Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 338-06 & 35 Whelen

A few years ago-like over a decade- I resolved the larger bore wildcat question
with two Winchester pre-64 Model 70 rifles. Already had a 375 H&H along with a 338 W Magnum-both 1950s Model 70s-with controlled feed claw extractors.

A gun shop in Boise, ID had a M-70 from the 50s that was in 35 Whelen. The shop owner intrigued me
when he said it was basically a custom rifle with Biesen styled SGrade stock; re-bored, cut rifled and re-chambered original barrel & sights..
Then he set the hook:" if you don't like it-send it back..but you won't send it back". That was an under-.statement.

Then a few years later I had another M-70 30-06 that was beat up and sitting in a corner. Remembering the 35 Whelen, it went
out to the late Rich Nickle in Eatonvilel, WA. for cut rifling and boring of the original barrel to 338-06. He did his usual fine
work and I paired it with a Super Grade stock that had a few issues. It looked good and shot Nosler partition bullets into one ragged hole-which is even better.

So-I am beginning to think E. Keith was right about medium bores and elk-moose and bear. Both of these cartridges will do the
business on anything in North America. The other rifle/cartridge combination that has really worked for me over the years
is pre-war Winchester Model 71s in 348 or 348 Ackley Imp. The 348 with bonded core bullets like Woodleigh or Alaska Bullet Works-Swift
have to be seen to be believed. Like a lever action 35 Whelen. Reckon I have all the old school rifles I need-as they keep up with my style of timber hunting. Nothing else much needed
and my 270s don't see much use except for antelope.

I also like both and have had both. I think Elmer was right to go to the .33 after using a .35 in his earlier days, due to BC, sectional density. Also selection remains better in .33 of hunting type projectiles. I am also reminded of Ken Waters' statement on his Pet Loads on the Whelen that the best way to improve it would be to neck it to .338. As soon as Win brought out the .338 WM, Elmer wrote that his .333 OKH should be amended to .338 OKH. As we go back into history, we see that Whelen's first attempt was the .400 which had too little shoulder. With no USA .33 applicable (.33 Win were too fragile), it is unsurprising that he and Howe settled on the .35, especially since his goal was to go big within the limit of the case shoulder vs. headspace.

I wish I was hunting medium game enough to justify a medium bore. The 375 does it all for me but still think about the others from 333 Jeffrey to the 9.3s. The 348 has always intrigued me to especially in a vintage lever gun. Wanted to try AI version in a single shot but just don't have the need anymore. Also always wanted a 35 Rigby the British Whelen. But fun to think about.

You can argue the merits or lack of for the mediums but to me they do have a place. One thing if you want a better blood trail a bigger hole can't hurt, but then it is seldom needed.

I actually prefer the 9.3x62 in a bolt action and/or a 9.3x74R (in a single-shot) . However, I currently have a very nice custom .338-06--a gift from a good friend before he passed. As far as I can determine, it works just as well.

As another old friend used to say, "Whatever blows your hair back!"

I just acquired a very nice 98 FN 338-06 in a B&C Medalist that I'm tweaking. I've researched loads and am starting with 200 Speer and 225 Fed Fusion over 4320.

It's an unknown barrel, looks like a #4 contour at 24". Bore is pristine thru the Hawkeye, looks to be button rifled.

I'm looking for Big Game and Vv n140 load data. I also have RL-15, RL-17, H-4350 and a good selection in that burn range. Pet load data would be appreciated.

Picture is with a 4200 2.5-10x50, but the gun may end up with a Conquest 3-9x40 with elevation turret. The latter is lighter and glass is as good or better, IMO.

Gun came with Timney tirgger and Buehler safety.

DF

I own one of each. My 338-06 is a Remington custom with a Hart #3. Shoots 180ABs and 200gr TTSX to the same POI. The 35 Whelen is a Pre-64 Model 70 Custom with Shilen Select Match. Let’s just say, it’s one of the most accurate rifles in my collection. I like the bullet selection offered in the 338 cal. The 35 Whelen just has that COOL factor.

