Thinking Bout Buying A High Powered Rifle
- Thread starter busterrm
- Start date
first thing Id point out, is that 35 rem ammo is rather hard to find in most locations,
I know a few guys that own similar rifles and they are decent marlin rifles,
but they constantly complain about the lack of off the shelf ammo,
of course, if you hand load thats less of an issue,
but they are still not the best choice in my opinion
and that marlin 35 rem, rifle has very low resale value,
theres nothing wrong with the rifle or caliber if its in good condition,
most guys consider it at best a 150 yard deer rifle
but there are far better values available.
I think purchase of a BLR in 358 win is a far better deal,
thats easily a 250-300 yard deer rifle and a well proven 250 yard elk rifle,
the remington 7600 in 35 whelen and the browning BLR in caliber 358 win ,
are both well-respected and sought after choices in our group of hunters
the 358 win BLR is a bit more popular as its shorter handier and recoil is a bit less
and if you shop carefully you can generally find them both new and used, in blue or stainless and in strait or pistol grip variants
Ive seen them offered NEW at under $1000 and used under $750
the difference in accuracy, flat trajectory and power is very noticeable
a 180 grain bullet from a 358 win can easily be pushed to 2700 fps
making it similar to a 30/06 in power
a 250 grain to 2350 fps (the load my buddy used for decades on elk,)
44 grains of IMR 4064 and a speer 250 grain bullet=3066 ft lbs
a 220 grain 35 rem bullet has to be pushed hard to reach 1900 fps= 1764 ft lbs
the 180 grain can reach 2200 fps used in a 35 rem
both work on deer at closer ranges
,but in my experience and that of several other knowledgeable friends..
the 358 win is a far better choice in a hunting rifle, after 100 yards or so.
5 of the guys in the hunt club I belong to own and use a 358 BLR for hunting both deer and elk
obviously, you can hand load a 358 win down to 35 rem velocities and very common, 308 brass is easily used to hand load 358 win cartridges( use a neck expander )
the BLR is noted for being more accurate and its a MUCH stronger front locking lever-actuated bolt action
example
https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/blr.html
https://www.gunsamerica.com/921653639/Browning-BLR-358-Winchester.htm
https://gunblast.com/Browning-BLR358.htm#:~:text=Browning's BLR in .,very smooth and fast action.
https://www.kitterytradingpost.com/new-used-guns/new-guns/rifles/centerfire-lever-action/browning-blr-lightweight-stainless-w/-pistol-grip-358-winchester-20-4-round-rifle-1010659.html
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ange-calibers-for-elk-are-not-mandatory.1275/
I know a few guys that own similar rifles and they are decent marlin rifles,
but they constantly complain about the lack of off the shelf ammo,
of course, if you hand load thats less of an issue,
but they are still not the best choice in my opinion
and that marlin 35 rem, rifle has very low resale value,
theres nothing wrong with the rifle or caliber if its in good condition,
most guys consider it at best a 150 yard deer rifle
but there are far better values available.
I think purchase of a BLR in 358 win is a far better deal,
thats easily a 250-300 yard deer rifle and a well proven 250 yard elk rifle,
the remington 7600 in 35 whelen and the browning BLR in caliber 358 win ,
are both well-respected and sought after choices in our group of hunters
the 358 win BLR is a bit more popular as its shorter handier and recoil is a bit less
and if you shop carefully you can generally find them both new and used, in blue or stainless and in strait or pistol grip variants
Ive seen them offered NEW at under $1000 and used under $750
the difference in accuracy, flat trajectory and power is very noticeable
a 180 grain bullet from a 358 win can easily be pushed to 2700 fps
making it similar to a 30/06 in power
a 250 grain to 2350 fps (the load my buddy used for decades on elk,)
44 grains of IMR 4064 and a speer 250 grain bullet=3066 ft lbs
the 180 grain can reach 2200 fps used in a 35 rem
,but in my experience and that of several other knowledgeable friends..
the 358 win is a far better choice in a hunting rifle, after 100 yards or so.
