Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What will a .338 win mag give me over my 35 Whelen?

Can't get rid of the itch for a new rifle...what will a .338 mag give me over a 35 Whelen in regards to NA game? Enough to make it worth while or should I just step on up to a .375?

I wish it was hunting season

Terminal ballistics wise there is a preoccupation with inconsequential increments. Bullets selection trumps caliber, placement trumps all.

I think, if I had that Whelen, unless I wanted a dedicated Dangerous Game Rifle (step up to .416") or a longer range rig (maybe a .300WM?) I would just call it well on the Whelen - and get myself something nice -

say a .257 Roberts or dare I say a 7x57?

The ONLY thing IMO that a 338WM will you is a better selection and availability of factory ammo. Other than that, it burns more powder. With today's bullets, the 35 Whelan is a heck of a cartridge. If you really want another rifle, get a 375HH or Ruger.

Just for the record, I am a 338 slut so don't think I'm a hater.

RH

Very wise words from the other posters.

I beleive I'd step up to a .375H&H, or down to a mild caliber, maybe something more specialized for the type kind of hunting you do most.

If I already had a Whelen I'd think there was more than a little overlap between it and a .338. Technically you're getting a little more ME and a little flatter trajectory but you know how that goes.

If you happen to be wanting a .375 then the "Well, the .338 isn't THAT different." argument holds up well enough in my court.

There was a time when I would of said, yeah go ahead and get the 338. Now however after working with a 338/06 (basically the same as a Whelan) for a decade I'd say no.

If I wanted another rig I'd go straight to the 375, but I'd make sure it wasn't too heavy. My main issue with most 375's is that they're just too heavy!

Best of luck to you in your decision.

Dober

If you are a reloader, the only thing the .338 gives you over the .35 Whelen as far as I am concerned is about 50-75 yards greater point blank range. It takes away 2 rounds of magazine capacity and gives you a bit more rifle weight and noticeably more recoil to do so.

Both are GREAT cartridges.

I was actually wondering about that myself, but then my whelen is accurate and dependable........

FWIW, Federal is offering their Fusion bullet in 180gr. 35 Whelen this year!

180 gr Fusions in the Whelen? Anyone seen the ballistics?

i was pondering the same sort of question awhile back. i wanted to jump from the 30/06 to a 338 win mag or 35 whelen. i thought i could justify it as i liked the 338 bullet selection and the extra oomph it provided. in the end i went one better and headed straight for the 375 h&h. i am very glad i did. with a 270 grain accubond, i drive it to 2700 fps and match the trajectory of a 180 grain bullet from a 30/06. for me, this was the way to go. since, you have a 35 whelen, i can't see going to a 338 win mag. i am guessing (without having on-game knowledge) that the diffrence in real world shooting is minimal if at all. you might consider the 9.3x62 mauser if you want something a little different. really though, 338 win mag, 35 whelen, 9.3x62, they are all pretty equal. i don't think any offer anything more than the other two, exception being a bit better trajectory with the win mag.

by the way, a poster complained of the weight of 375 h&h's. take a look at a rem 700 classic. mine is mounted with a leupold 1.5x5 vx-III and i am in the neighborhood of 8.25 lbs. that's not to bad and you can walk a ways with the setup.

having owned a couple Whelens in the past I was wanting another..or a 338-06...considered a 338 Win Mag but them came across a nice Sako AV in 375 H&H and I think that's the way to go....

just curoius what you think is too heavy for a 375 H&H...I just put a laminate stock on mine and it gained a pound...now 9-1/2 with 2.5-8X Leupy on top.

That 375 Ruger is trim and feels very nimble in my hands.

A .338 shooting 225 Accubonds will carry 1800 fps to almost 700 yards. I shoot mine at long range all the time- did it today in fact.

A Whelen won't do dat.

It'll kick harder but shoot farther.

Rembo-by my way of thinking I'd not want one to be be over 8.5 lbs all up (scope, ammo, sling etc). For me once they begin to push 9 lbs I don't want to carry them over hill and dale anymore.

The vast majority of the 375's built are just too darn heavy for my tastes as I like to carry them in the mtns for elk. Other types of country it's no bigga deal to carry it in, but in the steep and deep country no tanks.


Dober

I've used both in the field and think there is little one will do that the other won't, at least at the farthest I would shoot at a critter myself. If just for hunting, pick a 338, 35 or 375. The 35 will kick less. I've never shot an elk or moose, so maybe it matters, but I doubt it.

If you like to poke steel or paper at long range, the 338 has the edge in the wind, available bullets for the task, and obviously drop.

It has this edge over the 375 also.

The Whelen will run cast much better for speed and accuracy, IME.

I also agree with the thought of skipping .338 and going straight to .375. Below is my idea of what a .375 should look like. This one, on a Mauser, goes a hair under 7.75 pounds as it sits with scope and points like a good shotgun.