I will be hunting bear on top of a ridge that is very open for 200-300 yds with thick cover in the draws. I have 2 15" barrels a 308AI w/180gr sp@2400 thats been bloodied or a 35 whelen AI (not bloodied)

w/225gr btsp.@ 2500 fps it carrys a 400-600# energy advantage over the 308 to 300 yds.
Which would you grab first?

Id go with the one thats tried and true, its bloodied so you know it works. As the song says "ya got to dance with the one that brought ya".

Use the one that you feel the most confident with: that is over 50% of the battle.

So, I agree with Night Stalker, assuming the "bloodied" one is the one you feel most "tried and true" (confident) with.

Gotta say I'm a 35 Whelen fan!
It will never get bloodied if you don't take it to a dance... Take the 35!

+1....

That's what I was thinking too! Gotta get blood on it some time......

Well, how much confidence do you have in the 35 Whelen? I would have to say that the 308 will do the job, but if you feel comfortable with the 35 I would take it...

I have to say that I also favor the 35 Whelen. It is just one of my favorite chamberings... BUT, if there is any question in your mind take the 308!

Duane

I'd take the .35 Whelen.

I would lean to the Whelen as well, IF you have confidence in it.

TC is right! I'm a Whelen fan too! How do you like it in a pistol? I've only used it in a 22 inch barrel, so I'm wondering how is the recoil? For bear, I can't see using the .308 over the 35 unless the 35 is uncomfortable enough to make you lose the shot. Mine kicks substantially in a rifle.

Man alive I didnt know there were so many 35W fans out there and I know why. Its BIG and its a THUMPER. The load I developed is 63.5gr RL 15, Sie 225 btsp w/ Fed 215 But over the years its been Hell on Burris EER 2-7 scopes I now have a Bullberry base and 4 Burris Z rings so it doesn't seem to be moving. I will load up 20 rounds today to confirm zero and performance before going further. The 35W is a Bullberry stainless w/ a nice screw off brake so as long as I pay attention to what my elbows are sitting on recoil isn't an issue. The BBL is prestine though. The 308 has been on many backpack hunting trips and shows it with scratchs and mars. Its a stainless magnaported Foxridge barrel and is quite reliable that said I'm leaning towards the whelen if range time go's well. I dont know why I said Nikon scopes, they are burris

I've heard that the Nikons are not the best for heavy recoil handguns. I love 'em on rifles, but am skittish about the handgun scopes. Try a Burris. Yep, the whelen has a heck of a thump. Great round for anything deer size and up, and wads up coyotes like newspaper.

The Whelen needs BLOOD!!

Take the Whelen. No such thing as "too dead".

Although my first bear crumpled up like wet newspaper at 80yds with the 308 AI I'm thinking theres a very fine line between dead and almost dead and between that line lie's the opportunity for the bear to escape to parts unknown or parts VERY undesireable to retrieve, That said I'm thinking any advantage or edge I can gain the better and higher energy out to max range (300yds) is considered an advantage. I have no experience with this Sierra 225 btsp bullet on game however using it will give me that experience.
Range time will dictate my decision at this point.

Patrick

I will go with the 35 Whelen as well. I had a 35 Whelen in a custom 98 Mauser years ago. It was one deer killing rifle. It should do well in an Encore as well. As long as it is not so fierce that you do not shoot it well, you cannot use too much gun on bear.

My opinion .35 Whelen would be my choice bigger bullet hits harder...but you can't go wrong with the .308 either tuff choice, Take both always need a back up gun!

THAT... is great advice! I usually take two guns, one just stays in the truck.

That is easy, it has to be the Whelen for the first deer and then the 308, the the Whelen again, til the season is over.