(This is another “fill-in” until I’m ready to complete Part 2 of “Why I (still) Promote The .458 Winchester Magnum”)
My practice since early teenhood has been to carefully consider any theme or topic that has become important to me before putting pen to paper or words to practice. I was baptized by immersion in a part of the Atlantic Ocean at age nine by my own choice – not my parents. I was the youngest of about ten others who were all in their mid to late teens. Any and all who wanted to identify with the local Baptist Church and its mission must become members through water baptism if they’d not previously been baptized. That was by immersion in salt water by the pastor behind the local fishermen’s dock. I well remember the occasion. A good part of the community was in attendance. Though I appeared young for such a commitment, it was my expressed desire to the pastor, deacons and family. And that followed adequate study and thinking the matter over – including any negative remarks and potential teasing I might get from my friends and even some adults in the community. But my real motive was less in becoming a member of the local church than in identifying with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, and in publically confessing my faith in him.
A 2017 view of where that took place.
That’s a brief but important revelation of who I am, and have been, throughout the past eighty years. I don’t make flippant choices, though often constrained by circumstances my decisions are definite and firm.
A .300 Winchester Magnum was my fifth choice in a number of big game rifles, and I was a handloader by then. Over time, I’ve owned several- not at the same time – second only in numbers to a .45-70 over a lifetime of big game hunting. I don’t recall ever purchasing factory .300 Win Mag ammo or shooting so much as a single round of factory fodder through any of them. I’ve considered a .300 Win Mag near the top as an all-around hunting cartridge of big game in North America – including the “big bears”.
The .35 Whelen was the eighth in sequence of distinct BG rifles chosen – preceeded by: a 7 x 57, .30-06, 7 Rem Mag, 7.62 x 54R, .300 Win Mag, . 338 Win Mag, .45-70 and then a .35 Whelen. All were handloaded except the 7 x 57. My first .35 Whelen came shortly after Remington had it legitimized at SAAMI in ’87 or ’88. It was a Rem 7400 (semi) which is rarely mentioned by those “in the know” as being produced shortly after the 700 (bolt) and 7600 (pump) appeared. I wanted the 7400 (semi) and was not disappointed!
As previously mentioned a couple of times, at least, it was sold at a time when ready cash was needed. And I greatly missed it, along with a .300 Win Mag (semi-custom) that was included in the “package”. But the Whelen more so as I had other bolt guns.
Today, I’ve my 3rd .35 Whelen (the 2nd was a single-shot NEF that had a headspace problem) that I’ve devoted a lot of space to in recent blogs since 2022. And I’ve come to the conclusion that it easily fills the role of a .300 Winchester Magnum, plus! Overall, it is more practical. . . . and I’ll explain why.
BRIEF HISTORY of each: The .35 Whelen is the oldest dating to ~1922 when the .30-06 cartridge case was opened up at the neck and mouth to take .358-caliber bullets. No other changes, done by colleagues James Howe and Col. Townsend Whelen at the Frankford Arsenal. The rest, as they say, is history – and a very impressive one. It’s purpose was more definitive results on large and dangerous game such as one might encounter in Alaska – moose and the “big bears”.
It was an “insider’s cartridge”, though it’s popularity has grown immensely since Remington had it SAAMI’ed, and especially in recent years, though a lot of shooters/hunters have still been slow to catch on to one of the most practical, efficient and powerful rifle cartridges extant for the North American market.
As I recently stated, I’m not sure where I came across reading material on it, but I was convinced it was like a hidden treasure. And when Remington announced in 1987 their intent to make it legit and run a production line of their M700, pump and semis, I decided right then that I must have one – especially in an M7400.
Why a semi ?
