I'm sure this topic has been beat to death, but . . .

What do you Alaska guys think about 35 whelen for large black bears? I've heard good things about it, but mostly 2nd hand stories. The last few years I've been getting into black bear hunting here in California, and I'm looking to possible convert a 30-06 into a 35 whelen as a possible solution. I'm sure that a heavy 30-06 would do the job, but I also figure that a little heavier bullet as insurance wouldn't hurt either.

And yes, I do have a 45-70 but I want something that shoots a little flatter in case I have to take a shot at a wounded bear moving away.

eric
I have shot a few black bears.
I have used a 300 Mag, 450/400 double rifle, 9,3x74r double rifle, 308 single shot, and a Freedom Arms 475 Linebaugh.

A 35 Whelen is a very good choice.

I couldn't agree with you more!!! A 35 Whelen is the cat's meow for big blackies, just don't use bullets meant for a .35Rem. The .45-70 is fine for close-range self-protection but leave it home for purposeful hunting. A good bullet from an '06 ain't a bad choice either and where the bullet goes trumps it all.

Big black bears and the 35 Whelen have got to be the perfect combination.

I've used my 30-06 quite a bit in Alaska and would feel comfortable using it on Black bears in CA.

On the other hand a .35 Whelan would be really neat!

Thats like asking if a baseball bat is good for hitting baseballs. The whelen is about the perfect combination of ballistics for large black bear/elk/moose hunting. Not to mention is has a lot more "cool" factor over the old 06.

I hunt black bear every spring. I like to try a differant rifle out every time and last year I took my .35 whelen. Worked fine and he did run 10 yards or so but down with one shot.

I've also had good results with everything else I tried. Iv'e taken 3 with .30-06, 2 with .375 H&H, 2 with .300 win mag, 1 with 8x57 js 1 with 8x57 jrs 1 with .338 win and the one with my .35 Whelen.

I'm not sure what I'll use this year but I'm leaning toward my .54 cal Lyman deerstalker.

In my limited experience, it was about perfect!

I'll be going for black bear #20 this spring. I've used cartridges ranging from 6mm Rem. to 375 H&H and this year I'm planning close stalking with a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. I'd say there is absolutely nothing wrong with your '06, but the 35 Whelen is a favorite of mine and is well matched to any of the black bear hunts I've been on. I say go for it.

The Whelen is a superb choice for larger black bear and most other NA heavy game. It would also, IMHO, make for an excellent general-purpose African bush round.

I shot two (smaller) black bears in Alberta last spring, with a 9.3x62 (.366 caliber). The first died on the spot, and the second made a 20 yard rush before collapsing in a heap. 247 grs bullet. I would think a .35 Whelen wouldn't perform any worse.

Frans

I've shot black bears with a 270, 300 WM, and a bow and never had a problem killing any of them so your 35 Whelen will most certainly get the job done quite easily as long as you do your part and put the bullet in the right spot.

According to some folk, the bullet will bounce right off, especially if it is not a premium bullet. I'm still waiting for that to happen. It hasn't yet, after several black bear, but I know it will because those with magnumitis say it will.

Frankly, it'll do as good a job as any other caliber and do it better than most.

I wouldnt hesitate to use my 35 Whelen or even my .358 win for blackies. I converted a Savage 110 30-06 to 35 Whelen with a cheap Adams & Bennett barrel from Midway. Did the work myself and was very easy to change. Want to use the Whelen in Africa for plains game with heavier bullets like a 270gr North Fork, 275gr Hawk, or 280gr Swift A-Frame.

For blackies i think any good bullet from 225gr up to 250 would work wonders and the 250gr Speer hot-core is a good all around bullet for the Whelen.As well as the 225gr Nosler partition or Barnes TSX.

As a side note, if you re-barrel, get a 1 in 12" twist rate, 1 in 14" at the minimum, the 1 in 16" that remington and ruger uses is OK but it wont stabilize long bullets or the heavy weights, why ham string yourself?

quote:

Frankly, it'll do as good a job as any other caliber and do it better than most.

Was figuring you'd chime in there, Rupe.

The Whelen will work pretty well on a dying, but still mobile antelope trying to scamper off a Wyoming hillside, too, after some jackass bungles his choice of ammo and somehow isn't able to put it down with 3 direct hits. Don't ask me how I know that...

Added edit: next year I'll report back on how it works on BB.

KG

Only shot one blackie with a whelen. it works at 211 yards. It wasnt the biggest bear (6'2") but I dont have 2nd thoughts to use it on bears. Matter of fact, I'm gonna use it on my griz hunt this spring.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that aside from the one shot black bear that I took with my whelen That rifle has accounted for 2 buffalo 2 whotail deer and 2 hogs. They all whent down with one shot except for 1 buffalo. Of course thats the one I have on film. Although the first shot didn't do the job ( I won't discount shooter error) he droped like a sack of potatoe's on the second shot.

I'd use that cartridge on brown bear using a 225 grain swift a-frame or a barnes tsx bullet.

As I posted under Medium Bore Rifles...

I love my whelen and sofar I've used it to take a bison, musk ox, caribou, impala and kudu. All with 225gr TSXs at just over 2600fps. My plans are to use the same rifle and bullet hunting brown bear on the ABCs in May.

Mark65X55 i'll be waiting on your story. Edge of my seat kinda thing. I asked the question some time ago if someone had actually shot a brownie here on AR with a 35 whelen. No one spoke up. Mine hasn't taken game yet but I'll try elk again this year. Teat hound build one, I don't believe you'll regret it.

great cartridge, bring plenty of your own ammo, no 35 is very popular in AK. last thing you want is some sales clerk lookin at you like a jersy cow saying 35 wha

Large black bears? The .35 Whelen would be a great round for large grizzlies.

Sure it's fine.

Just got my whelen back from the gunsmith last week. It started life as a Remington CDL with a 24" barrel, I had the wood stock replaced with a Bansner high tech, iron sights and a barrel band added, had all the metal teflon coated, added leupold QR rings and bases along with a 2.5-8x36. I love my whelen

Posted by mark65x55

quote:

Just got my whelen back from the gunsmith last week. It started life as a Remington CDL with a 24" barrel, I had the wood stock replaced with a Bansner high tech, iron sights and a barrel band added, had all the metal teflon coated, added leupold QR rings and bases along with a 2.5-8x36. I love my whelen

Can't wait to hear a hunting report on your rifle. Love the choice of scope, I have the same set up on my .30-06 as far as scope and rings. I use the same scope on my .338-06 but opted for the 1.75-6X32 on my Whelen

I killed a very nice (18.5"/352lb) blackie with my 35 Wheelen and 225gr Swift A Frames. One shot at the juncture of the neck & shoulder at 60 yards and he dropped like a stone. jorge

jorge - Good show!

I used the 9.3x62 with a 286 North Fork on my last one. The Whelen should be real similar.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
I killed a very nice (18.5"/352lb) blackie with my 35 Wheelen and 225gr Swift A Frames. One shot at the juncture of the neck & shoulder at 60 yards and he dropped like a stone. jorge

Nice bear, especially for New England. Judging by the picture, the comment in the article regarding the bear being taken at the 'edge of darkness' is a bit of a stretch, however...