why are the .35's not more popular?
- Thread starter ratherbefishin
- Start date
I think my .35 Whelen is an awesome rifle but most people I know don't like shooting it simply due to the increased recoil. Realistically I think that most shooters have already hit their recoil limitations with a .30-06. Having said that, a 250 grain bullet at 2600 fps is a great hunting load. In my Remington 700 it's a lot of power for the 8 1/4 lbs it weighs scoped and ready to go.
Chuck
Chuck
Homesteader
CGN Regular
- Location
- In a Wallow West of Edmonton.
I really like my .35 Whelen. I think alot of people believe what they read and most writers talk about cartridges that are fast and flat. Sure there are alot of cartridges that shoot alot flatter out to 500 yds. How many people can honestly say they've had alot of success or even good opportunity past 250yds. The .35 Whelen can hit as hard as a .300mag at 300yds on paper and in the real world I believe it hits even harder. A 250g speer, or nosler leaving at 2500 plus hits hard, penetrates deep and usually leaves big exit holes. For the vast majority of hunters this is an excellent cartridge. I should add that for deer it wouldn't be my first choice, but I usually hunt moose and elk. If you remove the armchair critics and listen to real world hunters I think alot more people would consider .35s
Just my .2 cts, Homesteader
Just my .2 cts, Homesteader
I can't understand why either. I have a mod 94 in 356 win, it shoots great (1 1/2" at 100 yds with peep sights) A 200 grain bullet at approx 2200fps will take care of almost any big game in North America inside 200 yards. The bullet leaves a large hole, good penetration, and is designed for these velocities. thus with proper placement devastating results. Recoil in my 356 is not too bad, you know you fired it but you don't notice it when hunting. I had a 35 Whelan once recoil was more noticible at the bench but not too bad off hand. It was a rem 700 right hand and I'm left handed, preferred the lever. The 350 rem mag started off in the wrong rifle and had poor press. Most 35 cal are work horse type and don't get all the press coverage like the latest super duper screaming magnum. The 35 rem is still alive and well in the Marlin lever, and is still killing lots of deer in Eastern Canada and US. People who try them like them and keep using them. All I can say is try it you'll like it.
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
35's
My next project will probably be a .358 Winchester built on a crf platform with a barrel length of 22 inches.
The max bullet weight will be one of the 200 grainers and perhaps some cast bullets for plinkin'
My next project will probably be a .358 Winchester built on a crf platform with a barrel length of 22 inches.
The max bullet weight will be one of the 200 grainers and perhaps some cast bullets for plinkin'My only 35 is a .358W rebore from a .308 99 Savage. It's fairly new to me, and hasn't taken any game yet...sure looks good on paper though! I'm still messing with loads for it, but hope to take it into the woods for black bear this spring. Why the 35's aren't as popular as they ought to be: Too many guys think carrying a rifle that's "good to 500 yards", will make them good to 500 yards. The truth of matter though, is that for many, in fact probably for most of them, it just ain't so.
35's are great,I have had mine for over 30 years.Its an 03A3 Springfield rebarreled to 358 Norma.About 15 years ago I put it on a diet and got rid of some weight.Put it into a MPI fiberglass stock and had the barrel turned down to a feather weight conture .560 at the muzzel.It went from over 9 lbs to 71/2,most guys don't like to shoot it but it doesn't bother me as i have put a lot of lead down range with it.Moose and bear don't seem to like it either 250 grain bullets at 2850 seems to make them very ill.I have a number of good hunting rifles but the 358 Norma is by far my favorite when I go hunting.
Recoil issues, "fat and slow", availability of rifles and ammo, all kinds of reasons keep them from being popular with the average hunter. .35 whelens have been custom built for a long time though as a lot of discerning sportsmen have recognized their value as a medium to large game rifle. I have had three Whelens over the years and would not be without one. It is my "heaviest" rifle now--got rid of my .338, .375 H + H, 416 Rem, and .458 win, 45-70--.35 is very flexible in its loads and covers all my hunting needs.
