
Online Content
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,453
Originally Posted by buttstock
How about a 338-06 on a commercial FN m98 action and McMillan (?) Stock, Timney trigger.

Very high "cool factor."

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14093369/1

Too Late...SOLD. Nice rifle too.

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 351
T
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
T
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 351
I’m very firmly entrenched in the 35 Whelen camp. Run 250 gr Partitions or my favorite the 275 Woodleigh RN. If you have a faster twist try the 310 Woodleighs.

That being said if I were to do it over...9.3x62. smile

Have fun and good luck! Tom

IC B2

Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,189
H
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
H
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,189
I went Whelen. I am seriously enamored by the 35 cals, for some reason. After working up many loads that would be quite effective for elk and bigger, using cast and jacketed bullets from 200 to 315 grains, I don't think there is even a hair's difference between a Whelen and its metric cousin. If I needed to own another 30+ cal, it would likely be a 45 cal something. I'm sure the Whelen would do anything I would need or want to do on any continent I found myself on (likely just North America, but a guy can dream). To outdo it in ability to kill really big things at hunting ranges, I suspect one would need to step up quite a ways in powder capacity and bore diameter.


I belong on eroding granite, among the pines.
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,457
S
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
S
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,457
It's a coin toss between the 35 Whelen and the 9.3X62 unless Africa or possible the killing of American Bison is on the agenda. The 9.3 has a better selection of really tough bullets available, but the 35 has a better selection of "less tough bullets" which makes expansion a bit easier on elk size game, or anything smaller.

Now to be honest, having one bullet that does it all is really all anyone needs and in the .358 diameter you have that with both the Accubonds and the Partition. In the .366" size you also have the Accubond and the partitions.

I have made a lot of 35 Whelens for many hunters over the last 40 years or so, and thus far I have never has anyone say anything bad about how they killed game. Lately the 9.3X62 has gained a LOT of traction in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and the same thing is true, ---- no bad reports. Even the old 9.3X57 has gained a bit of a following around here, but that may be a local following. I have seen little written about that round from other places in the USA.

PPU makes correct head-stamped 9.3X62 brass and Graf and sons sells it. The price is about the same as 30-06.
For head stamped 36 Whelen, I believe all that is available is Remington, but I don't really think it's a problem to get nay. And you can neck up a standard 30-06 if you want to.

Now the 350 Rem mag is a cool little shell, but I think it's a cartridge looking for a market. It does nothing the 35 Whelen or the 9.3X62 won't do better. The "short action" argument is all hype in my opinion. I think it's is a concept "trying to justify itself" in most cases and in ALL cases with the 350 mag. Even if you could prove to me the short action was stiffer "and therefore more accurate", the small degree of improvement is only going to be seen with match bullets and high magnification scopes with fine cross hairs, none of which is done with a 350. And as a gunsmith with over 1/2 a century of experience behind me, I have yet to see any real evidence that a short action is "more accurate". Keep in mind that today long range shooting is the new fad, and all the new uber-super-duper high accuracy 1000+ yard guns use long or very long actions and are setting new records. However coming back to the point, the 350 is not a round you'd use for 700 to 1200 yard shooting anyway, so even if I were wrong about "accuracy" it would be 100% irrelevant.

The argument that the short action is "faster to work" seems logical, but a simple test with a 30-06 length action, a 375H&H length action and a 308 length action using a stop watch proves it's simply not true.

And getting 350 mag brass is a bit of a problem.

Of of the 3 you list, I would say to reject the 350, but you could probably flip a coin over the other two and be happy no matter how the coin fell.

Last edited by szihn; 09/15/19.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,399
H
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
H
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 9,399
.358 WSM for no earthly good reason other than it hadn't been mentioned in this thread yet.


I can walk on water.......................but I do stagger a bit on alcohol.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,869
CRS Offline
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,869
No wrong answers. Find a rifle you like and have at it. grin

I owned a Rem 673 in 350RM, Rem 700 Classic in 35 Whelen, and a Model 70 in 9.3x62. Of the three, I really like the the way the 673 handled. The Whelen was brutal to shoot, and the Model 70 is getting turned into a suppressed 338-06.

They are all gone in favor of 338-06's and a 375 H&H.


Arcus Venator
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,274
G
Campfire Tracker
Online Content
Campfire Tracker
G
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,274
Originally Posted by AZtwins
I used to reload but just haven't had the time for the last few years, so I end up buying factory ammo. Luckily there are a lot of good choices these days, including heavy loads from Buffalo Bore if I feel the need


THIS ^^^^^^^

Simply looking at the factory selection at Midway USA shows 10 each good load for the 35 Whelen and the 9.3x62, though I don't see the Barnes offerings in 9.3. When I had Redneck (here on the CF) build at 9.3x62 on a pre 64 M70 action, #3 Pacnor barrel all sitting in a D'Arcy Echols Legend stock, I was thinking Alaska. It's a tack driver, giving either one hole or near one hold groups with 250 Accubonds and TTSX along with 286 partitions. Since I reload, it was a simple choice since i'm a Lapua brass whore. The larger bore and larger case capacity push it past the 35 Whelen too.

