Mica Man
Well-known member
Whelen
35 Whelen vs 7mm Mag
- Thread starter Greybeard
- Start date
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Is the Whelen reputed an interesting rifle as per Townsend's famous definition?
Greybeard
Well-known member
Don't know, never fired it. I'll find out this weekend. My old Browning might qualify but it's had a few rounds down the pipe. Made in 91. Still stays inside about 1 1/2" on the bench though.
Last edited:
I’d say the calibers are sixes on elk.
The real question is which is the better rifle. Cheap versus quality, heavy versus light, wood vs plastic stock, etc. You owned the 7mm so you’re comfortable with it which should be considered too.
The real question is which is the better rifle. Cheap versus quality, heavy versus light, wood vs plastic stock, etc. You owned the 7mm so you’re comfortable with it which should be considered too.
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
You could borrow one of your friend’s rifles or you could just get any one of several factory loads for your 6.5 CM and go kill an elk. I don’t think going with the 6.5 would be doing it wrong.
I knew it would come up.
mtmuley
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
I knew it would come up.
I am surprised it took so long.
Too bad the OP doesn't handload. The 196 HHT would be nasty. mtmuley
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
MTLabrador
Well-known member
If it were me I’d bring whatever I shot the best, whether that’s the 7 mag, the 6.5, or a .243. There’s nothing magic about killing elk, just hit them in the lungs.
Bullshot
Well-known member
Team 35, and I own both calibers.
Mustangs Rule
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2021
- Messages
- 834
Mid-Way USA sells Barnes TTSX 180 grain loaded ammo. I shot that in both my Whelens and it really put the 35 Whelen into a whole new world, especially for longer shots. 350 yards max.
For 7mm. I have had the 7mm mag, the 280 Ackley . 280 and 7x57
Everything drops elk. All the rifles above I have sold, Now I use a 308 or 270 for everything
MTLabrador
Well-known member
I have more than I need, but these are the two I come back to for everything and likely all I will use this fall.
44hunter45
Well-known member
Mine's on the heavy side at 12 pounds. Even without a brake it's a pussycat. It will be my go-to elk gun for the near future.
The Whelen build will be on a lighter contour Kreiger 1 in 11. It will be heading to Paul as soon as my M77 .30-06 pretty-up is finished.
That rifle is getting a tang to 3-POS safety conversion and new Timney trigger.
Mustangs Rule
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2021
- Messages
- 834
About every two years I draw an antler-less elk tag for the tall grass prairie, which is rolling with some deep canyons on the fringe.
WIND JUST RULES!. Some bursts can make it hard to stay standing. Now and then, there are calm moments.
Some years ago, I bought a Kimber hunter in 280AI. It was a tack driver, and just an honest hair under the velocity of a 7mm Mag but also the lightest rifle I ever owned. The rifle itself was 5 5/8's pounds.
The typical position I shoot from in open country is of my own invention. I called it "Double 3 point".
I sit on my heels together and spread my knees, " the first 3" very stable. Then I would open my home-made shooting sticks made of three 5/8" x 48"oak dowels. That was the second "3". Then I used a Whelen sling that creates an isometric tension that really locked everything together tight.
The weak link was the too light rifle. I sold the Kimber and went back to my standard weight 1952 Winchester Model 70 in .270.
That was my plains antelope rig when I lived in Wyoming and doe antelope late season tags were dealt out to residents like a hand of cards.
That rifle has an under-fore end screw to a lug under the barrel that adjusts for barrel harmonics. Add in the Barnes Vortex 130 grain TTSX and that rifle/caliber combo has really taken on a new life.
It wears a simple fixed 6X Weaver scope that I had restored by Iron-Sight from Tulsa Ok. It is like a vintage Hot Rod 57 Chevy.
I had one.
This entire rig affords great stability, enough height to shoot over grass, can take the wind and is wickedly accurate.
