Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What does the 35 Whelen offer over the 338-06 A-Square?

Besides the obvious ability to shoot .35 cal bullets, what does the 35 Whelen offer to the hunter over a 338-06 A-Square?

Heavier bullets, and history. I've had a Whelen since 1993, and have shot lots of stuff with it, here and in Africa. So I have a very high level of confidence in it.

That being said, I also have a .338 RCM, which is a short/fat version of the .338-06. (OK, the RCM case holds three grains more than the .338-06...wow...) Anything I shot with my Whelen would have died exactly the same way had I shot it with a .338-06, assuming the same bullet weights, velocities and performance on my part.

The Whelen can shoot heavier bullets better; the .338-06 can shoot lighter bullets better. If you want 225 on up, get a Whelen. If you want to shoot 225 and below, get a .338.

In reality and the world, it won't matter much...

Dennis

What he said (muledeer)

Dawn2Dusk,
Can you buy a factory rifle chambered in the 338-06 A-Square?

At this point in the ballgame, I dare say "No"...

At differing points, Weatherby and Winchester factory chambered the round.

Some call NULA factory but I personally consider them a "custom" rig and they are offered in 338-06. Same can be said for Cooper Rifles...

Real world no diff, micro mgt world...the 35 you can bullets a bit heavier and with the 33 you'll get a bit more penetration.

But, bottom line, no diff

Dober

Have to agree there is little to no "real world" difference with performance. I shoot a Whelen and would prefer it should an emergency arise and need to purchase factory ammo. While not as readily available as '06 it can be found. Probably not the same 338-06 A-Square.

Nelson

I hear (actually read) what you're saying, but if you are close enough to a good hunting/fishing store that carries a wide variety of ammunition and they have 35 Whelen fodder I'd be willing to bet it's a pretty good store and a box of Weatherby 210 gr. Part. 338-06 could be dusted off too. If you are in the middle of Bum'fudge'egypt it's difficult to put your hands on much of anything past the main staples... If it's having access to factory ammunition that sways a vote, I'd say the 30-06 and 300 Win Mag shouldn't be overlooked. JMO...

Both the .35 Whelen and the .338-06 have major advantages over the .30-'06 and .300 magnums. There are no comparisons whatsoever, other than that they are one hell of a lot better hunting cartridges..

You can buy .35 Whelen factory ammunition in most stores in Southeast Alaska, by the by...

Dennis

Not in Georgia... No one has seen such an ammo shortage around these parts the likes what we have these days... Lucky to find 9mm handgun ammo and that's if it happened to be behind a pouch of redman chew!

--------------------

Back to subject:

So the major advantage is heft over one and penetration over the other?

I think there's a slight advantage to a handloader with the
338-06 because of the wider range of bullet selection. In 338 bullets you can shoot 160gr up to 300gr. This is also why the 338win is widely (and arguably) considered to be the most versatile of BG cartridges, especially for the handloader.IMHO.

Mind you, I'd love to have a nice Whelen too.

Last year when deciding on which to build I like both when it came to reloading but went with the 35 Whelen for loading heavier bullets and factory ammo was available at twice as many shops.

35 Whelen you can shoot 110 up to 310, if playing that game.

In the end it's all for naught.

I believe Weatherby is the only factory ammo for a 338-06.

They use to build this caliber in their rifle line.

I use Norma brass or Weatherby brass (made by Norma) stamped 338-06 A-Square for my 338-06 Acley Improved. Shoots 225gr Accubonds and TTSX's very nice

Weatherby, Nosler and A-Square load it but that's about the run of race for it...

I have a .300Win, a .300Wby, a .338-06, and a .375H&H. A .35Whelen would be nice, but what for? I only shoot whitetails, and with a .308Win Sav 99. Life is good.

Steelhead, where do you get 110 to 310gr bullets in 35 caliber, unless you use 357 handgun bullets, or cast lead?
Just wondering, not being critical..

I was talking about comercially available, component BG hunting bullets.

I shoot both, but choose the 338 over my 35 Whelen because of the rifle. I have a Weatherby SBGM in 338-06 and a Remington 700 BDL in 35 Whelen. I tend to agree with previous statements about lighter bullets for the 338 and heavier for the 35 Whelen. In real world terms, there is little to no difference,

Yep, you can run pistol bullets in them, thinking a 158gr Hornady doing 1800fps from a downloaded Whelen will kill deer just like a full loaded 357 Mag lever, so I'm guessing that would make it a BG bullet

Woodleigh makes 310gr bullets.

Personally for me bullets are like chicks, I don't need a 100 different ones, just one good one.

Muledeer said it well. I am partial to the 35 Whelen for the very reasons he mentioned.