I am refinishing the stock on my model 70 classic 30,06. Sometime in the next 1 to 3 months I will take it to my smith and say order me a barrel. It will be Either 338,06 or 35 whelen. I alredy have a custom mauser in the whelen and its fine. But the model 70 just seems like a fit for another Whelen. Looking at the cartridges, There is not really a lot of difference between them out to 300 yards.
But the .338 185 grain is a little flatter out to 400, but I really should'nt shoot that far anyway. For the .338 i would use a 185 grain for deer and somthing in the 200 to 210 range for elk, while with the 358 bore, it seems to me a 180 or 200 for deer and a 225 or 250 for Elk. With would you prefer ? By the way I have a 338 win too !...tj3006

TJ

Listen to your heart!

WN

Well, I love my .338-06. Since you already have a Whelen, the choice is obvious, get a barrel in .338-06. The 210grNP was made for this cartridge, from duiker to moose, I have never hunted w/ any other bullet. Mine shoots 250gr well, but @ 2450fps, a bit slow for an allround load. The 210grNp easily makes 2700fps & a bit more in longer bbls. So listen to your head on this one, the heart should only be used on the matter of love w the opp. sex.

They are both great round, since you already have a Whelen, get the 338-06. Variety is good....

My 2 338/06 loads both shot 4320, 200 ballistic tip at 2909 -23" Hart, and 225's at 2670. The 215 Sierra shot 2790 but core separation scared me a little for elk.

If pushed, I guess I would use either 210 or 225 partition. Either one will reliably work to 400 yards or so. The 225 shoots an inch or two lower at that distance, but packs more punch-and a little more recoil but tolerable.

Be sure to add a Decelerator pad or Limbsaver. No muzzle brakes for my ears!

Oh, 1/2 inch at 100 and 1.25" at 200 for 3 shots any load was a given. WW brass also.

Well 6,5Br im with ya on no brake, but a decelirator will be fine. Although I if I like the way the prefit limbsaver fits my stock I might go that rout too.
...tj3006

I like the higher sectional density that one gets with 338 bullets over 35 bullets....

338s also have a better selection of bullets...

While there are no flies on a 35 Whelan, and I always wanted one.... and a 338/06.... I built the 338/06 on a Model 70 action and after that really have no need for the 35 Whelan.... the 338/06 does every thing that you could ever ask of it, unless it weighs 1500 lbs or so...

When I am ever unsure of what rifle to take because of the size of the game I may run across.. ( with the appropriate tag of course).. I always reach for the 338/06.... even tho the 338 Mag is right next to it....

I look at the comparison of a 338/06 vs a 35 Whelan the same as the logic on would use for a 30/06 vs a 8mm/06... the 30/06 beats the other one in available components by a long shot....

Just my 2 pfennigs worth!

cheers
seafire

A lot of people like to compare the relative (ballistic) merits of the two ( I have surely done so myself), but really they are both worth owning. In fact, I've had numerous 8mm-06s, 338-06, 35 Whelens, and 9.3x62s - they are all great rounds.

I would go with the 338-06. I have one that I am working up a 250gr. load for. I will report it later.

I had two 35 Whelens and rebarreled one to a 338-06. I love both of them.

I stick to 250 gr bullets in the Whelen.

I notice that you tend to refer to "lighter" bullets in 338 caliber.

I believe that is the wrong approach.

Heavy bullets at moderate velocity is the way to go out to 300 yards.

Heavy in relation to case capacity and bore.

That is why I use 250 gr in .35 Whelen

and 215-225 gr in 338-06.

(and 180 gr. in 30-06, and 150 gr in 270, and 129 gr in 6.5-06, and 115 gr in 25-06)

These combinations IMO are more effective

As to the 338-06 .... "Try it. You'll like it!"

Barstooler

9.3X62

The 35 Whelen is more versitile than the 338-06 or the 9.3x62. In the 35 cal you have from pistol bullets on up to shoot

TJ, just have the new barrel engraved "338 Whelen" and you'll be fine

You guys are all helpfull. As for the bullet weight thing. I have allways felt that when it comes to deer hunting, trajectory and accuracy are what really matters. If I put a 185 grain hunting bullet into the boiler room of a good sized buck, down he will go. For Elk I might sacrifice a little for more penatration.
But still a with a barns T shock or a partition, of say 210 grains aught to provide enough penitration, but you never know with a Elk. I,ve butchered enough to know that evan a hard hit bull can cover a lot of ground.
By the way my favorite elk rifle is probably my 1895 marlin, but i know its got its limitations. but from point blank to 150 yards there is nothing better...tj3006

Thomas Jones,

The .338-06, .35 Whelen and the 9.3x62 are all very good and useful cartridges. I have owned a .338-06 in the past and I currently own a .35 Whelen and a 9.3x62. Of the three, I have only hunted and taken game with my 9.3x62.

