Ever since picking up a 356 Win lever earlier this year I've been smitten with 35-itis. In another thread I was asking for opinions on the recent run of 35 Whelens in the Rem 7600. Was so close to biting but decided against it. Nothing personal guys but the trombone rifle doesn't excite me that much I guess.

So the other "new" ones this year are the BLR in 358 and 673 in 350 Rem Mag. We've been extremely lucky in '03 to have these new offerings. The MSRP on either of these is stiff but on the retail market they're not too bad.

Has anyone layed hands on either of these 35's? Better yet has anyone owned or shot one? Right now I'm leaning towards the Remington since at this stage in my gun buying life I can no longer justify a purchase based solely on "hunting need". After all, how many medium/big bores does someone need to hunt deer and elk (I know the obvious answer from this crowd would be "as many as you can get!"). So the 673 seems to be a good platform for handloading fun with the extra bonus of being able to take anything that walks this continent...whether you need it or not! It has decent ranging capabilities and the Rem bolt action is strong. There are a number of good 358 caliber bullets available these days and either of these rifles would handle them all, having box magazines. I heard Marshall say once (I think) that the Browning rotary bolt action has a tendancy to develop cracks, and an alloy receiver doesn't excite me too much anyway, esp for playing with handloads.

What do you guys think? Is this a good year or what???

I've got a 7600 in the Whelen, and it is a serious thumper. I really enjoy shooting 205gr gaschecked slugs out of it at about 2000fps. Mild recoil and very accurate.

I also have a NEF Ultra Handi in 35 Whelen, but I haven't shot it yet. Not enough $$$ to scope everything I've got right now, so I'd have to pull the scope from the 7600 and sight in the Handi. I got the Handi strictly for the fun of testing the velocity difference between the 7600's 22" barrel and the Handi's 26" barrel.

I would love to have a .356 to add to my collection. My only problem is that I have several guns that overlap one another in functionality, so none of them really get used in the field much.

When it comes down to it, it's all the fault of that ****ed Marlin 1894 .44 mag rifle I've got. I have never shot, hunted with, or handled a more practical, versatile rifle in my life. It is the sole reason most of my other guns stay in the closet. Were in not for the .44, I'd be a .35 man all the wy.

I use to have a 358 Win and for some stupid reason I sold it. It pounded things with real authority. When Remington reintroduced the 350 this year I jumped on it. I found the brass, the reloading dies and bullets arrive on Monday. The rifle should be here in about a week. I can't wait!

And I can't wait to hear about it! I hope you will fill us in...

I didn't know the NEF HandiRifle was available in 35 Whelen. Interesting...

I have owned both the 358 and the 350 Rem Mag. The 358 was on a Rem 700 action and the 350 is a Rem 660. Both had 20" barrels and I found I could get 200 ft sec more with the 350 with light bullets and 150 more with heavy weights. I still have the 350 and for 14 years have gathered all kinds of animals with it. Powerful, accurate, handy and it doesn't kick that bad. The expansion ratio is almost exactly like a 308 Win and the range of useful powders is very similar.

You won't go wrong with either choice.

Bart,

Get a .350RM, any one you can lay your hands on. If you have the choice the original M600 and M660 are lighter and handier than the M673.

My M600 is the last rifle that I would ever part with eventhough I love the M70s so. An M70 Featherweight SA rebarreled to .350RM would be pretty special if you are interested in some aftermarket work.

Fireplug

Have the Remington 600 in 350 and love it. 225gr Nosler Partitions at 2675 fps and the 250 Partition at 2550 fps. Makes things stop moving very quickly. Never have complained about the recoil myself I don't think it's bad at all.

Had this crazy idead last night. How about a new light weight BLR in 358 win. Then change the bolt head and mag over for the WSM and rechamber to a 35-300 WSM? Wonder if the barrel shank is thick enough? I would consider dumping my 600 for such a rig (just kidding). If anyone knows if this would work let me know. Shouldn't be too expensive as we are just replacing a few parts and doing a rechamber.

I would think we would pick up 150 to 200 fps over the 350 and it would be a right handy littel rifle. I guess I just have a thing for lever guns!!!!!

I have had my 673 in 350 Mag now for about a onth. Put a Leupold VXll 1-4 scope on it I got from Premier reticle with Greman 4 reticle. Hve put about two baoxes of ammo down range so far. It is a real thumper, but not all that bad. Better than the original 600 I had, but lost due to house burning down.
The stock design appears to be a real treat for me, fits like it was custom made for me.
I can't say enough good about mine, I really love it, probably won't use any other guns for a bit, as such a joy to shoot. Seem to be getting about 1 1/4 inch groups, but have not done any reloading yet. Will save taht for winter project.
I say get it, and never look back!!

peartree

My 673 in 350 arrived today. It now has a Leupold 2X7 on top. The trigger is adjusted to a reasonable pull and I have a batch of loads ready to go. Elk season starts Saturday so it may be awhile before I get to sight it in. I agree with the stock comments. . just seems to fit right. The trigger finger is already itching!

Hey TXPit and Bart...

Not to change the course of this tread but I've got ... had, another unusual H&R Ultra-Rilfe... 444 Marlin. I loved the rifle but I gave it to my son-in-law yesterday. I understand that they only made 500 in this caliber for Gander Mountain. Always been looking for a .35 Whelen in the rifle.

