300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

[Guest Colorado Bob]

A 300 Win Mag & elk hunting---------just about a perfect match. In many circles it's the elk cartridge. 180 or 200 grain Nolser Partitions are the standard.

Both will work just fine under 300 yards. A plain ole 30/06 has been my choice for years.

If you found a good deal on a 300 Mag----get it & put a good scope on it. A VX-II 3x9--40MM Leupold would be my choice. Good Luck CB

[JimT]

Re: 300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

Either will be fine,,But I would go with the .300.

[Strut10]

Re: 300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

Both good elk rounds. The .300 will shoot flatter, hit harder and give more choices of bullet weight and design. The .35 won't recoil quite as much and will open a bit larger wound channel. I have two .300's and love them. There's not many (if any) rounds as versatile as a .300 Mag. I'd go with the .300.

[AJ]

Re: 300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

I can't add a lot to what has been said. Both will work fine, but the 300 does have the slight edge in ballistics. Energy wise it is comparable but it does shoot a bit flatter. If I were hunting more open country I would go with the 300 Win Mag, if I were hunting dark timber more 35 Whelen would be my choice.

[Shaun_300]

Re: 300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

I'd definetly go with the .300 as well. both are great cartridges, like AJ said, the .35 would be great in timber, but out in the open, definetly go with the .300.

[Strut10]

Re: 300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

Here's a link to a ballistic comparison between the two. I chose the two factory loadings I would personally pick if I were going elk hunting.

Remington Ballistics.

[iron buck]

Re: 300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

For me it is a no brainer.............get both LOL.

Seriously though, I have (2) 300 magnums. A 300 wby & a 300 win mag. And i can not tell any difference in "on game" performance between them & my 30-06. All (3) 30 cals kill game when hit in the vitals.

My 35 whelen on the other hand may not shoot as flat . But it shoots plenty flat enough for elk out to 300 yards. But it's "on game" performance is a amazing. It just plain drops game where it stands when hit in the vitals. I'd stick with the 250 grain bullets. The 200s have poor sectional density for game the size of elk.

If I get my whelen mauser done in time for this falls elk hunt it will head to Colorado with me. If it is not ready, I will NOT be taking one of my 300s. I'll take instead my 338. I like the added bullet diameter on bigger game. Which is art of the reason I love the 35 whelen so much.

Good luck!

[7th]

Re: 300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

The only thing I can add to this would be do you reload? every Mom and Pop's store has ammo out west for the 300 Win Mag but may have a hard time getting the 35.

I have been looking at the 35 for years and still would love to add one to my safe soon.

[Guest lilcrackshot]

Re: 300 Win mag or 35 Whelen

I would go with the 35. It would be great for brushier areas and out to 300 yds.