Larry,

What do you intend to hunt?

Bryan

Hello All, I will be making my first trip to Africa to hunt. My battery stops at .35 Whelen AI. I am asking your input on the suitability of this cart. I enjoy the cart. and it has done me well on elk. Are the plains game that much different that elk. I feel comfortable with this rifle but guess I just want some added assurance as I get only one chance at Africa. Thanks,

Larry

I think you will be just fine, I am carrrying a 35 Whelen to RSA in april. The only time I think it might not be the best choice is if you were hunting some specialized game in wide open country, like vaal rehbok in the east cape. You're comfortable and effective with which I believe is number 1 in putting a bullet on target in a hunting situation.

Larry, on my last two safaris, I've shot 9 of the large African antelope with my 338/06. It worked very well for me. My longest shots were at gemsbok at 220 and 250 yd. I used Barnes X bullets in my rifle. Your 35 Whelen should work great.

Will you be shooting factory ammo or do you reload?Last time I looked the factory load options were a 225 grain or a 250 grain bullet, both Remington.
I have a 35 Whelen Improved but don't shoot it as much as I used to.I have taken all that RSA can throw at you up to and including the cape buffalo with a bow so I think you should do fine with the Whelen.
Just talking about the gun has me kinda nostalgic and I think I may take it for a hog shoot at the end of the month
eyedoc

Larry,



If you are doing plains game it is more then enough...I believe Ruark used one and talked about the 250gr.SP..With premium bullets and reloaded it will be a crusher on African animals...As long as you practice and handle it well, and it sounds like it and have confidence it will serve with with distinction...



Mike

Thanks you all,

I do handload, and will be hunting plains game so your answers are comforting. My spare rifle will be a LH Ruger in 338-06AI. I choose the 35W so as to use the heavier bullet. Thanks again,

Larry

Larry,

In 2002 I used my 35 Whelen for a plains game hunt in Namibia. I shot 225 Barnes X bullets at 2625 fps and was very happy with that combo. I shot zebra at 325 yrds(approx) and oryx at 125 yards. I also took impala and red hartebeest. The caliber is an excellent choice, IMO, for plains game hunting on beasts to 300 yards.


With your 35 AI you can get another 100 fps and I think it would be a really great choice for plains game and extend the effective range another 50 yards.

BigBullet

PS: I plan on taking my 35 Whelen to RSA this May '04 and take black wildebeest and waterbuck with it.

I used a standard Whelen in Zimbabwe in 2001. I took 7 animals, all with one shot. None of the animals went farther than 15 yards from the original spot. The game ranged in size from steenbok to eland. The closest shot was about 75 yards and the farthest was appox. 225 yards on kudu. I was using the Federal factory load with 225 gr. TBBC bullets that had been chrono. at 2630 fps. I think the .35 Whelen represents the ultimate for plains game in mixed cover. The AI version is just slightly more of the same thing. With the added powder capacity, you might consider a 250 grain bullet, but it certainly is not absolutely necessary. I sighted in for dead on at 175 yards and found this to be just about right. I would agree that it is not ideal for specialized long range shooting, but this fall I did take a moose in Alberta with the same load at a laser measured 410 yards. It was the last couple hours of the hunt and the only shot that was going to be possible. Again, a one shot kill and the moose never took a step. Complete penetration on a broadside shot.