35 Whelen- Need some experience feedback

[Garandimal]

> 35 Caliber SP bullets, at Rifle Velocities, make bigger holes and transfers more energy out of proportion to smaller calibers.

The .35 Whelen is a thumper.


That said...

When the Medium Bore merry-go-round stopped on a rifle to augment the upper envelope of my .270 WCF...?

It was this Ruger Hawkeye African, chambered in 9.3x62mm.

​

Short of bovine, probably not much performance difference.




GR

 

[Matthew Clark]

Thanks to all the responders to my query.
Lots of good information, I appreciate it.
Since I have a little time before the project takes place i have since run into another possibility. The totaly unknown to me 9.3x62 mauser round is the basis for a lot of conversations and that could be an ideal chambering. Apparently it compares somewhat to the 35 Whelen and lands just shy of 375 H&H in performance. Being more of a 250 yd. hard hitter in the thick than the other two with their versatility for longer ranges. I am totally uninformed about this cartridge. Anyone care to educate me on performance if you have used or are using this round. + or - compared to 35 whelen.
This project gun will likely be used for brown bear as a max animal pursued. I have a 338Win Mag in a ruger No.1s. for non dangerous larger critters. This will be for the biters i may encounter.

 

[troy fairweather]

If I were building a rifle I'd pick the 9.3x62 over the whelen anyday, I like the whelen but like the 9.3 much more.

The 9.3 was made to fit the 98 mauser action it fits perfectly came out in the early 1900s believe the original load was a 285gr bullet at 2400 fps or about that. You can buy cheap ppu ammo for the 9.3

 

[cdb1]

I’m with Troy, if the 9.3x62 is legal for elephant in some countries then I’d think it be adequate for brown bear.

 

[Garandimal]

And, RE: the 9.3x62:

- 9.3x62mm cartridge with a recovered 286gr Swift A-Frame and Woodleigh FMJ -​

If you reload that inexpensive PPU brass...?

​

Like (Light to heavy):
- 270 gr. Speer Hot-Cor
- 250 gr. Nosler AB
- 250 gr. Barnes TSX
- 285 gr. Norma Oryx
- 286 gr. Swift A-Frame

​

GR

 

[Matthew Clark]

If you reload that inexpensive PPU brass...?

Garandimal,
I do fully intend to reload whatever caliber I select. May not be PPU but some brand.
I'm starting to see the merits of this caliber.
I like it! Thanks!

 

[sage5907]

Instead of re barreling, consider a re bore by JES. There are many positive testimonials to his work.

In the past month I sent a barrel to JES to be rebored to a 338-06. The turn around time was less than 2 weeks and the return postage was in the quoted price. I paid $275 for the rebore which included a 1:10 twist with 5 groves. The work was excellent, he did no damage to the surface of the barrel and the entire experience was excellent. Jess is really nice guy to work with and he is easy to understand on the phone. To identify the new cartridge he stamped 338 above the 06 on the barrel. I can't wait to get the barrel installed on my rifle and to see how it shoots. You can cut the cost of changing the bore to a 35 Whelen in half by using the original barrel and I recommend getting the 5 grove option or 6 groves if you can talk him into doing 6 groves..

 

[cdb1]

In the past month I sent a barrel to JES to be rebored to a 338-06. The turn around time was less than 2 weeks and the return postage was in the quoted price. I paid $275 for the rebore which included a 1:10 twist with 5 groves. The work was excellent, he did no damage to the surface of the barrel and the entire experience was excellent. Jess is really nice guy to work with and he is easy to understand on the phone. To identify the new cartridge he stamped 338 above the 06 on the barrel. I can't wait to get the barrel installed on my rifle and to see how it shoots. You can cut the cost of changing the bore to a 35 Whelen in half by using the original barrel and I recommend getting the 5 grove option or 6 groves if you can talk him into doing 6 groves..

I’m glad it worked out well for you. I’d be interested in hearing about accuracy when you shoot it. I’ve never heard about bad accuracy from a JES rebore.

 

[Garandimal]

If you reload that inexpensive PPU brass...?

Garandimal,
I do fully intend to reload whatever caliber I select. May not be PPU but some brand.
I'm starting to see the merits of this caliber.
I like it! Thanks!

Well...

The PPU is good brass.

And while the Factory 285 gr. ammo is a little slow, it is also generally ~ $22.00/20 box delivered by the case.


So you end up with fire-formed, once-fired brass, along with the transition/marksmanship/light hunting disassembly process.

... for ~ the same acquisition cost as virgin.




GR