An old fellow I hang with has the Remington pump in .35 Whelen... it is an awesome rifle.

I use to have a 358 Win and for some stupid reason I sold it. It pounded things with real authority. When Remington reintroduced the 350 this year I jumped on it. I found the brass, the reloading dies and bullets arrive on Monday. The rifle should be here in about a week. I can't wait!

Dean,

I made the same mistake about 8 or 9 years ago and sold my Rem M700 Classic in .350, a BLR '81 in .358, and a Marlin 336ER in .356 Win. At the time it didn't seem so dumb to sell them. Well you know the feeling.

I am starting to replace them and this year have purchased two BLR'81's in .358 Win; one of the older steel framed ones and the new Lightweight NIB.

The receiver on the Lightweight is larger than the older steel framed model. The lockup is steel-to-steel via the much larger bolt locking into the much larger barrel. No need to worry about the frame cracking. The 20" barrel at the muzzle is much larger with corresponding thicker walls. I haven't fired either one of them but when I do I'll give y'all a side by side comparison of them. New vs old; steel frame vs alloy frame.

Nitro

ps: Let us know how your new M673/350 performs.

I own a 50's vintage 760 in .35 Rem. that usually handles all my whitetail and blackbear needs in a rifle. Loving the caliber, I picked up the 673 in .350 Rem and love it. Planning a combo moose-caribou hunt with it next year so hopefully my dies get here soon so I can start working up the loads. Factory loads were hunting acceptable for me but you know how us handloaders can get!! :D I agree with everyone about the rifles fit too.
-whizzum-

Bart, I built my oldest son a 35 whelen to hunt moose with this year. He loves it, it gets .5" groups at 100 yrds. has a Shilen barrel 26" in length with a muzzle brake on it. The longer barrel seems to add to the accurcy and get every thing out of the powder burn. The 350 Rem. Mag. is also a good choice although not "new". Would suggest the longer barrel for it too, to get the most from this cartridge. Bobby

Yes - it's a cool year for the 35 bore.

I just finished a .35-348 Winchester Ackley Improved on a Siamese Mauser. The cartridge has about 7 grains of H2O more capacity than the 350 Remington Magnum. These cartridges should handle anything in N. America.

Suggest the new Remington offer in .350 Remington Mag, there will be more after-market accessories for it.

The big bores are generally more accurate because any defects in bullet construction ( a void or ecentric jacket for example) are smaller relative to the greater size and weight of the bullet. In a smaller caliber the defect is more pronounced. Don't ya love physics?

Axlenut

I have an old model BLR in 358 and it is great. I am sold on the 35 calibre. I would love a 35 WSM built on a Browning Pump Action rifle but that is a bit far off yet. I also saw a review on the Remington 350Mag Guide gun, it also looks great.

Nitro

I would like to see a comparison between the older BLR to the new lighting in 358.
Do you think that the 356 is going to fade away since factory rounds are starting be very high in price . Brass can still be bought , but I am afraid that the 356 might follow the same path as the 303 Savage.
Harry

I finally got the 350 to the range. I put 50 rounds through it but didn't really "paper" it. Someone left pumpkins at the 200 yard line and I just couldn't resist. I left with the hillside orange and my shoulder black and blue. I have some loads worked up for sight in on the next trip

GARTH -

Your interest in a 358 WSM is well founded. I built one on a Savage 110 in 300 WSM by ordering an Abams & Bennett 358 Win bbl and reaming a new chamber. It is now a switch bbl rifle as I got the Savage lock nut wrench and can switch bbls in 5 minutes.

I got the idea when I took another 358 Win A&B bbl and swapped it with the 7-08 bbl on my Savage Scout. This was so easy, and the bbls were still on sale, I had to try the 358 WSM.

My magazine will take 3.1 inch rounds, so I cut the throat to match. This gives 0.30 inches more length than the 350 Rem and helps with case capacity with heavy bullets. 250 grain Hawks roar out of the 24 inch bbl at 2750 fps, but i can't figure out where I need that much power. The little 358 Win in a 20 inch bbl is still my favorite. Forget the numbers, this is the little big man of all cartridges and hits like a hammer.

what's the difference between the 358win and 356win? Is one a larger rimmed version of the other for use in lever actions?

if not, why would a company make such similar rounds, or arn't they all that similar?

Akodo, The 356 W. is a rimmed cartridge developed in 1980-83, for the angle eject lever carbine.The 356 is a rimmed version of the 358 but are not absolutely identicial since the 356 has a rim and the bullet is seated deeper to reduce the overall lenght and the case is made heavier. Bobby

Just looked at a brand new 2004 Ruger catalog.....the .350 Remington Magnum is now listed under two models of the M77. One has a walnut stock and blue 24" barrel, the second has a brown laminated stock and 24" stainless barrel. Neither have the excellent Ruger open sights.
My next letter to Ruger will be thanking them for the addition of this great caliber and asking that maybe they might "think" about making an addition to the M77 All-Weather line with a 20" barrel with open sights. This would make a little more sence as most users of the .350 RM are woods hunters and a 24" barrel without open sights for rainy days won't be too popular.
Now if they would just make a #1A, RSI or a S with a 22" barrel like the .45-70 has in .350 I would be REAL happy....

