Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 338/06 vs 35Whelen rebore

So I have two 30/06 Kimber Montanas. Figured I'd rebore one to either 35 Whelen or 338/06.

I have a SS Hawkeye Whelen that I really like but dont have a 338/06 so leaning toward the later. I know theres not enough difference to matter so as a looney I could be convinced either way.

Purpose of the rifle is a light weight all around AK hunting/berry picking rifle. And of course to tinker with and pour over reload data etc.

The Montana I'm going to rebore has been cut to a looney length of 23" and has NEGC sights installed already. It works great as is but I like medium bores so what say the Campfire guru's?

Thanks and tight chains.

You want a 338-06? Do it, No justification needed.

But I am a 338-06 looney.

I'd do the .338-06 just for the 210 NPt if nothing else.

or TSX, TTSX.
or 200gr Nosler ballistic silvertip, Accubond,
or...

I’m on the 35 Whelen bandwagon. That being said, I don’t think the Montana’s have enough meat for a rebore. So I would go 338-06 for the above mentioned “good” bullets.
Good luck, Tom

My thought also. Kimbers usually have pretty skinny barrels so you may want to consult whoever you will have do the rebore before committing.

I had a pre'64 M/70 rebored to .35 Whelen 30yrs. ago, much bigger selection of bullets in .35 than in .338. Mine shoots everything accuarately, jacketed and cast rifle bullets also .357 pistol bullets.

Here is how I would approach this:go to your local gun store, and see what is most available in 338, 358, or 9.3 bullets. Buy up a large pile of which ever is cheapest. 338-06, 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, all are very good rounds. Easy to load for, cycle good through most actions.
Charlie

OP didn’t specify if these were 84L or 8400 but I don’t think you are getting a 0.366 out of a 0.56 unless cut down a bit.

I’ve become one myself! I honestly don’t think a medium game hunter can dream up a circumstance where a 338-06 wouldn’t be effective - especially if the faster twists are considered.

I used a 338-06 several years ago to take this elk. Largest one I have ever taken. Guide estimated 1100 to 1200 lbs. Used a 225 grain partition. I ate elk for the next four years. And all my neighbors did to.

Damn, 1100# man what an elk. I killed what I thought was a fairly large bull weight wise, maybe 750 to 800# or so estimated with a 338-06 and a 210gr Barnes TSX.

I most likely will not hunt elk again at my age but if I could that 338-06 would be with me, and I actually own a 35 Whelen built on a Winchester model 70, thanks to Redneck.

Get both

Mine are all 1:9 twist. If my 338-06's will not get it done, I am going much bigger. Like the 416 Remington in my safe.

Charlie,
Nice bull! Congrats!

I have these on my shelf just in case I find myself in your situation.

Quit jacking your root and buy them all..

35 Whelen. You'll thank me later..

Hint

That’s the spirit!

I love the 338 but I also love the 358 and the bigger hole it punches. I have both the 338, albeit in a couple of Win Mag, and the 35 Whelen. My 20” Whelen is fairly light and very compact but it offers a hell of a lot of firepower in a small package. It wears an SWFA 1-4 IR in Warne rings on a bedded Pic rail, it has a Trigger Tech set at 2.5# and a B&C synthetic stock……it would be exactly what I’d be carrying when berry picking or jungle busting. My 338’s are awesome but I find that I’m reaching for my Whelen more and more. I found an old stockpile of Remington Core-Lokt in 250gr pointed soft point as well as 250gr roundnose which I’ve bought up since I was getting them for $30 OTD per box….I can’t buy brass that cheap so I’ll make my own fire formed brass from new ammo.

For a short range thumper you can’t go wrong either way. The 338-06, as you know, will do everything that you need it to do and given identical scenarios it’ll perform the same as the Whelen. It boils down to what you want and it sounds like you want a 338-06….which is too bad since the Whelen is vastly better. 😂

If you already have a 338 or a 358 the portability of using the same components or at least the same bullets can simplify things during shortages but otherwise you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.

I think your guide is smoking some serious chit.
1100-1200 elk are like 7'6" men.
Some Roosevelt elk crowd 1000# but that is not a Rosey.


To the OP, my vote is for the Whelen

I wondered about that. Seems I read here on the campfire of someone reboring a Montana to 35 cal. Could have been an 8400. Mine is an 84L. Of course I've read all kinds of stuff on the campfire so who knows! Definitely plan to talk to JES to see whats possible.

Thats a dandy elk Charlie!

Thanks for the input guys. Pretty sure it'll be a 338-06 since I have Whelen already.