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.

 

[17remhunter]

35 Whelen, as it is the much more obscure, esoteric, cool cartridge.

I like your style I agree Completely those old classics are the BEST. .358 Winchester. 300 Savage. 6.5 Remington Magnum. 250 Savage. 303 British. 300 H H Magnum. 444 Marlin. 222 Remington Magnum. Find me a rifle chambered for the .25 Remington!!

 

[17remhunter]

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

hrhunter. Your right on!!!

 

[RealMuddyboots]

The 35AI Whelen is my next build in progress. Have several friends with them and holy cow! Just crazy performance. I just built an 06 off Serengeti Bore Rider that is nuts and the 35AI will built similarly. I am partial to 27" light palma contours so this will be the barrel. Twist and freebore to max heavier higher BC bullets such as monos. The increased met-plat of the .35 caliber lends a distinct advantage at "normal" hunting out to 500yds. Hopefully done by June26.

 

[MS 9x56]

I like your style I agree Completely those old classics are the BEST. .358 Winchester. 300 Savage. 6.5 Remington Magnum. 250 Savage. 303 British. 300 H H Magnum. 444 Marlin. 222 Remington Magnum. Find me a rifle chambered for the .25 Remington!!

You will need to buy used and go back a couple generations. I still see Remington model 14’s once in a while in 25 remington.