Jared, more thoughts on the Ruger 1-A in 35 Whelen?
I have been suffering great agony over my next Ruger No.1 purchase ... I am currently sitting at a prime number (in quantity) of No. 1's, and that's mighty unlucky; I must get another very soon. Have narrowed it down to a 1-A in 7x57, a 1-S in 300 Win Mag (though the 22" barrel is a head-scratcher), and a 1-A in 35 Whelen.
The 7x57 is tempting, but I am really liking the 6.5x55 and they may wind up being awfully close together in terms of usefulness. So am thinking 200-300 yard "elk rifle".
thoughts on the Ruger 1-A in.....
by Todd C 
, Thursday, December 12, 2013, 16:11 (3991 days ago) @ Flatlander
All three! 6.5x55, 7x57 and 35 Whelen. That still leaves you at a prime number, so you'd better pick another cartridge as well. 405 Winchester? 450-400 NE?
I have both 6.5 and 7 Mauser. I like them both. The question would be this, do you have good access to or good supply of 6.5 bullets. Some areas they are a bit scarce, whereas the 7mm is plentiful.
The 35 Whelen is a great round too. If you are thinking of putting one of the above calibers in the hands of a young'un for elk. I'd still go with the Whelen. It can be handloaded with pistol bullets and pop loads for practice. Working up to something more substantial. As least when it gets there it has mass and frontal area already to go to work compared to the smaller cartridges.
Todd
thoughts on the Ruger 1-A in.....
I really like it. Mine is 8# on the nose with a 1.75x6 Leupold, Murray sling and one up the pipe. And it is almost the same length as my guide gun. I wouldn't want it any heavier. I plan on it being my go to hunting rifle for a while, and am well stocked in .35 caliber projectiles plus a couple of molds. Whenever I get to go elk hunting that is the rifle I would grab. Also whenever roger and I go plains game hunting I plan on taking it.
It can be very accurate. I have numerous 1/2 to 1" groups. But once the barrel warms the groups do open some but the POI stays consistent and the groups rarely go over 2" from a HOT barrel. I had one bout of wondering zero but it turns out one of the rings came loose. I have at least 350 rounds through it probably closer to 500.(I don't keep meticulous records like Terry does) for me the recoil is heavy but comfortable enough to shoot quite a bit in one setting. For something to carry I wouldn't want anything much heavier. I really think the more I shoot it the more it is settling in.
Mine likes 200 and 250gr bullets but I haven't found a really good load yet with 225s. Using RL15 I have pushed 250s to 2550 FPS and could get 2600 using older Alliant data. A 225 gr is good for 2650-2700 with RL15. 200s go 2800+ But is used a different powder can't recall which off the top of my head. Varget is reported to be a good powder too.
I did have a couple of cases I got that were once fired from someone else that missfired because the headspace was too short. I haven't had any trouble with factory loads, or loads fired in my other Whelen. I heard rumors that some of the #1 Whelens had excessive headspace, but wonder if that is true or they were using out of spec dies.
If you decide to get one hopefully you can find one with nice wood. I looked off and one for a couple of years before I found mine, most seem to have fairly plain wood.
The more I shoot my .35 Whelens...
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Saturday, December 14, 2013, 21:36 (3989 days ago) @ Jared
the more I really, really want a 1-A in that caliber.
What a great cartridge!
Yes indeed! nm
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John, we had a "woodstove discussion" this past deer season.
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Sunday, December 15, 2013, 20:57 (3988 days ago) @ John K.
A fella asked me, "What's your favorite rifle?" When asked, I didn't have an answer because I like them all...at least a little. It wasn't until the next day, when he was no longer about, that I arrived at an answer: If I had to pick a single rifle with which to spend my remaining years, it very might likely be a '98 Mauser in .35 Whelen. I think I really could do it.