I hunted with a 35 Whelen (Ackley) for over 20yrs. My longest shot was 347yds on a Black Wildebeast. Witha +2" zero, I just held on top of his back, 200gr Barnes. The newer 180 and 200TTSX with these newer powders (custom ammo) shoot better than my Ackley. I have killed big critters with .338s, 340 Wby, 338 RUM, 300s, even a .375. The Whelen killed as quick as any of them! Even with plain old 250 Corlokt, using a +2" you would be fine on elk, they are big targets, ha. Go have fun pard!
Last edited:
Hey Mustangs, back in '93 I went on my first guided hunt, a combo antelope/mule deer out of Laramie. The "short grass" prairies. I too had a 280 AI, (150NBT) a reamed out Mod 700 Mountain Rifle. That wind blew me and the rifle around something terrible! Once it was just a breeze on my cheek but 300yds out I missed a antelope buck by several feet! No wind indicators out there either, ha. I killed my buck by wrapping myself up in a drift fence and ambushing him ar 200. It was fine here in the mountains, or the foothills there ( I passed on a MD buck I should have taken!) I eventually just went back to "Sporter Weight" for everything. I just had to admit to myself that "in the field" I don't shoot the LWTS very well. I use shooting sticks from the sit, and a tripod standing if I can, or find a good rest. I do practice alot "at off hand" out to a 100. Fast is smooth, smooth is fast. Take your time in a hurry, lol. My father always said that " A Rifleman always finds/uses a good rest'. 
RealMuddyboots
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2021
- Messages
- 866
Ok, time to jump in. Putting parts together for 35 Whelen AI. Being built similar to my recent 06 build that shoots 181HH@3100.
Serengeti Bore Rider reamer, 700LA for max magazine COAL of 3.67" which gives nice option for increased freebore. Barrel prob light palma contour, 5R, twist not finalized yet. Barrel length 27-28".
Basic copy of recent friend's build that performance is ridiculous and impossible for many to believe.
Old school HS Precision stock with bottom metal to keep max magazine COAL. Optics prob an Arken I have gathering dust. SH4x16x50. It is little heavy but will do nicely.
I plan on starting a build thread step by step for SG's and input. Never too old for good ideas.
Thoughts? Comments?
I think it will turn out like another rocket to add to safe.
.270 Win 1:8tw (Thors Hammer) - 156HH @ 3250.
30-06 - 1:9tw, 181HH@3100
Serengeti Bore Rider reamer, 700LA for max magazine COAL of 3.67" which gives nice option for increased freebore. Barrel prob light palma contour, 5R, twist not finalized yet. Barrel length 27-28".
Basic copy of recent friend's build that performance is ridiculous and impossible for many to believe.
Old school HS Precision stock with bottom metal to keep max magazine COAL. Optics prob an Arken I have gathering dust. SH4x16x50. It is little heavy but will do nicely.
I plan on starting a build thread step by step for SG's and input. Never too old for good ideas.
Thoughts? Comments?
I think it will turn out like another rocket to add to safe.
.270 Win 1:8tw (Thors Hammer) - 156HH @ 3250.
30-06 - 1:9tw, 181HH@3100
Whelen.
In my case, it would be a 9.3x62 with a 250 AB.
I have a 7RM. Fantastic cartridge…if I’m going after cow elk, for sure the 7mm RM is perfect. But I have seen the penetration limitations of the 7mm in Africa personally (my trigger finger)…and based on that the Whelen would get my choice. Or, 9.3…
In my case, it would be a 9.3x62 with a 250 AB.
I have a 7RM. Fantastic cartridge…if I’m going after cow elk, for sure the 7mm RM is perfect. But I have seen the penetration limitations of the 7mm in Africa personally (my trigger finger)…and based on that the Whelen would get my choice. Or, 9.3…
BAKPAKR
Well-known member
What bullet were you using in the 7mm RM had penetration limitations? In my youth, I shot a couple of elk with 175 gr Speer Mag-Tips. Those bullets penetrated (no bullets recovered despite various shot angles). For a reason I don’t now recall, I switched to 150 gr Partitions and they didn’t penetrate as well (recovered a couple, including one from a whitetail).
