35 Whelen Remington "Semi" for 2006 - model 750 WoodsmasterThe 35s have been too often given a "bad rep" - an undeserved kick in the sides from quite a few gun pundits. What have some been reporting? That they are all medium range cartridges. Enemic factory ammo has somewhat fueled this. However, if you roll your own, there are a number of the 35s that can be excellent long range recipes for big game hunting success - when properly loaded that is (see my comments and senario "But This Just In" bottom this page).
An article in March/April 2005 Rifleshooter Magazine entitled Cartridge Efficiency, written by George W. Calef, proposes - "Forget about the highest power and velocity : which rounds produce the most with the powder they burn?"
I think Calef's article is somewhat flawed with errors of fact, some questions about logic, and and some ommisions (like straight walled cases like the 444 Marlin and the 45- 70 and other worthy efficient wildcats). However, his basic conclusions about 35s are no suprise to knowledgable 35 calibre fans. They confirm my own reflections on relative cartridge efficiency. Calef presents his findings;
"I put my money on the 7mm-08, the .284 Winchester, or the .308 Win., with the thought in the back of my mind that, just possibly, the wonderful little .250 Savage would beat them all. Boy was I astonished when the numbers started rolling in - suprised on several counts in fact - and I suspect you will be too.
To keep you from holding your breath any longer, the winner is the .35 Whelen. This venerable cartridge (a long time wildcat designed way back in 1930 in honor of Col. Townsend Whelen and finally legitimized in 1995 [note - error of fact - should read 1988] by Remington) delivers more kinetic energy and a higher L [Wooter's lethality index] factor per grain of powder burned than any other cartridge.
In Ackley's improved version it is even better, becoming the only cartridge on the list capable of generating more than 50 ft-lbs of energy and a L factor exceeding 5.00 at 200 yards for each grain of powder loaded.
What's more as a group, the .35s are all highly efficient, beating virtually every cartridge of smaller caliber. Even the obscure .358 Norma Magnum is the most efficient of the belted-magnum cartridges [note - by the author's own data the 350 Remington Magnum bests the 358 Norma]. This wonderful efficiency of the .35 calibers is especially remarkable when one considers that most all of these rounds are verging on obsolescence today. Take a look at the list of .35-caliber cartridges; do you or any of your friends shoot one? Luckily they are not entirely gone. In fact Remington reintroduced the splendid .350 Remington Magnum a couple of years ago in the model 600 carbine series."
35 Whelen Remington "Semi" for 2006 - model 750 Woodsmaster
Got this info from some forums "south of de border". A lot of questions as to when/if these will be available since Remington website has not featured them yet. Supposed to be spring 2006. It is featured ON THE COVER in a 2006 gun buyers annual on shelves now. Essentially they are an updated 7400 with improvements that include R3pad, teflon (?) coated bolt, gas port alterations (moved closer to action and larger port I believe) for more reliable cycling, lower stock comb, and foreend restyled. As I understand it the carbines will have an 18 1/2" tube.
The greatest thing for a 35 cal guy is they will be made in 35 Whelen. One forum contributor includes this response from Remington re. his inquiry letter to them.
Thank you for your question. The 750 Woodsmaster is coming out in early 2006 in a .35 whelen (27063) and .35 whelen carbine (27079), check with your local dealer on there availability, I have included the order numbers.
Here are some forum links on it. http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/730765/an/0/page/1#730765 http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=79142
Shades of the past! A friend just bought one and may have a deer by now with it. Essentially a heavier full size sixties model 600 with some updates. YES a true guide gun with stopping power up close and yet longer range swat too! Some refer to this caliber as the ballistic twin to the 35 whelen and Remington still has them for sale - in 2006!
Read more on this - click here.
Click here for a look at the new 700 CDL in 35 Whelen - a standard chambering in 2005!.
Check out this great limited edition Ruger rifle in 35 Whelen that was available thru Davidson's in 2001 but no longer.
But Ruger has now begun shipping some 350 Remington Magnums in early 2005. It seems some of these were actually built in 2003 based on their serial number prefix. My serial number - along with its prefix 789 - would indicate this. According to the Ruger website serial number page this prefix indicates manufacture in 2002 or 2003. In fact, I know my KM 77RFP was not actually shipped until early 2005 [go figure ???]. Were these guns just squirreled away in a corner of the factory for a year or more?
Another 35 limited edition that was available thru Davidson's in 2001. An interesting and what seems to me a handy brush gun with a ported 18.5" barrel.
I recently just missed landing this handy shooter in 35 Rem. The Marlin "Marauder" was only made from 1963-1964 and only just over 2000 were produced in this caliber I think. With a 16 1/4" barrel it seems like a great deer and black bear brush gun for the Eastern woods - when properly fed as always. It had just been sold when I inquired to buy it! Someone observed that the Marauder had a round lever (not rectangular) and a grooved dovetail front sight (not a ramp) so this one in the pic varies somewhat. Is it really a Marauder? No I would say.
[NOTE - Since I couldn't source a Marlin Marauder in 35 cal, I acquired a similar short barreled Marlin but in 30-30 - a model 336LTS (still looking for a 35 cal though).]
UPDATE - I now have located and purchased an authentic Marlin Marauder in 35Rem. Here's one of the seller's pics of it he sent me. Although a somewhat rarer model Marlin, it'll be hunted like my 336LTS and 336ER (also rare models). Hopefully in fall 2009 I'll bag a deer or bear with this abbreviated rifle. More on this rifle here
Paul B.says,
"Seems like when the .358 Win. came out, the big name "egg-spurts" like the late jack O'Connor said it was "only a brush cartridge" and "it kicked like hell." Jack's words. Turned out, he NEVER fired one. Apparently his approval or disapproval of a round could give it life, or a kiss of death."
Check out here his complete remarks and other's also"Pointed Remarks and Tudes" re. those 35 bores. Ya either love em or hate em it seems!