35 Whelen - Best Option for Eland Huntress?

[sestoppelman]

35 Whelen is a great round. I had one custom built on a pre-64 model 70 action but haven't had a chance to hunt it yet.
As another option you might consider is a 338 Federal. Short action and easily fits in a smaller short barreled rifle with more energy than a 7mm mag. I took mine to SA in 2016 shooting 210g bullets and would hesitate to shoot an Eland with it at reasonable distance.

The little .338 Fed is a good round but lets not get carried away extolling its virtues. We are still talking about the .308 Win case after all, which has considerably less capacity than any 7 mag case. Its a real stretch to say the .338 Fed has more energy than the 7 mag. Only if you compare the hottest possible max pressure load for the Fed to a pedestrian load for the 7 mag. Load both to max, no way.

 

[bruce moulds]

especially when you compare bullets with similar sectional density.
to a degree, with this also comes ballistic coefficient.
the 338 federal is a great deer stopper, but less of a bigger game cartridge.
bruce.

 

[Mekaniks]

The little .338 Fed is a good round but lets not get carried away extolling its virtues. We are still talking about the .308 Win case after all, which has considerably less capacity than any 7 mag case. Its a real stretch to say the .338 Fed has more energy than the 7 mag. Only if you compare the hottest possible max pressure load for the Fed to a pedestrian load for the 7 mag. Load both to max, no way.

7 mag with 175g @ 2860 = 3178 flbs
338 fed with 210g @ 2630 = 3225 flbs

 

[James Cook]

If she can shoot the .300 mag, its plenty for eland.

agree - shot eland at 255 yds quartering away and it went less than 100 yards

 

[sestoppelman]

7 mag with 175 gr @ 2970= 3428 lbs. Nosler manual. Guess which one will hold up better over distance. I am a fan of the .338 caliber, but you gotta be realistic. I could drive a 175 to over 2800 in a .280 Remington!! Don't think a 7 mag cant do somewhat better? You did exactly what I figured. You got a great load for the Fed and a wimp load for the 7 mag. Boost them both to the same pressure level and you get the real story. Nice try though.

 

[Mekaniks]

7 mag with 175 gr @ 2970= 3428 lbs. Nosler manual. Guess which one will hold up better over distance. I am a fan of the .338 caliber, but you gotta be realistic. I could drive a 175 to over 2800 in a .280 Remington!! Don't think a 7 mag cant do somewhat better? You did exactly what I figured. You got a great load for the Fed and a wimp load for the 7 mag. Boost them both to the same pressure level and you get the real story. Nice try though.

Its ok. I wasn't trying to stir a 7mm-338 fed debate. My point is that the 338 federal is 7mm mag energy in factory ammo with smaller short action rifle is all. And yes the 338 fed is not an "across the canyon, blow the grass down with muzzle blast" kinda rifle. So IMO if someone is looking for a smaller rifle, say for a huntress, that the 338 fed may be worth a look.

 

[bruce moulds]

175 gn 7mm s.d =0.310, b.c. = 0.519.
210 gn 338 s.d = 0.263, b.c = 0.400.
both bullets nosler partition, so have similar profile.
now look at striking velocity as opposed to muzzle velocity.
then look at penetration and bone smashing ability.
plus the 7mm has a better trajectory.
given the above figures in favour of the 338 fed, the difference at the muzzle is 47 ft. lb.
this will soon turn around as you go out from the muzzle in favour of the 7mm, but either way such difference is insignificant compared to penetration.
210 gn 338 bullets are not noted for penetration, even on pigs.
the 338 bullet that compares to the 175 gn 7mm weighs 250 gns.
put this in a 338 fed and all you have is a scrub gun.
bruce.

 

[ve7poi]

Look at 338-06 225gr noslers and compared to 338mag same bullet

 

[sestoppelman]

Its ok. I wasn't trying to stir a 7mm-338 fed debate. My point is that the 338 federal is 7mm mag energy in factory ammo with smaller short action rifle is all. And yes the 338 fed is not an "across the canyon, blow the grass down with muzzle blast" kinda rifle. So IMO if someone is looking for a smaller rifle, say for a huntress, that the 338 fed may be worth a look.

With factory ammo its probably below as most factory ammo is, its advertised velocity. I agree its a great caliber and much can be had with the .308 case, great design. In this particular instance I also agree it would be a better choice than any number of other rounds, including a 7 mag. However your initial claim had to be answered.

 

[sestoppelman]

Look at 338-06 225gr noslers and compared to 338mag same bullet

And??? As the mag is the larger case it will do better with any bullet than the 338-06. Nothing magic about that.

 

[shootist~]

The CVA Scout V2 you mention shows to be a 5.8 pound rifle before optics. With the 35 Whelan pushing 3,000 or so foot pounds, the free recoil is going to be way up there, I would think.

