Nontipical: Most all of my Remington 700 Classics are "short-actions" but my 700 Classic in 7mm Remington Magnum I use a lot has a one piece base and a Leupold 3.5x10 (with A/O) and it worked out fine for me.
So that is one suggestion for a scope there.
I also prefer one piece bases on all my Hunting Rifles.
Good luck in your search and I will relay this quickly - the 35 Whelen is a fine Elk cartridge.
I have been along on two different Hunts with two different friends of mine on "special draw Elk tags" in the Missouri Breaks country of Montana.
Both Hunters used Remington 700 Classics in 35 Whelen to take TROPHY 6x6 and 6x7 Bull Elk.
Both were one shot kills BTW - although in full disclosure one of those Hunters "completely missed" on a overly long shot on a walking along Bull in a horrendous cross wind.
I tried to talk my friend out of trying the shot at all but the "trophy bull" he was aiming at just overwhelmed his common sense.
Thankfully that big bull was not struck at all by that ill advised shot.
Again good luck in your quest.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