Bob

I am glad they started out with the 24 inch bbl as the 350 has the same expansion ratio as the .308 Win, and will develop full velocity in this length bbl. W748 and a 225 gr partition will top 2700 fps making it a 300 yd big game rifle. A cut and crown job is less than $100 in most shops, so go to 20 inches at will.

I agree that one will get top velocity out of a 24" barrel. 60 gr. of WW748 and the 225 Nosler Petition clocks 2660 from my 700 Classic.
For hunters who's longest shot is 100 yards in the brush a slightly lighter stainless 18-20" carbine with a synthetic stock would be nicer. Also with Rugers great front sight with interchanable blades and a NECG clamp-on peepsight it would be great for those dedicated enough to go out in the snow and rain.....Bob

I love the .35s I have owned. The current love is a Savage 99 Series A in .358 WCF. I have so many loaded and ready to go but Whitetail season is over. Still trying to line up with some pork. Grandkids like the 5gr red dot with 148 gr WC load. Makes less noise with no recoil. So much fun. The only question is which caliber to pick up next? I'm thinking about the .350 RM in a 673. If I don't like it I can go to 358 WSM. Or that 458 American barrel that's languishing in the shop. Still not giving up the .33 '86 Winchester though. Or the 9.3X62 project. Guess I'm just a medium bore afficionado! Good luck ......Bandito ;)

Bandito -

You are right...I had great fun making 357 pistol bullets work in a 35 Whelen as few years back. Universal clays and Hornady 125 gr JHPs were so accurate that the kids used to shoot out stick-on orange dots at 25 yards in 5 to 6 shots. What a confidence builder!

Is the 35 Whelen a wildcat cartridge? How does it compare to the 338-06?

...although at this point no one is making any factory rifles for it. Remington had the 7600 pump and the 700 bolt guns. Ruger had both the #1 and 77.

Factory ammo is also very limited......Bob

I'm glad to se the 35 caliber is far from dead. It has seen fading interest for many years but do not know why.

9.3mm was and is used a lot in Africa according to an article by Layne Simpson I read a while back. Appears to be nearly identical in perfomance to the 35 Whelen. SAKO and TIKKA still build 'em.
TR

I'm glad to se the 35 caliber is far from dead. It has seen fading interest for many years but do not know why.

9.3mm was and is used a lot in Africa according to an article by Layne Simpson I read a while back. Appears to be nearly identical in perfomance to the 35 Whelen. SAKO and TIKKA still build 'em.
TR

If someone would come out with a .358 bolt action, especially a smaller gun like a Remington M7, wouldn't it sell? Do a search on all the gun auction sites for .358 Win or .358 Winchester...what do you find...if not nothing at all the maybe a vintage Savage or a Ruger 77 Carbine for $1700. Put in .350 Rem. Mag or even .35 Whelen and one usually comes up with something usually a few.

But they never listen...... :(

bob

I have been a long fan of the 35 too. I own a 35 Whelen and have harvested several moose, a goat and several caribou. When they are hit with a 250 gr 35 caliber bullet they stay down. It is much lower powered but I have harvested a large mule deer with a 357 mag Marlin carbine and it went down for good, if you hit them right they will go down. The 348 Winchester is for all intents a 35 calibet too and I have one of them too and like it a lot. Here in Alaska the 35's are quite popular.

I have to get me a Remington 673 in 350 mag too.

I don't know why more shooters don't like 35 caliber rifles they perform far better than the numbers say they should. Anyone who has ever hunted with one love them. Keep buying them and they might stay this time.

Have a T/C Contender carbine bbl in .375 Win, which is .358, so guess that qualifies. Only been able to punch holes in paper so far - never saw anything with hair when carrying it in the field. Would love to have a whitetail or muley at under 200 yds to see how it would do, though.

Have a T/C Contender carbine bbl in .375 Win, which is .358, so guess that qualifies. Only been able to punch holes in paper so far - never saw anything with hair when carrying it in the field. Would love to have a whitetail or muley at under 200 yds to see how it would do, though.


kdub....I kinda thought the .375 Winchester took .375 diameter bullets.

:confused:

i found this forum researching the model 7. i'm going to order a model 7 custom KS in 350 mag to keep the wear and tear off my model 600 (350 also). that's how much i like the .350 rem mag. the KS model is lighter and shorter than the guide gun, even lighter than the 600 i believe. the barrel of the KS is 20" and the 600 has a 181/2" tube. i believe that RECOIL IS YOUR FRIEND.

monty

[. i believe that RECOIL IS YOUR FRIEND.

monty[/QUOTE]

If you have never handled or shot a 7KS in .350 RM you are about to meet the "love of your life" if you like recoil. My friend had one and I think with scope and all it was 7.5# vs. my 600 with scope at 9#.

He traded it in on a Sako Fiberclass carbine in .375 H&H after he found out there was design problem with the magazine feeding the bullets he liked most into the chamber. It would feed factory 200 and 250s that are a protected spire point all day long. Soft point spitzers like the Nosler and Sierra would not feed reliably...

Since the 673 and 7KS are on the same action and another friend's new 673 feed everything smoothly Remington has probably fixed the problem.

