.35 whelen

Deer hunter88 · July 2, 2017, 03:02 PM

Does anyone have any experience with the CVA scout V2 with the ported barrel (muzzle break) chambered in .35 whelen? I've been tossing around the idea of buying one but haven't decided yet.

taylorce1 · July 2, 2017, 03:41 PM

No experience with that rifle, but the .35 Whelen is a great cartridge. I always found it to be pretty easy to find a decent hand load for. Plus with it's popularity in some states primitive season you have a lot more options in factory ammunition.

jmr40 · July 2, 2017, 03:51 PM

I don't know anything about the CVA rifles, but my brother and I both experimented with 35 Whelen. In a nutshell you get recoil that equals or exceeds 300 WM depending on bullet weight. A 30-06 loaded with 200-220 gr bullets penetrates deeper at any range, and has more energy than 35 Whelen with 200-225 gr bullets beyond about 100 yards. And does it with less recoil and flatter trajectory. If you shoot bullets heavier than 250 gr in the Whelen you start showing some minor advantage over 30-06.

I understand that some places consider a single shot rifle in 35 Whelen legal for primitive weapons season. If that is the angle you're looking at then it would be a legitimate choice.

But given the option of hunting with a 30-06, 300 magnum, or 35 Whelen I'd take one of the 30 calibers 10 times out of 10. If something in 30 caliber isn't big enough, 35 Whelen ain't enough bigger to matter.

stagpanther · July 2, 2017, 05:05 PM

Might want to look at 358 win similar performance with a 308 case--very easy to neck up.

Doyle · July 2, 2017, 05:43 PM

I shoot a .35 Whelen - but through an Encore platform. I can tell you, the kick is definitely noticeable. I'm personally not a fan of ported barrels. For what little reduction in recoil they give you, they make up for it in increased noise and muzzle blast.

Paul B. · July 2, 2017, 05:48 PM

"I don't know anything about the CVA rifles, but my brother and I both experimented with 35 Whelen. In a nutshell you get recoil that equals or exceeds 300 WM depending on bullet weight. A 30-06 loaded with 200-220 gr bullets penetrates deeper at any range, and has more energy than 35 Whelen with 200-225 gr bullets beyond about 100 yards. And does it with less recoil and flatter trajectory. If you shoot bullets heavier than 250 gr in the Whelen you start showing some minor advantage over 30-06.

I understand that some places consider a single shot rifle in 35 Whelen legal for primitive weapons season. If that is the angle you're looking at then it would be a legitimate choice.

But given the option of hunting with a 30-06, 300 magnum, or 35 Whelen I'd take one of the 30 calibers 10 times out of 10. If something in 30 caliber isn't big enough, 35 Whelen ain't enough bigger to matter."

I'm strongly inclined to disagree with you. Rifle weight, fit and bullet choice can make a big difference. I've used the 30-06, .300 Win. Mag. and the Whelen on elk and all work just fine. I've decided on the Whelen for most of my elk hunts. Push a 225 gr, Barnes TSX, Nosler Partion or Acubond to 2600/2700 FPS and you have the same trajectory as a 180 gr. 30-06 plus or minus an inch or so depending on which bullet. I've shot elk from 150 yards to 350 yards with the Barnes bullet and two elk were DRT and three that were hit a bit too far back were stopped on the spot but needed finishers. I have three Whelens and two have the 1 in 16" twist while the custom has a 1 in 14" twist. I would think no problem would arise using a Partition or Accubond in 225 gr. weight. Remington messed up again when loading the cartridge to be suitable for pump and semi-auto rifles. Guess they did not learn from the .280 Rem. Any bullet hat will hit an elk behind the short ribs and exit between the neck ans should certainly has more than enough penetration for anything on the North American continent and most African game as well. I do exclude the dangerous game but think it would work just fine on leopard or lion as weel if the particular country I might be hunting in allowed it.
Paul B.

Doyle · July 2, 2017, 07:09 PM

Quote:

I understand that some places consider a single shot rifle in 35 Whelen legal for primitive weapons season. If that is the angle you're looking at then it would be a legitimate choice.

That would be Mississippi (where the OP is from) and LA. Single shot, external hammer, .35 caliber and up.

fourbore · July 3, 2017, 06:27 AM

Lot of choices in 44mag for a situation like that. No need to suffer a ported gun.

stagpanther · July 3, 2017, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Lot of choices in 44mag for a situation like that

+1

Jack O'Conner · July 3, 2017, 06:47 AM

I have a CVA rifle in 44 MAG chambering. This is my Florida hog rifle hunting over bait. No problems with fit, finish, function, or accuracy. Good rifle for a fair price.

Jack

Doyle · July 3, 2017, 09:04 AM

If MS primitive weapon season is what you are after and you are a handloader, you can load up 180grn projectiles with a mild load and significantly reduce the kick. Even though you loose some B.C. with those shorter loads, you can still reach out farther than you can with other "primitive weapon legal" calibers.

Deer hunter88 · July 3, 2017, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doyle

If MS primitive weapon season is what you are after and you are a handloader, you can load up 180grn projectiles with a mild load and significantly reduce the kick. Even though you loose some B.C. with those shorter loads, you can still reach out farther than you can with other "primitive weapon legal" calibers.

I'm limited to factory ammunition because I don't handload, but if I had someone locally that could teach me what I needed to know about handloading then I would buy a reloading kit.

