What do I need and why?

[Linkerman]

I currently jump from 300 Win mag to 375 Ruger and am wanting to bridge the gap between the two. I am in possession of an “extra” Ruger M77 MK II in 270 Winchester and wanting to have it re-barreled to either 338-06 or 35 Whelen. I reload therefore ammo isn’t of any concern. I am leaning towards the 338-06 but not opposed to the 35 Whelen either. Or are there other better options to consider and why?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I can see absolutely no practical reason to "bridge the gap" between those two cartridges. You have everything you need already for any big game animal on this planet. Either of your considerations will not enhance what you now possess.

 

[Jefferry404]

I would go with the 338-06. lots of good bullets, 250gn good SD, etc.
I decided to go with an even more refined version, 338-06 AI

 

[Xpraetor]

I currently jump from 300 Win mag to 375 Ruger and am wanting to bridge the gap between the two. I am in possession of an “extra” Ruger M77 MK II in 270 Winchester and wanting to have it re-barreled to either 338-06 or 35 Whelen. I reload therefore ammo isn’t of any concern. I am leaning towards the 338-06 but not opposed to the 35 Whelen either. Or are there other better options to consider and why?

Curious why you feel the need to "bridge the gap" ? Do you have a caliber that falls below the .30 Cal ? Could be useful when hunting something smaller than deer or impala ....

 

[Flbt]

35w

 

[Linkerman]

Defintley not a need at all, just a want. I have just about everything imaginable from 22 Hornet to 300 Win mag. I enjoy tinkering and loading and wanting a new project to play around with and have nothing 33 or 35 caliber. Again its a want and not a "need" for sure.

 

[DLSJR]

You can’t make a wrong decision with either choice. I’ve always admired the 35Whelan but since I already hunt with a .338 Winchester most of the time, there’s no reason for me to have a Whelan besides ‘want’. On the other hand, I remember Roy Vincent telling me on my first safari what a wonderful round the 338-06 is and how ideal it is for African game.

Either would be fun to have and hunt with.

 

[Xpraetor]

In that case its a coin toss .... both are good calibers , definitely understand your dilemma.
Surprised @Bob Nelson 35Whelen hasn't seen your post, from what I've read on his comments he may be biased toward the 35W, but he definitely is knowledgeable in the pros / cons

My want was easier, .358Win

 

[Ryan]

Personally, I'd lean to the 35 Whelen. I blame Bob, and it has history.
Otherwise I own three 30 cals and a 375 Ruger and don't see the need for a middle, but that's just me.

 

[USMA84DAB]

No wrong choice.

My vote is for .35WAI - less brass stretch/less trimming than standard .35 Whelen. Both are factory spec'ed now that A-Square got SAAMI approval on the .338-06.

I have .30 Cals, and I have three .375 Rugers, but I have .35WAI also because I am an American and I can. I also have a .338-06 barrel waiting to be mated to a Mauser action, so great minds (or twisted ones) think alike?

 

[Jefferry404]

Well, to be honest, on this forum, I think we are all
twisted
As example, from my brass pic above:

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I currently jump from 300 Win mag to 375 Ruger and am wanting to bridge the gap between the two. I am in possession of an “extra” Ruger M77 MK II in 270 Winchester and wanting to have it re-barreled to either 338-06 or 35 Whelen. I reload therefore ammo isn’t of any concern. I am leaning towards the 338-06 but not opposed to the 35 Whelen either. Or are there other better options to consider and why?

@Linkerman
Forget the 338 and go for the Whelen.
Two reasons
The 35 Whelen is a far better cartridge, easy to load and more power as Tim the toolman Taylor would say.
2 easy to get proper headstamped brass when going to Africa.
With a healthy dose of CFE223 it's not hard to get:-
2,900fps with a 225 grainer
2,700fps with a 250
And with a 310 you can get in excess of 2,400fps.
Plenty of posts here about the MIGHTY WHELEN.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I can see absolutely no practical reason to "bridge the gap" between those two cartridges. You have everything you need already for any big game animal on this planet. Either of your considerations will not enhance what you now possess.

@Ontario Hunter
Wants outweigh needs if you can afford them.
Some of my wants are way to expensive therefore I don't need.
I want a H&H royal double in 500 , I don't need it but I want it. Half a million dollars AUD is a bit steep tho.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Defintley not a need at all, just a want. I have just about everything imaginable from 22 Hornet to 300 Win mag. I enjoy tinkering and loading and wanting a new project to play around with and have nothing 33 or 35 caliber. Again its a want and not a "need" for sure.

@Linkerman
Don't listen to the naysayers.
If you want and it within your means why not.
DO NOT GO THE AI ROUTE THO. It's a waste of time, effort and consumerables. How do I know I went the AI route first and found the fat wasn't worth the chew.
Properly loaded the Whelen will reach way out yonder with a 225grain accubonds and still deliver over 2,000fpe at 400yards
Or if'n y'all want to put some big hurt on a big critter the a 310 grainer at 2,409+ fps is going to give you over 4,000fpe at the muzzy for some serious bone crunching hurt.
If'n y'all just want to have some fun with the kids then some 158 gn jacketed pistol bullets and some unique powder and your food to go.
The Whelen is good for everything from mild to wild.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You can’t make a wrong decision with either choice. I’ve always admired the 35Whelan but since I already hunt with a .338 Winchester most of the time, there’s no reason for me to have a Whelan besides ‘want’. On the other hand, I remember Roy Vincent telling me on my first safari what a wonderful round the 338-06 is and how ideal it is for African game.

Either would be fun to have and hunt with.

@DLSJR
The Whelen will do the same job as your 338 out to 400 ( about as far as any sane person hunt game) and not knock the snot out of you when you pull the trigger. The Whelen is a big push not a slap.
There's a few here that used to use the 338 and went back to using the Whelen after loading it properly and found they fell in love with the Whelen again.
Bob

 

[dogcat1]

No need. This is a "want to" not a "need to".
You have plenty of firepower.

 

[Flbt]

In that case its a coin toss .... both are good calibers , definitely understand your dilemma.
Surprised @Bob Nelson 35Whelen hasn't seen your post, from what I've read on his comments he may be biased toward the 35W, but he definitely is knowledgeable in the pros / cons

My want was easier, .358Win

The 358win is why I said the 35w.
On fl hogs and deer the 358 win seemed to hit just as hard if not harder than the more powerful 338 wm that I had been using
So if the 358 win is good the 35w should be more good lol

 

[deewayne2003]

I currently jump from 300 Win mag to 375 Ruger and am wanting to bridge the gap between the two. I am in possession of an “extra” Ruger M77 MK II in 270 Winchester and wanting to have it re-barreled to either 338-06 or 35 Whelen. I reload therefore ammo isn’t of any concern. I am leaning towards the 338-06 but not opposed to the 35 Whelen either. Or are there other better options to consider and why?

It’s not a stainless one is it @Linkerman ?

Just asking out of curiosity, I’ve been semi looking for one.

 

[Linkerman]

My re-barrel project is a blue/walnut rifle. I also have the Mark II 270 stainless/laminate stock. Both are shooters but I only need one.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

No need. This is a "want to" not a "need to".
You have plenty of firepower.

@dogcat1
Since when has need have anything to do with it.
I may not need it but I want it.
I didn't need a 270 but wanted a Whelen. Bought a 270 at the right price and it became my Whelen.
Bob