35 whelen opinion

January 16, 2015 at 3:32pm

My name is Adam and I'm tired of borrowing rifles for deer season. I am considering the 35 Whelen cartridge but would like a few opinions on the make/model to go with. I'm leaning toward the CVA apex but what do yall think? I plan on hunting this rifle all season not just for primitive. Shots range from 50 to 200 yards depending on where I go. I want an accurate, dependable rifle that wont knock me out of the tree stand! Any advice is appreciated. I dont want to spend more than 500 on the rifle itself. Have any of you heard of issues with the 35 not firing? Something due to the cartridge shoulder is what I've read. 45-70 is a solid round too.

That guy in the white boots

January 16, 2015 at 4:26pm

I shoot an H&R 45/70 all season. Love it. It will shoot out to 200 yards easily. Big bullet won't get affected by a little branch. I love the simplicity of the gun. Easy to clean. Hardly anything to go wrong. I put a Nikon Prostaff scope on it. The kick isn't so bad. You won't want to plink with it at the camp. 3 to 5 shots in a row will wear you out. 1 shot at a deer isn't noticed at all though. If you can shoot a 870 12 gauge you can shoot a 45/70.

luckydog

January 17, 2015 at 7:43am

I purchased a H&R .444 a few years ago and love it. you can get them at Puglia's for $215. so simple to operate and clean. only thing I wish I would have done would be to buy the synthetic stock instead of the wood. same price. any caliber is good just a personal preference

Slick_one30

January 17, 2015 at 8:03am

I have a 35 in the T/C encore. $500 wont get you this gun but if you are wanting an accurate dependable versatile rifle this is the one! However the 35 packs quite a punch so I had mine magna ported and its shoots now like a 243 with pin point accuracy!

Bigchvy9

January 18, 2015 at 10:04pm

35 whelen kicks like a mule personally I think just as much as 45/70. But to each his own probably not long before la follows in the foot steps of ms making anything legal. 35 whelen has more energy and nearly the fps of a 30/06 not at all primitive.

bearcreekfreak

January 19, 2015 at 5:12pm

I shoot a 35 Whelen and love it / I have the cva stalker elite and can shoot 1' groups at 100yds / get the hornady super performance amo 200gr / I tried the fussion amo bullet seemed to go all to pieces when you hit bone mass. I've killed 4 deer with it 3 ran a little ways but the blood trail was impressive

Chacahoula Hunter

January 20, 2015 at 7:35am

I have a CVA stalker 35 Whelen. I put a limb save recoil pad on it and it helped to reduced the recoil.

Trent_Buxton

January 20, 2015 at 8:47am

You will not be disappointed in the 35 Whelen. My entire family shoots the load and has shot it for years and years on our stands less than 250yd shots. It has gained crazy popularity recently and hard to find ammo but its a solid load.

JR_W

January 20, 2015 at 10:01am

I have the CVA Hunter model and love it. I use it for rifle and primitive arms as well.I killed this 9 pt in red dirt during the rifle weekend. Hope this opinion helps.

JR_W

January 20, 2015 at 10:05am

I forgot to also say that I use the Hornandy 200 grain rounds and have 1 inch groups at hundred yards.

la_leo

January 20, 2015 at 5:23pm

Well after some research..... I've come up with this. I think the CVA APEX is a good rifle but hit and miss with the quality. I think I'm just going to spend an exTra 200 and get the Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter in 35 whelen. They come with the 28' barrel and their recoil reduction system. Thanks for all the replies keep them coming.

Mrbaker

January 20, 2015 at 6:01pm

Got the TC Encore 35 Whelen. Love the gun and use it when I,m hunting ladder or lock on's during gun. This is the best bullet me & my son found for ours. About $50 a box but groups in a 3' circle @ 100yards.

That guy in the white boots

January 20, 2015 at 7:33pm

Can't comment on the CVA, because I don't have one, but can't see any reason to spend more money than the cost of an H&R. You can get a scope, sling and rifle for the price of just a rifle. It shoots straight, and pretty much functions the same. The CVA does look cool though. If I had extra money I'd get one too.

la_leo

January 21, 2015 at 8:19pm

Shot a borrowed h and r handi rifle 45-70 yesterday. It's about a cheap and small as 45-70s go and I don't see what all the fuss about recoil is about! The rifle was pretty good but the 20 dollar Simmons scope with the 5 dollar mount made it really hard to get on paper! But the recoil was manageable. I shot 6 rounds (yep it was off that much) and only after the fourth shot did I start to feel it. Thanks for all the replies. I'm still undecided on the Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter or CVA APEX but I'M set on the 35 whelen. There's about a 200-250 dollar since in the two. I'll be doing scope and mount research soon!

bearcreekfreak

January 21, 2015 at 9:46pm

I have to agree with the boot guy .I have an H&R 45/70 and the Cva stalker .35 .At 100yds my 45/70 is more accurate but I like the extra range I get with the .35 . I also have Nikon Prostaff mounted on both . Bought the 45/70 before the .35's were made legal .wouldn't trade either for an eoncore but that's just my opinion

mbreezy

January 21, 2015 at 9:55pm

I have the Elite Stalker in 35 whelen with a Leopold 3x9 scope and its deadly accurate and the recoil is not bad.

HOOK LINE SINKER

January 23, 2015 at 9:39am

I have both 444 h&r w/3x9x40 Awesome Gun and the Wheelen 35 Cal I'll never buy anything else but Nikon Prostaff..........I also have Optima Elite Stalker but 270 cal w/ Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 shooting 150 grain AWESOME Shooting Gun

HOOK LINE SINKER

January 23, 2015 at 9:45am

Depending on price of the scope you can spend about $450 for h&r handi w/scope.... local shop here Brand New h&r Handi rifle 444 or 35 $259 w/o scope

JaredSerigne

February 08, 2015 at 10:13am

I hunted with the CVA Apex 35 Whelen this year. I was not happy with the overall accuracy of the round, even in the lead slead for sighting it in. I tried the Hornady and the Fusion brands. I did connect with a hog at about 110 yards and it packs quite a punch on impact but the shot hit about a foot left of where I was aiming. I also missed a doe at 200 yards. Overall I would say just wait to see if the LDWF does like Mississippi and lets hunters use regular rifles on private land during primitive season. If you do get one, definitely spend some time practicing with it because the recoil is intense and accuracy is not that great.

la_leo

March 15, 2015 at 8:21pm

I ordered the encore frame about a month ago. EVERYWHERE is out of stock on the 35 whelen barrel part 4767. As soon as Thompson kicks out more I'll be ordering it!

Madmardigan

June 18, 2021 at 2:44am

Only thing I wish I would have done would be to buy the synthetic stock instead of the wood.

- Concrete Pumping

faulknernolan

January 07 at 4:03am

I have a 35 whelen Elite Stalker with a Leopold 3x9 scope, and it's deadly accurate and has a good recoil. Fall guys is my favorite fun online game

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