5 of the guys in the hunt club I belong to own and use a 358 BLR for hunting both deer and elk
obviously, you can hand load a 358 win down to 35 rem velocities and very common, 308 brass is easily used to hand load 358 win cartridges( use a neck expander )
the BLR is noted for being more accurate and its a MUCH stronger front locking lever-actuated bolt action
example
https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/blr.html
https://www.gunsamerica.com/921653639/Browning-BLR-358-Winchester.htm
https://gunblast.com/Browning-BLR358.htm#:~:text=Browning's BLR in .,very smooth and fast action.
https://www.kitterytradingpost.com/new-used-guns/new-guns/rifles/centerfire-lever-action/browning-blr-lightweight-stainless-w/-pistol-grip-358-winchester-20-4-round-rifle-1010659.html
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ange-calibers-for-elk-are-not-mandatory.1275/
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Not to disagree with Grumpy the 358 is a good choice much better than the 35 Rem but if I was going to pick 1 rifle it would have to be a 30-06 but I'm not sure if its available in lever action the 06 will take down anything in North America and ammo is available anywhere in normal times but nothing wrong with the 358 and it sounds to me like this may not be your last rifle you purchase in any case choose wisely but I would stay away from the 35 Rem and the 30-30 lever action it has about the same distance as the 35 with a little less punch in any case choose wisely and check with Grumpy before you choose because he is the most knowledgeable person that I've ever known on guns and have fun
theres no accounting for any mans preferred taste in rifles or gals
but a browning BLR is generally more accurate and stronger and better designed,
to handle higher chamber pressures than any henry or marlin
plus its detachable magazine has advantages.
and the BLR is available in 450 marlin which provides a step up in power over a 45/70
.450 Marlin is 43,500 psi.=
400 grain bullet over 50 grains of imr 3031/ 1800 fps
(most accurate load found so far in my BLR)
400 grain bullet over 51 grains of h322/ 1980 fps
(fastest load/400 grain bullet)
https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/450-marlin/
45/70 max is 28,000 psi
you can SAFELY come close to about 100 fps slower velocity,
with a strong lever action marlin with a 400 grain bullet
but your pushing safe pressure limits
358 win is 53,000 psi
with a 250 grain speer bullet
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....250-grain-hot-cor-spitzer-soft-point-50-count
sighted in at 3.5" high at 100 yards,
using 44 grains of imr 4064 AND A 215 FEDERAL PRIMER
(how everyone in our hunt club does it)
a 358 win will be about dead on at 200 yards and about 10 inchs low at 300 yards
btw
the speer 220 gain flat tip .358 bullet ,
loaded over 51 grains of 748 winchester powder
and a 215 federal primer has proven to be very effective on hogs and deer,
if used in a 358 win BLR
https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle_bullets/
it would certainly kill elk but most if not all my friends vastly prefer the 250 grain speer bullet for elk.
but a browning BLR is generally more accurate and stronger and better designed,
to handle higher chamber pressures than any henry or marlin
plus its detachable magazine has advantages.
and the BLR is available in 450 marlin which provides a step up in power over a 45/70
.450 Marlin is 43,500 psi.=
400 grain bullet over 50 grains of imr 3031/ 1800 fps
(most accurate load found so far in my BLR)
400 grain bullet over 51 grains of h322/ 1980 fps
(fastest load/400 grain bullet)
https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/450-marlin/
45/70 max is 28,000 psi
you can SAFELY come close to about 100 fps slower velocity,
with a strong lever action marlin with a 400 grain bullet
but your pushing safe pressure limits
358 win is 53,000 psi
with a 250 grain speer bullet
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....250-grain-hot-cor-spitzer-soft-point-50-count
sighted in at 3.5" high at 100 yards,
using 44 grains of imr 4064 AND A 215 FEDERAL PRIMER
(how everyone in our hunt club does it)
a 358 win will be about dead on at 200 yards and about 10 inchs low at 300 yards
btw
the speer 220 gain flat tip .358 bullet ,
loaded over 51 grains of 748 winchester powder
and a 215 federal primer has proven to be very effective on hogs and deer,
if used in a 358 win BLR
https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle_bullets/
it would certainly kill elk but most if not all my friends vastly prefer the 250 grain speer bullet for elk.
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https://myfwc.com/hunting/season-dates/
the local deer season opens this coming weekend
nov 7 2020,
I just found out one of the guys I generally hunt,
with purchased a BLR in 358 win last week.
