338-06 or 35 whelan

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brybenn

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Hey guys I'm looking into a project if my tax return eva comes in. I love the fit of stevens 200s. But I want to shoot bigger bullets then what is offered so I'm thinking of 35whelen but then came across the 338-06. Now I can't decide. I have a 300winmag and a 308 already. Just want to shoot some 250 grainers. Bear and maybe moose will be the game sought after. Any one got experience with these to ? Pros cons?
 
Either one will work well, but my vote goes to the 35 Whelen. I have 2 of them, one is a Ruger Hawkeye SS and the other is 7600 cut to Carbine length. Both kill things very dead. Either cartridge would be an excellent choice, factory ammo can be had for the 35 Whelen that's about the only plus for someone.
 
Both are great cartridges but personally I like the Whelen better. I'm a little biased because I have one. If your goal is to shoot 250gr bullets, the Whelen is better suited. My Whelen is my moose gun and I shoot 225gr TSX at 2700 fps out of it.

Can't really go wrong with either.
 
Anything the 35 Whelen will do the 338-06 will do slightly better. :nest:

It shoots same-weight bullets with better ballistic coefficients and higher sectional densities at similar - or slightly faster - velocities than the Whelen.

The only benefit the .35 Whelen has over the 338-06 is that one can buy ammunition for it over the counter while the 338-06 is a hand-loaders proposition for the most part.
 
I too have been playing with the idea of building on a Savage/Stevens action. But as I already have my 338-06 I was think of a 257 Weatherby.

I would go with building the 338-06. I feel it top be more versatile then the 35 Whelen, simply because of more bullet choices from 160gr to 250gr, or the Sierra 300gr match King. As for buying factory ammo Weatherby loads it as 338-06 A Square, brass is now being manufactured by Nosler and Norma.

Good luck with the build. Mine keep going on the back burner.
 
at the range these cartridges are generally used at, the slightly higher B.C of the 338 bullets offer no advantage until you get passed 300yds.With a slightly larger diameter bullet the whelen is capable of a small velosity advantage with the same bullet weight.I have used the whelen alot, and it performs very well on big moose and bear.Both are great cartridges.As far as more 338 bullet choices,thats true but I don't know to many folks who keeps changing bullet weights,I usually settle on a good 225gr or 250gr bullet and stick with it.Either of these 2 calibers are good out to 300yds with 225gr or 250gr bullets, if you are into the longer range stuff then there are better chioces out there than either.
 
The two are virtually indistinguishable for hunting purposes "on the one hand, but on the other hand, etc." - flip a coin.

Make sure though that you get a 1:12 or faster barrle twist if you want to shoot the long heavy bullets, i.e. 250 gr+.
 
They are both excellent and not much difference. I guess I'd go with the 35W just because.

OR, better yet I'd get a 9.3x62 barrel installed. Same bolt head as a 30-06 and same class of cartridge but you can load from 232 to 300 gr bullets. I get 2550 out of the 270 gr speers and 2625 fps with 250 gr nosler accubond. And those are not hot loadings.
 
I'm not into long range shooting big game so a far shot will be 125 yards. I know the good old 30-06 will do just fine but its just to plain for me and I like the big heavy bullets for close work. I like the idea of the 9.3x62 but I'm leaning towards the 35whelen which I think will be very manageable in the stevens 200 action with a 20" barrel and a fixed 4x scope. Thanks for the replys
 
I don't have either but I would go for the 35 whelen. .357 pistol projectiles are just so easy to find for light small game and practice loads for the 35 whelen. This flexibilty make it a more attractive choice IMHO.
 
'Boo said:
It shoots same-weight bullets with better ballistic coefficients and higher sectional densities at similar - or slightly faster - velocities than the Whelen.
Click to expand...

Actually, physique says that coming from the same case with bullet of the same weight, the bullet with the larger diameter will always be faster. Something about having a larger surface for the pressure to push on or something like that.;)
 
bcsteve said:
Actually, physique says that coming from the same case with bullet of the same weight, the bullet with the larger diameter will always be faster. Something about having a larger surface for the pressure to push on or something like that.;)
Click to expand...

Except in testing the 338-06 has given slightly higher velocities than the 35 Whelen... an anomaly to the rule... at least according to the manuals I have read.

Both perform very well.
 
guntech said:
Except in testing the 338-06 has given slightly higher velocities than the 35 Whelen... an anomaly to the rule... at least according to the manuals I have read.

Both perform very well.
Click to expand...

I have found this true in the real-world too. I have loaded for both cartridges and the 338 calibre version has always beat the .35 by at least 75 fps and sometimes more using same-weight bullets.

Right now my 338-06 is launching 225 gr Hornady SP at a comfortable 2740 fps and 250 gr TBBC at 2600. The 210 TTSX is king however at 2800+ fps. :)
 
All my Whelens launch the 225's out at 2700fps and 250's@ 2600 with RL15,these 2 calibers are a wash, both are fantastic.
 
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