Here's my take on these three cartridges: In all three I like heavy bullets at moderate velocity just because I'm an old fashioned kind of guy. I have a .338 Win Mag if I want to push medium bore bullets faster. I like 250 gr bullets in the .338-06 and the .35 Whelen and 286 gr bullets in the 9.3x62.

But, you seem to prefer lighter bullets. In that case, I would go with the .338-06. IMHO, a better selection of lighter-for-caliber bullets (180-210gr) in .338" that still have decent sectional density and ballistic coefficients. I think the 200 gr (or lighter) .35 caliber bullets are a little "stubby" (Barnes X excluded) and bullets lighter than 250 gr are hard to come by in the 9.3x62.

And, since you already have a .35 Whelen, then getting a .338-06 would avoid duplication and give you another cartridge to "play with", even though both cartridges are similar. If it was me, I'd set up the .338-06 to shoot a light bullet load (180-210gr) and then use the .35 Whelen with a 250 gr load. One load for each rifle with each rifle sighted for it. For a particular hunt, if you need a lighter bullet at higher velocity, then pick up the .338-06. If you need a heavy bullet at moderate velocity then grab the .35 Whelen. I'm going to set up my .35 Whelen and 9.3x62 in a similar manner. In the .35 Whelen, my plan is to use a 225 gr bullet at around 2650 fps (24" barrel); for the 9.3x62, the load is a 286 gr at 2400 fps.

And, if you wanted to be a little different, there's always the ".32 Whelen"!! Well, OK, it's better known as the 8mm-06. The 8mm-06 will push 180-200 gr bullets at very respectable velocities. I have a Rem 700 Classic in 8x57JS and it's surpising what it can do when loaded to Euro pressure specs. Seriously, since you already have a .35 Whelen, I would give some very serious consideration to a 8mm-06 (or even the 8x57). There are some very good 8mm bullets on the market now.

Just my ramblings and my two cents....

Cheers,
-Bob F.

If you want something new, go with the 338-06.

If you want to minimize your reloading inventory go with a Whelen.

I own two 338-06's and really like them both. The elk I have shot with the 210 Nosler Par. and the 210 Barnes TSX have had tremendous performance. I feel that the 200gr Hornady SP is a little too much for deer, but I enjoy using it anyway.

Go with the 338-06. Since you already have a nice Whelen, add some variety. Why not?

Later on, buy a CZ 550 in 9.3x62.

Then pick up a sporterized 8mm Mauser and rechamber it to 8mm-06.

Have the whole crew!

Spend the money on your wife!

Follow your heart........WHELEN!!!

quote:

Originally posted by MajorCaliber:
The 35 Whelen is more versitile than the 338-06 or the 9.3x62. In the 35 cal you have from pistol bullets on up to shoot

I've never understood the appeal of this? Accuary can run from terrible to ok but I've rarely gotten what I consider good accuracy from the short stubby projectiles. Additionally, ou can only drive the pistol bullets so fast. Why not just get a nice pistol caliber levergun? .357?

I agree z1r, the versatility of pistol bullets in the Whelen is way over rated. I prefer the better bullet selection in .338. If you already have a 35WHelen, get the .338-06. Really though, if you are just talking deer rifle, get a good .280.

Given what you say then it's my view you should plump for the 338-06. However I would rather the 9.3x62.
Just my 2c worth

9.3x62mm

Thomas,

Years ago say, '95 or '96, I called a guy re: 338/06.

He was the original owner of Buzztail brass company in Oregon or in that area. He made factory NEW wildcat blown out brass ie. 280 AI etc.

He first tried the 338/06 AI and it did not shoot as hoped for, rechambered for the standard 338/06 and got MORE velocity.

He also told me he busted the offshoulder of an elk at 380 yds with 225 partition. Don't remember his velocity but mine shot 2670 and into 1.25" at 200. I had a 23" Hart on mine.