he had been looking for a BLR in 450 marlin,
but could not find one locally,
he walked into a local pawn shop and negotiated a bit and bought a barely used 358 win blr for $700
now hes over here asking me to tell him what components to use
(I bet hes going to have a really hard time getting them locally on such short notice)
but I suggested the same combo I've used and several others have used for 4 plus decades
listed above
AND AGAIN HERE
with a 250 grain speer bullet
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....250-grain-hot-cor-spitzer-soft-point-50-count
sighted in at 3.5" high at 100 yards,
using 44 grains of imr 4064 AND A 215 FEDERAL PRIMER
(how everyone in our hunt club does it)
this hand load combo, consistently produces 1"-1.5" 100 yard 5 shot groups,
off as good bench rest from a BLR
a 358 win will be about dead on at 215 yards and about 10 inches low at 300 yards
with that combo
http://www.shooterscalculator.com/b...bf;Vel[x+y]~ft/s&lbl=&submitst=+Create+Graph+
https://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics-calculator
RANGE (YD) DROP (IN) WIND DRIFT (IN) VELOCITY (FPS) ENERGY (FT-LB)
0 -1.5 0.0 2350 3065
50 1.8 0.0 2259 2832
100 3.5 0.0 2170 2613
150 3.3 0.0 2082 2407
200 1.0 0.0 1997 2215
250 -3.2 0.0 1913 2032
300 -9.9 0.0 1832 1864
350 -19.4 0.0 1754 1708
400 -31.7 0.0 1679 1565
450 -47.1 0.0 1606 1432
500 -65.6 0.0 1535 1308
the local deer season opens this coming weekend
nov 7 2020,
I just found out one of the guys I generally hunt,
with purchased a BLR in 358 win last week.
he had been looking for a BLR in 450 marlin,
but could not find one locally,
he walked into a local pawn shop and negotiated a bit and bought a barely used 358 win blr for $700
now hes over here asking me to tell him what components to use
(I bet hes going to have a really hard time getting them locally on such short notice)
but I suggested the same combo I've used and several others have used for 4 plus decades
listed above
AND AGAIN HERE
with a 250 grain speer bullet
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....250-grain-hot-cor-spitzer-soft-point-50-count
sighted in at 3.5" high at 100 yards,
using 44 grains of imr 4064 AND A 215 FEDERAL PRIMER
(how everyone in our hunt club does it)
this hand load combo, consistently produces 1"-1.5" 100 yard 5 shot groups,
off as good bench rest from a BLR
a 358 win will be about dead on at 215 yards and about 10 inches low at 300 yards
with that combo
http://www.shooterscalculator.com/b...bf;Vel[x+y]~ft/s&lbl=&submitst=+Create+Graph+
https://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics-calculator
RANGE (YD) DROP (IN) WIND DRIFT (IN) VELOCITY (FPS) ENERGY (FT-LB)
0 -1.5 0.0 2350 3065
50 1.8 0.0 2259 2832
100 3.5 0.0 2170 2613
150 3.3 0.0 2082 2407
200 1.0 0.0 1997 2215
250 -3.2 0.0 1913 2032
300 -9.9 0.0 1832 1864
350 -19.4 0.0 1754 1708
400 -31.7 0.0 1679 1565
450 -47.1 0.0 1606 1432
500 -65.6 0.0 1535 1308
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http://mytargets.com/target104 grid 3inch high.pdf
heres a link to a decent target for sighting in
(link above)
(you can down load) and run off a couple of dozen copies
to use at the range..don,t forget to bring masking tape
at 100 yards aim at the center of the lower red dot,
and try to get all shot impacts,
in the upper 1/2 or at least 2/3 rds ,
but well centered on the green dot,
if you do that, the 358 rifle with that load is spot on.
btw if you prefer a 180 grain bullet in that 358 win 45 grains of RL-7 works
as will 50 grains of IMR3031 under that 180 grain bullet
any of these 35 cal, 180 grain bullets should work on deer & hogs
shoot a bit flatter in trajectory and certainly devastate game at the typical under 200 yard florida ranges
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010403582?pid=365394
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010544067?pid=545716
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022919956?pid=520778
heres a link to a decent target for sighting in
(link above)
(you can down load) and run off a couple of dozen copies
to use at the range..don,t forget to bring masking tape
at 100 yards aim at the center of the lower red dot,
and try to get all shot impacts,
in the upper 1/2 or at least 2/3 rds ,
but well centered on the green dot,
if you do that, the 358 rifle with that load is spot on.
btw if you prefer a 180 grain bullet in that 358 win 45 grains of RL-7 works
as will 50 grains of IMR3031 under that 180 grain bullet
any of these 35 cal, 180 grain bullets should work on deer & hogs
shoot a bit flatter in trajectory and certainly devastate game at the typical under 200 yard florida ranges
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010403582?pid=365394
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010544067?pid=545716
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022919956?pid=520778
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I'm going out with my buddy hopefully he wants to sight in 1 rifle and check another and I want to do my 7mm08 and my 7mm Rem Mag I have my 2 on paper but would like to work with him because he is somewhat like you on gun knowledge and the best shot I've ever seen but he is also an instructor and shoots more in a week than I do in a year