ORIGINAL: whelen36
it will handle any big game animal on the north american continent with the right bullet loading . the remington pumps are excellent but , i've heard ( not confirmed ) stories about thier actions in .35 whelen popping open right after firing , i don't know how true this is as my .35 whelen is an older model 700 classic . but the cartridge is a great one and very potent.
BTW- they're also offering it in a limited edition in the model 700 CDL
I've had a pump in .35 Whelen and the action does "come open" upon firing. But it is not because anything is wrong with it. What happens is the recoil is enough it simply causes the "off hand" to start retracting the slide immediately upon firing. But there is nothing to worry about. By the time the action is starting to unlock and open the bullet has already exited the muzzle and pressures have dropped. It is perfectly safe!
Actually it is kind of nice because once you are accustomed to it you find it has the effect of cycling the action very rapidly. As quick or quicker than some autoloaders.
They are good guns and the .35 Whelen is a really fine caliber!
Dave