338-06 VS 35-06 aka 35 Whelen

[DrMike]

BD,

Welcome to the forum; it is good to have your perspective. I've shot both cartridges, and as is true in so many instances, it comes down to preference. Either cartridge will serve the shooter well and deliver in the pinch. Again, thanks for your contribution and welcome to the forum. If I might be so bold, I would encourage you to wander over to this thread (http://www.noslerreloading.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22761&start=100) to give us an introduction. Other than the Whelen, what are you pulling the trigger on? What did you hunt this year? I know I'd enjoy getting to know you.

 

[tim629]

i went 338-06ai because of bullet selection

though most 338s seem to be designed for something more like the 338 win mag so that does limit distance to keep the bullet in it's optimal velocity (reason I'm going to mainly load noslers is they give you a picture of what to expect at what velocity)

another advantage I can see to the 35 whelen if you got it stamped 35-06 it would just be cool to see people's responses thinking you had some outlandish and obscure cartridge

 

[BD1]

BD,

Welcome to the forum; it is good to have your perspective. I've shot both cartridges, and as is true in so many instances, it comes down to preference. Either cartridge will serve the shooter well and deliver in the pinch. Again, thanks for your contribution and welcome to the forum. If I might be so bold, I would encourage you to wander over to this thread (http://www.noslerreloading.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22761&start=100) to give us an introduction. Other than the Whelen, what are you pulling the trigger on? What did you hunt this year? I know I'd enjoy getting to know you.

Thank you for the very warm welcome DrMike, its truly appreciated.
I'm not shooting the Whelens anymore having parted company with my last one a little while back to a fellow member on this forum who I understand enjoys it very much.
With respect to the OP regarding bullets and powders in the .35, I had much success and accuracy with both the 225gr partitions and accubonds with Rel.15 and Varget. IMR 4320 was another good powder with different 220-225 ish bullets and IMR 4064 or 4895 with 250's in my rifles.
Other than the Whelens I've sold off a substantial collection of rifles over the last year and a half and have been playing around and loading quite for a recently finished custom .280, an old FW MDL 70 '06 and a HB Varmint 22-250.
I have been a longtime viewer of this forum and recognize a number of other members handles that I enjoy reading and visiting with from other boards. At this moment, I feel its necessary and I would like to take this opportunity to do so now, is to say to everyone here how much I appreciate the tone and friendliness that prevails here, I hope that I can contribute something of value and also learn new things along the trail.
Best,

BD

 

[sask boy]

Welcome BD, I am sure that you are going to fit in quite well here :wink:.
I am just wondering are you a lefty? If you are not that is okay but the few we have here get ganged up on once in awhile so a new recruit every so often is nice :mrgreen:.
I look forward to your posts on the 280 as it really a under estimated calibre. I have a 280AI being built right sure hope it is finished soon!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[BD1]

Welcome BD, I am sure that you are going to fit in quite well here :wink:.
I am just wondering are you a lefty? If you are not that is okay but the few we have here get ganged up on once in awhile so a new recruit every so often is nice :mrgreen:.
I look forward to your posts on the 280 as it really a under estimated calibre. I have a 280AI being built right sure hope it is finished soon!!

Blessings,
Dan

Thanks Dan ! I'm sorry to say I'm not a lefty though many in my family are. You won't find me ganging up on lefties or anyone here. Being a rightie I get it from family so I understand the plight.....
I'm also interested to hear about your AI, I've had the pleasure to run a real good one on a Sako action and it is a lights out shooter. Its enjoying the company of a very close friend of mine that also registered here on the forum a day or so ago that I hope puts a post or two out also.

So......
How about those 338/06's and Whelens, truck driver wanted to stir it up and I don't want to derail this thread,.............I enjoy reading other folks experiences too.........

 

[gerry]

BD1 welcome as well and I have to say that is a nice looking bull moose in your avatar

 

[DrMike]

I have to say that is a nice looking bull moose in your avatar

That's for certain. Were you hunting Alaska?

 

[BD1]

Thanks a lot fellas, It's an interior north east B.C. Moose I took over on the east side Williston Lake outside of Ft. St. John, with.........a .35 Whelen and 225 NPT's
Beautiful country........I'd like to be there now.

BD

 

[DrMike]

My AO. I've hunted the area and still do occasionally.

 

[sask boy]

BD, the 35 Whelen & Moose are just a natural combination. I shoot the 225gr. ABs and know that it is the proper medicine!!
If you get up there again I know a certain Doctor that would likely have a cup of coffee for you :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[taylorce1]

I have both rifles as well, and I'd have to choose the .338-06 if I could only keep one rifle. Far better hunting bullet selection in the .338 as far as I'm concerned, slightly better BC, and IME a little bit faster on average than the .35 Whelen. However as far as accuracy goes I've never had a problem finding hunting accuracy with either, but I'm as of yet unable to cut a three hole touching group. However, many are under an inch that I've been able to pull off with both rifles.

