35 Whelen Scope options. Rem700 new to scopes.

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Thisisyourcaptin

Thisisyourcaptin

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I have always been an iron sights hunter. Both of my Mausers in 35 Whelen and 25 Roberts are set up for iron sights. Love them.

I am getting older and eyesight not quite what it use to be. I’m looking into scopes now. I’ve only had them on my 22s and even then they where cheap ones.

I am looking for something that can handle the recoil of 35 Whelen and not loose it’s zero. Just looking for simple cross hairs if able. Zero will be 100 yards. Shooting from a stand. Targets are moose, elk, or deer.

I have a Remington 700 CDL that is virgin. Never had a live round feed through it. No iron sights. It’s getting sent to New England Custom Guns for EAW pivot lock scope mounts and iron sights (just incase). But I’m new to scopes and don’t know what to look for.

my cursory research shows lots to choose from. But can they handle the kick of a 35 Whelen and not loose zero.

first I’m looking at is the Leupoled vx 3hd 1.5-5 CDS ZL duplex radical.

vortex has a few. The 1-4 and 1-8 options look good. But seem to be geared to AR Platforms, or am I wrong?

zeiss looks great but 2200 I feel is not needed for daylight good weather hunting. If the weather is crap I tend to stay home. Old enough I don’t need to do that anymore.

What is a good option? Tend to hunt till sun starts to drop then I head in. Don’t need massive front lens.
 
I've had a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 on my Whelen (Remington 7600) for a few years now without an issue. I transferred it from a shorty AR five years ago, it's approximately twelve years old. I've been looking for a replacement because 3x is a bit much for driven hunts when deer/moose can run by you at close range and all you see through the scope is fur. I may sound like a broken record but Meopta Optika 6 1-6x24 RD SFP is on sale at LGS right now and I'm awfully tempted to get one. It's illuminated to boot.

Leupold is always a safe choice and the .35 Whelen isn't a particularly hard recoiling round. Your rifle weighs over 7lbs sans scope so it isn't by any means ultralight. Leupold durability is nothing short of legendary and the only drawback, limited low light performance, doesn't seem to be an issue for what you use it for.
 
Can’t go wrong with Leoupold,Vortex,Burris, or Athlon in 3x9. I am a 35 caliber loony and have these on my 358 win, 35 Whelen,35 rem, and 9.3x62. All have no issues with the recoil. It is getting harder to find a new scope with a clean reticle due to the current long range lunacy. I have several used Leoupolds that work just fine. Recoil on 35’s is not to the level it will destroy a scope unless there is a manufacturing defect. Enjoy what I consider a perfect big game round.
 
i have three 35 whelens and one of them is the same rifle you have, i have a 4-12x leupold on it and have had no problems at all. my favorite load is a healthy load of varget and the seirra 225 gr spbt, it shoots three shot groups under a inch if i do my part.
 
The 1-4 and 1-8 options look good. But seem to be geared to AR Platforms, or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Most are geared toward AR's. But that doesn't mean they would be a bad choice on a hunting rifle. I like the option of low powered scopes for close, fast shooting and having something 4X to 8X on the upper end is enough magnification for most hunters. I wish there were more options like that designed for hunters. If you're looking at this one.

VX-3HD 1.5-5X20 CDS-ZL ILLUM. FIREDOT TWILIGHT HUNTER – Leupold Rifle Scopes

That does appear to be designed with hunters in mind and would be a good choice.
 
I vote Leupold VX3 2.5-8X

I’ve got two of these. One is an older VariX III on my REM Mod-7 in 7mm-08. Other is a newer VX3 I got on clearance at Gander Mtn as they were liquidated. It’s on a Marlin .338MX.
Both of my .35’s, (BLR in .358win and a Marlin M336A in .35Rem) wear Leupold VariX II 2-7x with Leupold Dot reticles.
From 20yds in dense Forrest to 400yds across canyons, you’ve got it covered...
And they only weigh 11oz!
 
I also vote 2.5-8x VX3HD

Don't have a Whelen, do have a .350 Rem (.35W Short and Fat) in an M7. IMHO the .35Whelen and .350 are about 300 yd cartridge's, as a matter of fact I was ringing steel with mine last night at 307. Sighted 2.1" high at 100 equals 200 zero and gets me to 283 at the junction of the duplex, aim a hair higher and I'm at 300. For my .350 I've got two scopes set up in Warne mounts:

1.25-4X Swarovski zero'd for 225 Nolser Partitions
2.5-8X 3i Leupold, zero'd for Hornady 200 Interlocks
The irons are zero'd for the 250 Nolser Partition, I don't "go there" often, without the scope the 6.8lb M7 is lethal on both ends with the 250s.

The 1.25-4 is an awesome woods/timber optic, I've killed elk, deer and a couple pigs with it, all shots under 200yds. The 2.5-8x lets me stretch the distance some, due to the higher magnification and thinner crosshairs (standard duplex). On my .260 I've killed deer at over 300 with it. The 2.5-8x is also about the perfect size/weight for a short action hunting rifle. I also don't find the 2.5X on the low end a hindrance in the close stuff. IF they made the 2-7X in VX3HD I'd probably go that route.

