350 Rem Mag vs 35 Whelen

W

WPH

New member
To those who have experience with the calibers, my reloading manuals are just inconsistant to go off of, so in equal length barrels which caliber has more power. I favor the 350 because I prefer short actions, but if it is less powerful I will take the 35 Whelen.
 
The 350 gives a slightly better performance in 200 gr bullets... BUT, and this is a big BUT... You will have trouble with heavier bullets in the 350 because of OAL limitations... So to launch 250 gr bullets you will have to seat them back in the case and loose the capacity edge.

For me, and I do, the .35 Whelen is the pick... It can be loaded for deer or (marginally) for big browns (at clsoer ranges) better than the .350. Don't get me wrong, a .350 in a Guide Gun is a great gun. If it wasn't I would not have one. But, my .35Whelen has become my "go to" rifle, period. I have become an old crumudgeon like Elmer Keith... I like big bullets. I'm thinking about joining my friend Jack on the .45-70 bandwagon. That's a real "thumper" at 525 grains of lead... LOL
 
WPH,
There isn't a nickel's worth of difference between the two in real world applications. However, if you're a handloader, the 350RM has some limitations when it comes to bullets that can be used. If your 350 is built on a medium action, like the factory Remingtons, you won't be able to use bullets like the 225 grain Nosler BT's or the Barnes 225 TSX's becaust the ogive of the bullet will have to be seated below the case mouth in order for it to work in the medium action. The Whelen is typically built on a long action, and you would have no such problems with the long, high BC bullets. Remington puts 1 in 16" twists in all their .358 rifles. The longer, heavier bullets like a 1 in 14" twist better, but there are some folks that have good luck with the slower twist, YMMV...
F1
 
I dont reload myself so I cant help you there. I do own a Remington 673 Guide Gun in 350 Rem Mag. I had a friend load some 225 gr bullets last year for me and they worked fine while bear hunting. I really like the 350 and although it may have its limits on what you can load for it, I cant see why it wouldnt work for just about anything you would want it for. Now I do want one of those new Remington 750's in 35 Whelen.
 
If I buy the 350 Rem Mag in a Ruger I can get a little more OAL over a Remington, at least .050", maybe a little more. Also I am not shooting balistic tips or Barnes x. The longest bullets I plan to shoot are 225 partitions and 225 Sierra boattails(maybe). If I go 250gr, Hornady offers a round nose that would be fine. Range is not a problem for the 250gr being it is too slow for longer range anyway.

Thanks for the info and please give more.
 
I am also not a fan of belts but my like of short actions makes a belted short action the same appeal as a long action.

I probably, almost certainly, will not go this route, but a 35WSM sounds good.
 
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I am also not a fan of belts but my like of short actions makes a belted short action the same appeal as a long action.

I probably, almost certainly, will not go this route but a 35WSM souds good.



Agreed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
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