Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 300 Win vs 35 Whelen?

You can get factory ammunition in both 300Win and 35Whelen with 200gr bullets that are running 2900fps+. So if shots were 300yds and under why would anyone choose a 300Win over a 35Whelen?

Availibility of ammo ??

This.

If I go to the Wal-Marts here I see boxes of 300 Winchester Magnum but never seen 35 Whelen.

There have been several tests showing 200-220 gr 30-06 and 300 mag both outperformed 35 Whelen on the big stuff. It actually outperformed everything smaller than 375 mag, including 338 mag. Pretty obvious which works better with lighter bullets at longer range on smaller game. According to my recoil calculations a 300mag/200 @2900 fps also has slightly less recoil than a 35 Whelen/250 @2550 fps.

Someone posted results of testing done by Finn Aagard a while back but I cannot find them. This is a similiar test done by the Alaska Game Dept on their recommendations for large bear protection. In a nutshell they say 375 outperforms everything else, but 30-06 with heavy bullets is their 2nd choice. First choice if recoil is just too much with the 375. The 300 mag equaled, but did not beat 30-06 at close range. The extra speed is good for longer range, not close range punch apparently.

http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr152

Well, due to the extreme differences in ballistic coefficient, the 300 Win mag is carrying about an additional 900 ftlbs energy at 300yds.

In real world though, I don't think there is an animal you would hunt with one that you would not hunt with the other.

Nothing at all wrong with the Whelen. Used to have one in a Rem 7600. Great shooter. I would look more at the 225gr range though for better down range performance....even though a 200gr Hornady spitzer will do everything you need it to.

At some point, a 338-06 fan is gonna chime in as well

JMR40, that link: shows 308Win outperformed a 300win,300Wby,8mmRem, and 358 Norma mag? If all were shooting a premium bullet like a Nosler partition this couldn't be....

Agreed. Premium bullets would change the results drastically. I have been toying around with the idea of getting a Whelen or something like a 325WSM. I already have a 300WM and 300WSM though, so I'm not sure I'd really be gaining anything. Those are the two largest rifles in my stable. I'm very interested in hearing what some others have to say. 9.3x62 has also been on my mind as something to compliment my 300's.

Didn't know you could get that kind of velocity out of a Whelen.

Because I've never known the range of shot opportunities that will present themselves until they actually do.

I've had anticipated ranges of 300-600 yards turn into 25 feet. Conversely, anticipated short range opportunities have turned long on the event.

link: http://www.hornady.com/store/35-Whelen-200-GR-SP-Superformance/

Wow that ought to get an elks attention

Said another way, why would anyone choose the whelen? What will it do that the 300 win won't? I truly believe premium bullets have made most cartridges so much more versatile and the overlap in cartridges is now greater than it has ever been

The Whelen will have less muzzle blast.
The Whelen does not need a magnum action.
The Whelen will have less felt recoil. maybe?
The Whelen makes a bigger hole.

I suspect a 250 or 280 grain RN Whelen at moderate velocities at moderate ranges would smack the piss out of anything it hits and considerably harder than a 300 WM.

They use the same length action don't they?

I have shot both and owned a Whelen. The Whelen was a puppy dog in the recoil department comparted to the .300's I've shot. That could be the stock as well, the Whelen had a Mickey on it.

I think you can get another round down in the Whelen - surely that will be the deciding factor for at least 1.2 hunters out there.

Then there was that recent thread about sub .30 caliber rifles being vastly inferior to .30 and above. The logical extension would be that a .35 caliber hole would be worlds better than a .30...

I had no interest in any sort of magnum 'til I recently found a .300 WM (Kimber 8400) that seemed to be too good of a deal. Thus far, it seems to kick far less than my Whelen (700 CDL), and it handles really well, to boot. However, I'll think I'll go broke by the time I book enough hunts with each rifle to discern what animals that one rifle can kill, that the other cannot.

FC

I have both. The .300 stays home and the Whelen goes hunting.
Paul B.

Yes the 300 Win ammo is more readily available, BUT I think you are way more likely to find 06' brass to reload too. Granted you have to reload... Lol

Both the 300 win mag and the 35 whelen are great guns however each one truly fills a bit different nitch. The 300 mag is at its best sporting a 26 inch barrel and is a true performer for long range shooting............something the whelen doesn't do well. However....if your like me and prefer a short handy little rifle for packing on your horse and you prefer your barrel not be dragging the ground the whelen is a true performer with a 20" barrel. My 225 gr barnes handloads are cronographed at 2806 from a 20" barrel with minimal muzzleblast........something the 300 doesn't do well. There truly is a place for both of these awesome calibers and I would highly recommend both of them.

Shod