35 Whelen from Dad

[Guest]

I received a Rem. 700 Classic in 35 Whelen from my Dad a few months back
I love this gun. I loaded up some 225 Accubonds, have not been to the range yet but know this load will drop the deer in their tracks.

 

[DrMike]

Deer! It will drop anything on the North American continent! The Remington Classic is just that--a classic. I had one and let it get away. Hang on to that rifle. Not only is it special because you received it from your dad, but it is a great cartridge that is underused and underrated.

 

[SJB358]

Your a lucky feller. That Classic is an awesome rifle. I am sure Jim will comment on it, but I think Jim had almost killed off the Northern Michigan deer population with his M700 Classic 35 Whelen! I think the DNR had to step in and make him put that rifle down so the deer could catch up!

I love the 35 Whelen and the M700 CDL I have. Very accurate and it is a step above the 30-06 and 300 Mag's to me (under 300 yards). It has alot of frontal area, and big 225's and 250's which penetrate well and just smash game. I am sure your AccuBond load is a good one. Throw a picture of that rifle up. Always cool to see pictures of the Whelens. Scotty

 

[BK]

I just love my Classic Whelen also... my favorite rifle in one of my favorite chamberings. One of these days I'll stumble across an elk with it in my hands.

 

[Guest]

Yeah I've been watching the dialog about the Whelen on the blog, thought I would throw mine in the mix, It is special to me since dad gave it to me. I remember the first Buck he shot with it at 40yds. using Rem. Factory loads, 200 grainers, he said it blew the Buck sideways almost to the effect of lifting him off the ground! I killed a doe with it back then, a typical 90-100 yd. shot that literally dropped her on the spot, I saw her hit the deck in the scope after I fired, couldn't believe it after killing lots of deer with the 30-06. This Caliber has a lot of horse power for sure. The 225 AB should be quite the load. I plan on using it some year to hunt Elk in the Timber in Colorado some year.

I loaded some test loads, to be tested soon, using R-15, has anyone used IMR4064 with any success? Let me know. From what I have read I should be able to get 2600-2700 fps using the 225 AB shooting the 22"Barrel.

 

[Guy Miner]

The "classic" is a great rifle.

Any rifle from Dad is a keeper.

The .35 Whelen with good bullets will do for any big game in America, and most of the big game around the world I'd think. Believe it was good ol' Elmer Keith who had some trouble killing with the .35 Whelen, but from what I read, it seemed to be a problem of poor quality bullets more than anything else. Nosler has solved that problem for us!

You've got a good one!

 

[SJB358]

You should be in great shape with RL15 and the 225gr Accubonds. I would guess with upper charges, you should be into the 2700 range pretty easily. Check out Alliants load data for the Whelen, they list some good loads, 59.5gr with the Hornady 250gr bullet for over 2500. A charge of 60gr's of RL15 got me deep into the 2700 range with 225gr TSX's. I think if more people used the Whelen they would be very impressed with it. I kinda think along these lines, an average 30-06 throws a 180gr bullet out at 2700FPS, the Whelen will throw a 225gr bullet the same speed and with equal BC it has about the same trajectory and nobody has ever accused the 30-06 of being a short range rifle! Plus, you get a ton more frontal area and a 45gr heavier bullet! Scotty

 

[JD338]

Don,

Great rifle and caliber! I also have a M700 Classic in 35 Whelen. I used the 200 gr PSPCL factory load back in '88 and '89 taking 2 bucks each year. I switched oner to the "new" 225 gr PT in '90 and that is all I used for quite a few seasons. I shot a lot of WT deer and a 250 ln black bear. I only blood trailed 2-3 deer and they didn't go far. Bood was short and heavy.

The 225 gr AB is an excellent all around bullet and it is more than enough for elk out to 350 yds.

Congratulations on your Classic Whelen.

JD338

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies and great information, I'll keep you posted on the experiences and results from the range when testing the Whelen.

Don

 

[BK]

The "classic" is a great rifle.

I have six of them, and I keep kicking myself for not buying the .300 H&H, .300 Savage and 7x57s. Arrgh!

 

[RiverRider]

POP had a 700 Classic in .350 Remington Magnum posted for sale here a while back, and by the time I made up my mind to buy it, it was gone! *sniff*
I had always wanted a Whelen, and I guess that's why I hesitated. A week or so later I found and bought a Whelen built on a 98 Mauser action and I like it very much. Awesome cartridge!

The 700 Classics are great rifles, though. I have one in .223 that I can shoot flies with and its looks are second to none for clean lines, simplicity, and elegance. I love that rifle! I think I need a couple more...