my .35 Whelen dilemma

WhelanLad

WhelanLad

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riiight.
bit of a thinking out loud and chasing some opinions , keen to hear your thoughts here.

Got the .35 Whelen an had it since 2010- a Ruger m77 mkii Hawkeye model, blued wood version--


Definatly a fan of the Whelen for its history and performance on the bigger Sambar deer with ease in most instances.
Need to let go of a rifle persay an free up the safe, plus some Cash in the pocket for vehicle suspension and engine work thats a must do (injectors etc)


Got the Abolt 30-06 all customised and without a Magazine ($200 to replace) but shoot a 180gr for 300m max hunting with 2-7x28 scope - sweet as, shortish and light enough for day hunting an even back pack hunting- (have the kimber 84m for back packing).

Dislike the Ruger for its Weight- it feels like a Lump- i blame kimber rifle co for this however its a 'issue', i struggle with it on long days and regret taking it back packing when im in 35 fantasy mode--

Im stumped on Selling this Ruger 35 as its kind of carrying a bit of sentimental value, although it is just a standard run of the mill gun..
I want a 35 whelen ,as have all the gear for it- So im wondering about do i sell it, swallow the pride, take the loss for some cash gain, seeing as i have several guns capable..

do i replace it with a second hand often cheap A bolt 30-06 (proberly RH) and have it rebarrelled to a .35 Whelen at some point down the track when funds allow- assuming about $800aud for a new barrel fitted... an a rifle often nabbed for $600-- my LH was $600.

do i even bother replacing it in any near future seeing as im not hunting alot but enough an often enough a 180gr .30-06 is everything i need-- alot of 178 eldx, 180gr sst and interlocks to load for many years of shooting and hunting--
do i dabbled into 200gr if ever a need to want more oomph under 200meters bush hunting? not a great difference between the 180 an 200gr... not alot between a 3006 an 35 200gr.... same same!?

Whats the ruger got thats so valuable? nothing really? you just know what its like having a gun from brand new, one you always read about an wanted, turned 18 an got it.... lol

edit to add- the idea of another Abolt in long action / 3006 is to utilise the magazine in both rifles??? should not need altering at all for a 35 whelen case to have 3 in it atleast** use in the 3006 LH but utilise in the "35 whelen" version?

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Being that you’re a Lefty I’d sell the Ruger, buy a couple of magazines for your A-Bolt and just step up to 200gr bullets when you feel the need or skip the ELD-X/SST for the big stuff and use bonded or mono 180s .
 
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i would keep it, rework the stock to make it slimmer, lighter and maybe even consider trimming the barrel down to 20” that would surly make it more handy!!
 
Sell the m77 and extras to free up the cash and find a mag box and run with the a-bolt 30-06 and your kimber. Sounds like the 30-06 will do everything you need
 
It pains me to write this but.... As someone who has a long history with the .35 Whelen and likes it a lot, I think that if you're using 200 gr. bullets in yours you may as well just use the .30-06 instead. The Whelen shines brightest with 225-250 gr. bullets. If you see no need for those heavier weights for your local hunting, the .30-06 will do just as well in my experience.
 
Shoot the 220 RN's in the .30/06 if you need to ditch the Whelen.

P.S - I loaded up a bunch of the 220's for a group of bear hunters that came up last spring and they all whacked good bears... the bullet performed perfectly.
 
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WheleanLad, just sell it and all the kit that goes with it, which won't come in handy for another rifle/cartridge combo you have.

I loved the couple of 35 Whelan rifles I've owned and they are hammers on Elk size game, but so is the 30-06 with 200 grain bullets.

I didn't really miss the first one, a custom job I made up on a Rem 700, the second rifle came in a trade and after a couple of seasons, off it went and I won't be getting another to replace it.

Sentimental value? That might be a reason to keep one, but today, with so many good bullets and powder combos out there, and if you're using "NEED" as an argument, the "need" part gets pretty thin.

I've gone from 338 Win Mag on down the spectrum of cartridge rifle combos over the last 65 years and now, I pretty much limit my hunting arsenal of centerfire cartridges to 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 225 Win, 6.5x55, 7x57, 270 Win, 280rem, 308win, 30-06, 8x57 and 338-06 (Only because I custom built it on a lovely Ruger No1, with magnificent wood and it shoots like a lazer)

Other than the 22 calibers, I could easily whittle all of the centerfire rifles down to one or two and none of the game would know the difference in their final moments.

So many cartridges now overlap their capabilities one really has to think long and hard about holding onto many in the safe.

