35 Whelen - Few Questions

[Natty Bumppo]

My IQ about calibers, ballistics, reloading, wildcats is pretty low. I've been very curious about the 35 Whelen lately as it's a very popular caliber in the Northeast tracking community. Always looking for an excuse to buy a new Remington 760 or 7600. But I really know nothing about this caliber. I understand that it's a necked up .30-06. Got two questions though....1) does it kick harder than a .30-06? I'm a thin 6'2" and have been shooting the .30-06 since I was a scrawny 18 year old in the 1980's. I've learned to shoot the 06 well...but I wouldn't want anything that kicked harder. And 2) I don't even know how it's pronounced. Stupid question I know. Is it 35 "Waylon" as in Jennings or 35 "Wheel"in?

Thanks in advance....

 

[Telemark]

I've heard it pronounced WAY-len, WEE-len, and WELL-en. My family usually says WAY-len, but I pronounce it however ther person I'm talking to pronounces it, just for simplicity's sake. I get the feeling it's regional.

I haven't shot it in a long while, but I don't remember it being worse than a .30-06. I found both of them to be unpleasant to shoot from a bench, but manageable when standing. If you're looking for an excuse to buy another hunting rifle for big-woods stalking, it's as good a reason as any. Personally I don't love pump rifles, but I think a semi-auto in .35 Whelen would be cool for tracking or stalking.

 

[bigboreblr]

Looking at 3200 ft-lbs vs 2900 ft-lbs. 10% more energy, but using a heavier bullet will probably make it fell like 20% heavier recoil.

Weigh the gun you have and try out this calculator.

ShootersCalculator.com | Recoil Calculator

An online calculator that calculates the recoil energy, impulse, and velocity of a firearm according to the firearm's weight, powder charge, bullet weight, and bullet muzzle velocity.

shooterscalculator.com

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Not sure of the availability, so I'd be prepared to handload. If you do handload you can shoot reduced loads for practice.

 

[Feelslikefar.]

The logical side of my brain says..

"With modern bullet designs and manufacturing technology, there is nothing gained by the .35 Whelen over then .30-06. In fact you're handicapping yourself due to the lack of quality bullets available today in .358" There was a time when it provided some advantage, but they no longer exist, and haven't since long before you were born."


The gun nut side of my brain says....
'Do it! Do it! Do it! It's so cool!"

(^ That side owns a .375-06 Improved for no good reason. So it's obvious which one I listen to.)

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Col. Townsend Whelen: Mr. Rifleman’s Vermont Retreat

Modern gun writers owe Col. Townsend Whelen a huge debt for clearing the path.

www.americanhunter.org

 

[Feelslikefar.]

And then just like that I get an email from Starline brass saying they're making .35 Whelen brass. (Shhh... the internet is listening)