There’s a history to that which covers several years: I lost the biggest buck I’d ever shot (to this date) to a bolt gun – my M70, .30-06. In fact, it would be No.2 in size that I’ve ever seen. ‘T’was in Nova Scotia on private property – a former farm – owned and operated by a Christian organization as a camp/conference center of 400 acres. Outside of Halifax – where we lived and I was a pastor – about a 3/4 hour drive in the country, it sustained a herd of deer including several nice bucks. And one of the bucks was considered a monster of at least 400 lbs. On my first hunt there, by invitation, I shot a good 8-point that came out of the woods onto the main trail about sixty yards from me, scenting fresh tracks in the newly fallen snow. As I stood from behind a dead fall that served as a blind, it saw me and started to swing away, heading back into the woods. The 165gr Sierra BT from my M70 Winchester in .30-06 caught it a bit far back in the ribs but passed through stomach and intestines hitting the offside hind leg. The deer went down on that hip, bounced back up and slowly hobbled into the forest, where I found it as though going to sleep. I gave it a finisher 20 yds from the trail. It was a nice plump buck that had been feeding on lush plants in the local garden.
The following year found me in the exact same location, and on day one the “monster buck” showed up at the top of the hill 150 – 160 yards away looking in my direction as I had just broken out my lunch and poured a cup of coffee from my Thermos. Slowly, I put them aside, got into a prone position, took careful aim with the buck watching, squeezed the trigger sending another 165gr BT on its way from a handload (like the previous year) that, according to “the book” should have left the muzzle of the 22″ barrel about 2750 fps. This time it was a Nosler 165gr SB. I heard the wack of the bullet that should have hit just inside the right shoulder as the deer was slightly quartering toward me. The overgrown buck with a set of antlers to match, swung toward the woods and with one bound was gone. Like the previous year I expected to find it at about 20 yards from the woods road. I took my time walking to the site of bullet impact. What I found was a patch of blood about 8 – 10 inches across and bone fragments. Not good. . . I’d hit the shoulder of the huge buck and the bullet fragmented on impact. I entered the woods with no sign of the deer and no blood. But hoof prints and leaves churned up in his escape took him flying over dead falls and piles of brush like they weren’t there. Then a few pinpricks of blood that led to the swamp (I knew was there) and he went across to the other side of the swamp onto another property that was off-limits to me. Then a barrage of gunfire, and I knew neighbors had finished the buck I’d wounded.
I litterally lost sleep over that! And decided a right-handed bolt action was too slow for me in throwing a second shot from the wrong side of the rifle. I did get off a second shot as his hind quarters were disappearing into the trees. In a few days I was at a local shop looking for a semi equal to a .30-06 in ballistics. All the shop manager had was a beautiful BAR in 7 Rem Mag with a 3 – 9 x40mm Leupold. It was behind glass being a special order from a client that never came to pick it up. He gave me what it cost for the .30-06 in Toronto, plus I paid the difference. By then I’d been a handloader for a few years and needed dies, brass and bullets. Then to the range. But there was a problem: The chamber had a tight throat which it turned out was a problem in all the BARs in 7 Rem Mag – so much so that an in-depth article appeared in RIFLE magazine about that issue. I purchased the magazine and read the piece by an author unknown to me at the time. In firing the rifle the cartridge case was ejected per normal, but would burn your fingers when you picked it up! Then, in reloading, it was evident the neck had never expanded. It was as though it had already been resized. Sadly, I returned the rifle and the manager lamented that he couldn’t replace it with another BAR as it would take over a year, at least. So I settled for a new .300 Win Mag in a M70 Winchester with the best scope he had – a Bushnell 3-9 x 40 (don’t recall its exact class).
That’s a long story to set up why a Rem 7400 (semi) in .35 Whelen was purchased sometime after we returned to Ontario. I’ve never regretted that purchase. The talk of “jams” was a myth in my experience, and I used “normal” dies for all handloads, some of which were probably “over the top” in PSI but never a failure to chamber or eject, or otherwise work as might be expected even from a M700 Rem in .35 Whelen.
And today, as already told, I have my second working .35 Whelen that’s in complete contrast to the notion of needing a fast 2nd or 3rd shot to “save the day”. Instead, I’ve concentrated on that first shot finishing the job! Hence, larger and heavier bullets with plenty of energy, momentum and destructive power. So, also, bullet construction has become a major issue for me, no matter the game, hence a lot of bullet testing in tough media, including researching honest results from others with a trustworthy track record.