I've got a new 2.5-8X VX3HD with CDS that's going on my .260 M7, IF it ever comes back from being re-barreled..... 10 months and counting.
 
Thank you very much everyone. I think I have narrowed it down to a 1-8 or 1.5-5. Leaning to the leupold 1.5-5. Fits budget. Have some quick detach scope mounts and rings from them as well that would match up nicely.

do y’all drill out and tap for 8/40 screws or are the stock size ok?
 
Thisisyourcaptin said:
Thank you very much everyone. I think I have narrowed it down to a 1-8 or 1.5-5. Leaning to the leupold 1.5-5. Fits budget. Have some quick detach scope mounts and rings from them as well that would match up nicely.

do y’all drill out and tap for 8/40 screws or are the stock size ok?
Click to expand...
I haven't really seen the need to go to 8-40s, My gnarliest rifles both have 6-48 in them and the .375s pushing 1000rnds with no failures.
If having NEW holes drilled i probably would opt for the larger screws
 
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To me,the only reason to have small objectives..... and I love them,is if you're going to mount the scope low. Putting a 32/33 mm objective in say med height rings might be wasting space. Might as well get a 40.

So I'm more in the camp of mounting first,may actually take medium rings to get the right cheek weld...... then,put an objective on that fills the space.

1-4's with a 30mm tube sitting down low just looks the part on a big bore killing machine. A nice Swarovski straight 4X or 6X on a medium bore..... that sort of logic. Money be danged. I just like scopes down low and tight.
 
BWS said:
To me,the only reason to have small objectives..... and I love them,is if you're going to mount the scope low. Putting a 32/33 mm objective in say med height rings might be wasting space. Might as well get a 40.

So I'm more in the camp of mounting first,may actually take medium rings to get the right cheek weld...... then,put an objective on that fills the space.

1-4's with a 30mm tube sitting down low just looks the part on a big bore killing machine. A nice Swarovski straight 4X or 6X on a medium bore..... that sort of logic. Money be danged. I just like scopes down low and tight.
Click to expand...


Could not agree more. Been waiting on scope mounts from grab a gun now for over a week to ship. Their process is super slow. Sadly it was the only place that had them in stock.
 
Thisisyourcaptin said:
Could not agree more. Been waiting on scope mounts from grab a gun now for over a week to ship. Their process is super slow. Sadly it was the only place that had them in stock.
Click to expand...

Arrrrgh!

Wish I'd read your post sooner, I just ordered another ADM Recon Mount from them a couple minutes ago.....The scope arrives tomorrow..maybe.

UPDATE: Just got a FEDEX shipped notification for the ADM Recon Mount. Should be here Thurs.....

Should have scope an mount in hand and able to zero on SAT.

ZERO complaints with same day shipping!
 
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You are going to want something with a lot of eye relief that you can push forward away from your eye!

I mounted this big honker on my Rem M700 in 35 Whelen thinking it was going to be great.

tgLZhpw.jpg

Well let me tell you something about recoil. Pushing 200, 225, or 250 grain bullets down the tube will absolutely, positively, create a lot of recoil! This rifle comes out of the rest, knocks me out of position and that big scope kept hitting the lens of my shooting glasses! I did not like getting smacked in the eye, it would have been worse without a lens between my eye and the back of the scope.

Something of this recoil level was new to me, I have been shooting 30-06 for decades, but this kicked much harder. I could have gone to extraordinary measures and added a spacer to the buttstock, such as I did for this 30-06

4V6D74N.jpg

it was easier to remove the big honker scope and find one with more eye relief.

I did do a couple things different on this 35 Whelen. I used a heavier barrel and ordered a 14 inch trigger pull for this stock. Notice how much further forward the scope is relative to the cocking piece.

xNtltXs.jpg

It is my opinion that factory stocks are too damn short. I measured a bunch of WW1 rifles and 13.0 to 13.5 trigger pulls were common on the military rifles of the era, and 13.5 inch trigger pulls are still common. People are about four inches taller now and those short trigger pull distances are just fine if you like having a scope stuck to your eyeball. I think a 14.0 to 14.25 trigger pull just fine, especially as that is what I use in small bore prone. I added a spacer to move the length out on this 1950's rimfire.

VM6Kerp.jpg

it puts my elbow and hand in a less stressed position when I am shooting prone.

Anyway, if you are over 6 feet tall, and you have one of those scopes that won't move forward, expect to get ringed by the bell!
 
I own 2 European rifles a Mannlicher Schoenauer model 1905 and a CZ 550 FS and both came stock with 14+ LOP which is perfect fit for me. I have been using slip on recoil pads for years just to lengthen LOP on many of my guns.
 
Leupoled quick detach mounts and rings. Cheap 1 inch scope to see if I like them. It’s A 1.5-5. If I do then I’ve settled on a Leupoled that is similar or a Vortex.

the Swing out sights from NECGW will happen. But I think I’ll be sending it there way after the deer season and a possible Elk hunt in two months. This rifle would be perfect for it.

next I’d like a nice round bolt knob installed and my Gentry Three position safety.