Also, the Sectional Density for the .35 is on the low end for such a big bullet. (Only .251 for a 225.) Possibly this is offset by the larger cross sectional area, however.

As an FYI we chronograph a shooting buddy's Rem700 7mm RM hunting rifle last weekend. Factory Hornady 162 gr averaged 2,908 using a Magneto Speed V3. Recoil was not mild and probably considerably more than my 338 WM (with brake) pushing a 185 Barnes at 2,925.

Looking at the Swift reloading manual, as well as advertised specs for a couple of factory 7mm RM 175s, about 2,750 to 2,800 fps is realistic for his rifle with 175 grain bullets. I think his barrel is a 22", but it might be a 24.

 

[sestoppelman]

As above, I could get over 2800 fps with a standard .280 Remington, 24 inch barrel. Any decent mag load will go well beyond that.

 

[spike.t]

Does your 375 Ruger have the threads for the factory muzzle brake? If so it is no worse than a 30-06 if you use it and would be more than adequate for an eland without buying a new firearm.

.......come now!....we are here to encourage and facilitate the purchase of new firearms at the slightest opportunity!....

 

[Ryan]

.......come now!....we are here to encourage and facilitate the purchase of new firearms at the slightest opportunity!....

Given the choice between a new firearm at the slightest opportunity or hunting another animal at the slightest opportunity we prefer the latter.

And if the 375 Ruger doesn't work for her then I suggest looking into the Thompson/Center Encore over the CVA Scout. The choices of stocks to fit her and barrels (including the 35 Whelen) is far greater.

 

[dchamp]

Considering my spouses more diminutive stature, we are in search of the most versatile set-up in an eland gun for her to use during our next safari, after she informed this trophy is now at the top of her list. Until now she has been extremely successful using her 6.5 Creedmoor or suppressed .270 with all one-shot kills in everything up to and including kudu. My 300 H&H is still on the lighter end of the spectrum for eland and just not a good physical fit, while my 375 Ruger remains a bit much to tame.

After much searching and looking at reviews it appears that the venerable 35 Whelen might be just what we are looking for. The CVA Scout V2 chambered in such appears to check of the most boxes when considering the following criteria:

· Accuracy and quality reviews

· Performance versus recoil#

· Cost and availability of ammunition (225 or 250gr)

· Adjustable fit and weight

· Initial acquisition cost

Any thoughts or better options for the huntress?

I would take a hard look at the 9.3x62. It, IMO, has a slight edge on the 35 Whelen. Ballistically the 9.3x62 and the .35 Whelen are close in performance, but with the 286gr bullet as a standard for the 9.3x62, the edge goes to the 9.3x62. Recoil on both are going to be around 30-35 ft-lbs. I think the 9.3x62 has slightly more factory ammunition available, at least in the heavier bullet weights and I would think ammo for the 9.3x62 would be more readily available in Africa than the .35 Whelen but I could be wrong.

· Accuracy and quality reviews: both are as accurate as the quality of the rifle and shooter

· Performance versus recoil#: similar 30-35#

· Cost and availability of ammunition (225 or 250gr): .35 Whelen $30.00- $60.00
232-286gr $35.00-$90.00

· Adjustable fit and weight: 8lbs +/-

· Initial acquisition cost : Blaser high, but worth the money / CZ less out lay but may need extra work / other ?

Any thoughts or better options for the huntress?: regardless what caliber you choose I think rifle fit is of the upmost importance. Blaser, Weatherby and some others make stocks designed especially for women. I would recommend investigating those and getting her properly fit.

 

[ve7poi]

And??? As the mag is the larger case it will do better with any bullet than the 338-06. Nothing magic about that.

True but for all that extra 150fps to 200 FPS from mag recoil seems to jump a lot and become unpleasant to those who are recoil sensitive. There are more choices in bullets makers, weights than 35 Whalen when reloading, just giving options to think about.

 

[Rob404]

Look at 338-06 225gr noslers and compared to 338mag same bullet

Another Great Round

 

[Rob404]

Altho you can buy brass for the Whelen or the 338-06 you can also use 06 brass and stretch the mouth to accept the larger bullet

 

[IvW]

Eland was on the list I would have no reservation letting a 150 grain Sierra game king rip out of my .270, and have no doubt there would be a dead Eland down in short order.

Eish!! poor caliber and even worse bullet selection for a big Eland bull!

Well unless you you have some properly worn in hunting boots and extremely fit I would not recommend this combination....

 

[IvW]

No doubt the 35 Whelen is a great cartridge, I would however suggest having a look at the CZ in 9.3x62mm, they make a beautiful full stock...
light in recoil and devastatingly effective....