35 Whelen or 300 Win??

[coreydb]

Pragmatic perspective, the 300 WM. Ammo availability-and cheaper, lethality, and longer range capability if you come into that situation. I have a 9.3x62, which is ballistically a twin to the .35 Whelan. It easily take plains game out to 300 yds, but don't push it much more since you still pay the trophy fee for a wounded and lost animal. Personal experience.....ouch.

 

[roklok]

I took a moose at 400 yards with my 35 Whelen, 250 grain at 2550 fps. Definitely pushing its limits, but the Whelen is capable beyond 300 in an accurate rifle.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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?

@Fatback
My choice would always be the Whelen even for ranges out to 400 yards. The Whelen carries more authority at all ranges. There's no problem with 2,000fpe at 400 from the Whelen.
The only issue is if by any chance your ammo goes astray the 300 win mag is easy to find the Whelen is impossible. Still my vote goes to the Whelen.
In reality the 308 will comfortably handle all the game on your list but where's the fun in that.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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.

@TTundra
250 yards is a chip shot with the Whelen.
Shot my Roland ward impala a 275 with one shot from the Whelen with a 225gn accubond that left the barrel a skosh under 2,900fps. The impala didn't know what hit it and it didn't tear it to pieces.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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.

@Fatback
300is an easy shot for the Whelen. Mine will boringly hit a 6" gong at that range without a problem.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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.

@BeeMaa
What's with the old you young whipper snapper.
After seeing the performance of the Whelen my PH said he would have no trouble letting me use it on cape buffalo with the right projectiles.
Loaded with 280gn swift A frames or 275-310 gn Woodleigh I would not have an issue.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@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.

@sgt_zim
A 225gn Woodleigh PPSP at 2,900fps will flatten it with even more authority a lot further out.
Dang even the old 250gn Hornady Round nose @2,700fps punches golf ball size holes out the other side of game.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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

@BonUm16
There's a clown in every circus.
@Fatback wants to hunt animals successfully not have them die of laughter or beat them to death with the but. Leave the 243 where it belongs, locked in the safe.
Bob

 

[sgt_zim]

@BonUm16
There's a clown in every circus.
@Fatback wants to hunt animals successfully not have them die of laughter or beat them to death with the but. Leave the 243 where it belongs, locked in the safe in the gun store on the shelf.
Bob

There. Fixed it for you.

 

[TTundra]

@TTundra
250 yards is a chip shot with the Whelen.
Shot my Roland ward impala a 275 with one shot from the Whelen with a 225gn accubond that left the barrel a skosh under 2,900fps. The impala didn't know what hit it and it didn't tear it to pieces.
Bob

Bob, we may need to edit your name to:

"Bob Nelson 35 Whelen or Bust"

I do belive you may be a contributing factor to commercial loadings still available.

 

[Tug]

@sgt_zim
A 225gn Woodleigh PPSP at 2,900fps will flatten it with even more authority a lot further out.
Dang even the old 250gn Hornady Round nose @2,700fps punches golf ball size holes out the other side of game.
Bob

How are you getting 2900FPS with a 225-grain bullet?

 

[MS 9x56]

In Africa bigger is always a better idea. Take your Whelen and go forth and slay mighty beasts. The colonel will smile upon you from on high

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

How are you getting 2900FPS with a 225-grain bullet?

@Tug
Very easy I handloads.
After a lot of research I found CFE223 to be one of the best powders in the Whelen.
Even Sierra data list 70gn of it for 2,900 fps.
Consult reloading information and work up loads to suit your rifle.
Even the 250s can be SAFELY pushed to 2,700fps using Speers load data.
Turns the Whelen into an entirely different beast.
Bob