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I have both but have only hunted the .35. It has performed great but the 338-06 would likely have done as well. I only got the 338-06 this year so that's why I've not yet blooded it. I think the "better bullet selection" argument for the .338 died a happy death over 20 years ago - plenty of great bullets in each these days. IMO, the advent of Power Pro 2000-MR powder has been a game changer in favor of the 35 Whelen. Speer has published data for the 250 HotCor at 2700 FPS, and Sierra has published data for the 225 SGK at 2900 FPS. I have not pushed my Whelen this far but 2650 and 2850 FPS respectively are easy to hit without the pressures even breathing hard. This represents a good 100-150 FPS advantage over the .338-06 at the muzzle, and that larger frontal area previously alluded to. The .338-06 retains an edge in BC and SD but many argue in the age of monolithics SD is not as valid as it was in the days of cup and core. Either way they are kind of peas in a pod - darned awesome peas at that. I'm hoping to hear of a new uber-powder that will do for the .338-06 what PP 2000 MR does for the 35 Whelen. I have been playing with PP 2000 MR in the .338-06 and am getting 2700 FPS with the 225, but with what seems to me a touch more pressure than I experience getting 2850 FPS with 225's in the Whelen. And now I'm about to muddy the waters with my new rebored 9.3x62, in which 2000-MR seems to be a winner too. Medium bores are fun. Enjoy whatever you choose, Rex
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Here are some unscientific observations of elk kills with both. 35 Whelen one cow elk at the shot the elk visibly rocked and staggered/died 20 yards later. I think the guy was using 225gr bullet of some type.
338-06 cow elk shot at approx 125 yards, visibly rocked and took off and lost in the herd and only made it 30-40 yards. 210gr NPt cow elk shot 90 yards, DRT 210gr NPt cow elk shot 175 yards, spun in a circle and tipped over. 210gr TSX cow elk shot 40 yards, DRT. 210gr TSX bull elk shot 275 yards, stumbled and fell within 5 yards. 210gr TSX bull elk shot 170 yards, jumped took off with the herd peeled off and died 80 yards.
Arcus Venator
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Finn Aagaard wrote an article on the two. IIRC he chose the 338-06 but admitted there was very little difference between the two.
Yes, that is essentially correct. I have that article handy and checked, he said that if he wanted on one rifle for NA game and wanted more than a .30-06 he'd opt for the .338, but if he already had a good deer rifle he'd choose the Whelen. Then he said that if he really wanted more thump than the Springfield he would step up to the .338 WM. But then in another article, he said the 9.3x62 is a bit better than either.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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I have had several of each. My current favorite is a 338-06 firing 210 Partitions, match made in heaven.
.338 and .358 calibers are probably my favorite. I have owned quite a few over the years. 338-06, 338-06AI, 338 Winnie, 35 Whelen, 350 Rem mag, 358 Norma.
I think the .338 variant will shoot a little flatter if you are into that, but despite what the ballistics show on paper I have gotten way more DRT's with the whelen and 350 rem.
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Truly a pick'em. No wrong answer, though some claim they are both wrong answer's.
Arcus Venator
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I currently have a 357rem max which shoots 180gr bullets at 2200fps from a 21” tube but for some reason I’ve always liked the 35whelen which can launch that same bullet at 3000fps. I currently have 7mm rem mag, 270,30-06,338-06 but I feel the need to either add the 35 whelen to the mix or go with a 375ruger. Why? Because I like my rifles and can never have to many lol.
"When guns are outlawed,only the outlaws will have guns".
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Why? Because I like my rifles and can never have too many. lol. Spoken like a true Loony... BTW, look at the numbers now on the Fire. I guess us "shut ins" are getting a bit bored... DF
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Remingtonman I have the same urge. Our (my daughters) 357 Max is pushing a 180 Speers at 2325 out of a 26” encore. My 357 Rimless with 180 SSP at 2600 out of 26” Encore. I have two 7 mags, 25-06, 450 Bushmaster 26” Encore pushing a 250 gr. At 2580 FPS. and I’m wanting a 35 Whelen. I just picked up a 30-06 to rebore to the Whelen and now found a 35 Whelen for what I paid for the 06. Does a guy carry on with the rebore project or keep the 30-06 and add the Whelen. Flipping quarters in my head. Help guide me. Lol
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Had both, multiple copies. Much rather have either a 30/06 or a 375 depending upon the task.
