Haven't posted in a long time but ran into this discussion about my favorite round. About 12 years ago I picked up a 1941 model 70 that had been converted to left handed. It was chambered in 30-06 and I knew it was going to have to be my long desired 35 Whelen. I had always admired the round and had wanted one since my youth. Now after 12 years I admire it as much or more than ever. Mine was rebored by LaBounty with a 1-14 twist. It shoots any 250 grain bullet like a varmint rifle.

It's hard to say why it hasn't caught on more than it has. Certainly the folks that have them, love them. I have for all these years run 250 grain bullets, usually Partitions, in mine. It has downed three caribou, all very expeditiously. I recently stumbled into a little over 400 of the old Hornady 275 grain bullets. Initial tests with them are looking good. My standard load with the 250's has always been 56 grains of 4320 for a velocity of 2550-2600 fps. I'm anxious to see what the 275's will do.

I like my Whelens so much, both the 35 and 400, that my lefty 375 H&H is up for sale. It never sees any use since I have it bracketed by Whelens. If I can score the right action, I'll build the in between brother, the 38 Whelen or 375 Whelen as it is commonly known. If pressed to choose only one rifle for North America it would be the 35 Whelen.

Mart