+ 1
338wm or 35 whelen , why?
- Thread starter WhelanLad
- Start date
+ 1
If you actually believe that "popular" is proof that something is "better", you are just what advertisers of all kinds want - gullible. This thread is quite full of posts that offer no proof of superiority of either round, because there is no way to proove which is the better choice. It all depends..............
Depends on the distance you expect to be shoot at. Farther out might require the larger 338 magnum.
I personally would choose the 35W. Lighter, generally shorter, one extra in the mag and brass is easy when using reformed 30/06.
Agreed!
You might win the more round in the magazine argument, but the rest is a stretch.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Probably a couple of inches shorter in the barrel and possibly a slimmer stock, or at least it could stand to be in a slimmer stock better than the 338 would.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Out of those 2 #1 338 Win Mag #2 35 Whelen Because the 338 Win mag shoots Flatter & hits Harder and has very little more Felt recoil ! jmo
RJ
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Out of those 2 #1 338 Win Mag #2 35 Whelen Because the 338 Win mag shoots Flatter & hits Harder and has very little more Felt recoil ! jmo
Combine the best traits of both
, go 358 Norma Magnum.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
For ME a .35 Whelen is better because I can shoot one better. It recoils less than a .338WM. It also has less muzzle blast, so i'm less likely to flinch from that. My ears are messed up enough as it is so I choose a rifle with less bark when other performance are comparable. It can be lighter and slimmer and shorter without giving up much performance or becoming obnoxious in recoil and muzzle blast. It can shoot standard ( cheaper) cup and core bullets without tearing them apart and penetrates to the vitals even when heavy bones are hit.
I will concede that the .338 is easier to find good factory loads for. But I enjoy hand loading. It is easier to develop an accurate and effective cast or reduced hand load for the Whelen for practise or smaller game. And I just don't care that the .338 shoots a little flatter. It is an "advantage" that makes no difference to me when hunting elk or moose. And, the Whelen usually shoots right through elk and moose with 250 grain bullets. At least it has for a dozen or so of the 15 or so that I have taken with the cartridge. More penetration would just be wasted. I am not opposed to bigger cartridges, I have a .375 H & H and like it too. But it is not "better" for my hunting. So, if you feel better carrying a .338, and you think it is a better cartridge, you might be right. But not for me.
I will concede that the .338 is easier to find good factory loads for. But I enjoy hand loading. It is easier to develop an accurate and effective cast or reduced hand load for the Whelen for practise or smaller game. And I just don't care that the .338 shoots a little flatter. It is an "advantage" that makes no difference to me when hunting elk or moose. And, the Whelen usually shoots right through elk and moose with 250 grain bullets. At least it has for a dozen or so of the 15 or so that I have taken with the cartridge. More penetration would just be wasted. I am not opposed to bigger cartridges, I have a .375 H & H and like it too. But it is not "better" for my hunting. So, if you feel better carrying a .338, and you think it is a better cartridge, you might be right. But not for me.
Someone should make it into a .458.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Now that's definitely an option. Pounder did one a few years ago, but IMHO, the barrel contour he chose was excessive. That said it was like shooting a .308. If this one doesn't sell I might entertain the idea.