I have those too! +1 Me, too. A msn's gotta be prepared. DF
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Remingtonman I have the same urge. Our (my daughters) 357 Max is pushing a 180 Speers at 2325 out of a 26” encore. My 357 Rimless with 180 SSP at 2600 out of 26” Encore. I have two 7 mags, 25-06, 450 Bushmaster 26” Encore pushing a 250 gr. At 2580 FPS. and I’m wanting a 35 Whelen. I just picked up a 30-06 to rebore to the Whelen and now found a 35 Whelen for what I paid for the 06. Does a guy carry on with the rebore project or keep the 30-06 and add the Whelen. Flipping quarters in my head. Help guide me. Lol To have a rebore job done it’s $250. To have my gunsmith build my small shank 35whelen barrel is $205 shipped to my doorstep and it’s a much better barrel that has been indicated to 1/10thousands of an inch concentric to the bore for a superbly accurate rifle barrel. I’ve heard there are a lot of factory barrels that are out .020 thousand off the centerline of the bore resulting in poor accuracy. If I where you I’d consider the 9.3x62 but you also couldn’t go wrong with the whelen. I will be getting one of the three (9.3x62,35whelen,375ruger) in the future lol.
"When guns are outlawed,only the outlaws will have guns".
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Just like today’s kids. They all win!!!!
John = Waterfowler at hart along with my late Baydog 9/26/20 .. = = Striving to be turdlike.
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My reasoning for Whelen is two fold. Bought a allotment of .358 stuff this past fall that had bullets I wanted for my 357 Maximum and Rimless. With the package came 35 Whelen dies and Remington Brass. Also if this economy doesn’t fall right apart I have plans to go on moose hunt in Maine. I don’t have anything for the 30-06 but it wouldn’t take long to round up. 200 gr. Nos partitions would be my direction on the 06’
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None of us have bought reloading supplies before the rifle, have we?
Arcus Venator
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Campfire 'Bwana
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So close together that any inherent difference, if it exists, will be swamped by other uncontrolled variables.
BTW, you couldn't hang onto a rifle launching a projectile capable of knocking down a moose.
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None of us have bought reloading supplies before the rifle, have we? On my reloading bench right now I have 50 pieces of new Hornady .35 Whelen brass, my press is set up with Hornady Whelen dies, about 125 pieces of .30-06 brass have been resized to .35 Whelen, there are several boxes of .35 rifle bullets and a pound of Power Pro 2000 MR. I currently do not own any rifle chambered in .35 much less a 35 Whelen.
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None of us have bought reloading supplies before the rifle, have we? On my reloading bench right now I have 50 pieces of new Hornady .35 Whelen brass, my press is set up with Hornady Whelen dies, about 125 pieces of .30-06 brass have been resized to .35 Whelen, there are several boxes of .35 rifle bullets and a pound of Power Pro 2000 MR. I currently do not own any rifle chambered in .35 much less a 35 Whelen. Very nice lol. What flavor are you thinking of going with?
"When guns are outlawed,only the outlaws will have guns".
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Reminds me of my brother's truck being better than my truck. Because it's HIS.... Now, just because his is new, mine is old doesn't matter, it was that way before he got this one. So, the round I have is gonna be better than the one you have, even if ballistics are too close to call... Just 'cause... It's the way it is... DF
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None of us have bought reloading supplies before the rifle, have we? On my reloading bench right now I have 50 pieces of new Hornady .35 Whelen brass, my press is set up with Hornady Whelen dies, about 125 pieces of .30-06 brass have been resized to .35 Whelen, there are several boxes of .35 rifle bullets and a pound of Power Pro 2000 MR. I currently do not own any rifle chambered in .35 much less a 35 Whelen. Very nice lol. What flavor are you thinking of going with? I have a Rem 700 ADL originally chambered in .270 Win at JES right now that will be rebored to .35 Whelen. I have Speer 220s and 250s to start working up loads.
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WHELEN +100 Bigger bore and a great selection of mono-metals and 250 gr conventionals.
(if only because I have one)
This Better yet, ream it out to the Ackley Improved or 35 Gibbs ("maybe" a 35 Sherman)!
Last edited by Jim_Knight; 03/30/20.
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Kind of went that progression myself until I got to the 375 H&H. Just a little too snooty for my liking. Backed off to a CZ550 FS and found my sweet spot. It actually kicks less than my ruger american 3006. The CZ and Ruger are both sub moa shozoters.
Life is too short to hunt with ugly guns.
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