RE: 338-06 = Perfect Cartridge ???
I like all the cartridges mentioned. The 338/06 and 35 Whelen are great cartridges with plenty of thump. Another to consider is the 9.3x62, very high Sectional Density with 286 or 300 grain bullets, plenty of thump for large creatures, not bad trajectories when using 250 to 270 grain bullets. The only problem is the availabilty of factory ammo for any of these rounds. If the Encore were chambered for 9.3x62 that is one barrel I would buy no matter what.
Dr Fatguy