I took his advice and carried 225's to Colorado, but no bull felt lucky to give me a shot!

There has been enough game, (fred2338 can attest) taken with 210 PT in 338 bores to give you confidence it will do the job. For a all around load with less recoil and a tad better trajectory, use it for all, but I would prefer the 225 and perhaps consider the 250 for elk as it will just hit them that much harder and I would not want to track any further than needed not that you would with any decent bullet, and shot placement with 338/06.

The 180 really peters out vs 200's, the BC and SD are much better on the heavier bullets and they overtake the lighter ones downrange if range is needed. See what the 200 Ballistic Tip does at 2900. Mine shot just over that, flat and hard hitting-great on deer. I believe it might best or equal a 300 mag if my memory still holds-at least on the 'smack factory'

Wow I did not expect such a responce. 1st I would love a 9.3X62, in a mauser but on a model 70 it just does not seem right. As far as spending the money on my wife goes, I don't have one, But I have 14 rifles ! The 8mm 06 is a fine round too but it realy does not out shine the 30,06 much as far as I am concerned,
If i go the 338 route I would probably not take the whelen on the same hunt for fear acidentaly getting a Whelen round in the .338.
I really have no intrest in using pistol bullets in a whelen. to me neither round has enough recoil to bother me I will keep thinking...tj3006

Did you mean 338 in a Whelen? That's the only way it would go but you would just fireform the case. And probably miss, of course. I have a 338-06 AI that rocks but I would have been just as happy with the standard all these years.

I have a Mauser 35 Whelen too and I can't tell the difference in the field.

quote:

My brain says 338,06 but my heart says whelen.

Your brain is correct.....listen to it.

338=brain...35=heart...375=courage

o.k. if you did not get the wizzard of oz joke i cant help you but if you want my vote...338! but not many have the 375 though but that is up to you

loins and tigers and bears...oh my!

[I would go with the 9.3x62 just to totally confuse the issue !!

If I were the only one shooting my rifles, it would be difficult for me to imajin myself chambering a whelen in the .338,06 but if the .338 06 has a fairly long throat, a guy could push the bolt closed, and if he next pulled the trigger. it could get interesting !!! tj3006

Keep it a .30-06...shoot the Whelen in the mauser if you NEED a bigger gun.

This the YEAR of the 06...100 years of mostly flawless performance on demand...celebrate it!!

quote:

1st I would love a 9.3X62, in a mauser but on a model 70 it just does not seem right.

Then your choice is simple. Trade the M70 on a comercial Mauser.

Thomas Jones
I would take 9,3X62 or 8X64 S Brenneke

8X64 S brass can easily be formed from 270 win or 3006 cases

Cheers
/JOHAN

quote:

1st I would love a 9.3X62, in a mauser but on a model 70 it just does not seem right.

Well, a Whelen on a Mauser isn't quite right either - should be a springfield or a model 70.

THIS IS AN ORDER YOU MUST OBEY!
Trade the Winchester in on a CZ 550 American in 9.3x62.
You won't regret it.

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
THIS IS AN ORDER YOU MUST OBEY!
Trade the Winchester in on a CZ 550 American in 9.3x62.
You won't regret it.

I second that fantastic rifle and chambering

I vote 9.3x62 and to heck with the Winchester vs. Mauser distinction. Mine's on a Winchester and I am satisfied.

I opted for the 338-06 for my Mark X action. The downselect was between the .338 and the .366 version for this action. I still want a 9.3x62 I just decided I didn't want it on a Mark X, and the bullet selection was better on the 338 version, which opened up Sierra and Hornady bullets.

There is no wrong answer, but for now I am moving ahead with the 338-06. When I find the right 98 action I will be thinking more on the 9.3x62 but it has dropped in the que until current projects get wrapped up.

I would agree that the Whelen omn tha mauser action is a little perverted. I just got a heck of a deal on a threaded and chamberd barrel.
Don't worry about me not having an 06. I have a pre 64 featherweight and a springfield barreld action that needs some work. If I could find a CZ 550 in just about any good hunting caliber i would probably buy it. The only ones I see around here are varmint or african big bore stuff. I have a CZ 550 full stock in 7X57 mauser. If I could find a cz american in 270 30,06 300 win 7 mag 7X57 or 6.5 swede. I would love to get one !!! ...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by PC:
[I would go with the 9.3x62 just to totally confuse the issue !!

I would go with the 375 Whelen to confuse even more!