Now to find ammo.


24E8DFA0-9130-4DF0-9A90-CC29E43CAFD8.jpeg 2D22B9B7-9046-4B2E-9259-33E73A689AAF.jpeg F992ED9D-C23A-4303-9D77-2428F30E5327.jpeg 24E8DFA0-9130-4DF0-9A90-CC29E43CAFD8.jpeg 2D22B9B7-9046-4B2E-9259-33E73A689AAF.jpeg F992ED9D-C23A-4303-9D77-2428F30E5327.jpeg
 
Slamfire said:
You are going to want something with a lot of eye relief that you can push forward away from your eye!

I mounted this big honker on my Rem M700 in 35 Whelen thinking it was going to be great.

View attachment 1038320

Well let me tell you something about recoil. Pushing 200, 225, or 250 grain bullets down the tube will absolutely, positively, create a lot of recoil! This rifle comes out of the rest, knocks me out of position and that big scope kept hitting the lens of my shooting glasses! I did not like getting smacked in the eye, it would have been worse without a lens between my eye and the back of the scope.

Something of this recoil level was new to me, I have been shooting 30-06 for decades, but this kicked much harder. I could have gone to extraordinary measures and added a spacer to the buttstock, such as I did for this 30-06

View attachment 1038321

it was easier to remove the big honker scope and find one with more eye relief.

I did do a couple things different on this 35 Whelen. I used a heavier barrel and ordered a 14 inch trigger pull for this stock. Notice how much further forward the scope is relative to the cocking piece.

View attachment 1038322

It is my opinion that factory stocks are too damn short. I measured a bunch of WW1 rifles and 13.0 to 13.5 trigger pulls were common on the military rifles of the era, and 13.5 inch trigger pulls are still common. People are about four inches taller now and those short trigger pull distances are just fine if you like having a scope stuck to your eyeball. I think a 14.0 to 14.25 trigger pull just fine, especially as that is what I use in small bore prone. I added a spacer to move the length out on this 1950's rimfire.

View attachment 1038323

it puts my elbow and hand in a less stressed position when I am shooting prone.

Anyway, if you are over 6 feet tall, and you have one of those scopes that won't move forward, expect to get ringed by the bell!
Click to expand...

if I measure right I think mine is at 14 inches. I think I need a 14.5 or 14.25. Either way I’ve ordered a cheap 15 inch one from Boyd’s to use a mock up stock. Change and mold all the angles like I see fit. Leave zero room for a butt pad as I hate those. Going to use a Winchester M70 butt plate. then send off for duplication from M&R in Vermont.
 
Some years back, my hunting buddy talked to a Leupold rep at a trade show. Supposedly at that time, Leupold would withstand more G force than any other scope. This is according to their rep, whatever that is worth

I can tell you that I’ve had multiple Leupolds on various rifles and slug guns with no issues. mine have held zero and haven’t shaken apart. They have all been VX-III’s or VX-3’s

For my new 7 mag I got a 2-12 VX 6 with Firedot. I like the generous eye relief. The VX-6 has a 30mm tube, so that needs to be taken into account if one goes that direction
 
I have had a cheap 4x Tasco pronghorn scope on a 12 gauge slug gun for 32 years and it has held zero that entire time. I have never had to adjust it since sighting it in the first time. I have made several 100 + yard shots with that smooth bore and scope over the years. More expensive doesn’t automatically mean better.
 
It sounds like a 1.5-5 would serve you well. I have several rifles with that scope. The hardest recoiling one is a Ruger #1 in 45-70. I have one of them mounted on a 22 that I use to shoot Beavers with at night. If there is any moonlight at all I can pick out a Beaver swimming in the water in the dark. The Swarovski even picks up more light but its several times more expensive.
 
If you can find a Leupold Compact variable in 3x9 or 4x12 it would be perfect. I’ve got a tang safety Ruger 77 in 35 Whelen that I put probably half dozen scopes on until I lucked into the Leupold Compact. It’s perfect in my mind.
 
I have two “hunting” rifles, a .308 and a .35 Remington.

The .308 has a 2-10x50, and the .35 has a 2-7x32

I want a low power/wide FOV bottom end.
 
Good choices for those calibers. Being a still hunter I am also concerned about weight of scope and having them mounted low so as to have quick acquisition of sight picture as most of my shots are up close and fleeting.
 
chickasaw_hunter said:
I've been hunting with a Whelen since 89' and mine has always worn a 4X. These days with 4X's so few and far between I'd consider a Leupold 6 x 33.
Click to expand...
Most of my rifle have 4x optics, Hawke makes a pretty decent one for a stupidly low price. My preference would be a Meopta Artemis 2000 or a Weaver Classic K4, neither exactly grow on trees anymore, but they can be found on Ebay.


Always figured if I can't get a good site picture on it with a 4x, I probably don't need to be throwing lead at it.
 
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