Bob

I built up an old custom M98 in a 30-06 and rebarreled it to a 35 Whelen with a 26"bbl and put a Fowler muzzel brake on it for my oldest son to take moose hunting this last year. When we sighted it in it was giving up .5" groups @100yrds. using F.L.A.

OOOPS! :eek:

You're right, RJM - .375 it is.

Got it mixed up with the .35 Remington that got traded and still have several boxes of bullets for. Either the onset of old age and/or too many guns for reloading.

When you said you had a TC I thought you had confused the two...I had a .35 Rem. barrel for many years and it shot very well....Bob

i can see how the feed problems might surface in the super short action, but a gunsmith could probably work on the feed ramp and correct this. i've read just about all i can find on the internet about the model 7 and never came across the defect you mentioned. i'll research this more before i place my order. anybody else have input?

monty

Friend in Az. emailed me that there is a Remington 700 Classic .350 RM in the paper for $500.00 480-821-9408. Didn't state the condition.

Bob

Gentlemen,

My favorite caliber, hands down. I own two, and am contemplating a third. I have no idea why the rest of the shooting public is not aware of what I consider the ideal mix of shootability, reach, penetration, and expansion. The 358 Win was a cartridge that O'Conner and Keith could agree on, at least for woods hunting.

Now, my line of thinking for my third is this: Midway offers Adams and Bennet 35 Whelen barrels for the Savage 110. Obtaining a quality synthetic stock would not be a problem, anywhere. Where can a fellow get a Savage action? The accutrigger concept has my attention, and I think that would be a fine rifle that could be had with little fuss and investment. I am seeing new Savage rifles for just over 3, and some used ones for 2 1/2, or so, and that strikes me as an option. Ideas?

Good shooting.

Steve

I picked up a rather beaten 110 in .30-06 for $160... complete with scope! Gonna go this route, myself.

Picked up my third .35.A Whelan. I now have a load question about it. Anyone want to post their favorite Whelan load? What was the model and barrel length? Thanks ... Bandito

Gentlemen,

My favorite caliber, hands down. I own two, and am contemplating a third. I have no idea why the rest of the shooting public is not aware of what I consider the ideal mix of shootability, reach, penetration, and expansion. The 358 Win was a cartridge that O'Conner and Keith could agree on, at least for woods hunting.

Now, my line of thinking for my third is this: Midway offers Adams and Bennet 35 Whelen barrels for the Savage 110. Obtaining a quality synthetic stock would not be a problem, anywhere. Where can a fellow get a Savage action? The accutrigger concept has my attention, and I think that would be a fine rifle that could be had with little fuss and investment. I am seeing new Savage rifles for just over 3, and some used ones for 2 1/2, or so, and that strikes me as an option. Ideas?

Good shooting.

Steve



My father hunted with a Model 71 Winchester in 348 from 1940 to 1976 wheen he died. My first 35 was a 660 Remington in 350 Mag in about 1970. Never did manage to shoot anything with it. Sold it to a friend in 1972 while stationed at Eielson AFB in AK. He flew 02's and used to carry it in his duffle bag with his artic survival gear on crosscountries. My present 35 is a 358 Winchester I had built on a 579 mid length action, used a 20 inch Douglas barrel . Had it stocked in Classic Mannlicher length French Walnut stock by the old Fajen custom stock in about 1978. (They took 2 1/2 years to get to the job. Had them uses their fler-de-lec fill-ijn checkering pattern.) When Ideer hunt with this I can just sit in the woods, freeze my *** off, not see horns, and still come home happy for at least three dasys.

I had one of the first steal receiver BLR's in 308. It had a dog chamber in it. I dumped it to a friend that only shot new factory ammo. If I remember correctly the BLR's rotary bolt locked into a barrel extension which was screwed into the receiver. Therefore: one receiver type would work as good as the other. I have seen one 358 opened up to 350 rem by a gunsmith named Warren Pescock east of Cleveland Ohio. I don't remember how he handled the magazine, but it worked magazine fed. I think he used one of the pre 1980 rifles.

My favorite and I think still the best 35 is the 358 Winchester. Note how little you gain when going to the 350 or the Whelen. Love my little Sako.

Rather than make either a 350 or a 35, I'd go to a 9.3 x 62 with a 22 inch barrel.

Elmer and Jack were both right about the 358 Winchester!

Remington just announced their "Classic" caliber for the year.....the 8mm Mauser. I am going to write them and "suggest" that if they really would like to sell some rifles try the .358 next year.

With most of the Classics there are leftovers at the distributor level at the end of the year. Last year was the .300 Savage...and there are still rifles at the distributor level...and probably will be for a while. But look what happens when they sell out quick...like the .221 Fireball that people have been asking them to bring out a rifle for for 30+ years...not only do they now have a Limited Edition out but CZ is now also chambering the round. Same thing happened with the .35 Whelen.

So write folks or email throught the Remington site....can't hurt.

