Matt, Thank you, and a Very warm 24Hr welcome. May I suggest a 35 Whelen-like 30'06 handload until you can scratch the Whelen itch? Get some 220gr NPs or HDY RNs, research a max load of RE22. In my 22" 700 Mountain and a 70 BOSS this works out to 58 to 60gr and 2600 FPS more or less and often inch to inch and a quarter groups @ 200 yards.
Best effort (for M 700 Classic) 35W is Varget and 225s for just a little more fps. I have seen very similar results on game, (220 30, 250 35s) and a very noticable increase in thump (to about 250 yards or so). Walking around in AK with 220 RNs in the '06 or 250 RNs in the Whelen is just a bit more comforting, as you never know (what in AK) just might answer your varmint call. If you need long, pointy, boat tailed, or Cape Buffalo weight .35 bullets, a quick twist barrel may work out... but a 1-16 twist still, I think is just fine, especially if cast bullets and 357 pistol bullet small game and fun handloads appeal to you. Best wishes.
