Matt, thanks for your service.
The 35 Whelen has seen a lot of debate over rate of twist dating back to it's beginning when 300 grain bullets were thought to be better for large and/or dangerous game. Most 250 grain bullets will handle that stuff well, now.
My Whelens are the factory 1-16" twist and shoot pretty much anything I load into smaller groups than my varmint rigs will. Like Mart said, they seem to think they're target rifles. I put my old battered Rem 700 BDL action into an equally battered mtn rifle stock for elk hunting. 250 grain bullets shoot great and work equally well on elk.
The only other calibers that I've found to be as easy to get along with are the 270 Win and 338-06.
Be safe and enjoy your search for a Whelen. Looking for rifles and gearing up is the best occupation of the off season.
