Which 35 cal.... 358 Win or 35 Whelan ?

[Bass Ackward]

To summarise if I go the Whelan route it looks like I should go for a custom chamber or be prepared for some grief in matching bullets to a saami throat. An alternative might be to have the smith ream out the chamber with a 30/06 reamer then do the neck and throat as separate operations. If done properly this should result in a sensible chamber without the expense of a custom reamer. If this cant be done it doesnt look like there is much downside by going for a 358.

Out of curiosity does the 358 have any throating issues I should be aware of ?

Joe

Joe,

No issues with the 358.

Remington standardized the Whelen and brought it out first in thier pumps. The slop was made to allow chambering and cut pressure in this action. This also occurred with the 280 Remington which is why it is also loaded below 270 / 30-06 pressure levels even though it's the same case.

SAAMI used Remington's specs as the basis for standardizing the cartridge. Then you get the fudge factor increases so that one reamer can cut the maximum amount of chambers before it wears below minimum dimensions.

But there are many reamers in existance that were made prior to this standardization. You just have to inquire about what the smith has on hand.

[Marlin Junky]

I think that is the only reason the .350 exists. They wanted a 35 Whelen in a short action.

The .350 is a great cartridge but it belongs in an intermediate M'98 action. The 2.8" magazine box of the short-lived M600/660 was better suited for the .358 Winchester cartridge. Even the additional .10" of magazine found in the M77 (2.9" vs. 2.8") provides noticeably more flexibility.

MJ

[waksupi]

Since the .35 Whelen and .358 Win. are the same bore diameter, and shoot the same bullet weights at similar velocities, I believe the .358 Win would be the choice.

That .308 case sure is versitile. .243, .260 Rem, .308, .358 Win. What's not to like!?

[JFE]

The info on throating was very helpful. Thanks for the feedback.

Joe