Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 85 Greywolf 338 Fed vs 700 CDL 35 Whelen for Bear

If you were hunting Black Bear over a bait station which rifle and why? Shots would be from 40 to 60yds. Which bullet as well? Apparently there are some good deals on the 85's in 338 Federal sinces it's being discontinued. Do you think the 85 is worth trading in a CDL for?

Most black bear a .270, '06, etc will work fine with premium bullets

Either one would work just fine. I wouldn't trade a .35 Whelen in on anything, possibly because I've owned one since 1993, have killed a pile of game here and in Africa with it, and am way too sold on it to get rid of it for any purpose. On the other hand, I've had a .338 Federal for a couple of years and killed a mule deer buck with it last year. I'm very fond of it, and I think a 200 gr Hornady Spire Point or 185 gr TSX would kill any black bear in the universe deader than a broken brick, particularly at the ranges you describe.

I wouldn't trade a CDL for an 85 regardless of cartridge in either. But that's just me...

Dennis

While that's true, except that "premium" bullets are highly unnecessary, it has nothing to do with the question he asked about .338 Federal vs .35 Whelen...

Dennis

I think and know, that the 35-Whelen is one of the best kept secrets in todays hunting circles. I would stick with the 35-Whelen period. It is the hammer of Thor on backbear at that range, just use a good premium bullet if going on a money hunt. The 250 grain bullet is best for what your planning on hunting.

I'm a long time fan of the 35 Whelen. Great cartridge, good rifle. You already have the right tool.

..........Either one would be fine! If you already have the 700 CDL 35 Whelen, I wouldn`t trade it in for a 338 Federal for the sole purpose of black bear hunting, even though there may be good deals on discontinued Sako 85s.

The 338 Fed and 35 Whelen overlap each other in hunting capability. If you want to add a 338 to your inventory for the sake of adding a 338 then do so, but don`t trade in the 35 Whelen.

Thanks for all the input thus far.

Try both. The $725 Sako 85 is hard to walk away from. Keep what you like best.

g

I own sixteen different sako rifles. I have the 338 federal in the model 85 stainless synthetic. Most disapointing rifle I think Ive ever owned. First one would not group three shots under 4" with factory or my reloads and I tried at least thirty different combinations of powders/ bullets/bullet weights. I took it back to the shop I trade with. They gave me a new one. It shoots a little better but not much. The velocities I measure with my hand loads are at least 100 to 150 fps less than advertised and the recoil is surprisingly sharp. I am not particularly recoil sensitive as I shoot 45-70, 375 H&H, 338 ultra-mag,300 ultra-mag etc. If euro optics hadn't dumped those rifles on the market, mine would be for sale today.
On the other hand. I don't think you can go wrong with a 35 whelen whether its in a 12 twist (which I prefer) or with a 16 twist. From my experience the 35 whelen kills effeciently and without a lot of meat damage. I've started thinning out my collection. My 358 winchesters are gone, my 338 federal will be leaving soon, but the Whelen will stay. Here a a couple of pix of my whelen being put to good use. The porker is a tad under 300 lbs and dropped at the shot drt.
GWB



GWB

I would go with the 35 Whelen and Nosler 225gr Nosler Partition.
Good luck with your Black bear hunt...

I have made the mistke myself of trading a perfectly good rifle I all ready had for a gun I had to have and then found out I made a mistake. I would keep the CDL Whelen too, almost any 200 gr + bullet will work fine I like the premium 225 gr bullets the best in mine. Have fun on your bear hunt.

Keep the Whelen.

Ive used a couple Whelens over the years with factory Core Lokts (250 gr) as well as various premium bullets handloaded. In my experience the Core Lokts did as well as the premiums at Whelen velocity.

I cant think of a better round for what you are going to do than the Whelen and a heavy bullet.

The Whelen with Hornady 250gr. RN at that range.

Those Hornie bullets don't realize they're not "premiums".

My Rem classic in .35 Whelen loves 225 partitions or bear claws! I'd keep the .35 and find another "needed" caliber to buy in the 85 grey wolf!

I think the CDL has a lot going for it before you factor on the Whelen end of it. Proven action, lotsoparts around, holds value, refined design, and yours is a Whelen. Nothing against Sako, but if you had to choose.

With the type of black bear hunt your describing, there are more important things to fret over. I'll be on one myelf in a few weeks.

Good luck!

Joseph

Okiebowhunter

I have both remington and sako. For me its not a question of the rifle, rather the cartirdge. I also have/had 338 federal, 338 win mag, 338 RUM, 358 winchester, 35 whelen (in 12 and 16 twist barrels) 9.3 x 62 (in both Sako & CZ). Between the 338 federal and 35 whelen I would choose the whelen.
Now if you asked me to choose between the whelen and the 9.3 x 62, that would be difficult. Then it might come down to the rifle.
GWB

PS: I shoot a matthews fx, what do you shoot?

Never sell (or trade) a Whelen!

WN

35 WHELEN all the way.

I'm going to hold onto to the Whelen, thanks everyone.