Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 338 federal or 35 whelen for a new hunting rifle.

PJ I think you're spot on. I was thinking in terms of the 35's chronology and tht imo we've had so many good 35s. With so many good cartridges available now out it wouldn't make sense, but it would be interesting to see what the 9 x 57 could be cranked up to with a modern rifle and components.

And my .35 Whelen will do everything your .338/06 will do.

You are correct.

Now that your original question has been answered in spades. I urge you to take a step back and think about this.

Personally, I feel MRC's are too heavy. I know you handled them, but have you handled all the different rifles? Are you sure MRC is the rifle? The rifle is the most important part.

Cartridge choice truly is secondary. There are many cartridges that will serve your intended purpose, some that are more flexible than your two choices. In the end, either cartridge will serve you well. What do you want to shoot?

If you are dead set on becoming a rifle Looney... carry on. It is a very slippery slope full of enjoyment. There are worse traits/habits that one can have.

Just be careful, you may end like some of us on here.

I am left handed so that really limits my choices. I liked the mrc rifles because they come left handed at no additonal cost. I did not mind the weight of them and I figure it can't hurt with the recoil either. I don't spot and stalk hunt in Michigan. Most of the hunting is done from a blind or tree stand. If we do deer drives I'll probably go with the 3030 for the quick follow up shots.

For left handed, (I am, too) consider single shots, pumps, and bolt guns without a cheek piece. (I have a Remington 30 that I use lefty, with the right side bolt and love it).

Not having toa carry the thing does make a difference on weight, at the end of the day even 5 pounds is a lot.

I went to Cabela's about a month ago and I compared how a right handed bolt rifle felt vs a left handed one. I wasn't expecting to like how natural it felt to cycle the bolt with my left hand but I did. I know what your saying about lugging around a heavy gun while hunting. I used to bust brush going after rabbits in the snow with my Mossberg 500. Talk about being bushed after a day of hunting- that would be my definition of it. The single shot shot gun I have is much easier too carry.

I have a preference for a Whelen. Picked up a Model 700 Classic years ago and it has never let me down. Load development was easy. It's fairly light for a larger caliber but the recoil isn't that bad IMHO. Similar to my 7mag with 175's. You can always minimize recoil at the bench using sand bags, etc etc. When you touch one off at game you won't even notice it I assure you. Besides you aren't getting a rifle that you are going to shoot thousands of times at the range. Get a smaller caliber "understudy" rifle for that!

Thanks for the info on the recoil westernmassman. I've read all sorts of crazy stuff on other forums about the recoil being horrible and then other people say that it's comparable to the 30-06. Your right, it's not going to be something I shoot all the time. Maybe just during load development and if some buddies want to go target shooting. It'll primarily be for hunting.

If you get into reloading you can tailor the ammunition to whatever you want it to be.
It is comparable to a 7mm Magnum or a 30-06 with 220 gr bullets.
An ultra light 30-06 with 180 grain bullets can be unpleasant too.
Once your 35 Whelen is sighted in you won't need follow up shots when hunting. It is normally one and done.

I have many loads for the 338 Fed. Hard to pick just one... Probably a favorite is the 160 TTSX at ~3050fps using AA2230. I've shot elk to impala with excellent results.

Many, many good bullets for whitetails. 180 Accubond, 200 Hot Cor and others. 8208 is a great powder for 180-200gn bullets. AA2230 is really fast with lighter bullets, but more temp sensitive.

I still haven't decided which caliber to go with. prm, if I go with the 338 federal I will be looking to duplicate some of the loads that you have come up with. So to start reloading, should I start with some sort of reloaders kit or should I buy everything separately? Also I'm thinking a 3-9 power scope will work well with either caliber, what's everyone's opinion on brands? I would like to keep it at 600$ or less, and with a good warranty if possible?

Have an old Weaver 3x on my .35 Whelen.

Just my .02,but start small i.e. buy separately.

Start with an RCBS kit.

Does the rcbs kit come with all the jazz that I'll need to get started? Calipers, scale, and drop tube ( whatever the hell that is)? Thanks for the suggestion antelope_sniper, I'll check it out.

I know I'll need dies, powder, bullets, primers, and a press. What is fire forming for reloading? Is that using a case from once fired brass in the caliber you want to reload?

Something like this is fine to get a guy started.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

It's a good basic kit to get you started. Don't get distracted by all the internet dream set-up. Start basic as you work up and our skill improves enough that your loads actually benefit from the additional cost. It doesn't come with calipers, but you can pick those up at Harbor Freight for $10, or a little more at one of the big-box gunstores.

Granddad bought something similar to that about 50 years ago and I'm still using it today.

That's an advanced technique for making cases when you can't buy the one's you need.

For now, just buy brass with the same headstamp as what printed on the side of the barrel, and you won't have to worry about fire forming.

The kit comes with a Manual.

Step one is to read it a few times before you begin loading.

Then go down to the reloading forum and ask your clarifying questions down there. Lots of great knowledgeable guys who are happy to help.

Fire forming is taking a parent case and firing it with pistol powder and a wad to make it into the desired case. In your case a 30-06 will blow out to a .35 whelen, only a tad short; a .270 will be slightly longer. A .308 will form to the .338 Federal. The downside is the headstamp is wrong, and sometimes they split. Now you will want to know about annealing. The dies will expand the necks without the fireforming. Other than buying brass with the proper headstamp, you can buy ammo and use it until you save enough brass. That $1.50 to $2.00 per shell wears on you pretty quickly. Don't get Hornady Superformance, it is thin brass, and you cannot duplicate the load.

As said, go to the reloading forum, every one of us had to start. Some of those guys spend way too much time worrying about seating depths, crimps, concentricity &tc. You probably are like me, and just want minute of deer more or less. If you can find someone close who loads, see if you can sit in.