35 Whelen, alternative

[blargon]

I'm told the 35 whelen[and clones] is more efficient than the 338 and has less recoil.My friend just picked up a ruger allweather in 338 -and said it just isn;t pleasant to shoot-and he's a very experianced rifleman.

Don't confuse your friend's .338 WIN MAG with the .338 FEDERAL. The only thing in common are the bullets. The Federal is a short action cartridge based on the .308 Win case, not near the recoil of the .338 WM and still lots of hitting power.

The only downfall right now is there are practically no used rifles on the market, so you's have to buy new, and only Tikka and Sako chamber it, which are definetly out of the $300 range.

 

[A-zone]

The .35 Whelen (250 grain in a Remington Classic) is a little stiffer in recoil than a 30-06 with 180's, but a fair bit less than a .338 Win Mag (I'd say it feels about 20 or 25% less than the .338WM in net recoil, plus it's less "sharp").

Don't let anyone kid you about it being a short range cartridge. The .35 is certainly capable of killing game way past 300 yards, you just need to know the trajectory of the particular load you are using (and be capable of shooting at longer distances). If you know the range and your hold-overs, you can certainly hit stuff way out there.

It does have a somewhat more pronounced trajectory than the .338 but, if you know your range, there's no reason why you can't hit a target at further distances with the Whelen (that's just not its forte).

The fact is that most people kill their game inside 250 yards. That being the case, the .35 Whelen (or the .358 or the .338 Federal or the .338-06) are all excellent big game cartridges for those people who prefer to hunt with a heavier bullet.

I enjoy hunting with my Whelen (with 250's), although I also use a .338 Win Mag and have used a .358 Win (all zero'd about an inch high at 200 yards). If you stick to shots inside 250 yards you can forget about trajectory with all of those cartridges.

I'm told the 35 whelen[and clones] is more efficient than the 338 and has less recoil.My friend just picked up a ruger allweather in 338 -and said it just isn;t pleasant to shoot-and he's a very experianced rifleman.I understand the 35's areconsidered to be ''sub 250 yard'' hunting rifles-but for all practical intents and purposes-thats where 95 % of any shots on game I have fired have been.For a hunting rifle-stainless and a composite stock seem to be the most practical choice

 

[Noel]

The 9,3's are all a reloaders proposition IMO. I got my x57 from Anthony last fall and loved it. If you do go with Anthony's gun, put out a bit more coin with him and get the 98 action and one with a sound stock. BEFORE firing it get the action bedded.
There is getting to be a better supply of bullets for the reloader. Aside from finding loaded ammo at gun shows I don't know where to tell you to look, I have yet to see it. I've only seen brass available.

The Husky 146's are a delight to carry, lighter than the Remmy's that i have carried (keep in mind not many) and the recoil is very easy to manage. I carried mine for ten days straight to get this bull. One 270gr Speer tore the rug right out from under him, never took one step!

I've shot one other bull with a 338-06 and it worked just fine too.

If you don't reload I would have to say you would be better off with the Whelen chambering. Having said that, what better opportunity for you to start reloading!

The 9,3x57 and Moose go together as well as manure and stink!

 

[Demonical]

Man that is a nice frickin' bull...

 

[Duffy]

Nice moose pics. Thanks for getting me all excited, I don't think I will draw a tag this year.

When we get into these types of disgussions, I don't know why we bother bringing up which cartridge or rifle is the most effective for moose.

There are probably at least a dozen cartridges that are good moose killers and each comes in a dozen different rifle makes, modles and actions.

The main reason we like a particular "moose gun/cartridge" is because "we LIKE IT". Like women buying shoes. They arn't looking for something to help them walk better in. The want something "they like".

I have a .35 whelen in a Rem. 7600 pump, with a 2 to 7 scope. I have shot a couple deer with it but not a moose as yet. The last moose I shot was with a Sav. 99 in .300 sav. and 165 gr. speer grand slam handloads. The one before that fell to a factory win. 140 gr. from my .264 win. mag.

There was rumors and talk of an inexpensive double rifle Rem. was importing and putting their name to. One chambering was supposed to be 45/70 and I could just picture myself calling moose in some deep, dark, damp, black spruce jungle with that double in my mitts. Now I hear they will not be selling one in the big .45.

Robin in Rocky

 

[Noel]

Nice moose pics. Thanks for getting me all excited, I don't think I will draw a tag this year.

When we get into these types of disgussions, I don't know why we bother bringing up which cartridge or rifle is the most effective for moose.

There are probably at least a dozen cartridges that are good moose killers and each comes in a dozen different rifle makes, modles and actions.

The main reason we like a particular "moose gun/cartridge" is because "we LIKE IT". Like women buying shoes. They arn't looking for something to help them walk better in. The want something "they like".

Robin in Rocky

You've nailed it Duffy.
You can talk till you're blue in the face, at the end of the day it is still what YOU want to use. I love the European flair the old Husky has and it was really fun to carry. Some of Anthony's guns have the recievers tapped for scopes too, but the mount will be quite high to clear the bolt handle unless it to has been modified:

Nothing against the 35 Whelen it would be a great option too.

But make mine a 9,3!

