Hi folks, I am new to the forum here, but I have been reading for a while. I need your help in making my next rifle decision. I am looking at two different options: either the Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan/Guide gun in 375 Ruger, or the new Ruger/Lipsey's Alaskan Bush Rifle in 35 Whelen. I have read some of the forums here about ballistics and performance, and I fully understand that the 375 hits harder and thus has more recoil. I am a handloader, so I am not too worried about the availability of factory ammunition, as long as I can get components. I can also buy a used 375 Ruger for around 300-400 dollars cheaper than I can get a new 35 Whelen. My goal for this rifle is to hunt large game in North America, including black bear, hogs, moose, elk, brown and grizzly bear, and maybe coues deer as a bonus. I want a rifle that I can hunt North America with and not need 7 different rifles. I also want to be able to shoot the rifle a fair amount, and not just use it on hunts. As far as I can tell, big grizzlies can be some of the hardest to stop, and I want a rifle that, if I need to STOP a big bear, then I can do that. Sorry for the mouthful, and I look forward to hearing from y'all.
35 Whelen VS 375 Ruger
- Thread starter ChuckPMR
- Start date
Just me, not having shot grizzlies, but I’d vote for the Whelen knowing it’ll likely hold a few more in the magazine, be a bit lighter and the “killing” difference between it and the 375 with good bullets will be nothing to mention.
I’ve used the Whelen quite a lot for elk, deer and bear and have never found it lacking myself. I have a 375 Improved which is quite a lot more cartridge but the rifle is larger, heavier and recoils quite a bit more than any of my Whelena have.
Plus, you mentioned wanting to shoot quite a lot and the Whelen will cost a pile less to shoot, no doubt about that.
I’ve used the Whelen quite a lot for elk, deer and bear and have never found it lacking myself. I have a 375 Improved which is quite a lot more cartridge but the rifle is larger, heavier and recoils quite a bit more than any of my Whelena have.
Plus, you mentioned wanting to shoot quite a lot and the Whelen will cost a pile less to shoot, no doubt about that.
salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 5,771
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Good buddy of mine guides bears out on the Alaska Peninsula. His stopping rifle is a 35Whelen. his opinion it’s easier to shoot than the 375 or 338 and punches well above it’s weight class. He’s been guiding with it for 20 years, he may be on to something.
The next rifle I build or buy above .308 will be Whelen.
Welcome aboard.
The next rifle I build or buy above .308 will be Whelen.
Welcome aboard.
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DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 38,107
- 8,107
I've shot both rifles, and I own a Whelen. I live and hunt country that has moosem elk, grizzlies, and some rather large black bears. I've never been undergunned when carrying my Whelen. The 375 Ruger is a fine cartridge, but it provides little that the Whelen doesn't already provide.
- Thread starter
- #5
Could you find out what type of ammunition he is using? Factory or reloads? Bullet type and velocity?
- Thread starter
- #6
It’s about time you got on board!
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,501
- 1,303
Buy a cheap used 30-06 and send it to J.E.S. reboring in Idaho. Get his 4 lands and groove cut with a deeper than factory throat chamber so you can play with OAL when reloading and you won't regret it.
If you think you need more power have him cut the chamber for a 35 Ackley Improved 40 degree shoulder again with a long throat to seat the bullets out for AOL and you will get 375 H&H muzzle energy, 225gr PTs at 3000fps.
If you think you need more power have him cut the chamber for a 35 Ackley Improved 40 degree shoulder again with a long throat to seat the bullets out for AOL and you will get 375 H&H muzzle energy, 225gr PTs at 3000fps.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 26,747
- 12,733
Nothing wrong with the 35 Whelen as an all around rifle for North America.
I do have both, a Remington 700 Classic 35 Whelen and a Nosler M21 375 H&H Mag. Both hit hard.
JD338
I do have both, a Remington 700 Classic 35 Whelen and a Nosler M21 375 H&H Mag. Both hit hard.
JD338
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,310
- 4,055
Some great feedback to consider above by some very knowledge shooters, handloaders, and hunters.
In the end, buy the rifle that fits you best, as this comfort level will add to your pleasure in its use, whether it be at the bench, carrying in the field, and shooting from various shooting positions. And should you ever get in a pickle and need to use it as a stopper, the one you are most comfortable with, have carried, hunted with, and shot lots, is the one that you will use more effectively when instinct needs to be the driver in the crisis situation. (You do not need to stop and think about it before acting here.)
You need to handle both before making your final buying decision. There are an awful of of rifles bought and sold for this reason, despite it being everything the owner thought they wanted before handling, and shooting. So buyer beware!
Unless your budget is extremely tight, $300-400 shouldn't be the driver in the final buying decision; buy once cry once. (You'll save more in the end.)
This should be a long-term investment, and the first time you use it successfully to stop anything, it will pay for itself. (If its use, pleasure, and memories of successful adventures hasn't already done this!)
In the end, buy the rifle that fits you best, as this comfort level will add to your pleasure in its use, whether it be at the bench, carrying in the field, and shooting from various shooting positions. And should you ever get in a pickle and need to use it as a stopper, the one you are most comfortable with, have carried, hunted with, and shot lots, is the one that you will use more effectively when instinct needs to be the driver in the crisis situation. (You do not need to stop and think about it before acting here.)
