Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 338 rcm or 35 whelen

I'm about to thin the rifle herd again. I need to get rid of a medium. I have a ruger ss 338 rcm 20" and a rem 700 cdl in 35 whelen. One of them needs to go and all of my 33 or 35 bullets need to go with it.

I have a 375 ruger in a hawkeye African that is staying because its the one I used in Africa in 2008. The whelen shoots great but its a 24" blued gun and I kind of like the little 20" ruger 338 rcm's handling and the fact that its stainless. Ballistically I think the whelen and the rcm are close enough that no animal will know the difference. I realize the rcm's are all but dead and gone but I have enough brass to last.

I did this a few years back and eliminated all 17 cals, 25 cals, 270 cals, 338 cals, and 35 cals thinking I could clean up the reloading room and eliminate a few bullets. Then in moments of weekness I ended up with this rcm and whelen and now I have big boxes of brass and bullets for both.

I'd like to get to where I only need rifle bullets in 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 375, and either 33 or 35. I could probably do well with 22, 24, 26, 30 and 375 but I love my 7's so I'll have to keep 28's too.

So, which one goes in the classifieds the rcm or the whelen?

Bb

Sounds like you'll be listing that CDL Whelen.

I'm deeply in love with mine, but a man's gotta do what's best for him.

FC

B B -

Keep the Whelen, KOOL, KLASS. KLASSIC !!

I'd keep the whelen.

Yeah, you won't ever have to worry about finding Whelen cases, since you can always neck up .300 Whelens.

Plus, there are probably some True Believers in the RCM's that will pay a premium for the rifle and brass. Not so much a Whelen or the brass.

Sounds like you have the rifle looney fever, as most of us do. Can't speak for the RCM but I love my Whelen. Mine is the CDL also and am very happy with it. If I wanted to change to synthetic and stainless, would build on this platform. Just my thoughts

Keep the Whelen. It is more practical.

I'd keep the RCM.

As always it the rifle that feels right to you more so then the cartridge, find it and run with it. Just me

I've had both (different platforms than yours) and ended up moving the RCM. Could not source factory ammo or brass, for the life of me. During that same time, I could find 35 Whelen ammo/components from any number of places.

There is a mystique to the Whelen, IMO.

I'd coat the Whelen to desired finish and sell the 338RCM.

Orrrrrrrr, sell the Whelen and retube the 338RCM to a 350 mag.

I don't think I've ever heard it put better.

Then again, there are those that, for whatever the reason, don't feel the mystique. I'd normally call them NUTS, but then I remember that I'm one of those loons who just can't grasp the 1911 love-fest. I was told I'd get all lathered-up over 'em, but it just isn't so.

OP should do what he's gotta. But if the Whelen must go, pledge to make sure it goes to a good home!

FC

You keep the RCM

I'll watch out for your 35 Whelen.

There'll NEVER be another Col. Whelen!

A legacy!!

Don't forget Col. Whelen's machinist who developed the cartridge for him.

I'd keep the RCM. It's handier and will kill just as well. Besides, IMO the 700, even in a Classic, doesn't quite scream Whelen to me. Now if it was a rust blued Springfield with a tapered octagon barrel I'd probably vote different.

Maybe I'll rebarrel the whelen to 270 and use the 35 tube as a tomato stake....! I could film the process and sell the vid as a rifle looney horror movie.

Bb

If you DO THAT.... I'll find you!!!







joking of course!

I think the Whelen is a better cartridge, primarily due to component availability. From your description, I think the RCM would be a more interesting rifle to me.

Keep the Whelen and sell the ReCtuM.