The 35 Whelen is a fine round...as is the 338-06. I will heartily disagree with 900SS that the jump from .308 to .338 caliber is insignificant.

I have both the 35w and the 338-06(AI version) and they both knock stuff flat. It would be hard for me to decide to keep just one of them...

Z

Since I am building this from scratch I am curious.
Would the 35 Whelen improved offer any real advantages?

From what I recall, due to the efficiency of the case/bore combination of the .35 Whelen, doing an Improved version yields strong returns - the extra powder will burn nicely in a Whelen and net an easy 100 - 150 fps improvement.

As for which one, I'd be torn myself. The .35 Whelen is basically a perfect round for work in the thick stuff, big, heavy bullets that will penetrate deep on big moose and elk and be plenty of firepower for close encounters with big bears. Wouldn't be my choice for long range stuff, but anything out to 250 yards should be as dead as dead can be.

The main advantage to the .338-06 to me is the fact that the lighter 200 grain bullets will have a higher BC than they would in the .35 Whelen, giving it a bit better downrange performance if needed.

Either one will offer enough mass and caliber over a .30-06/180gr. to justify their existence when you're in bear country, that's for sure. I'd pick one based on the bullet you want to shoot more than the caliber. Lighter bullet, .338-06. Heavier bullet, .35 Whelen.

quote:

Originally posted by zeeriverrat1:
The 35 Whelen is a fine round...as is the 338-06. I will heartily disagree with 900SS that the jump from .308 to .338 caliber is insignificant.

Sorry, it came out wrong. But if you do your things right a 30.06 will do reasonably well, much like the 35 whelen or the 338/06. My reference is moose.

In my case the 35 W fits nicely between the .270 Win and the 375 H&H, and is it just me or does the 35 W have a very good power to recoil ratio?

...........Hi SnowWolffe;;;;I agree with RayBass and Muledeer that the 35 Whelan is a great ! gun do it all rifle .......Tho I would prefer the 35 Gibbs .I think I would be very tempted to go with the Ackley Improved .....Haveing more velocity with equal pressure is always better for me ,. even if its 50 fps ...I would rather have it than not .........Obviously it wouldn,t be my !st choice for Brn bear .....But it sure beats the 300 ,s ....With a 225 TSX @ 2700 or better it will push hard on the abilities of the 375 H&H ......And be a schoosh easier to shoot , lighter probably also .....

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
Since I am building this from scratch I am curious.
Would the 35 Whelen improved offer any real advantages?

A couple of noted gun writers who had made up .35 Whelens and then rechambered to the AI version have said that if they had to do it all over again that they would not. You might want to ask about this over At the 24 Hour campfire in the ask the gunwriter's room.
Paul B.

I have a nice inexpensive 35 Whelen for sale if any of you are interested..Mauser action, mod 70 3 pos. safty, Timney trigger, turned down bolt, drilled and tapped and bases included, barrel band swivel and iron sights, recoil pad, nice old FN stock glass bedded, Douglas barrel, fired very little...email me at ray@atkinsonhunting.com if interested