What many people never realize is that the 35 Whelen is the MOST flexible of the 30-06 class of cartridges.
The Whelen can run neck and neck with the 270 or the 280 Remington when you use a Barnes 180 grain bullet. That bullet can be driven to over 3100 fps and has the BC to ride with the best of them. And what gives it the edge is the bullet weight. At that level, sighted in 1 1/2" high at 100, it is less than 8" low at 300. And it excels from there on out.
So what you end up with is the one gun that can do it all for North America using a compromise. You can plink with cheap pistol bullets, or go heavy, use cast, or shoot ground hogs at ridiculous ranges if you buy the expensive slugs.
And you can make money from non- believers on the side while you are doing it.