Have owned both 338-06 and 35 Whelen. You specifically ruled out big bears and confined your use within NA.

THEREFORE, forget both of those and get a 30/06.

For African use the 9.3-62 is by far the best choice as well as for use on “big bears” but you ruled both of those out.


“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Posted by Brad.