I also have several Savage 99's in .358 which are deadly accurate with 225 grain Sierra's but have not yet used them for hunting. Just picked up an original Ruger 77 in .358 which will go hunting deer and Elk this fall.
Regards, 44Bore
I also have several Savage 99's in .358 which are deadly accurate with 225 grain Sierra's but have not yet used them for hunting. Just picked up an original Ruger 77 in .358 which will go hunting deer and Elk this fall.
Regards, 44Bore
Hey River Rat - What powder/bullet combo did u settle on for your big game hunting? I'm beginning load development for my new 350 WSM and am thinking that what works in the 358NormaMag might be worth a try.
My 350 WSM case filled to the neck with water of a fire formed case holds 84.3 grains of water. My info suggests the 358 Normamag is about 88 grains.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
The 358 winchester has always been a mystery to me. It's got lots of punch, and is a good medium range cartridge. Fits short actions, but it never really took off.
But, if you ask hunters about it, it's generally greatly respected.
But, if you ask hunters about it, it's generally greatly respected.
Higher recoil and for what? The trend will be to lighter, medium cartridges as the population ages. The baby boomers are already looking at calibers like the 6.5x55 Swede( and others like it) as the perfect size caliber for anything in North America, except for grizzly.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
When loaded with normal weight bullets the .35's or more properly .36's, have a theoretical disadvantage compared to the .338's, in that the sectional density for the 250/.358 is .279 and the .338/250 is .313.
Other than the .358 Norma, which pretty much a custom chambering, the modern .358 caliber rifle rounds were limited to the Whelen, which until recently was also a custom chambering, or the short fat little .350 Remington which is the Whelen's ballistic brother, if not twin. The .338 Winchester advertised a 250 gr bullet at 2700 fps. The .350 magnum strained to push a 250 gr bullet to 2500.
North American riflemen have been trapped by the faster is better mind set for decades, despite the serious disadvantages of inconsistent terminal bullet performance when impact velocities rise above 2500 fps, and the dubious advantage of flatter trajectory, when the vast majority of hunters make shots on game within 150 yards, and very rarely beyond 300. Hence the .36's popularity was limited to those few who understood it's advantages, or those who could afford a powerful custom rifle.
Other than the .358 Norma, which pretty much a custom chambering, the modern .358 caliber rifle rounds were limited to the Whelen, which until recently was also a custom chambering, or the short fat little .350 Remington which is the Whelen's ballistic brother, if not twin. The .338 Winchester advertised a 250 gr bullet at 2700 fps. The .350 magnum strained to push a 250 gr bullet to 2500.
North American riflemen have been trapped by the faster is better mind set for decades, despite the serious disadvantages of inconsistent terminal bullet performance when impact velocities rise above 2500 fps, and the dubious advantage of flatter trajectory, when the vast majority of hunters make shots on game within 150 yards, and very rarely beyond 300. Hence the .36's popularity was limited to those few who understood it's advantages, or those who could afford a powerful custom rifle.
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On one side the .30s are plenty for deer-sized game, shoot flatter and hit at least as hard given their higher SD and velocity (assuming well-constructed bullets).
On the other side, .338 does everything a NA hunter could want on big game, and at fantastic range. For BIG game at medium to long range the .338 is a better choice than any of the commercial .35s.
Side question: I wonder if the .35 Rem sells better than the .35 Whelen and the .358 Win? I get the feeling there are legions of Win94 and Marlins in .35 Rem out there...
On the other side, .338 does everything a NA hunter could want on big game, and at fantastic range. For BIG game at medium to long range the .338 is a better choice than any of the commercial .35s.
Side question: I wonder if the .35 Rem sells better than the .35 Whelen and the .358 Win? I get the feeling there are legions of Win94 and Marlins in .35 Rem out there...
