35 Whelen/338-06 in Africa

30 January 2007, 21:17

Does anyone have EXPERIENCED-BASED information on either the 35 Whelen or 338-06 for plains game? (Please, no theory or hyperbole.) I recently came upon two custom mausers in these calibers that would be great in the bush. The shooting conditions this year will be in thick mopane, 100 yards and closer, for eland, zebra, kudu and smaller. Many thanks!

577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375

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30 January 2007, 21:38

eyedoc

I personally have a 35 Whelen Improved.The modification of the case neck gives it a slight edge in powder capacity over the factory loaded 35 Whelen.I can and often do shoot standard loads in the rifle.My experience with it and hunting African plains game is that it would be a fine rifle for the purpose that you have in mind.

This question has come up before so if you do not get enough info from this thread a search of the forums will give you quite q few more opinions.If memory serves me well, most were that it should be adaquate.

We seldom get to choose
But I've seen them go both ways
And I would rather go out in a blaze of glory
Than to slowly rot away!

30 January 2007, 21:44

BigBullet

TWL,

I have used the 35 Whelen on three safaris and have taken many heads of plains game including all those you mention. You will be well armed with a 35 Whelen in the mopane. I really like Barnes TSX in 225 grain weight. But there are other quality game bullets you can choose from, just do not go below 225 grain bullet weight. I do not know of any bullets lighter in weight that are well constructed for heavier plains game.

Since you are new to the forum, welcome. Use the "Find" tab and search for "35 Whelen" in the Africa hunting section. You will be surprised at the number of hits you get. The reading will last a day or two. Also there are some links to relevent articles. Check the "Medium bores" forum as well

BigBullet

"Half the FUN of the travel is the esthetic of LOSTNESS" Ray Bradbury
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30 January 2007, 22:56

Labman

I don't have either caliber, but I've done two plains game hunts with Mr. Mike who posts here occasionally and he uses a 338/06 with 210 Gr. Nosler partitions. He has had great success with this combination on a variety of plains game including Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeast, Warthog and probably a few more that I don't remember.

Tom Z

NRA Life Member

30 January 2007, 23:01

Shumba

quote:
Originally posted by TWL:
Does anyone have EXPERIENCED-BASED information on either the 35 Whelen or 338-06 for plains game? (Please, no theory or hyperbole.) I recently came upon two custom mausers in these calibers that would be great in the bush. The shooting conditions this year will be in thick mopane, 100 yards and closer, for eland, zebra, kudu and smaller. Many thanks!

Don't embarass yourself by showing up in camp with a 35 Whelen or 338/06. Just do the right thing and buy a 9.3x62!

Tim

______________________

31 January 2007, 01:27

Donato

TWL, I have a 338/06 that I've been hunting with since 1992. It has accounted for 10 of the large African antelope to include eland, 3 gemsbok, 2 wildebeest (blue and black), heartebeest, Zebra, and 2 kudu. I've also shot 2 elk and a moose with it. all the animals except the moose where shot with the 200gr Barnes X bullet. None of the African animals except one gemsbok and the black wildebeest needed more than one shot. This cartridge kills much better tan it might appear on paper. Same should go for the 35 Whelen

04 February 2007, 23:23

maki

FWIW, I got a .338-06 because I like the .318 WR's track record and didn't want to fuss with .33 bullets. The .338-06, with 225 grain NPs worked very well on kudu, oryx, hartebeest and springbok in Namibia last year. All shots were through and through at ranges from 30 to 220 yards. I like through and through on broadside shots, gives me confidence on quartering shots. I imagine a .35 Whelen would do the same, but that is conjecture and forbidden on this thread

.

Dean

...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men.
-Edward, Duke of York

04 February 2007, 23:35

ROSCOE

I have had good success with the 338-06 in Africa and America with the 210 Nosler Partition and the Barnes X in the same weight. It is a great round for Africa IMO. I have no doubt that the 35 will also work great.

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05 February 2007, 04:07

lee440

I used a 318 express as mentioned above on my Hartebeest, Impala and Zebra with outstanding results. I used the classic 250 gr. s.p. at 2400 fps. I hope to use it again next time!