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

I shoot these varieties of .338 and prefer them in a right to left order- .338-08AI, 338-06, 338 Win Mag, and .338-378

Probably 6 of 1 and a half dozen of the other when you get right down to it. I'd always heard about the Whelen and when Remington legitimized the round I started thinking about getting one. Then, I got one on an Oberndorf Mauser custom job at an estate sale that fit me so well that it might as well have been made just for me and the prices was I felt very reasonable. As I only gave $900 for the gun and have been offered $3,000 for it, I'm happy and it ain't for sale.
Shortly after that I found a Ruger M77 in .35 Whelen and about a year later a Remington 700 Classic. The Ruger had avery nice piece of wood on it so I put the gun into a Ramline stock which has worked out quite well. I like the Whelen.
I suppose I could have one of my FN Mauser action rebarreled to 338-06 just to see what all the fuss is about just for splits and grins. Then again, why bother? Curiosity? Could be. I got a bunch of 225 gr. Hornady spire points in some kind of trade and I guess that would be a good enough excuse, like I really need one right? I'll think about it.
Paul B.

Not a damn thing.

Next question.....

I guess the 338-06 can go a little flatter, but the 325 can go a little flatter than the 338////


I will just use one of my three 35s... Thanks..

The .35 Whelen offers exactly the same thing over the .338-06 that the .338-06 offers over the .35 Whelen. And it's not very much at all. The .338 shoots lighter bullets a little better; the Whelen shoots heavier bullets a little better. It don't amount to much; either cartridge is very very useful in the real hunting world.

Dennis

When in doubt, get both.
Very balanced and effective on game .I had bullets on hand from the first 2 Whelens and missed them, so got my third .
I also had bullets on hand for the 338win so had to get a 338.06.
I'll be keeping them all.

I'd prefer my 35 Ruger the same length as the 375 (358 Nukalpiaq.)

Was hoping you might elaborate?

They're bigger, heavier, and don't have belted cases. Pretty simple to me. Can't shoot 225-300 gr bullets very well in .30 calibers, either.

I just don't think .30 calibers match up to .33 and .35's. For most hunters in most circumstances, of course, it doesn't matter, because you don't need anything bigger than a .257-.308 diameter bullet anyway.

For me personally, if I want something bigger than a .284, then I want at least a .338 or .358, if not a .375 diameter bullet. Many others feel differently, of course, and I don't really care...it's all good shooting.

Dennis

Thanks Dennis.

muledeer, thanks for the feedback on the .350. I have never owned a belted case rifle, so have no dog in the belt/no-belt fight. I tend to gravitate towards whatever cartridge ain't winning the dance contest. Shucks, I even think the 6.5 Rem Mag and .350 Rem Mag would make an awesome centerfire two rifle battery for North America.

In point of fact, the 6.5 and .350 Remingtons, in the right rifles with enough barrels, would be a perfect pair. The fact that I personally dislike belted cases has literally nothing to do with how well they work; and I have never made the point to thaat effect. There are lots of things I don't like (Nosler Partitions come to mind ) that other people succeed happily with, and that is just fine by me.

Key point is to use good stuff and have a good time. I kinda prefer your premise, and it works for me . (Favorites being .257 Roberts, .260 Rem; .280 Rem., and .35 Whelen...)

Dennis