Help me pick a new .35 Rifle

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Coolhand_Luke

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I have lately got myself a real hankering to get something in .35 caliber. Seems people that use them really like them and they offer alot of versatility in what you can do with handloading (I do handload). I am trying to decide between either a marlin in 35 remington or a BLR in 358 win. Since I shoot lefthanded I will get a levergun since ive never seen a 35 cal lefthanded bolt around anywhere and I am not really interested in going the custom route.

1. Marlin 336, positive points for easier to find i think, and a little lower price for new, plus i have always really liked the look and feel of them and wanted one. I think the 35 remington, although no long range wonder, could do what i needed it to do.

2. BLR 358 I have never handled a BLR they seem pretty nice and are reasonably easy to find. They are a little more expensive but the 358 winchester would offer alot more versatility in what bullets and weights i can load for it. But this might all be academic if BLR's in 358 are impossible to find.

So far it is a tossup for me, I can't really decide either way they would both be nice carry guns for deer/bear and the odd moose and able to shoot really cheap plinking loads with 158gr pistol bullets. So what do you guys think? Any good reasons to choose one over the other?

Luke
 
I'd also lean towards the 358. If you want to try something, I've heard of people reworking 35 Remington Marlin 336's into 358 Winchesters. Apparently it's doable, but I haven't tried it. I think I saw it on a website called marlinowners.com or something like that.
 
Never mind the levers..... ;) :D Go here:

http://www.frontiertaxidermy.com/html/used.html

Remington 700 Classic 35 Whelen Pilliar Bedded 3.5 Pound trigger, w/ Leupold Base and Quick detach Rings.

232.JPG


From a CGN site sponsor..... Nice bolt rifle in a .35 cal that can handle a nice variety of loads/bullet weights. No need for any other .35 cals after that..... :cool:
 
NAA said:
Never mind the levers..... ;) :D Go here:

http://www.frontiertaxidermy.com/html/used.html

Remington 700 Classic 35 Whelen Pilliar Bedded 3.5 Pound trigger, w/ Leupold Base and Quick detach Rings.

232.JPG


From a CGN site sponsor..... Nice bolt rifle in a .35 cal that can handle a nice variety of loads/bullet weights. No need for any other .35 cals after that..... :cool:
Click to expand...


Coolhand Luke is left-handed, but someone should buy it.
 
I would go with the BLR in 358 Win as well out of the two you mentioned, though I do have a Rem 700 in 35 Whelen AI, which is my right handed choice.
 
Hmmm, doesnt seem to be too many 35 rem fans around. Well after some more research on the 358 win, I think that will be the way to go. Alot more load versatility then 35 reminton. As to the people suggesting the 35 whelen, I considered that as well, but for what I need this gun for I dont think I will need the extra power over the 358... If I wanted a real bear stomper or somesuch I would probably move right on up to a 375 and that is an entirely different project :D...

So back to the main question, does anyone in the Alberta area know where there is a BLR/358 to be found? Does wholesale sports or anyone actually stock them (i did check their website) or are they a special order propostion?


Also, for people with experience with BLR's, is there a substantial enough difference between the new ones and the old steel ones to hold out till I find one of those?

Thanks
Luke
 
In my humble opinion, the 35 Whelen is the most underated caliber around. Ammo is a bit more expensive but if you handload, no problem (you can use 30-06 brass).

I had a beautiful BLR in 358 with stainless steel/laminate stock and sold it and replaced with a Remington 700 BDL in 35 Whelen with blue barrel and synthetic stock

I can guarantee you that when you hit a deer with this caliber, it won't go far and you don't have to worry about a few branches in between I hunt deer in heavy bush at distances up to 50 yds and my 35 Whelen is the ideal gun. I'm amazed how little meat damage it creates (using 250 gr bullets)

For longer distances when hunting moose (up to 400 yds) I use a Tikka T3 Lite s/s and synthetic in 300 Win Mag (180 gr) - very accurate rifle and very light to carry. I do have the 375 H&H and a 338 Win Mag but this not needed in this part of the country (Ontario/Quebec). Out West hunting the big bears might be different.

And, don't forget that Tikka has available a wide range of models and calibers in left hand bolt actions. I would check with Epps and Shooters Choice in Ontario for availability. Unfortunately, Tikka does not make the 35 Whelen nor the 358 but they do have the 338 Federal (necked up 308)-excellent deer/elk caliber.

Duke1
 
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