Bob

Have you ever loaded 148 gr HBWCs? 5 gr of Red Dot with some dryer lint on top to keep the powder down. Use LRMagnum primers if you have them. If you want a tiny bit more punch use Lake City reformed 7.62X51. I use that stuff and automatically drop two grains off any normal velocity load. They might need annealing but they have lasted more loads than most cases. Oh yes, don't use pistol primers, due to the different heighth. Later Bandito

Was able to find some copper plated ones to keep the leading down. Have not tried them yet in the .350 RM.....Loaded backwards they are supposed to be really messy on small game....instant stew meat...Bob

I like the idea about the Adams and Bennett barrel. For around $350, depending on cost for the base rifle, you could put together a pretty decent project rifle in 35 Whelen. Went to check out their products and found that they also make the barrel kit in 338-06. The difference in these two cartridges appears to be splitting hairs. The 338 has a better sectional density in a given weight and looks to be offer superior velocity in the lighter bullets weights (eg 250gr and less) but there are 358 hunting bullets widely available in weights exceeding 300gr for really heavy game. For hunting elk sized game I think that performance of one would be indistiguishable from the other. But let's not forget that there are more 358 caliber bullets available than in 338, with pistol bullets being a possibility for plinkers.

My wife thanks you for getting me off down another rathole.
:p

Here's a big .35 from yesteryear!
250 Gr. bullet at 2420 fps MV.

Does anybody recognise it?

http://members.aol.com/manyplews/000435wcf

The cartridge on the right is a 220 gr. 30/06.

Is that Rigby's 350 No.2 Flanged?

Looking for a little info on 35's. I already own a few 760/7600's and I'm wondering how financially feasable it might be to have one rebarreled in 35 Whelen. I've been told that the Rem 760/7600 are hard and expensive to rebarrel. Any input or thoughts on this endeavor??

I think the pictured round is the old .35 Winchester. I sure approve of the ballistics.

Fireplug

I think the pictured round is the old .35 Winchester. I sure approve of the ballistics.

Fireplug

Fireplug,
You are correct !
It's the.35 WCF.originally chambered in the Winchester Model 95 lever action with a box magazine.
It's a big "thumper",but factory ammo has not been available since the mid-50's.
It's easy to reload for but cases are a little hard to find.You have 3 choices - original Winchester/Remington/Peters,Bertram Brass,or necking down Hornady's new .405 cases.
Ron

I was able to add a .356 model 94 Big Bore to the list of .35's that I have today. :D Can't wait to get it out to the range tommorow to shoot it. I scoped this rig with a 2-7x32 Nikon, and feel that this will ultimately become my standard eastern whitetail woods rifle.
whizzum300

I'm glad you can still hunt in the People's Republik of New Jersyinsky. Do you guys have a Concealed Carry law yet? And most important of all how does the rifle shoot? I shot my 7600 35 Whelen at 20, 100, and 200 yards yesterday. Used 200 gr Remington protected points and 280 gr WLNs from Mt Baldy. I had too thick of a reticle in my 1 to 4X scope. It is a German 3plex and made more for close and moving targets. I did prove however, that hunter orange will keep you from getting shot at 200 yards. I placed a 6" stick on bull in the middle of a full sized man silhouette. Didn't hit it once at 200 yards. All around it though. Went to the 33 WCF with open rear and post front sights and got closer. That old 86 Winchester is as good as the day it came from the factory for shooting purposes. That orange bull is available for the next range session. Guess I need to get to practicin'. Good lucksky Bandito

Now, that's funny! :D

I'm glad you can still hunt in the People's Republik of New Jersyinsky. Do you guys have a Concealed Carry law yet? And most important of all how does the rifle shoot? I shot my 7600 35 Whelen at 20, 100, and 200 yards yesterday. Used 200 gr Remington protected points and 280 gr WLNs from Mt Baldy. I had too thick of a reticle in my 1 to 4X scope. It is a German 3plex and made more for close and moving targets. I did prove however, that hunter orange will keep you from getting shot at 200 yards. I placed a 6" stick on bull in the middle of a full sized man silhouette. Didn't hit it once at 200 yards. All around it though. Went to the 33 WCF with open rear and post front sights and got closer. That old 86 Winchester is as good as the day it came from the factory for shooting purposes. That orange bull is available for the next range session. Guess I need to get to practicin'. Good lucksky Bandito


Concealed Carry Law??? Only politicians and the rich and famous can get a CCW in this republik. We can't even hunt anything other than varmints with rifles here. Shotguns and muzzleloaders only, and they're trying to eliminate slugs now. I do all my rifle hunting in PA.
Das Vadanya,
whizzum

Bandito
My favorite load for my .35 whelen is 54.5 grns. Imr4064 with a sierra 225 grn. bullet. My rifle is a rem. 7600 22"BBL. It is also very accurate. This load gets 2500fps over my chronograph.

Thanks for the Whelen load. Hey Mike, Where do you want to go for the CCW article? Tell me and I'll weigh in on that one. I just had so much fun with the 358 caliber in the last year. I picked up a 99 in .358. She pleased me so much she has a name. Bessie Ann. Now she has a friend in the cabinet, a 7600 35 Whelen that I shot yesterday. I love to get out and get some burned powder perfume. You might call it Range Therapy. Burn a 550 round box of 22 and several boxes of 20 of your favorite centerfire. Especially the 35 cal.s. Cabin fever was setting in but...I think the War Department can live with me for a few more weeks now. Good luck guys and gals. Bandito

Anyone shoot this caliber? What case is it formed from and what actions can it fit? Ballistics? Another one to learn about. I saw the pics in an earlier post but I'm curious now. Later folks 'Dito