If funds were tight, and they have been in the past for most of us, then cut the tie, sell the Ruger/35Whelan, get the repairs done and move on.

The Ruger won't make any difference to your lifestyle at this point in the game, but selling it will allow you to pursue what you like to do.

Sell the Ruger.
 
Longwalker said:
It pains me to write this but.... As someone who has a long history with the .35 Whelen and likes it a lot, I think that if you're using 200 gr. bullets in yours you may as well just use the .30-06 instead. The Whelen shines brightest with 225-250 gr. bullets. If you see no need for those heavier weights for your local hunting, the .30-06 will do just as well in my experience.
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No, i use 250grains.


dan belisle said:
Can you simply lighten up the Ruger? And yes, the A bolt mags for the 30-06 and the 35 Whelen will be the same. - dan
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I just dont see Rugers being able to slim up due to that Bolt. its mostly all in the bolt.

DGY said:
i would keep it, rework the stock to make it slimmer, lighter and maybe even consider trimming the barrel down to 20” that would surly make it more handy!!
Click to expand...

i dont think this is an option here in Aus- the stock is slim (hawkeye) an i wouldnt go shortening it from 22 to 20- last one cost $300 to do 2 inch lop etc... would be better off investing in a single Abolt magazine!?

boxhitch said:
this whelan dilemma seems chronic
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well, it isssssssss. thank you ..... LOL
 
bearhunter said:
WheleanLad, just sell it and all the kit that goes with it, which won't come in handy for another rifle/cartridge combo you have.

I loved the couple of 35 Whelan rifles I've owned and they are hammers on Elk size game, but so is the 30-06 with 200 grain bullets.

I didn't really miss the first one, a custom job I made up on a Rem 700, the second rifle came in a trade and after a couple of seasons, off it went and I won't be getting another to replace it.

Sentimental value? That might be a reason to keep one, but today, with so many good bullets and powder combos out there, and if you're using "NEED" as an argument, the "need" part gets pretty thin.

I've gone from 338 Win Mag on down the spectrum of cartridge rifle combos over the last 65 years and now, I pretty much limit my hunting arsenal of centerfire cartridges to 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 225 Win, 6.5x55, 7x57, 270 Win, 280rem, 308win, 30-06, 8x57 and 338-06 (Only because I custom built it on a lovely Ruger No1, with magnificent wood and it shoots like a lazer)

Other than the 22 calibers, I could easily whittle all of the centerfire rifles down to one or two and none of the game would know the difference in their final moments.

So many cartridges now overlap their capabilities one really has to think long and hard about holding onto many in the safe.

If funds were tight, and they have been in the past for most of us, then cut the tie, sell the Ruger/35Whelan, get the repairs done and move on.

The Ruger won't make any difference to your lifestyle at this point in the game, but selling it will allow you to pursue what you like to do.

Sell the Ruger.
Click to expand...

Alot of Good stuff here-- particularly about the "over lap" and "game dont know difference" etc.
 
hoytcanon said:
Shoot the 220 RN's in the .30/06 if you need to ditch the Whelen.

P.S - I loaded up a bunch of the 220's for a group of bear hunters that came up last spring and they all whacked good bears... the bullet performed perfectly.
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im thinkin thiss- an as someone else said IF there was ever a need to have "more" than what a 180gr offers.
 
Another vote to trip it on down the road. I'd part with the dies and most of your brass as well. Hang onto
any primed brass or some unprimed and as many of your favorite projectiles and/or loaded ammo as will make you warm and fuzzy incase you feel a .30-06 doesn't scratch your itch. If you decide that you can live without one sell or trade the remaining ammo and components then.
If you must have one again adding dies is small addition to a rifle purchase.
 
Beng practical, sell the Ruger and get the vehicle fixed, so you can go hunting.
If you think you'll replace the Ruger someday with another rifle in 35 Whelen, keep you reloading kit so you don't have to replace it all (it won't get cheaper in the future). If you do not believe you'll have a replacement 35 Whelen in the future sell the kit now so you can make sure you have enough for the vehicle repairs. And if you have any left over, you can buy those 30 cal 200 or 220 gr bullets for a heavier load for the '06.

You might replace the Ruger with a Browning BLR in 358 Win in the future for another 35 cal rifle that will be short and handy for hunting sambar in the thickets! If so, you won't need those 35 call 250 gr bullets.
 
Sell it and start a custom, 35Whelen, light-weight build. Your ideal action, barrel length, contour, and twist, stock, mounts, and optic. Since building my perfect 35, I have contemplated selling everything else in the locker as I dont carry them.
 
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