Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles .35 Whelen vs .338-06?

It’s a hoss. Pretty close to a .375 H&H on an ‘06 sized case.

I like my 338-06 better.

DF

I have read the reports on the 160, but will probably not use it. When I went to the 110's in my 270 I started recovering bullets. I think maybe too light for caliber.

One of the reason I like mono's is two holes. I am hoping I can find a load with 185 GMX, or TTSX. If not, back to 200-210's.

If I already had a good .30cal rifle, I'd probably skip the .338 and move on up to the Whelen. They are somewhat like peas in the same pod though.

I hunt a Whelen and a .338WM that is loaded to .338-06 levels. Both are good at making leaky exit holes.

I like the 35 Whelen, 9.3X62, and the 400 Whelen. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

i have a 35 Whelen do i think its better not really just the same kinda.I just think the name 35 Whelen is neater that`s all.

I don't see your problem for the life of me. This the USA get them both and figure out which you like the most by using the hell out of them. Ideally when you die there is enough assets to cover your funeral expenses any extra to pass on is a waste. When you get done shooting an 06 any cold beer will do. When you get done shooting your 35 Whelen or your 338-06 drink a premium beer because what you just did is out of the ordinary and special so celebrate it. MB

if your post is directed with a negative post about me ? here`s my answer to you: the 35 Whelen is a commercial cartridge and i have a 35 Whelen in a real nice Ruger #1 they are worth plenty. 338-06 is great wildcat cartridge that has not been made as a commerial cartridge but rifles rechambered in a 338-06 don`t have near the value for resale, but 338-06 is a good wild cartridge, will i ever hunt with either probably not. when i need a bullet that size to hunt with i will use either my 338 Win. Mag. or one of my 375 H&H rifles. >maybe reread what i posted and try and be more positive bobby.

Not really a wildcat. It was legitimized by A-Square, SAAMI standardized it, WBY chambered a rifle in it, and you can get factory ammo for it. The only downside is as far as I know there are no production rifles currently made for it.

Probably a better round for a Loony who reloads.

That’s me and a host of Fire contributors.

Would not be my recommendation for a casual shooter who buys ammo at a big box store.

DF

You make good point. I'd love to "get both", but realistically need to pick one or the other as a starting point. I enjoy reloading, and particularly like the idea working with cartridges that are outside the mainstream.

But yes, in no way do I see this as trying to decide which choice is "better" than the other, just figuring out my priorities.

Tann, well said the 338 offers I think a more versatile selection of component bullets than the 35 cal. Eeny meeny ….. MB

I worked thru similar decisions when I was re-barreling a old 8x57;
8mm-06, 338-06 or 35W or 9.3x62

I choose the 9.3x62 with the 286 grain bullet as I already had a 30-06,
thinking the heavier bullet would be significant step up.

It was !!!

.

25-06
30-06
35-06

Make your life easy with factory ammo, and symmetry.

There's no wrong answer on this one. I've had a Mauser .35 Whelen AI for almost 30 years - love it. Recently got a Mauser .338-06 - love it too. About to get a circa 1934 Springfield rebored to 9.3x62 - pretty sure I'll love it too.
Reality is the 35 WAI (using the awesome Power Pro 2000-MR powder - game changer in the Whelen) beats the other two, but who cares, they're all fun and they are all great medium bores.
Cheers,
Rex

Probably a better round for a Loony who reloads.

That’s me and a host of Fire contributors.

Would not be my recommendation for a casual shooter who buys ammo at a big box store.

>>> very good answer and your right 338-06 is better for a loony,maybe someday i will find a 338-06 that i can play with. i do plan on going bear hunting this fall 2020 and i have not decided for sure what to use ? maybe just my simple 30-06 BLR ? 350 Mag. Savage ? Ruger #1 375 H&H ? Savage 99 284 Win. ? or maybe just my old reliable killer Ruger #1 in a 257 Weatherby Mag. yes >Loony`s have many decisions on what to use & when to switch ? what handload to build for what cartridge ?

A Loony's work is never done...

DF

Amen!

In his Pet Loads articles, Ken Waters discussed his preference for the .338-06 and .338 Federal (formerly, .338-08) over their .35 counterparts.

That he did...

Ken wasn't bashful about telling us what he was thinking...

And, he was pretty good at showing how he came to those conclusions.

DF

Did something happen to make it look like I said what pete53 actually said and then made it look like Dirtfarmer said what I actually said.