Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
#74376
09/08/2010 4:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 110
dasbear
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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?
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: dasbear]
#74377
09/08/2010 4:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 91
Night Stalker
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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".
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Night Stalker]
#74378
09/08/2010 5:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
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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.
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#74380
09/08/2010 7:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,399
Vance in AK.
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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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!
Vance in AK.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Vance in AK.]
#74381
09/08/2010 10:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
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old hand
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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....
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Vance in AK.]
#74383
09/08/2010 11:31 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
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Shootist
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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! That's what I was thinking too! Gotta get blood on it some time......
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Whitworth]
#74385
09/08/2010 11:45 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
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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
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb Benjamin Franklin
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: TCTex.]
#74386
09/08/2010 11:57 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725
500WE
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: 500WE]
#74388
09/08/2010 2:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
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I would lean to the Whelen as well, IF you have confidence in it.
Ernie the Un-Tactical
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Ernie]
#74396
09/08/2010 3:54 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 287
Al in OK
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enthusiast
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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.
Gun Control - A theory; A belief that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them they cannot own a gun.
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Al in OK]
#74399
09/08/2010 5:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 110
dasbear
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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
Last edited by dasbear; 09/08/2010 8:05 PM.
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: dasbear]
#74402
09/08/2010 7:30 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 287
Al in OK
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enthusiast
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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.
Gun Control - A theory; A belief that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them they cannot own a gun.
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Al in OK]
#74407
09/08/2010 10:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,704
Tigger
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The Whelen needs BLOOD!!
NRA Life Member
** NEVER! Moon a Werewolf!!**
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Tigger]
#74409
09/08/2010 11:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,280
Sawfish
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Take the Whelen. No such thing as "too dead".
Good Shooting Makes Good Hunting Patron Member NRA; Life Member RMEF, SCI, NSRPA, CRPA: Member, FTRF, HHI #7108, CBA
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Sawfish]
#74420
09/09/2010 1:15 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 110
dasbear
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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
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: dasbear]
#74422
09/09/2010 1:24 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155
Bob Roach
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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.
See You At The Range
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Al in OK]
#74489
09/10/2010 3:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Jeffx
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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!
ONE SHOT - ONE KILL
T/C HANDGUN HUNTER
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Jeffx]
#74517
09/11/2010 2:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
Shootist
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...Take both always need a back up gun! THAT... is great advice! I usually take two guns, one just stays in the truck.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb Benjamin Franklin
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Re: Bit of a quandry Which gun stays home???
[Re: Al in OK]
#74547
09/12/2010 11:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 51
LouisB
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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.
Hunt, fish, go shooting or just fritter your life away
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