Apparently someone on this list was loading jacketed 357 pistol bullets in 35 Whelens to get smaller less shoulder dislocating rounds for small game & target shooting.
Has anyone used lead 357 bullets in a 35 Whelen & what sort of load could you use either with jacketed or lead 357 bullets?
I'm guessing there's a fair bit of fun to be had there :)
Cheers & God Bless
Andy

Kombi....I don't shoot the .35 Whelen but do shoot the .350 Remington Magnum. Have been using the 160 and 180 grain Hornady FP pistol bullets. The load has been 14 grains of 700X. Have not had time to chrono the load yet but it should be in the upper teens. Recoil is so mild that you can shoot all day long.
In my 700 Classic at 50 yards the 180s hit about 3" low. In the 600 Carbine it shoots to the same point of aim as the 225 grain hunting load.
Lyman Manual #47 says 26.7-31 grains of 2400 for 1400-1546 fps with a 158 in the Whelen. If you look at the 350 RM page, it has a 206 gr. lead bullet with several different pistol powders. As the Whelen and .350 case are very close to the same capasity it is a place to start....

Bob

I am amazed at how little attention to pistol bullets in 35 caliber the loading manuals give. I have a 358 Win and use a wide variety of 9MM and .357 pistol bullets for target, varmints and small game.

The subject is appropriate for a book, but let me say that there are a few tricks. One is that the 9MM bullets work extremely well if you shoot them fast enough to make them slug up in the barrel. This means 2100 to 2500 fps with Blue Dot. These are, of course, very destructive and for varmints only.

Another trick is the use of a 9mm carbide pistol sizing die to just size 2/3rds of the neck to get a good grip on either 357 or 9mm bullets. This centers the bullet in the chamber and is the easiest reloading out there. Just size the neck, prime, charge and seat. No lubes and cases last forever.

For edible small game plated 357s are better than lead in my book. Slow them to 1500 fps and you should get minimal meat damage.

I liked what I read about the 358 so much that I had one built on a Model 70 action. It's stainless with a Bell and Carlson stock and Shilen barrel. It shoots very well. I've taken two deer with it so far. I could have killed more, but I have so many "deer" rifles and I like to take a different one, or four! every year.

Bob257

I have loaded 148 gr hbwc in the .358 WCF with 15 gr of Red Dot and magnum primer. Recipe from a friend. I think I am going to load less until the bullet sticks in the bore. Then I will increase the load a small amount. I will have a plinking, small game, grandkid load. They like to shoot the big guns but I don't want them to have too much recoil as yet. Good to have a close range varmint load too. A flat point of that diameter and weight is devastating up close. Oops. Forgot that I use a small square of dryer lint to keep the powder against the primer end of the brass. Safe loading with the 35. 'Dito ;)

I am disappointed in my 673 in 350 Remington Magnum. I have 200 rounds through it now and cannot find an usable accurate load. Factory stuff spread out to 3+" at 100 yards. Most handloads did little better until I reached the maximum listings in the books. Unfortunately, without exception, I had flattened primers and stuck cases everytime I approched those loads. I have tried three powders, two bullets and referenced four manuals trying to get this gun to shoot. It is cool to look at and fits me like a glove, but I can throw rocks more accurately.

Have you slugged it? The bore might be a bit rough or undersized.... interesting.

I'd check the crown, if the bore fouls bad I'd just firelap it.

I can pay shipping costs to the People's Republik of Misery! :D ;) ;) Actually I have no idea what to do except to try Mike's ideas. Those are the best choices to go to. I have a fire lapping kit but I have only one gun that might benefit that I can think of. It isn't a 35 cal so that goes somewhere else. I sincerely hope you solve the problem. If not the gun is so new that I know someone would take it off your hands. Good luck. 'Dito

Dean, Try using a product called Coppermelt to clean out the bore, bench rest shooters use it when they start having their groups open up. Bobby

I just picked up a Model 46 Husky in 9.3X57,its in great shape ,for 84yr.s old .Some past owner Drilled & tapped it,I'm gonna put a 2 way low mount safety on it,and a low powered scope.
I have a .356winny. in a model 94, ,I like it but, the 9.3 X57 can shoot 286gr. bullets @ 2200 fps.,And I like heavier bullets.Speer make 270gr.ers in 9.3 with a better SD than 375 270 gr. bullets.

Buckeye

I took the 673 to the range one last time today with a variety of loads. They all had the same stuck case problem. None of them had reasonable accuracy. On the way home I stopped at a friends that owns a small sporting goods store and where I bought the rifle. We called Remington and they agreed to have the rifle picked up and sent to their shop for repair. Maybe we'll get this sorted out by next fall.

Let us know how it comes out on return of your rifle. Some of us are just waiting for the cash to buy one of those guide rifles. Good luck. Bandito

Bandito - You might also want to check out the new Ruger 77's in .350 Remington before you spend your cash. Good looking, well built rifle! :)

Only one problem. I like a tang safety. Then again, I like the tang sight on an '86 Winchester and my Marlins. Decisions, decisions. Need to have one on a 77 Mark I and one on a Mark II. Then I can decide which one to keep. Still must be a 35 though. Back to you. Bandito

Is Ruger coming out with the 350rem. mag in there 77 ??

Buckeye

You know, I saw an interesting piece the other day, on I believe Gunsamerica. Fellow had a Ruger 77 (w/ tang) in 35 whelen. Had a screw-on brake, and a pretty nice looking stock. Reckon he wanted around 600 U.S. for it.

