Onefnzr2, I suppose that my reloading experience should play a part in my decision now that you mention it. I've been reloading for about three years. The only calibers I've ever dealt with have been .44mag, 30-06, 30-30Win, 444 Marlin, and .45-70Govt. Is there anything about the 338-06, 35 Whelen, or 9.3x62 that makes them difficult to load for? Any case forming for the standard version of these calibers is just done with a full lenght sizer right? No fire forming or anything? I know that the improved versions would require a little more work, but I don't think I'll go with the improved version of either the .338-06 or the .35 Whelen.
I think I have it narrowed down to either the 338-06 or the 35 Whelen now, but more towards the 338-06. The 9.3x62 is very tempting, but I just like the idea of having locally available components to pick from.
To all of the Whelen fans, has anyone ever had any problems with the small shoulder on standard version of this case? It just seems like there isn't much there to headspace off of. Also, is the factory ammo for the Whelen any good? Specifically the Federal 225gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. I do like the idea of having access to factory ammo, just to give me a refference for what to expect from my handloads.
The bad news is I actually have to put this project off for a month or so now. I had to take the money I saved for this and have a full brake job done on my truck today. It took the full $400 dollars I had tucked away. Now I'll probably have to wait until I get my tax return to actually follow through with the whole project. I'm more than a little disapointed, but my fancy new gun doesn't do me any good if I can't drive anywhere to shoot it.
If there are any more comments, ideas, or opinions out there, I'd love to hear them. Thanks again everyone!
Andrew

Tough luck on your truck.

If you load for the 30-06 you can load for the 338-06 or 35 Whelen. No special forming tricks needed. I will mention that when you neck up from .308 to .338 or .358 the case gets shorter. Not a caution as both the bigger cases have plenty of neck to hold any bullet. Just as a personal preference, I use Redding 2 die set because they have a very tapered expander ball that makes necking up quite smooth and easy. Some other brands might offer this feature as well, I don't know.
I have no experience with the 9.3 round, so can't comment.
As to factory ammo, I haven't used any in 32 years. I shoot over a Oehler PBL 43 chrono and it tells me anything and everything I care to know about my handloads. I think I remember reading somewhere that factory ammo is downloaded in power in deference to all those older wildcat chambers still out there that might cause pressure problems if the factory loaded it to the proper levels. Hope this bit helps. Good luck.

The 35 Whelen is the choice if you want to hunt America, the 9.3 might as well be a Wildcat. Ammo for the 9.3 is special order only, at over twice the price of the Whelen. Federal and Remington make ammo for the 35. If you reload, dies are cheaper, and more bullets available, 06 brass is free at the public range, that's what I use.

I just started working a 9.3 and haven't been as impressed with a cartridge for a while. I thought .338-06, but when you compare the two, the 320 grain, or even 286 grain 9.3 bullets give it the capability of doing more than the .338-06. The 9.3 will pick up enough velocity to offset the efficiency of the .338-06 with 250's also. The cartridge has way lighter recoil than it seems it should also. In theory the lighter 9.3x62 should recoil about like a heavier .375, but there's no comparison. My son who's 15, has shot a lot with nothing bigger than 7x57 has been shooting it with 286 Noslers at 2415 fps, and is going to shoot a doe with it tomorrow during a doe only season. I worked up to a load of 59 gr RL15, shoots under 1" that's the total of my load development.

My vote will go to the 9.3X62. The reason is simple; it will do everything the other two will do and will also shoot the 286 gr for really big stuff if necessary. You can go bigger in grs if you wish. Mine is also extremely accurate with Northfork and nosler bullets. Nuff said!

Mine would be the 35 whelen.. < !--color-->