And, of course, with today’s new bullets and powders, like most cartridges for medium to heavy game, the .35 Whelen has improved ballistics that will comfortably compete with a .338 Win Mag or the honorable .375 H&H itself. If it were legal, with the right bullet it’s capable to take down Cape Buff and even elephant with solids.
Let the games begin!
In this particular contest, it’s competition is with another of my all-time favorites: the famed .300 Winchester Magnum! We’ll give her the best all-around shot, which is what I’d keep loaded for any scenario.
< Second from left, my last .300 Win Mag – a Savage that was very accurate.
< A 200gr AccuBond in .308″ on the right of the 286gr Partition 9.3. (.366″)
SD = .301
BC = .588 (AccuBond)
Load = 73 grs RL-22 (or equivalent), Win brass and WLRM primers.
COL = 3.34″
MV = 3000 fps/3996 ft-lbs/ -1.75″/ 78 TE
100 = 2845 fps/3594 ft-lbs/ +2.24″/ 72 TE
200 = 2695 fps/3226 ft-lbs/ +1.93″/ 66 TE
300 = 2551 fps/2889 ft-lbs/ -3.18″/ 60 TE
400 = 2411 fps/2581 ft-lbs/ -13.6″/ 55 TE
500 = 2275 fps/2298 ft-lbs/ -30.1″/ 50 TE
Overall length = 44″
Overall weight = 8.5 lbs
Recoil = 36 ft-lbs (200gr AB over 73 grs powder)
##################################
.35 Whelen<Last fall (2023) sitting, watching a bear bait.
225gr AccuBond
SD = .251
BC = .460 (Nosler 9 gives .430 BC. Previously it was .421 and .430 for the 225 Partition. They got some flack over that, so switched the numbers around. And some claim a much higher BC in their experience. I can’t say from experience, but a .430 BC appears illogical as it’s much longer and aerodynamic than the shorter 225 Partition. Nosler claimed that due to its length, it didn’t stabilize as quickly as the shorter Partition, so buyers (self included) wanted the Partition over the AB, so they pulled out their political manual that said they needed to make the AB look better than the Partition in BC. Because of their “politics”, and in faster rate-of – twist barrels, I chose to give it a modest improvement in BC, whereas some claim it should be greater than even .460.)
MV = 2850 fps/4057 ft-lbs/ -1.75″/ 86 TE
100 = 2659 fps/3533 ft-lbs/ +2.74″/ 77 TE
200 = 2477 fps/3065 ft_lbs/ +2.30″/ 69 TE
300 = 2301 fps/2645 ft-lbs/ -3.83″/ 61 TE
400 = 2133 fps/2273 ft-lbs/ -16.53″/ 53 TE
500 = 1972 fps/1943 ft-lbs/ – 36.89″/ 46 TE
Overall length = 39″
Overall Weight = 8 lbs ready with sling, scope and 4 cartridges (3 in holder on stock). Empty = 7.75 lbs.
Recoil = 31 ft-lbs (Load: 69 grs of CFE 223)
######################
300gr Barnes Original
SD = .334
BC = .371
MV = 2450 fps/3998/ -1.75″/ 120 TE
50 = 2341 fps/3649 ft-lbs/ 0.48″/ 112 TE
100 = 2235 fps/3325 ft-lbs/ +1.12″/ 104 TE
150 = 2131 fps/3025 ft-lbs/ 0.00″/ 97 TE
200 = 2030 fps/2745 ft-lbs/ -3.00″/ 90 TE
250 = 1932 fps/2487 ft-lbs/ -8.14″/ 84 TE
##############.
Terminal Effect (TE) assumes:
- bullets are of equal construction and of premium qualities that guarantee adequate expansion, penetration and weight retention.
- bullet impacts vitals in heart-lung area.
- a bullet’s impact effect can generally be qualified based on a particular synthesis of energy, momentum, sectional density and caliber.
Some general concepts and observations:
First: A general consensus of those with adequate familiarity with each cartridge is that the .35 Whelen has an edge at closer ranges, say to 300 – 350 yds, while the .300 Win Mag has an advantage at long range, say 400 to 600 yds, and the above numbers would also support that view.
