Scope for .35 whelen

[north american hunter]

My son has decided to 'build' a 35 whelen on a model 70 action, he is looking for a scope with a lower power for under $1000 he is thinking swaro 3-9x36 or even a leupold fxiii 6x42.

He won't be shooting over 250 yards with this rifle.

[spyguy 0-0-7]

I have a Remington 700 Classic in the 35. I have a Leupold 2x7 compact. Works great. I have no reason to have bigger glass. But to each their own.

[north american hunter]

Originally Posted by spyguy 0-0-7

I have a Remington 700 Classic in the 35. I have a Leupold 2x7 compact. Works great. I have no reason to have bigger glass. But to each their own.

That could be a choice.
How do you like the 700?

[chuckster136]

I too have the Remington 700 Classic in 35 Whelen. For twenty years I had a Bausch & Lomb 4 X 40 mounted on it. Last year I put a Minox ZA5 1.5 X 8 on it. Why, I don't know. The 4X did everything I asked of it. Because I could I guess, too much time on my hands.

[leo]

I like a fixed 4x for most guns that are intended to be used under 300 yards. Even my variables hardly ever get cranked beyond 4x. Were I to go variable I wouldn't get bigger than a 3x9.

[Pathfinder76]

The Leupold 1.75-6X32 is a good option. That or a fixed 4.

[north american hunter]

Originally Posted by chuck

The Leupold 1.75-6X32 is a good option. That or a fixed 4.

He has looked at that one, do you have any experience with the 1.75-6x32?

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by north american hunter

He has looked at that one, do you have any experience with the 1.75-6x32?

I do, and like it very much. The compact Leupolds are awful to look through. My favourite variables are the 3.5-10 and the 1.75-6. Here is mine (top) on my 338 Win Mag.

[huntingfamily]

Originally Posted by north american hunter

My son has decided to 'build' a 35 whelen on a model 70 action, he is looking for a scope with a lower power for under $1000 he is thinking swaro 3-9x36 or even a leupold fxiii 6x42.

He won't be shooting over 250 yards with this rifle.

Has he considered the Leupy VX-3 in 2.5-8 x 36?
I recently mounted one on a 338-06 and think it's a good match up.




VDD Group Canada

[spyguy 0-0-7]

Originally Posted by north american hunter

That could be a choice.
How do you like the 700?

I love the Whelen. I reload with 250 gr Hornady using 59gr's of BLC-2. If I do my job he rifle shoots 3/4" or less. I've never had to shoot a 2nd round at a moose.

[north american hunter]

Originally Posted by chuck

I do, and like it very much. The compact Leupolds are awful to look through. My favourite variables are the 3.5-10 and the 1.75-6. Here is mine (top) on my 338 Win Mag.

It's definitely an option, he like his eye relief he's looking at fix 6x42

[eric2381]

I have an older Zeiss Diavari 3-9x36 on my custom 98 Mauser 35 whelen and love it.

[sillyak]

Originally Posted by north american hunter

It's definitely an option, he like his eye relief he's looking at fix 6x42

If he likes eye relief and is fine with a fixed power scope the FX II 6x36mm may be a better option. Although it has slightly less eye relief than the 42mm it actually has more if ring placement is the limiting factor because of the scope measurements. I have one on my Ruger No. 1 300 H&H. Because of how the rings are positioned on No. 1s and some long action rifles the dimensions of the scope itself also play a factor in how comfortable your sight picture is through the scope. This is why the 36mm has effectively more eye relief (as in it gives a better sight picture on some rifles) than the 42mm despite technically having less.

[duceman]

nailed it with the 6x42, lee

[SuperCub]

I've used Leupold VXIII 1.5x5, FXII 4x and 2.5x8 on different 35Whelens (& 358Win) over the years.

I like to keep scopes lightweight and lower powered in low rings as close to the bore as possible, esp on a gun like that. I have not found a need for more magnification.

[tony d]

Back when I had a 700 rem in 35 Whelen I used a straight 6x and was happy with that so I vote for the 6x42

[a.schultz]

I've used a Swaro Habicht in 3-9x36mm on my .375 H&H and on a custom 7mm-08. Great scope, super clear and light weight if you are looking to shed a few ounces on your rifle.