CVA vs H&R in 35 whelen

I'm wanting to get a 35 whelen but don't know which one to go with.

Thompson Encore Prohunter...others are POS compared to this

But cost 4 times as much

Not really...I've never regretted buying quality

Buy the receiver....then put a Bergara Barrel on it

less $ than a Thompson barrel....shoots better

http://www.bergarabarrels.com/

Just got a cva elite stalker in .35. havent had time to shoot it yet. from what ive read on other forums its a good gun. will update when i shoot it.

msredneck wrote:Thompson Encore Prohunter...others are POS compared to this

thompson center encore is the way over priced POS

To each his own.

If you happen to buy a used H&R...make dang sure it head spaces correctly. They had troubles when they first came out in 35 Whe...

After shooting my Prohunter...I'd never have another H&R

Good Luck cheapo's

surehuntsalot wrote:

msredneck wrote:Thompson Encore Prohunter...others are POS compared to this

thompson center encore is the way over priced POS

I've worked on the T/C's,CVA's and the H&R (New England)'s and I have to say give me the T/C as it's the most accurate and better built than the other's. The thing's that's wrong with them is the barrel on the CVA is oversized or egg shaped as with the H&R-New England Firearms the barrel's are the same way also with a bad trigger pull, the T/C's so far have the best barrel's going and with some trigger work (down to 2-2 1/2 lbs),they are the best buy for a hunting rifle right now, that my experience with all that has been mentioned on this thread. Rambo

Why would you want a 35 Whelen when 358 Winchester will give you the same velocities without the mis-fires? If you do go the TC route check with Mike Bellm for a begara barrel. He preps them for begara.

The guy knows his stuff with TC's and barrels. www.bellmtcs.com

Another good barrel maker is MGM www.matchgrademachine.com
He is a little pricey but his barrels are some of the best I've shot.

Stalker is going back to where I bought it. Cant make it shoot 3 shots close to each other. Ammo - Hornady, scope - Nikon 3-9x40 BDC.

grasshopper wrote:Why would you want a 35 Whelen when 358 Winchester will give you the same velocities without the mis-fires? If you do go the TC route check with Mike Bellm for a begara barrel. He preps them for begara.

The guy knows his stuff with TC's and barrels. www.bellmtcs.com

Another good barrel maker is MGM www.matchgrademachine.com
He is a little pricey but his barrels are some of the best I've shot.

Im with GH on this one.. Go with the 358 Win

I know it's not popular here but I went the H&R Route for my .35 Whelen. I admit the Handi-Rifle's are cheaply made compared to some others, but I just couldn't see myself sinking a lot of money into something that is really only popular in MS and here only because of the whim of our current legislature. I just knew that with my luck as soon as I dropped a bunch of coin on a .35 single shot the jokers in house would decided that primitive now includes any guns designed before Jan 1993 when Clinton first took office and I'd have wasted money again.

I know some have had bad experiences (Edit to add I don't actually know anyone who has had a problem... I've heard people talking about people with problems) with them but I have actually been pleasantly surprised with my particular Handi. I put a nice Leupold on it and last year I never even took my 700 bolt gun out of the closet.

grnyammer wrote:Stalker is going back to where I bought it. Cant make it shoot 3 shots close to each other. Ammo - Hornady, scope - Nikon 3-9x40 BDC.

Where did you get the stalker? Did you try the hornady 200? Buddy of mine just bought one from Academy and said it shoots the 200 Hornady's good.

msredneck wrote:Thompson Encore Prohunter...others are POS compared to this

funny... ive heard just as many stories about T/C's with issues as i have H&Rs. from actual owners, not what i have read on the internet... maybe you are blinded by the hype?

really tho, i have never had any issue with any H&R i have owned. i have many friends and talk to a lot of people who havent with H&R or CVA either. the ones i have that did have a problem with them got bit by the T/C bug and dont want no "cheap" gun, and their dislike of the H&R seems to be from that than actual problems they had with one personally...

what kind of issues did you have with your 444 Handi neck?

now dont mistake me, i dont dislike the T/C. they feel GREAT in my hand. i just dont understand why they get so much for it. from what i have seen, and shot, they dont shoot any better than the H&Rs i have shot/ owned. id gladly give $500 or so for one, i just cant justify the $800-$1000 i see them go for.

my 35rem handi rifle shot 1" groups at (i think) 100 last time i shot it with 200 gr remington core lokts and 3-9x40 prostaff. my buddy's T/C 35 whelen with bergara barrel that has been accurised is getting that kind of results as well. personally, i dont think i could get any better than that if i had a $2500 bolt action...

grasshopper wrote:Why would you want a 35 Whelen when 358 Winchester will give you the same velocities without the mis-fires?

where is the difference here? why would the 358 not have misfires when the 35w does? im not doubting you. just want to know myself...

i like the 358 win myself! but i like most anything 35 cal and up.

So I think I jinxed myself or at least spoke too soon. I went to the range yesterday to check my .35 H&R. I had four round left in one box of Hornady 200gr. so I shot a decent three shot group about 3" high and 2" right at 100 yards. I adjusted the scope and the 4th round hit just about a half inch left of the bullseye. I know there are some variations that can come in box to box on ammo so I wanted to fire a couple rounds from the next box just to be safe. Next two rounds were both at least 18" low at 100 yards. WTH???

Anyway, I had picked up four boxes from the same lot of Remington from Cheaper Than Dirt last year so I'm going to try it with some of them today. I don't think the gun is bad, but there's apparently a LOT of variation in Hornady's .35 Whelen ammo.

Joe S. wrote:

grasshopper wrote:Why would you want a 35 Whelen when 358 Winchester will give you the same velocities without the mis-fires?

where is the difference here? why would the 358 not have misfires when the 35w does? im not doubting you. just want to know myself...

i like the 358 win myself! but i like most anything 35 cal and up.

The problem with the 35 Whelen is that it has very shallow shoulders so if the headspace isn't exact the firing pins tends to push the case forward into the barrel and does not allow the hammer to hit the primer hard enought. The 358 Win has a much sharper shoulder.

JohnHeiter wrote:So I think I jinxed myself or at least spoke too soon. I went to the range yesterday to check my .35 H&R. I had four round left in one box of Hornady 200gr. so I shot a decent three shot group about 3" high and 2" right at 100 yards. I adjusted the scope and the 4th round hit just about a half inch left of the bullseye. I know there are some variations that can come in box to box on ammo so I wanted to fire a couple rounds from the next box just to be safe. Next two rounds were both at least 18" low at 100 yards. WTH???

Anyway, I had picked up four boxes from the same lot of Remington from Cheaper Than Dirt last year so I'm going to try it with some of them today. I don't think the gun is bad, but there's apparently a LOT of variation in Hornady's .35 Whelen ammo.

Check your rings and bases and make sure they are tight..

Thanks! I see that!

I have H&R 444 Marlin and 270 Win and TC with a 35 Whe and 7mm-08

Its like the difference between a Ford Taurus and a Mercedes...

Both will get you to the store....I guess

When that Big 35 goes bang I prefer my face be behind the TC's lock up

.....If its the best you can do...so be it

Told ya the CVA was a POS....

Neck - The TC snob