Secondly: Up to about 250 yds on large and dangerous game, there is mega reason to choose the .35 Whelen over the .300 Win. The 300gr Barnes outclasses (or a 310gr Woodleigh PP) anything the .300 Win could dish out. . . unless someone is sold on KE numbers alone.
The 300gr Barnes: I have more than 1/2 box left (and gave another to a friend) – they’ll not be shot friviously at a range through paper. It has a 0.049″ jacket, a RN, and a .334 SD – basically the same as a 500gr/.458-cal. It’s also 1.354″ in length. An excellent report on it’s use for large N.A. game is included at: http://www.35cal.com – some excellent bullet testing results documentation.
Thirdly: The .35 Whelen is shorter and lighter overall, meaning it’s handier. Mine is only 39″ including a brake, and only weighs 7.75 lbs with a 3 – 9 x 40mm Vortex, 1″ nylon sling, and a buttstock cartridge holder. 4 cartridges add 1/4 lb making it 8 lbs ready for action. It’s my scouting and “Walk-About” rifle. In woods walking, I load the 300 Barnes. In more open areas, it’s the 225 AB. Both are included in the cartridge holder. But I’d only load the 300 Barns to 2450 fps if I was on a mission for Brown Bear or Dugga Boy! Otherwise, it’s loaded to 2350 fps as it hits in the same group as the 225 AB at 100 yds.
Fourth: The .300 Win Mag is the better choice for long range moose or elk at 400 to 600 yds, using the 200gr Partition or AccuBond (which is the better of those two due to a much better BC of .588 vs .481).
Fifth: Obviously, I’ve liked my .300s,and they have great accuracy. But only once was it loaded for long range on a moose hunt to the Far North of Ontario, as a back-up to my .458. The .458 was good to 400 yds, beyond that bullet expansion was in doubt unless a big bone was hit. The terrain was mixed with clear-cuts, thick timber, small and large lakes, ridges, ravines, marshes and bogs. I’ve concluded that I don’t need rifles for taking large game beyond about 400 yards, and a well fed .35 Whelen can do whatever any reasonable medium can do at that range. . . Including: .338 Win Mags, 9.3 x 62s and .375 H&Hs. Those three are good to 500 yards on a mature bull moose, and a little farther on elk, same as the .35 Whelen can be stretched to 500, but that’s borderline at best. And a 250gr in the Whelen has some reach but no better than the 225 AB which starts 150 fps quicker.
Sixth observation: The Whelen lends itself more naturally to woods’ hunting, and smaller game using pistol bullets, than a “big” .300 does. I once shot a phesant on a wood’s trail using my M7400 in .35 Whelen. Probably wouldn’t have done that if toting a .300 Win.
All in all, I don’t miss not having another .300 Winchester Magnum.
A perfect seventh fact: The Whelen is just getting started where the Three-Hundred has peaked! If we give ’em the same psi and equal-length barrels, the .35 W gets an easy 3100 fps from a 180 and 3000 fps from a 200, 2900 fps from a 225, 2700 fps from a 250, 2600 fps from a 275 and 2450 fps from a 300gr.
That seems-to-me to be something to think about and get excited over! Little wonder then that I have no nostalgic feelings in favour of the .300 Winchester Magnum, though it’s a great creation.
Score: out of 100%
.300 Winchester Magnum = 90%
.35 Whelen = 110%
That’s not a calculation, but from my senses. The .300 Win is almost perfect for a one rifle hunter, whereas the .35 Whelen is a do-it-all for the average big-game hunter who will step outside the box just a little for not only domestic but exotic ventures.
It’s efficient, it’s different and it’s powerful!
Till the next . . .
Shalom
BOB MITCHELL
- A message of comfort and assurance from the LORD to anyone troubled by world events or personal crisis. This was given through the Prophet ISAIAH to Israel when they were under attack by the powerful ASSYRIAN nation in the eighth century BC. But you and I can make it personal as God has not changed over the intervening years:
“O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case?
“Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth?
“He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.
“Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up.
“But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on eagles wings. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (ISAIAH ch. 40: 27 -31) NLB.