35 whelan for deer & bear?

[weatherby]

anybodt use a 35 whelan for deer or bear in michigan?i have an oportunity to buy one but not sure how much use i'll get out of it.

[Pinefarm]

The .35 Whelen isn't a bad round for both. It's one of the older, heavy bullet "brush-busters". However, finding the ammo will be tough. I copied the ballistics off the Remington site, so I assume they still have it in production. What make of rifle is it? If it's an old Winchester and in good shape, buy it. Then buy a case of ammo. The ballistics are below...

.35 Whelen
Index No. Wt. (grs.) Bullet Style Primer No. Barrel
Length
R35WH1 200 Pointed Soft Point 9 1/2M 24"
R35WH3 250 Pointed Soft Point 9 1/2M

Velocity (ft./sec.)
Cartridge Muzzle 100
yds. 200
yds. 300
yds. 400
yds. 500
yds.
200 PSP 2675 2378 2100 1842 1606 1399
250 PSP 2400 2197 2005 1823 1652 1496

Energy (ft.-lbs.)
Cartridge Muzzle 100
yds. 200
yds. 300
yds. 400
yds. 500
yds.
200 PSP 3177 2510 1958 1506 1145 869
250 PSP 3197 2680 2230 1844 1515 1242

Short-Range¹ Trajectory *
Cartridge 50
yds. 100
yds. 150
yds. 200
yds. 250
yds. 300
yds.
200 PSP -0.1 zero -1.5 -4.7 -9.9 -17.3
250 PSP 0.1 zero -1.9 -5.7 -11.8 -20.4

Long Range² Trajectory *
Cartridge 100
yds. 150
yds. 200
yds. 250
yds. 300
yds. 400
yds. 500
yds.
200 PSP 2.3 2.0 zero -4.0 -10.3 -30.8 -64.9
250 PSP 1.3 zero -3.2 -8.6 -16.6 -40.0 -76.3

Note 1: Bullet does not rise more than 1" above line of sight from muzzle to sighting-in range.

Note 2: Bullet does not rise more than 3" above line of sight from muzzle to sighting-in range.

Note*: Inches above or below line of sight. Hold low for positive numbers, high for negative numbers.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

the .35 Whelen was a wildcat cartridge developed in the 1920's. It is basically a .30-06 case necked up to .35 caliber, and was developed in a era of "nonmagnums" to take large critters such as moose, elk, the large bears, ect. Remington "legitamized" the cartridge a few years back by chambering their model 700 rifle and their 7600 pump for the cartridge. I might be mistaken, but I believe that these are the only production guns in this caliber (does Ruger make their M77 in this caliber?). Remington makes two loads for this cartridge: a 200 grain and a 250 grain. As far as I know, Remington is the only commercial manufacturer of ammo. Winchester does not load it. If you handload, you have a little bit bigger bullet selection weight-wise, but not as much as the .30-06.
Bottom line: It is really much more gun that you need for deer or black bear, but with the right load it will do the job. If you are looking for something a little different to carry in the woods this fall, go for it.;)

[Steve in MI]

Buy it they are nice shooting caliber . It is not a fast shooting falt caliber but works great . I have a friend who has one he shoots out to 150 yrds. The bullets really start to drop after that but that is all he needs. Good luck