35 Whelen or 300 Win??

[Fatback]

Wanted to get the groups thoughts. I am considering taking either my 35 Whelen or 300 Win mag to Namibia in August. I shoot both equally well. Both are Winchester Model 70s.

I would be using it on PG, to include zebra, roan, blue wildebeest, red heartabeast, etc….

I shoot factory loaded ammo. 200 grain TBBCs in the 300 Win and 225 grain TBBCs in the 35 Whelen. The 300 Win has a distance advantage for sure the 35 Whelen has a bit more authority/wallop for closer in shots. 300 Win ammo would certainly be easier to find over there if mine doesn’t show up.

I know there isn’t a wrong answer but I am going back and forth on which one to take and I need to decide pretty soon so I can get my paperwork in order and practice with the one I am taking. What say the AH collective braintrust?

 

[ftrovato]

Both are great. I lean toward bigger (always) so the 35 Whelen would be my choice.

 

[TTundra]

What's the expected longest shot? I couldn't get within 250 yards of black wildebeest due to wind and liked having my 300 in that scenario.

As a tie breaker...has either rifle not taken any african game yet? I do enjoy bringing new rifles over to see some action if not yet taken the trip before.

 

[meigsbucks]

Take and use both. Down the road, when you handle both rifles, they’ll take you back to memories of Namibia.

 

[Fatback]

I haven’t taken either rifle to Africa so it would be a maiden voyage for whichever one I take. I will already be taking a 404Jeffery for buffalo and elephant so I don’t really want to take 3 rifles. As far as distance, I try to keep shots under 300 yards if at all possible. Appreciate the input y’all, keep it coming.

 

[Flbt]

Wanted to get the groups thoughts. I am considering taking either my 35 Whelen or 300 Win mag to Namibia in August. I shoot both equally well. Both are Winchester Model 70s.

I would be using it on PG, to include zebra, roan, blue wildebeest, red heartabeast, etc….

I shoot factory loaded ammo. 200 grain TBBCs in the 300 Win and 225 grain TBBCs in the 35 Whelen. The 300 Win has a distance advantage for sure the 35 Whelen has a bit more authority/wallop for closer in shots. 300 Win ammo would certainly be easier to find over there if mine doesn’t show up.

I know there isn’t a wrong answer but I am going back and forth on which one to take and I need to decide pretty soon so I can get my paperwork in order and practice with the one I am taking. What say the AH collective braintrust?

Of the 2
The 35w.
I am just not that much of a 30 cal guy.
I rather use smaller if I want something bigger I skip the 30 and start at 338

 

[TTundra]

I haven’t taken either rifle to Africa so it would be a maiden voyage for whichever one I take. I will already be taking a 404Jeffery for buffalo and elephant so I don’t really want to take 3 rifles. As far as distance, I try to keep shots under 300 yards if at all possible. Appreciate the input y’all, keep it coming.

If you have the 404...my vote leans even more to 300. Bring both in the truck and you'll be ready for every situation.

 

[BeeMaa]

The secret answer is that a safari is the perfect reason to pick up a new (or new to you) rifle...like a 375H&H!

I know old @Bob Nelson 35Whelen will be along shortly with all his hooting and hollering...singing the praises of the mighty Col. Whelen. But at the end of the day, when that massive trophy Cape buffalo steps into a clearing, you are going to want a DG legal cartridge in your hands.

If a new rifle isn't in the cards, I'd choose the 300WM for the ammo availability factor.

 

[sgt_zim]

@Shootist43 and @Art Lambart II have both taken some pretty long pokes with 35W, I believe.

A 225 gr pill at 2700 will flatten any PG out to 300, plus a bit I expect.

 

[Fatback]

The secret answer is that a safari is the perfect reason to pick up a new (or new to you) rifle...like a 375H&H!

I know old @Bob Nelson 35Whelen will be along shortly with all his hooting and hollering...singing the praises of the mighty Col. Whelen. But at the end of the day, when that massive trophy Cape buffalo steps into a clearing, you are going to want a DG legal cartridge in your hands.

If a new rifle isn't in the cards, I'd choose the 300WM for the ammo availability factor.

