Went crazy on Gunbroker.com a couple of months ago...the one I really wanted just came in. Remy 700 CDL 35 Whelen. Love the looks and feel. Will be a month or so till I get it scoped-Zeiss Conquest 3x9, and will wring it out then. Any advice or 35 Whelen stories out there? Best all around factory load for it?

I bought one about a year ago. Haven't tried to get an accuracy load worked up yet, just done some shooting. Been using a Saeco 245 gr FNGC bullet with AA 5744 powder for plinking. Shoots the steel plates well enough. Seems to like the Nosler 225gr.

Spent two weeks last summer in Panama City Beach, had a great time.

Don't know about store bought cartridges, but I handload 200 or 225grain Barnes TSX bullets for elk.

I always wanted to see a half jacket 110gn HP for pistols go into a gallon milk jug full of water pushed to the max from a .35 Whelen.

I always wanted to see a half jacket 110gn HP for pistols go into a gallon milk jug full of water pushed to the max from a .35 Whelen.

I've done just that with my 356 Win lever gun. It makes mist and rain!

Congratulations on getting the Whelen. I have had one for several years, a Rem. M700 Classic. I have taken antelope, whitetail deer, elk and one mountain lion with it. It is currently at a custom gunmaker getting new bottom metal, a fold-down (auxiliary) peep sight put on the back of the scope base, and a sleeved front ramp sight.

I have used three different factory ammos for hunting. They all worked great. The Remington 200 gr. PSP will serve just fine for everything up to eating size elk. I consider it just right for deer/antelope and anything smaller. The Remington 250 gr. load will do it all but may not open as well as the 200 gr. on smaller deer and antelope. The best all-around factory ammo I have used is the Federal with 225 gr. Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullet. I've used it on smallish antelope and a spike bull elk with equal satisfaction.

Reloading the Whelen is pretty straight forward as long as care is taken NOT to set the shoulder back once brass has been fired in your gun. I will be using my Whelen primarily for elk in the timber so my handload will use 250 gr. bullets at 2400 fps. or a little less. Most of my elk are shot at less than 100 yards and the rifle wears a Weaver K2.5 scope with duplex reticle. Out to 200 yards and a little beyond (a very long shot for where I hunt) I can still hold center on elk.

If you are going to hunt deer, black bear, or hogs, I would use the 200 gr. factory load as a starting point. It should give adequate penetration and probably open more quickly than other bullets for slightly quicker kills. In my experience, elk shot through the lungs with any of these bullets will still manage to bolt 25 yards or more before tipping over.

Finally, I have learned that wearing a P.A.S.T shoulder pad makes range sessions much more pleasant. In the field I don't notice the recoil but from a benchrest the Whelen will have you gritting your teeth sooner than your average, 30-06 class rifle. There is no sense in developing a flinch when it is so easy to avoid.

Good luck with your new project.

good advice above...

On the optics, the 3x9 is overkill. I've used a 2x7 on mine until I pulled it to use on another rifle. I may get another 2x7 or even use a 4x. That's plenty good for shots out to 250 yards.

w/ my 2x7 I could see elk perfectly that were way to far for me to shoot at.

I have a Leupold 4x on mine. Don't need more than that, in my opinion.

I too have a .35-Whelen and for years never put a rifle scope on the rifle! However, about 20 years ago I did put an old Weaver 3 x scope on the rifle and that is plenty for the yardage you will be shooting for game like moose, elk, or whitetail bucks in the woods.

good advice above...

On the optics, the 3x9 is overkill. I've used a 2x7 on mine until I pulled it to use on another rifle. I may get another 2x7 or even use a 4x. That's plenty good for shots out to 250 yards.

w/ my 2x7 I could see elk perfectly that were way to far for me to shoot at.This may all be true, but 3x9 are popular, and it's easy to find a high quality scope at reasonable price in this power. I wouldn't pass one up, especially at a good price.