 

[A-zone]

Noel: What's the rationale behind bedding the rifle before firing it?

I have a recent acquisition in a Husqvarna 9.3x62, (in a '98 action) but I haven't got around to shooting it yet.

Is there something I should be aware of?

 

[ratherbefishin]

He's got a Husqvarna 9.3x57 sporting model with weaver bases for $325.The but stock has been shortened-but that might work out with a recoil pad .Any opinions on this one?

 

[todbartell]

Noel: What's the rationale behind bedding the rifle before firing it?

probably to relieve any stress so the stock doesnt split/crack

 

[Noel]

probably to relieve any stress so the stock doesnt split/crack

Bingo!

I am by no means a pro in the gun world so you need not take it as gospel.
I have had only had perhaps a dozen Mauser rifles so far. It seems most of them have stocks which have "shrunk" from whatever reason ( poorly seasoned wood etc..). This leaves the recoil lug unsupported. the action will try to bed on the tang and the rear action bolt and you might have a sad suprise on your hands next time out shooting.

My 9,3's stock was almost mint when I took it out for the Moose trip. I had NOT bedded it, and the shot that killed my Bullwinkle also killed the tang.

Anthony is a great guy to deal with, and I endorse his products whenever I can. I also love Mauser rifles and try to caution folks every chance I get.

Guntech bedded my Brno for a VERY fair price and had it back to me in a very short time frame. I also highly reccomend him if you don't feel up to the task of bedding an action. Dennis also puts in hidden cross pins which should keep your stock stable almost indefinetely.

 

[Noel]

He's got a Husqvarna 9.3x57 sporting model with weaver bases for $325.The but stock has been shortened-but that might work out with a recoil pad .Any opinions on this one?

It all depends on you. Anthony could measure the LOP on an uncut stock compared to the one you speak of. A pad isn't needed unless you are recoil shy. The recoil is really not bad but if the LOP is too short it will may make it a handfull.

Many of Anthony's rifles are "stigas" made with a 96 Mauser too...

 

[ratherbefishin]

just to complicate the decision-I now find 9.3x62 ammuniton by Selliers & Bellot is available at a reasonable price-while 9.3x57 isn't and may be harder to find

 

[josquin]

It may be more effective, but not much more....

Hmmm... from an article in African Hunter magazine:
(african-hunter.com/the_9_3_x_62_mauser.htm)

...Contrary to popular belief that .375 H&H is the minimum calibre for Class A game in Zimbabwe (Elephant, Buffa1o and Hippo) a the 9,3x62 is perfectly legal without having to over-load it, and the current RWS 293 grain TUG load safely meets the minimum energy requirements....

Mind you, the author quotes "286 grain bullets at 235O fps", which doesn't sound all that much more potent than the .35 Whelen. I've heard of the 9.3x62 being used on Cape Buff but not on elephant or hippo

Stuart

 

[ratherbefishin]

it could be something like the 30/30-the big softnose bullet travelling at a modest velocity is more effective than the ballistics might lead one to believe.Maybe something to do with energy transfer or something- ''smack down power''

 

[Noel]

just to complicate the decision-I now find 9.3x62 ammuniton by Selliers & Bellot is available at a reasonable price-while 9.3x57 isn't and may be harder to find

Yeah, like I mentioned before, the cost of buying the 9,3 loaded ammo is inhibitive for me anyway.
The 9,3x57 brass can be easily made from 8x57 which is quite common.

The x62 case is listed as having a bigger head dia. than 30-06 brass. It is only slight but enough to cause a premature head separation with top loads.
This is third party info so take it with a grain of salt. Others will hopefully chime in to support or contest the statement.

The cost of getting brass for either 9,3 will add up if you don't reload it. Both are underloaded IMO just as Josquin mentioned.

Do you have access to someone else's reloading setup?

It might be I was unlucky with the S&B brass I used, but I had 3 case head separations in one box of ammo and will not buy there schtuff again! That was leaving half the box for the supplier to have back too.

I'd recommend getting some Norma brass if you can. That is of course if you can rationalize going to the 9,3. I know you wouldn't regret it IF you were up for reloading. $70 for Norma loaded ammo isn't a good deal IMO.

Perhaps you need to swing by Cochrane and we will load you up with a lifetime supply of ammo! LOL

 

[ratherbefishin]

well, it looks like there is a reason the 9.3x57 is more common than the 9.3x62-the cost and availabilty of factory ammunition.The 286 gr 9.3x62 bullet looks like it would certainly do a number on any moose it ran into though

 

[Noel]

well, it looks like there is a reason the 9.3x57 is more common than the 9.3x62-the cost and availabilty of factory ammunition.The 286 gr 9.3x62 bullet looks like it would certainly do a number on any moose it ran into though

It sure is impressive to hear that fat bullet smack into a bull!
The 286gr is a good load but hardly needed for moose. The 250gr Nosler has come out with just this year is more than enough.

The 250gr Accubond penetrated 15" of green pine at 30yards, same as the 270gr Speer and held up well considering. The Speer also held together very well which suprised me.

The factory 232gr Oryx load did not hold up as much as the first two.

Of course there is always the 320gr TUG to play with too.