When it comes to big game hunting and shooting, the 35 Whelen and the 350 Legend are two popular cartridges that offer distinct capabilities. In this article, we will explore the characteristics and performance of the 35 Whelen and the 350 Legend, comparing their ballistics, hunting applications, and overall suitability for different shooting scenarios. Whether you’re a hunter or a target shooter, understanding the strengths of each cartridge will help you make an informed decision on which cartridge truly is better.
Here is the short answer:
The 35 Whelen is a powerful and versatile cartridge designed for big game hunting. The 350 Legend, on the other hand, is a modern straight-walled cartridge optimized for use in states with specific hunting regulations. Overall the 35 Whelen is going to have more energy and better ballistics.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge such as their ballistics, and their best uses, and see the two cartridges compare in-depth.
In-Depth Look at the 35 Whelen
The 35 Whelen is a powerful cartridge based on the .30-06 Springfield case, necked up to 35 caliber. It was developed by Colonel Townsend Whelen and offers excellent ballistics for hunting medium to large game.
The 35 Whelen delivers a heavier bullet with a larger diameter, which translates to enhanced terminal performance and greater stopping power. With a variety of bullet weights available, ranging from 180 to 310 grains, it is suitable for hunting a wide range of game, including deer, elk, and even bears.
The cartridge’s ballistics are favorable for medium-range hunting, offering good trajectory and downrange energy. Its moderate recoil is manageable for most shooters, allowing for accurate shot placement and quick follow-up shots.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 35 Whelen with a 200-grain soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2800 | 3481 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.3 | 2667 | 3158 |
| 100 | 0 | 1 | 2537 | 2858 |
| 150 | -1.2 | 2.2 | 2411 | 2582 |
| 200 | -3.9 | 4 | 2289 | 2327 |
| 250 | -8.3 | 6.5 | 2170 | 2092 |
| 300 | -14.5 | 9.5 | 2055 | 1876 |
| 350 | -22.7 | 13.2 | 1943 | 1677 |
| 400 | -33.2 | 17.7 | 1835 | 1495 |
| 450 | -46.5 | 23.2 | 1732 | 1332 |
| 500 | -62.8 | 29.6 | 1634 | 1185 |
In-Depth Look at the 350 Legend
The 350 Legend is a newer cartridge designed specifically for use in states with straight-walled cartridge requirements for hunting. It offers a straight-walled case design and is optimized for use in AR-15-style rifles.
The 350 Legend is known for its low recoil and light muzzle blast, making it comfortable to shoot for hunters of all skill levels. It provides ample stopping power for deer-sized game within moderate ranges, typically up to 200 yards but loses most of its effectiveness past said range.
The cartridge is designed to be efficient and accurate, providing good performance with a variety of bullet weights, generally from 125 to 280-grain bullets. It offers improved penetration and energy transfer compared to other straight-walled cartridges of similar size, of which there aren’t many, thanks to its higher velocity and modern bullet designs.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 350 Legend with a 180-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2100 | 1762 |
| 50 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1942 | 1508 |
| 100 | 0 | 2 | 1793 | 1284 |
| 150 | -3.2 | 4.9 | 1652 | 1091 |
| 200 | -9.4 | 8.9 | 1520 | 924 |
| 250 | -19.5 | 14.4 | 1399 | 783 |
| 300 | -34.1 | 21.6 | 1292 | 668 |
| 350 | -53.9 | 30.2 | 1199 | 575 |
| 400 | -79.9 | 40.4 | 1123 | 504 |
| 450 | -112.7 | 52 | 1062 | 451 |
| 500 | -153.2 | 64.9 | 1013 | 410 |
In-Depth Comparison
Ballistics: The 35 Whelen is usually loaded with a heavier bullet and a lot more powder capacity, resulting in higher energy and greater terminal performance at longer ranges compared to the 350 Legend. The 350 Legend, while not as powerful, is optimized for states with straight wall cartridge hunting regulations (Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois), and offers lighter recoil and good performance within moderate distances.
Hunting Applications: The 35 Whelen is well-suited for hunting larger game as big as moose, with its heavy bullet and enhanced stopping power. The 350 Legend, however, is made specifically for taking deer-sized game within 200 yards.
Ammunition Availability: The 35 Whelen has good ammunition availability, although not as extensive as some more common cartridges. The 350 Legend, being a newer cartridge, has seen an increase in ammunition options and availability, especially with the rising popularity of straight-walled cartridges for hunting.
Conclusion
In summary, the 35 Whelen and the 350 Legend cater to different shooting needs and preferences. The 35 Whelen is a powerful and versatile cartridge with excellent ballistics for medium to large game hunting. It offers greater range and stopping power. On the other hand, the 350 Legend is designed for states with specific hunting regulations, offering light recoil, good performance within moderate ranges, and ammunition availability tailored to those requirements.