|
|
|
Discussion Forums
Forum Index
> Rifles general discussion
> Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?
Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?
@ 03:44 pm (GMT) |
Drew PigottHello, I have been looking into getting a medium bore for close range hunting for a while. I've settled on not using the rifle past 250-300 yards as a maximum. I'd like to use a low power 1.5-5 or 2.5-8 power scope and mainly hunt wild boar and possibly elk in heavy timber ( maybe African plains game in the future? Wishful thinking? ). I've been considering getting a .35 whelen or 9.3x62 mauser. Which is your favorite and why? I was considering using 250 grain bullets in the .35 or 286 grain bullets in the 9.3. Is it worth building a custom bolt action .35 whelen or saving and going with the 9.3x62 CZ 550? I'm only interested in a bolt gun. What are your thoughts everyone? Thanks, Drew Pigott |
Replies
@ 09:03 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?G'day DrewMy hunting mate has a Sako 85 in 9.3x62 & loves it, and it’s extremely accurate. But it’s a lot of gun for boar, maybe if I was going to buy a factory bolt rifle as I don't think there's a 358Win available. I have the choice of using a 9.3x62 , 35 Whelan or 338-06 but my 358 win is my go to rifle for everything in Australia. 8.25lbs with 6x Zeiss scope, 22" barrel, recoil is not a problem at all. I have loaded cases with 225gn partitions at 2620fps at least 10 times only neck sizing. Those Lapua 308 palmer cases are strong. I've found backing off to 2450fps with 225gn Sierra GK is a mild recoil, not noisy and still kills like lightning. For normal hunting out to 300yds I wouldn't swap my 358 Winchester bolt action for anything. For long range I use a 6mm Remington on Dogs etc, 30-06 for Deer, Pigs, Goats. But for a normal, go for a walk hunt I can’t better my 358 win, kills like you wouldn’t believe and you could eat the bullet hole. But!!! Smack a big solid stag through the shoulders where’s there’s a lot of resistance, then there’s heaps of meat damage! Cheers Bob |
@ 09:14 pm (GMT) |
GREGG FOSSERe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Browning still makes a beautiful lever gun in 358........ |
|
@ 09:22 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi GreggNever owned a lever action rifle. I don't know if you can load them as hard as a bolt action??? But then again, as I said, you don't need to drive them flat-out anyway. |
|
@ 09:53 pm (GMT) |
GREGG FOSSERe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Bob - The same rifle is chambered in 300 WSM so I guess that answers that concern (I believe the 300 WSM is rated to 60,000). Also the Browning BLR is available as a take down (!!). Lever guns are a gas, very easy and fast to reload even leaving it on the shoulder, great saddle gun (no bolt) and the Browning action is geared so it is very smooth, also the trigger goes with the lever so no pinched fingers..... |
|
@ 11:32 pm (GMT) |
Drew PigottRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi Bob,We have boar that run upwards of 3-350 lbs at times. Although they are not that common, they are certainly out there and are just like panzer tanks! You do make an excellent advocate for the 358 Winchester. From how you describe the whole package, it has to be ideal for traditional hunting ranges! I do believe ill still stick with the Whelen though. I'm not terribly recoil shy and with a 200-225 grain pill I will still have a good trajectory. I spoke with a gentleman yesterday that is well thought of here in the States, Jess (.35caliber.com), he will rebore and chamber a barrel for $225. That includes cut rifling. I think I'll get a new stainless Weatherby Vanguard .30-06 (I'm fond of these rifles) and have Jess punch it out to .35 Whelen. If it turns out a dud, I can always go with a custom barrel is the way I see it. How does that 225 grain sierra do for penetration on Sambar? I can imagine with the denser structure the 225 will do some damage!! Lever actions are great fun Bob! I recommend them! A Winchester 94 in .30-30 WCF was one of the first center fires I had experience with. Great fun! I do recommend using gloves if you intend to shoot fast, on closing the lever you can pinch the devil out of your hand below your knuckles. Check out fortyfiveseventy.com and safariBwana.com .. A gentleman PH in African named Pete that has been using a Marlin 1895 GBL 45-70 with heavy hand loads to hunt lion, hippo and the like. Good reads and a few laughs! All the best, Drew Pigott |
|
@ 11:45 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?G'day DrewThe first time I used the 225gn Sierra's in my 358W was on a very big Samba/Rusa cross at 200yds, the projectile was under the skin on the opposite shoulder after doing heaps of damage. the pill was nocked around and about half its weight. I initially though the pill wasn't good enough but after dropping a lot of big Deer with it, I realised it was doing its job perfectly !!! Instant kills too. The Woodleigh's will kill them a lot deader ha ha for three time the price and come out looking like they do in the text book. Woodleigh's are the best though. the 250gn PP in your 35 Whelan would be perfect. |
@ 03:57 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?The BLR is a nice "looking" rifle, not so nice to work on. The design is fundamentally flawed. This is another rifle covered in my first book (albeit briefly). There is no need for such design flaws in this day and age. Its not hard to design a basic accurate Lever if anyone can be bothered.Really handy being able to crank off a bunch of shots quickly in lieu of accuracy. Of course the cop outqmc has always been- you don't need accuracy with a bush gun. But why handicap a good cartridge.... |
|
@ 08:10 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Check this out guys:http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/Wound+Database/.358+cal+-+Hornady+Interlock.html Thanks to Joe from Canada who has been watching this thread with interest. |
|
@ 12:37 am (GMT) |
GREGG FOSSERe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Thanks Nathan and thank you Joe from Canada for the useful information and pics!My fave lever gun is the '92 design I do own one, Browning made by Miruko Japan in 44 mag. I have owned a 1957 Win '94 30-30 but compared to the '92 the action was less enjoyable to operate. Also own a Henry 22 LR lever smooth as silk. I have not owned a BLR, glad to have some feedback from the master. I have a weakness for lever guns so I have to stay out of gun stores..... long, long ago I ran across a beautiful Ruger bolt gun in 358 in a wonderful gun store in Seattle (it is probably gone now, similar to Abercrombie and Fitch in Chicago back in the day when there were real outfitters) and have always regretted that I let it slip away. Abercrombie had a 9 foot Kodiak on display (standing) with an 18 inch scar, had been killed by a knife. What a gun room they had. |
|
@ 06:05 pm (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?Hi Bob, out of interest, which twist did you go with?My general recommendation is 1:12 for .358 bore through to the Norma Mag. A slower twist can be good if running light bullets, a faster twist good for the very heavy but more rare bullet weights, 1:12 sitting in the middle. Buts is always interesting to hear of successful variations. |
|
@ 10:20 pm (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: Anybody used a .35 Whelen or 9.3x62 Mauser?G'day GuysNathan, My 358 Winchester is 1:12 #3 chrome molly Shillen . Sorry for the delay I've been away hunting. Love my new 30-06 its a tack driver, love the Sightron mil dot scope too. Big buck Fallow at 430m 1.9 mil dot hold over allowed 3" for the slight breeze, bang on the Hillar spot, dropped without a quiver. The 165 SST's preformed perfectly, I was expecting big holes, but on all the game I shot I never recovered a projectile and all had around 30mm exit holes. I used 139 SST's in a 7mm-08 last year at a bit over 2800fps I didn't like them, killed well but they made one hell of a mess. The 165 SST 30 cal must be harder? Cheers Bob |
Please wait
ABOUT USWe are a small, family run business, based out of Taranaki, New Zealand, who specialize in cartridge research and testing, and rifle accurizing.
|
KNOWLEDGEBASE |
KNOWLEDGEBASE |