Alan

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

Last edited by GSSP; 09/16/19.
IC B3

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 16
G
New Member
Offline
New Member
G
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 16
I love my 350 Rem Mag. I wanted something nobody else had. The only other person I know that has one is my gun smith that built it for me. Mine shoots 200gr and 225gr barnes TSX in 1/2 inch groups. It will take care of anything on this continent. When he told me about the bull elk he shot I knew I had to have one. He said the first thing to hit the ground was the bull's face.

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,577
N
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
N
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,577
No question 9.3x62 is the way to go. I am a long time 35 fan and have been using the35 Whelen, 350 Rem Mag and a 358 Norma for many years. In equal barrel lengths the 350 Rem Mag will beat a 35 Whelen with light bullets and equal it with heavy. The 350 Rem Mag has a little more capacity than the Whelen though loaded in a short Remington action loses this edge with deep seating of heavy bullets. For whatever reason I have had superb accuracy out of every 350 Rem Mag I have ever owned. It has a similar expansion ratio to a .308 and really lays those Speer 250 grain bullets into the same hole with the right load.

The 9.3x62 due to a bit better expansion ratio will beat both. It is generally set up to handle heavy bullets well, and the extra bullet weight in standard bullets is very handy.

It's just a great, great world class round, though I love them all.

Last edited by North61; 09/19/19.
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 88
A
Campfire Greenhorn
Offline
Campfire Greenhorn
A
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 88
I have been shooting a 9.3 x 62 for several years. It has the cool factor if that is important to you. Easy to reload and it is a hammer on everything. I have shot hogs, deer, and elk with this caliber and Barnes bullets. I had 1 animal go 30 yards. All the rest dropped straight down. Accuracy is great and honestly the recoil is not bad. I have shot some calibers that got my attention and exceeded my pain threshold on the bench. I could shoot 20 rounds off the bench and still not be in flinch mode. The only thing I would say is this- use this or the other calibers to hunt. This is not one for ultra long range stuff. I have shot out to 300 yards and dropped elk. I wouldn't go much further than that and that is about my personal limit anyway.

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,871
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,871
Originally Posted by AZtwins
I've decided I need a new medium bore rifle, primarily for elk, but I'll use it for black bear, hogs and who-knows-what-else. I have a 338wm in a stainless Ruger 77 with laminated stock but I'd prefer something with a little more 'cool factor' and I rarely shoot anything over 250 yds. ( I once shot a bull elk with the 338 at 328 yds but I was sitting with a bipod and had plenty of time to wait for the perfect shot- like shooting from a bench).

I tend to lean towards unusual stuff so I was considering the 9.3x62 but it looks like there are more loads available for the Whelen. I've always wanted a 350 too for some reason.

I know there's not too much difference between any of these, so I thought someone might be able to help out with some insight and real-world experience. Thanks!

As an aside, I do have a 375 H&H so the heavier bullets in the 9.3 aren't really a deciding factor. 250 gr. is probably the heaviest I'd be using.


I haven't read all comments so may have been mentioned- go for a 358 Norma. Cheers NC I am so need company>

Last edited by northcountry; 09/19/19. Reason: added a word

don't judge until you have walked a mile in other persons' moccasins'
SUM QUOD SUM........HOMINEM TE ESSE MEMENTO
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,701
J
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
J
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,701
Have you decided yet AZ? I saw a guy sell a 35 Whelen Mod 7600 pump to Sportsmanswarehouse the other day. He said it "kicked like ####". Especially with the 250gr factory loads ( which are really pretty pedestrian!) ha I hefted it...sure was light!

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 103
S
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
S
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 103
I carried a whelen all year and never got to kill an elk with it. 250 npt’s at 2500. The whitetail came off his feet though.
I am always encouraging people to get another rifle.
So, your 350 Rem Mag is definitely a cool idea. 225 NPT’s or 200gr AB’s would be cool (i am not into barnes and be mindful of COAL). Get a full sized (short action 😍😍) rifle with 22” tube and you shouldn’t be much behind the whelen, in a shorter lighter package. I have been wanting to do that myself.

Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 280
S
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
S
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 280
35 Whelen
1/12 twist
225-280 gr.
TBBC, NP, SAF, or NF

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,063
MAC Offline
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,063
I've had all 3. The 9.3 is the better round. You have a better selection of bullets if you handload and a wider variety of factory ammo if you don't. The 9.3 has been very popular in Africa and Europe for more than a century. There is a reason for it.


You get out of life what you are willing to accept. If you ain't happy, do something about it!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 899
M
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
M
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 899
9,3x62 it has a much higher CDI factor!


Internet analysis: 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact

Fools & fanatics are always so certain and wise people are always so questioning

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]


Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211
G
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
G
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211
35 Whelen with 250gr Partitions at 2700 fps for 400 yard elk hunting all day any day.


Trump Won!
Page 3 of 5 1 2 3 4 5

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
694 members (10gaugemag, 10ring1, 12308300, 007FJ, 160user, 10Glocks, 85 invisible), 2,761 guests, and 1,297 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,637
Posts18,398,939
Members73,817
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.104s Queries: 15 (0.004s) Memory: 0.9046 MB (Peak: 1.0619 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 17:01:55 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS