Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 338-06 vs 35 whelen

I currently have a 338-06 but am wanting to hear your opinions on the 2 calibers side by side. Which one kills quicker and has more knock down for bear,deer and moose?

shot placement is everything

Got quarter? Give one side the 338, the other the Whelen. Toss it in the air, let it land. Whichever side comes up is the best. You're splitting paper ballistic hairs. There will be zero difference on game. 'Course that holds true for several hundred cartridges.

Just like today’s kids. They all win!!!!

Finn Aagaard wrote an article on the two. IIRC he chose the 338-06 but admitted there was very little difference between the two.

I think I remember that article. Didn't he choose the .338-06 because there was better bullet selection?

Just my opinion , but I think there is a threshold of increasing caliber where frontal area starts to make a difference in killing power , and maybe that starts at some wheres between 35 caliber and 375


at any rate , the Whelen will mostly drive bullets of equivalent sectional density to the same speeds as the corresponding lighter bullets in the 338 , for example , the 225gr 35 caliber will equal the speeds of the 210gr 338


the extra weight and frontal area should result in somewhat of an increase in hitting power


on the other hand the superior b.c. of the 338 bullets may result in more retained energy at distance


so , would really be hard to say there is a clear cut winner......

if i recall, layne simpson also wrote an article comparing the 2.
his conclusion too was that the differences are not great

WHELEN +100 Bigger bore and a great selection of mono-metals and 250 gr conventionals.

(if only because I have one)

.338-06

.35 whelen

Ah shucks, I dunno.

-Jake

I went with .35 Whelen over 338-06 simply because my donor rifle has a short, 19" barrel and I think the .35 Whelen is probably a smidge better out of a short barrel.

I have a 338-06. It works great, kills very well. So does my 30-06 so, you just need to make yourself happy.

Dance with the lady you brought to the party. I'm sure she will make you happy.

I have had both. I am in the 338-06 camp and currently have two, with another on the way.

I like the better selection of bullets for the 338 caliber. On paper the 338-06 has slight advantage.
180's have worked great for deer, 200-210's have worked great on antelope, deer, and elk. Have never used the 160's or heavier than 210's on game. Can't imagine them not working.

I have used a 210gr TSX quite a bit at 2800 plus and feel very confident that it will handle almost everything the planet has to hunt with a couple of exceptions. I feel that it might be a little too hard for deer sized game. But it works. If/when I go back to Africa, it will be with a 338-06 and 210gr TSX's.

With that being said, hand me either one for hunting and I would not have any issues.

This

338-06 simply because you have a better selection of bullets to handload with. However if you held my feet to the fire I'd take a 9.3x62 over either of the two you're writing about.

35 Whelen all the way. The bullet selection is more than adequate for big game, you can tinker with pistol bullet plinking loads, and last but not least, you can buy factory ammo in 35 Whelen.

I have both & like them equally. My 338-06 is stainless/synthetic while the Whelen is blued steel /wood so it depends on the weather... or my mood. The 338 may reach out a little better with equal weight bullets.

I have owned both and in my small sample of using them on elk and moose, I could not see any difference. Peddled the 338-06 that was built on a VZ24 Mauser and McGowen barrel and kept the Ruger 77.

Had both, multiple copies. Much rather have either a 30/06 or a 375 depending upon the task.

I have those too!