You need to handle both before making your final buying decision. There are an awful of of rifles bought and sold for this reason, despite it being everything the owner thought they wanted before handling, and shooting. So buyer beware!
Unless your budget is extremely tight, $300-400 shouldn't be the driver in the final buying decision; buy once cry once. (You'll save more in the end.)
This should be a long-term investment, and the first time you use it successfully to stop anything, it will pay for itself. (If its use, pleasure, and memories of successful adventures hasn't already done this!)
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 4,375
- 7,631
35 Whelen will do what you want. A 375 H&H would also be a good choice.
OklahomaPredator
Beginner
- Dec 18, 2025
- 1
- 4
I don't have any experience with the 375, but I am a huge 35 Whelen advocate. I have a plethora of calibers to choose from and for years my choice was a Browning X-Bolt 300 win mag(which I still carry if I am going to be hunting wide open country), but once I got my Whelen, I just can't leave home without it. I call it "Mjolnir" because it kills like Thor's Hammer. This is also my first post! Just joined the forum. A lot of great information available! I'll definitely be spending more time here.
salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 5,771
- 7,760
He is a classic guide, Rifles are tools just like a framing hammer is to a carpenter. I’ve seen a box of double tap ammunition in his plane/225 grain swift Aframes. I”ve given up trying to get him to add rifle and ammunition to his bear stories and he struggles to do so. He hates it when people show up with a new magnum rifle they have never hunted with. You would get better information looking at double taps web site. He is a believer in Swift Aframes however and hates monos. He perspective with monos is he is going to have to shoot as well.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 26,747
- 12,733
- Thread starter
- #15
Forgive me for being simple, but the only loads I see listed on Double Taps website are the Sierra GameKing load. They offer other weight loads, but this is the only 225-grain offering. And when you say "he is going to have to shoot as well," do you mean that the monometals are not as lethal, and that he would have to back up the client? Again, sorry for my confusion.
Also, a huge thank you to all who have responded. One thing I am surprised to see is that @35 Whelen hasn't been in here yet. From what I have read here, he seems to be the guru on this kinda thing lol, but I really cannot thank you all enough for the insight!
Chuck,
I have shot both JD338's 35 Whelen and my own 375 Ruger. In my opinion, the recoil on the 375 Ruger is much more than that of 35 Whelen. In fact, I shot my 375 Ruger just 7 times. I found shooting the 375 Ruger to be very unpleasant, and I immediately swapped it off for a BLR chambered in 358 Win. The 375 Ruger is NOT a rifle that I would "be able to shoot the rifle a fair amount". For others who may be more recoil tolerant, the 375 Ruger may be fine. But, not for me.
Also, welcome to the forum. There are a lot of very knowledgeable folks on here who are willing to help a person out.
I have shot both JD338's 35 Whelen and my own 375 Ruger. In my opinion, the recoil on the 375 Ruger is much more than that of 35 Whelen. In fact, I shot my 375 Ruger just 7 times. I found shooting the 375 Ruger to be very unpleasant, and I immediately swapped it off for a BLR chambered in 358 Win. The 375 Ruger is NOT a rifle that I would "be able to shoot the rifle a fair amount". For others who may be more recoil tolerant, the 375 Ruger may be fine. But, not for me.
Also, welcome to the forum. There are a lot of very knowledgeable folks on here who are willing to help a person out.
salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 5,771
- 7,760
Well I retired a few years ago from guiding and haven’t seen him but once since then. If he can no longer buy factory ammo loaded with swift A frames my information is clearly dated. Yes, he had a few bad experiences with the mono bullets. He didn’t reject hunters who brought them he just didn’t trust the bullets. I don’t have any idea the circumstances of his opinion, getting him to talk guns and bullets is tough. He shoots if the bear is hit and going to make it into the alders or charge, unappologetic about it.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 38,107
- 8,107
And that is precisely what a good guide has to do.
clearwater
Handloader
- Feb 5, 2005
- 698
- 663
i have a 375 ruger that is light weight. It does hurt to shoot full power 300 grain bullet loads. I even put a small sand bag against my shoulder on the bench then.
However hand loading makes it a much more useful gun.
grouse/bunny/gallery- round ball and 5 grains bullseye
off hand practice subsonic-240 grain cast with 13 grains unique (Hodgdon lists a Trailboss subsonic for jacketed bullets for the 375 H&h that works for the 375 ruger)
deer closer range- 285 cast gas checked with reloder 7 or similar powder
deer/elk longer range 235 Speer Hot Core or Sierra 250 and any midrange powder, recoil is like a heavy 06
Grizzly are so rare here they have names.
The Whelen as I understand can use cheap pistol bullets for practice/small game etc. It would be easier to get brass for as you could make it yourself for 06 in a pinch.
However hand loading makes it a much more useful gun.
grouse/bunny/gallery- round ball and 5 grains bullseye
off hand practice subsonic-240 grain cast with 13 grains unique (Hodgdon lists a Trailboss subsonic for jacketed bullets for the 375 H&h that works for the 375 ruger)
deer closer range- 285 cast gas checked with reloder 7 or similar powder
deer/elk longer range 235 Speer Hot Core or Sierra 250 and any midrange powder, recoil is like a heavy 06
Grizzly are so rare here they have names.
The Whelen as I understand can use cheap pistol bullets for practice/small game etc. It would be easier to get brass for as you could make it yourself for 06 in a pinch.