Some 338 bullets are made for the big boomers, may be a bit tough for smaller rounds.

Gotta select bullets to fit the round. I think the lighter ones may work better, at least 225 and down.

Still figuring it out. Appreciate help.

DF

Saw that FN 338-06. It is a nice Mauser and should be a good hunting rifle. I was somewhat tempted as it has a lot going for it.
Nosler 225 gr partitions or Swift A-frames will do it. You will enjoy working up
the loadings it does best with. The 225 gr bullet weight is probably best considering the modern selection.
4320 is an excellent powder for the 338-06.
The 338 Federal is just as necessary as the short magnum cartridges. In a few years it will be as moribund as the 30 Remington-lost in cyber space.

Both the 338-06 and 35 Whelen will be with us as long as 30-06 brass can be found and re-sized. The 348/M-71 with modern
bullets -now available- is amazing inside 125 yds. It is faster for repeat shots while stopping power on larger big game
is almost unique. Its the one rifle that both OConnor and Keith agreed on-and each owned.

Thanks for that info.

Just did the DBC bore treatment. Whoever made that barrel, looks like a good one. When I’m finished with the stock, will see how she shoots.

DF

What a great group of Winchesters.
338-06, 338Win Mag, 348, 35 Whelen and 375 H&H. You are set!

I am partial to the 338-06 and 375 having owned all of the above.

I am taking my 338-06 antelope hunting on Saturday, and using it for deer this fall in preparation for a Spring black bear hunt in SE Alaska next year.

Load is 200gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertip on top of Varget in Norma brass for 2790 fps.

Rifle is a stainless Model 70 Classic, SS #3 Shilen 1:9 twist, Mcmillan Edge stock, Talley lightweights with a Leupold VX-R 2-7. Cerakoted with PT&G aluminum bottom metal. Need to get a good picture and weight to post up all details.

For a lower MV .338, Hornady makes a 200 grain FTX which was marketed for the Marlin .338 express. Their other offerings are for 2400-2500 fps minimum MV, but the FTX is intended for 1800-2800 fps mv according to their handbook.

I have used the .338-06 for a number of years and I think the 210 grain Nosler partition is a perfect match. The nose is soft enough to open at lower velocities and the partician limits this on close shots. I have been awed by its performance.

I think I used 62 grains of BG and a 210 TTSX in my 338/06, which is built on an VZ24 Brno. It will go almost 2800 if my memory is correct. The ones I've owned shot best with BG and 4064.

The 210 Nosler Partition is an excellent bullet for the 338-06. It will work well on anything in North America and much game in Africa.
Comparable to the 333 Jeffrey or 318.
It is a well balanced cartridge and this 210 bullet weight extends the range and velocity.
Chub Eastman, Nosler rep and hunter-killed a grizzly with a 338-06 and 210 gr Nosler.
The bear was close range, almost ready to shake hands...........

You guys don't discount the 210gr Swift Scirocco. Another bullet tailor made for the 338-06.

This is what I have loaded in my rebored SS model 70. Heading to Idaho Saturday for elk, deer, bear and wolf starting next Thursday. I think they will work fine if I can pull the grade in those steep mountains. My legs and lungs are feeling pretty weak. Hope they can haul my butt where I need to go.
Les

Anybody with experience with both cartridges notice much difference in recoil in a 338-06 with 200/210 vs a whelen loaded heavy? I'm thinking it will be much closer to a 30-06 than a whelen.
I had a 35 whelen (on an FN action) that shot well, though it was fairly light (right about 8lbs) and was a bit of a handful with full speed 250s. It was more manageable with a Bansner stock than a later Rimrock stock, fwiw!

Recoil is one of the reasons I gravitated toward the 338-06. Had a Whelen in a 700 Classic and it was brutal to shoot with 225 and 250gr.

It could have been stock design, but it was not fun to shoot. If you can't shoot a rifle enough to be become familiar and comfortable.... I do not want to hunt with it.

Medium cartridges which launch conventional bullets at 2300 to 2600 fps are just plain reliable on all sorts of big game. GD

That is exactly why I went to the .338-06.