Matt said "It is significantly more powerful than the '06, since the Whelen is capable of pushing a 225 gr. bullet to the same velocity as the '06 with a 180 gr. bullet."
Matt. not disputing you,but where did you find this data?
Checking my Hornady manual. The .06 loaded to book max with a 180 gr bullet shows 2800fps, and with the 220 gr bullet, 2600 fps.
The 35 Whelen is listed as book max as 2700 fps for a 200 gr bullet and 2500 fps for a 250 gr bullet (none listed for a 225).
Simple calculations show that:
180gr @ 2800fps = 3133 ft lbs
220gr @ 2600fps = 3033 ft lbs
200gr @ 2700fps = 3238 ft lbs
250 gr@ 2500fps = 3470 ft lbs
Realizing that any load can be worked up over book max to achieve a greater velocity,that is true with both the .06 and 35.
I find it a little hard to believe that since the 200 gr ,35 Whelen is listed at 2700 fps and the 180 ,30-06 is listed at 2800 that anyone could achieve a greater velocity out of a 225 gr 35 Whelen than 180 gr 30-06.So one gains about 100ft lbs going to the 200 gr 35 Whelen and maybe 200 ft lbs going to the 225 gr Whelen.That is insignificant in the hunting world
I am interestd, as I state earlier,as I have thought about this conversion,but did not see the advantage.Just a bigger diamater hole.
