35 Whelen vs 7mm Mag

[Bambistew]

I own both a Whelen and a 7mag, both are capable elk rifles, no question. If I was going to pick one rifle to hunt elk an OIL hunt, without hesitation, it would be my 7mag.

I've shot a few elk in the chest facing on, and dug bullets out of hind quarters. The only reason I'd chose the 7mag is I'm more confident in the rifle because it shoots amazingly well, and I've shot a few dozen more animals, mostly elk, at ranges from 50-450 yards. It flat works 100% of the time.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Any rifle you have confidence shooting will always be best.

 

[buffybr]

To answer th OP's question, I would say to use the 7mm RM because he is familiar with that rifle.

Bullet placement is more important than bullet diameter, both options will easily kill an elk.

My first centerfire rifle was a .30-06 that easily kept my freezer full of elk meat. I later had it rechambered to .30 Gibbs just because I liked the looks of that cartridge, and it easily put a couple of dozen more elk into my freezer.

I had thought about getting a 7mm RM from the late '70s to the early 2000s, but didn't get one until then because my .30 Gibbs easily killed anything that I shot with it. Since I did finally buy a 7mm RM, I've only used it for one elk, and that was a one shot DRT kill, but I've also successfully used it on several African and Canadian hunts.

My favorite elk rifle now is my .300 Wby shooting 180 gr Barnes TTSX bullets.

 

[WC53]

Spelled 375 Whelen wrong.

Get an 06 rebored by JES or just shoot 200’s in the 06

 

[hrhunter]

35 whelen shooting Barnes TTSX 180 grain at MV 2900 is no joke!

 

[MS 9x56]

Believe it or not, some shooters still prefer long barrels and no suppressor. Personal choice. mtmuley

I have a commercial Mauser 98 proofed in 1936 with a 27” barrel that fits me like a glove. Normally I prefer short barrels but this 7x57 98 just points where I look much the way my Mannlicher Schoenauer does.