I hope Ruger does make some 350's. The one problem with being a 35 guy, is that I don't have enough bullets to try out. A bit more mainstream following might help that out a whole bunch.

Reckon to sell anything 35 to the gun buying public, it will take some work on the gun company's marketing outfits, but I think they can pull it off, just look how well they did with the short magnums. Thousand wonders.

I'm still waiting for the Long action Savage 110s w/ accutrigger's to come out, and have it rebarreled to the whelen. Afterwards, the only thing left would to be find a trapper length 35 Rem, if such a thing is doable

Regards,

Steve

Buckeye....Ruger is now out with the 77 MKII in .350 Magnum. One is blue with a walnut stock and the other in stainless with the black/gray laminated. They both have 24" barrels with no sights. Was hoping they would come out with a 20" barrel with sights and a synthetic stock...but hey it's a start.

Dean....My friend bought one of the 673s after shooting my 700 and 600. It easily shoots MOA at 100 yards. His load is the same as mine... 60 gr. WW748 with a 220 Speer FP or 225 Nosler petition. For a practice and small game load he uses 14 gr. of 700X with a 160 gr. Hornady .357 FP. I use the same load but a 180 gr. Hornady FP or XTP HP. Hope your 673 is working fine once it comes back...please keep us posted.

As to the .358 Winchester I sent a letter to Kimber today thanking them for their fine line of 1911s and the M84 light weight rifles. I advised them there is a ready market for a .358 Winchester bolt gun and they would have the market to themselves.....send some letters folks!!!!
Kimber
One Lawton St.
Yonkers, NY 10705

Bob

RJM, Thanks for the reply ,I checked out there Web-site and see it ,maybe i'm overlooking it.
I'd say Savage will roll out a 20in. barrelled version,in the 350 Rem. mag.,they put out 20in. barrelled 300WSM..
I like those 110's,I picked up a 110 in 7mm Rem.Mag,with the intention of re-barreling to a.416 Taylor,but it shots so good,I'm haveing 2nd. thoughts.

Buckeye

RJM, Thanks for the reply ,I checked out there Web-site and see it ,maybe i'm overlooking it.
I'd say Savage will roll out a 20in. barrelled version,in the 350 Rem. mag.,they put out 20in. barrelled 300WSM..
I like those 110's,I picked up a 110 in 7mm Rem.Mag,with the intention of re-barreling to a.416 Taylor,but it shots so good,I'm haveing 2nd. thoughts.

Buckeye


They probably are not in there yet. They are however in the new 2004 catalog that you can request from the Ruger site.

As to the Savage 110s, I also wrote them suggesting that they put out the Sierra and Scout in .358 Winchester. A friend has one of the Scouts in .308 and he is thinking of having it rebored to .358. I told him to find a take off barrel or buy another one from the company and have that one rebored instead so he will have a 2 caliber setup....

Bob

Have you Guys & Gals noticed,the 35 cal. guns seem to always bring top $$$$,It looks like Gun manufactures notice this know this,being its how they pay there electric bill !! I know that 35 sometimes swandered in the past ,but now theres a better selection of bullets,and in the past (for the non-reloader ) the selection of Factory cartridges has sucked and was hard to find and $$$

I'm glad some companys have the b---s to come out with a few 35's.Now lower the prices of the guns put out decent ammo with heavier bullets,(for non-handloaders), we are wise enuff to know speed is not everthing.Esp with 35 cal bullets.
I feel that the 350 rem. Mag will take off ,thanks to knowlegable writers like Gen. Boddington,who sees the wonderful capablites of the 35 cal.
I've only got a couple of .35 cal. 2 .356 win. in 94's one new in box the other used alot.
My project now is a 9.3X57 ,a ballistic twin to the .358win. (with same bullet wgt.s) I like the 9.3 over the 35 because of heavier bullets,(235, 250,270, 286)I looked at the 9.3X62 but I didn't need or won't the extra power (or re-coil ) and I have a 375 H&H. Yep the 9.3X62 is a hoss,because of the heavier bullets.
thats the advantage (and case cap.) over the 35 Whelen.

Maybe they will start rolling out a few 9.3,s

Buckeye

Buckeye....One can always get up to 300 grain .358 caliber bullets from several custom bullet makes. Lee even has loads for this weight for the .350 Remington Magnum and .35 Whelen in their loading guide.
The big advantage of the .35 for me is being able to shoot pistol bullets that one can not with the 9.3 caliber guns.

Bob

RJM, The 350 Mag. and the .358win. are unable to push >250gr. bullets well because they eat up already limited space,as for the 35 Whelen it can never match the 9.3X62 ,because the 9.3 X62 holds more powder.And you can get premium bullets for the 9.3,( Noslers,& Normas) ,and you also have larger frontal area than the 35's ,Hey Ilike 35's but there not 9.3 ,the 9.3 in 270 gr. have even a advantage over the 270 Gr. 375 ,they have better SD.

And Why would I want to shoot pistol bullets in a rifle,I Like heavy bullets,I shoot handgun bullets out of My .41 Mag. Tracker.

