Several years ago I got curious about how to get more punch out of the 30-06 case, and that led me to Ruger's Limited Edition M-77 Mk II in 35 Whelen. The main thing I didn't like about this rifle was the 1:16 twist, since I planned to use no bullets under 250 grains. When I sold the Ruger and ordered what I thought would be the perfect 35 Whelen 18 months ago, my riflemaker recommended a 1:10 twist. The guy is good, so I went with it.

For a variety of reasons, I haven't shot this rifle much until just now, and I've been surprised on my last few range trips. In this rifle the TBBC chronographs right at 2,600 fps, or about what the Ruger did with them. The PSPCL does an honest 2,400, somewhat faster than my Ruger. My Ruger put Federal's 225 Trophy Bonded load about 5" higher than Remington's 250-gr. Pointed Soft Point CoreLokt load. But my new rifle puts the TBBC just 1.25" above the PSPCL.

Almost every article I've read about handloading the 35 Whelen says that different bullet weights do not hit close together, so the shooter should zero for one and stick to it. But this 35 Whelen is acting like a 375. Has anyone else had this happen? Does anyone shoot a 1:10 35 Whelen?

Thanks in advance.


Okie John

John, what barrel length do you have ?

Craven

Okie John

I have two 35 Whelens, one a custom Springfield with a 22" Shilen barrel, the other the Rem 700 CDL with a 24" barrel. The Springfield will put all its bullets very close together, everything that is between 225 grain Barnes X, 250 gr Speers, 275 grain Hornady RN and 300 grain Barnes origionals. The Rem will put these same loads up to 16" apart. I beleive it has a lot to do with the stiffness of the barrel and bedding of the action. Not necessarily due to the caliber. My guess is a very light barreled 375 H&H would have different POI for different loads. Of corse the larger the diameter of the barrel, the more stiff it is.

The Shilen barrel is 1:14, the Rem is 1:16. Not sure how much this matters. The Rem 700 is also 100-125 fps faster then the Springfield and overall more accurate. They are individuals!

BigBullet

Can any of you guys tell me about the FELT recoil between the 35 whelen 225-250 gain and the 30-06 180-200 grain.
Looking to pick one for my 15 year old son, whom is fairly small in build.

WH1,

When shooting 250 grains or higher at full power loads out of the Whelen, recoil becomes very noticeable. All things being equal (but they never are) the Whelen will have a higher felt recoil then the '06. It is shooting heavier bullets at higher velocity. Out of an '06, you can get a 200 grain bullet to 2700 fps at top end, with the Whelen you can get this velocity with 225 grain bullets.

I love the 35 Whelen and think its a wonderful all around rifle, but so is the '06 with quality bullets.

IMO, you would be better off with an '06 for your son, reload light loads for practice and 180 or 200 for hunting.

BigBullet

Thanks Bigbullet

I will second the recoil increase! My 338-06 kicks noticable more than my 30-06 (shooting the same weight bullets as the whelen 225 and 250)

Craven, it's 23".

WH 1, the 335 Whelen kicks hard with full-power loads. But you can always throttle back using pistol bullets and have a pussycat.


Okie John

I'd have to agree that the 06 is a better choice for your son. My 7600 with a 22" barrel prints the 180's and 200's within 3" of each other the 250's on the other hand is a good 6-8" off.