I could definitely take my 375H&H but I’ve taken that rifle before and it did excatly what I wanted it to do. I have thought about taking it again this year but I’ve got big plans for it in 2027 so that is why I am leaning towards one of the other ones.

 

[ftrovato]

Bob Nelson is going to chime in (for sure).

He'll report from his personal experiences that if you carry the Whelen you simply have to let the targeted animal see a loaded 35 Whelen cartridge and said animal will lay down and start field dressing itself. Hard to argue with that! ;-)

 

[shootist~]

Wow - Unicorn bullets for sure. Someone actually factory loaded the 35W with 225 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claws?

Even if you shoot both equally, I would run a competition - from the sticks - at 200 yards or a little more if your range has available. Let the results decide. Doesn't have to be at the same time(s) or even in the same week(s). And excellent practice regardless.

I did similar, and being a recoil sissy the 30-06 gave me a lot of confidence over the 9.3x62 for that hunt. YMMV.

 

[318AE]

There are two great choices here, but one had a lot more class - the 35 Whelen!

 

[CBH Australia]

#Namibia #The Colonel #Zebra # Whelen #Bob #.35

Bob’s going to have a field day.

I have no experience with a Whelen. I hear they are good but I don’t have one.

The .300wm will do all you are expecting of it and the ammo is probably easier to source while if required. Hopefully that doesn’t come into it.

Now don’t get me wrong if Bob gets his way he would have you take the .35Whelen of course but a 7mmRm or a .30-06 would be viable options for the game listed.

So it’s a .35cal in a .30-06 case or a .30-06 projectile in a bigger case. Both will do it but it still comes down to shot placement and a suitable projectile.

Take the prettier rifle or the one you want to capture in the hunt photos.

 

[BeeMaa]

I could definitely take my 375H&H but I’ve taken that rifle before and it did excatly what I wanted it to do. I have thought about taking it again this year but I’ve got big plans for it in 2027 so that is why I am leaning towards one of the other ones.

I didn't realize you were taking a 404J. In that case, I will double down on the 300WM decision because you already have a DG ready rifle and ammo availability (with your backup PG rifle) is paramount with any traveling hunter.

Hope you have a successful trip.

 

[BonUm16]

If it’s between the .300Win and the .35W, the correct answer is always .243.

 

[USMA84DAB]

The trajectory excuse/advantage of the 300 WINMAG is just a crutch for not being willing to learn to shoot. The .35W has a trajectory nearly identical to the .30-06. I have shot High power matches - with iron sights - at 200, 300 and 600 yards with M-1 Garands in .30-06. You just have to know how to shoot the rifle. Army rifle qualification goes to 300 yards with irons (well, it did in my day), and the crayon eaters (USMC) qualify out to 500. You could learn your rifle/cartridge load combo and put the bullet where it needs to go.

OR - you could get a Custom Dial System scope from Leupold with your .35W load data on the dial, click the come ups in and hold dead on. That seems pretty easy to me

God is on the side of the larger battalions. My vote is for the .35W. Both will work and it is your hunt/money - choose the one that makes you satisfied the most. Best of luck on the hunt.

 

[Est.1970]

I’m a nobody, but the 404 will have everything covered from 100 and in. Which do you shoot better from a cold bore at the worst possible time/conditions with a magazine full from 100 to 300?

That drill with both rifles on clean paper would answer the question.

 

[Ruraldoc]

If you not going to be shooting more than 300 yards, the 35 Whelen.

If really long shots are taken, the 300.

If your ammo doesn’t arrive, the 300 will be available somewhere.

Taking a 404 and a 35 means you will probably not be able to hunt with either rifle if your ammo doesn’t show up.

Something to be said for taking a 375 and a 404. You can always find ammo in Africa for the 375.

 

[Fatback]

Some great thoughts here and I appreciate them. Keep em coming.

@shootist~ The loaded 225 grain TBBCs for the Whelen are older stock loaded by Federal Premium. I’ve got 10 boxes of them so I’m good to go for quite a while. I use 200 grain interlocks for shooting deer and pigs here at home but want a better, controlled expansion bullet for Africa. I have always had great performance with TBBCs out of my 300 Win and 375 H&H and expect they would do just as well out of the 35.