As much as I like the .338-06, I'd take the .358 Win over the .338 Federal any day.

Welcome to BD1 and his avatar!

 

[gerry]

Thanks a lot fellas, It's an interior north east B.C. Moose I took over on the east side Williston Lake outside of Ft. St. John, with.........a .35 Whelen and 225 NPT's
Beautiful country........I'd like to be there now.

BD

Nice, I would like to hunt there as well some day for moose there are lots of them there. The 225 gr Partition has been in on the demise of many moose over the years.......

 

[257 Ackley]

I spent over a year doing research on the two calibers before deciding on the 338-06 back in 1991. For me it was more about available bullet selection and down-range velocities than which caliber would be better for larger NA game. There wasn't much load data at that time on the 338-06, so it was fun tinkering and figuring out what powders would work with different bullets.

I had a Sako chambered in 7X64 Brenneke sitting in the safe that I had bought for $269 back when I had an FFL, so it made sense to try and rebore the Sako barrel to .338 and see if the caliber would work. I couldn't even tell you what twist rate is in the barrel, all I know is it shoots great and has accounted for several deer and one moose with the 210 Partition. The longest shot taken on game has been less than 100 yards, but it does shoot under MOA at 200, so I know it is fairly accurate.

There is a lot of fun throwing shizzle back and forth with the guys that own Whelens on this site, but at the end of the day, they are pretty much the same performance wise for most NA game.

 

[gerry]

Comparing the 338-06, 35 Whelen and 9.3x62 is pretty much the same as the old 270 Win vs 280 Rem vs 30-06 argument, each has it's own strengths but in the end there is no real difference in on game performance. Doesn't stop the debate though

 

[Mighty Peace]

My interest in the 338-06 and 35 Whelan started back in 2005. I decided to go with a 338-06 AI. I went AI just to be different and my gunsmith personally had a couple and I went with what he said.

The rifle became a reality back in late October 2008. I finally found a Sako m75 Greywolf to do the build on. It was a new 25-06. I bought it and delivered to the gunsmith in mid June 2008. They ordered in a PacNor #5 supermatch-grade stainless blank barrel. I wanted to shoot the heavier bullets (225gr).

My gunsmith fluted the barrel, cut to 24", powder coated it with some other metal on the rifle. The rifle shoots like a dream. I wanted it to weigh in the same as a factory Sako m75 Greywolf "V" action - which it does. In hindsight I maybe should of went with a #4 barrel.

The rifle is a dream to shoot. 225gr Accubonds or TTSX's pretty much shoot identical. I reload with Norma 338-06 A-Square headstamped brass. This rifle is a nice balance in between my Sako m75ss 300WM with 180gr Accubonds and my Sako m75ss 270WSM with 140gr Accubonds.

The 338-06AI is a bit of a safe queen lately right now as traditionally I take my 300WM to moose camp every year, since it was new back in 1997, and I have been very impressed with the performance of the 270WSM Tikka T3 LS rifles I had prior to my Sako shooting 140gr AB's.

Never too many rifles in the gun safe I guess !! RIGHT ??? lol


After I had this built and was looking at reload manuals and other data online, I seen the 330 Dakota and it has peaked my interest.

 

[tjen]

Comparing the 338-06, 35 Whelen and 9.3x62 is pretty much the same as the old 270 Win vs 280 Rem vs 30-06 argument, each has it's own strengths but in the end there is no real difference in on game performance. Doesn't stop the debate though

Bingo!

And if all were loaded to the same pressures it would be more obvious.

35Whelen, 270Win, 358Win, & 35Rem these work well for me.

 

[BD1]

Comparing the 338-06, 35 Whelen and 9.3x62 is pretty much the same as the old 270 Win vs 280 Rem vs 30-06 argument, each has it's own strengths but in the end there is no real difference in on game performance. Doesn't stop the debate though

+ 2
Though the debate can be lively and entertaining.

Regards,
BD

 

[truck driver]

Comparing the 338-06, 35 Whelen and 9.3x62 is pretty much the same as the old 270 Win vs 280 Rem vs 30-06 argument, each has it's own strengths but in the end there is no real difference in on game performance. Doesn't stop the debate though

+ 2
Though the debate can be lively and entertaining.

Regards,
BD

That's why I posted it so we could have some fun. :mrgreen:

 

[Wincheringen]

I prefer the short action Whelen, also known as the 350 Rem Mag.

 

[DrMike]

I prefer the short action Whelen, also known as the 350 Rem Mag.

I have both the "long action Whelen" and the "short action Whelen." I like each of them; each will do what I ask.