Buckeye

RJM, The 350 Mag. and the .358win. are unable to push >250gr. bullets well because they eat up already limited space,as for the 35 Whelen it can never match the 9.3X62 ,because the 9.3 X62 holds more powder.And you can get premium bullets for the 9.3,( Noslers,& Normas) ,and you also have larger frontal area than the 35's ,Hey Ilike 35's but there not 9.3 ,the 9.3 in 270 gr. have even a advantage over the 270 Gr. 375 ,they have better SD.

And Why would I want to shoot pistol bullets in a rifle,I Like heavy bullets,I shoot handgun bullets out of My .41 Mag. Tracker.

Buckeye

..my favorite revolver round. As to pistol bullets in rifles, after finding out that the bullet diameter of the .405 Winchester was not .405 but .411 and will shoot the .41 Magnum pistol bullets I bought one of the Ruger #1 Tropical Rifles in stainless.... Why pistol bullets in rifles...lots of reasons. Plinking with your favorite big bore without kicking your teeth out, a small game load, shooting for hunting practice for half the price, making an explosive varmint round...lots of reasons....


When both the .358 Winchester and .350 Remington Magnum came out, both were offered by the manufacturers with 250 grain factory loads. Handloading, the .350 can be pushed up over 2500 fps from an 18.5" barrel. The .358 2400 fps from a 22" barrel.

In comparing SDs one must compare not just weight but the heaviest weight available in a given caliber. Otherwise since there are 270 grain .35 caliber bullets available I could claim that the .35 were superior to the 9.3 and .375 becuase of better SD. In the case of the 9.3 and the .375 they are really dead equal when one compares the 286 gr. 9.3 and the 300 grain .375... both have an SD of .305.


Since you have pulled out your "big brother" the 9.3x62 when comparing the performance of .35 Whelen, I now pull mine...the .358 Norma Magnum and the even bigger .375 H&H based .358 S(hooting) T(imes) A(laskan). Both of these will easily handle the 250-300 grain bullets available....and stomp the snot out of your 9.3.... :eek:


....but in the end a bear that gets hit with a 250 gr. .35 bullet or a 285 gr. .366 bullet of equal construction and velocity isn't going to know the difference.....but it's fun to argue this stuff on a snowy day.....Bob

Your right ole Bud,they would not know the difference,But theres 2 bigger 9.3's, than the 9.3X62 theres the old 9.3 Berneke and a new kid on the block a 9.3X66 Sako ,which is more powerful than My favorite the .375 H&H ! I've got a wildcat on the burner in the next few months using the 9.3 bullet,that'll be equal to the 9.3X66,waiting on some $$$ flow.


But my little 9.3X57 With 286gr. @ 2150 fps with mild handloads can take care of anything in North America,just like a .358 win could, with a Nosler 250gr. both mild mannered non-magnum bear busters!


Buckeye
.

For those of you that have been following my problems with the Remington 673 in 350 Remington; it came back from Remington today. I knda had to smile when I looked at their pre-repair target. It looked more like a 12 ga. buckshot target than a rifle. They recrowned the barrel, polished the chamber,(it had 'rings and burrs' in it) opened the chamber some because it was 'tight' and replaced the extractor. They were able to get a group down to 11/2 inches after the fix using open sights. I am off to the range on Wednesday with a fist full of loads to see what I can do. The Leupold is back on top and bore sighted.

Hope the 673 does well. Be sure to let us in on the differences. You probably will have to start a ne wwork up process. Would be cool though, if everything came together this time. I could keep it at my stable if you have any further difficulties. ;) :D ;) Good luck. 'Dito

I took the 673 to the Range today after having it returned from the Remington repair facility. I had five loads consisiting of forty rounds with me. Two of the loads pushed the limits somewhat but I want to make sure the thing worked this time. It did. No sticking cases, no exection problems and much better accuracy. I have several groups under an inch at 100 yards. The 150 yard gong rang reqularly and the pig at the 300 yard line needs a new paint job. All the loads shot so well I am not sure which one I want to use.

Dean Fay... Which bullets are you loading? I have gone from 148 gr plinkers to 280 gr WLN. All have been fun. All have been minute of "target". That means they would stay in the KZ of their intended target at a reasonable range. Now if I could aim and hold that well 100% of the time......... 'Dito

.
I also have a NEF Ultra Handi in 35 Whelen, but I haven't shot it yet. .

When did NEF provide barrels in 35 Whelen calibre? Or is yours a rebore and rechamber job? If I could get a 35 Whelen barrel for my Buffalo Classic, I would use it instead of my 35 Brown Whelen.
yipikiyo

Dean Fay... Which bullets are you loading? I have gone from 148 gr plinkers to 280 gr WLN. All have been fun. All have been minute of "target". That means they would stay in the KZ of their intended target at a reasonable range. Now if I could aim and hold that well 100% of the time......... 'Dito

Right now I am loading Speer's 180 grrain Hot Cor bullet because that is what I can get locally. I have some Barnes on order. The Speers are averaging five shot groups of about 1 1/4 inches at one hundred yards. I have it sighted in 2" inches high at 100 yards and can hit the 3 inch gongs at 150,200 and 250 without any issues.

The 35 Whelen in the NEF Ultra was a special run of the rifle for the RM Elk Foundation. I'm not sure how many were made.

I've got an Ultra chambered in 444 Marlin, 400 were made for Gander Mountain.

Michael