Why should I get a 35 Whelen instead of a 358 win?

[MT Gianni]

I looked at a Whelen bbl last week on gbroker for $199. A 358 is a custom bbl proposition, that is the only reason to prefer the whelen. In a pinch you can buy a Whelen size die and crimp/seat with the 358 die.

[ulav8r]

The Whelen will allow you to use heavier bullets at a range increase of 50-75 yards. The Winchester with 225 to 250 grain bullets is a good 250 yard cartridge for any game on the North American continent.

[Camba]

I've got cold feet going for a trade for 35 Whelen and I decided to call Jes Reboring to do the job of converting my 308 Win barrel to 358 Win.
My barrel is 28". What should be a good length for a 358 Win in an Encore configuration?
Camba

[Alan in GA]

I would cut it to 22" or 24", or leave it longer for muzzle blast reduction when hunting. My Ruger 77R .358 was 22" which is plenty long enough for the round.

[hicard]

I have both and enjoy both but I would suggest the 358 over the whelen.

[ANick57]

Pardon the late addition, but if you are looking for something somewhat obscure, or don't mind it much anyway, a rimmed .35 does exist in the form of the .35 WCF. No clue yet on how much a tack driver they are or are not first hand. Waiting for dies to show up (tomorrow?) via Fed Ex. Patiently.

A single shot could well give some options that the 1895 Winchester's magazine length won't??

[Camba]

I ended up buying a 35 Whelen Encore barrel and I had just began to develop some loads. So far, the barrel likes the Lee c309-200-RF (200 gr, GC) boolit over 27gr of 2400 powder with S&B LR primers. The other load is the same boolit over 22gr of Blue Dot and WLP primers.
I don't have a chronometer (anymore) so I don't know what velocities I am getting.
The pictures below are from my best groups so far, using 2400 and Blue Dot powder with the Lee C358-200-RF mold and S&B LR primers and also WLP primers.
Camba

[Camba]

The picture in the left is a 5-shot group and the one in the right is a 10 shot group. Seems that I always get a flier or two in every group I test.
I would say it is the shooter's error.
Camba

[Texas by God]

I've had .35 Rem, .358 Win, .35 Whelen Imp, and .358 Norma rifles. All excellent rounds but my favorite is the Rem700/JES .358 Win that I'm shooting now.
IMR 3031 & the RCBS version of your bullet is stellar in my rifle- you might give it a try in your Whelen.
Best, Thomas.