Deer hunter88 · July 3, 2017, 11:38 AM

Really the only reason I'm considering buying a .35 whelen is because of Mississippi's primitive weapons season, so if I buy a .35 whelen then it will be my primary deer rifle even during regular gun season.

taylorce1 · July 3, 2017, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourbore

No need to suffer a ported gun.

I'm not a huge fan of muzzlebreaks either, but they do work. However, the CVA Scout .35 Whelen is threaded for the muzzle brake. So you can shoot it with or without if I'm reading the specs correctly.

July 2, 2017, 03:02 PM	#1
Deer hunter88 Member Join Date: June 28, 2017 Location: Mississippi Posts: 68	.35 whelen Does anyone have any experience with the CVA scout V2 with the ported barrel (muzzle break) chambered in .35 whelen? I've been tossing around the idea of buying one but haven't decided yet.

July 2, 2017, 03:41 PM	#2
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	No experience with that rifle, but the .35 Whelen is a great cartridge. I always found it to be pretty easy to find a decent hand load for. Plus with it's popularity in some states primitive season you have a lot more options in factory ammunition. __________________ NRA Life Member

July 2, 2017, 03:51 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	I don't know anything about the CVA rifles, but my brother and I both experimented with 35 Whelen. In a nutshell you get recoil that equals or exceeds 300 WM depending on bullet weight. A 30-06 loaded with 200-220 gr bullets penetrates deeper at any range, and has more energy than 35 Whelen with 200-225 gr bullets beyond about 100 yards. And does it with less recoil and flatter trajectory. If you shoot bullets heavier than 250 gr in the Whelen you start showing some minor advantage over 30-06. I understand that some places consider a single shot rifle in 35 Whelen legal for primitive weapons season. If that is the angle you're looking at then it would be a legitimate choice. But given the option of hunting with a 30-06, 300 magnum, or 35 Whelen I'd take one of the 30 calibers 10 times out of 10. If something in 30 caliber isn't big enough, 35 Whelen ain't enough bigger to matter. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

July 2, 2017, 05:05 PM	#4
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	Might want to look at 358 win similar performance with a 308 case--very easy to neck up. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

July 2, 2017, 05:48 PM	#6
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	"I don't know anything about the CVA rifles, but my brother and I both experimented with 35 Whelen. In a nutshell you get recoil that equals or exceeds 300 WM depending on bullet weight. A 30-06 loaded with 200-220 gr bullets penetrates deeper at any range, and has more energy than 35 Whelen with 200-225 gr bullets beyond about 100 yards. And does it with less recoil and flatter trajectory. If you shoot bullets heavier than 250 gr in the Whelen you start showing some minor advantage over 30-06. I understand that some places consider a single shot rifle in 35 Whelen legal for primitive weapons season. If that is the angle you're looking at then it would be a legitimate choice. But given the option of hunting with a 30-06, 300 magnum, or 35 Whelen I'd take one of the 30 calibers 10 times out of 10. If something in 30 caliber isn't big enough, 35 Whelen ain't enough bigger to matter." I'm strongly inclined to disagree with you. Rifle weight, fit and bullet choice can make a big difference. I've used the 30-06, .300 Win. Mag. and the Whelen on elk and all work just fine. I've decided on the Whelen for most of my elk hunts. Push a 225 gr, Barnes TSX, Nosler Partion or Acubond to 2600/2700 FPS and you have the same trajectory as a 180 gr. 30-06 plus or minus an inch or so depending on which bullet. I've shot elk from 150 yards to 350 yards with the Barnes bullet and two elk were DRT and three that were hit a bit too far back were stopped on the spot but needed finishers. I have three Whelens and two have the 1 in 16" twist while the custom has a 1 in 14" twist. I would think no problem would arise using a Partition or Accubond in 225 gr. weight. Remington messed up again when loading the cartridge to be suitable for pump and semi-auto rifles. Guess they did not learn from the .280 Rem. Any bullet hat will hit an elk behind the short ribs and exit between the neck ans should certainly has more than enough penetration for anything on the North American continent and most African game as well. I do exclude the dangerous game but think it would work just fine on leopard or lion as weel if the particular country I might be hunting in allowed it. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

July 2, 2017, 05:43 PM	#5
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I shoot a .35 Whelen - but through an Encore platform. I can tell you, the kick is definitely noticeable. I'm personally not a fan of ported barrels. For what little reduction in recoil they give you, they make up for it in increased noise and muzzle blast.

July 3, 2017, 06:27 AM	#8
fourbore Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2015 Location: new england Posts: 1,159	Lot of choices in 44mag for a situation like that. No need to suffer a ported gun.

July 3, 2017, 06:47 AM	#10
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I have a CVA rifle in 44 MAG chambering. This is my Florida hog rifle hunting over bait. No problems with fit, finish, function, or accuracy. Good rifle for a fair price. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

July 3, 2017, 09:04 AM	#11
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	If MS primitive weapon season is what you are after and you are a handloader, you can load up 180grn projectiles with a mild load and significantly reduce the kick. Even though you loose some B.C. with those shorter loads, you can still reach out farther than you can with other "primitive weapon legal" calibers.

July 3, 2017, 11:38 AM	#13
Deer hunter88 Member Join Date: June 28, 2017 Location: Mississippi Posts: 68	Really the only reason I'm considering buying a .35 whelen is because of Mississippi's primitive weapons season, so if I buy a .35 whelen then it will be my primary deer rifle even during regular gun season.