Hi mainehunt,

No....I hadn't seen that particular article before (and found it interesting...thanks)...but I have read past accounts written by Elmer Keith concerning the cartridge. To clarify, on the issue of headspace, my understanding from both camps is this. The shoulder in and of itself...is sufficient. However, extremely careful reloading, (as in resizing the cases), procedures must be followed. And the headspacing has become a problem for quite a few. Someone, down the road, realized that the .240 Weatherby case was essentially only a .30-06 case except with a belt. And by simply doing a chamber reaming job....and switching cases.....the headspace would "never be an issue again". And that is what some have chosen to do! And the case I know of personally....it worked well....and the owner was extremely happy with it!

I think one of the reasons headspacing became such an issue is that many, if not most, of the people building .400 Whelens.....did it with the intent of using it for dangerous game. Therefore they wanted to insure headspacing issues would never be a consideration.

Well, the other part of the question......the .338-06 and the .35 Whelen. I happen to like both of those cartridges immensely. So I am not going to tell you there is anything wrong with them. Because there isn't....and they are very good cartridges....and both factory loads now. So that alone is advantages.

The .400 Whelen on the other hand is not as much of a general purpose cartridge as either of the above. But do you need another general purpose cartridge? You already have a .308 Winchester and a .300 Win. Magnum. The .400 will do better than any of the previously named cartridges in at least two areas. First, as a "stopper" rifle. It will flat out discharge a bullet of sufficient caliber, weight, and energy to without doubt......stop large and/or dangerous game. Second, because it is still a wildcat......it will be the most unique rifle in just about any camp!
And like I suggested before....with a good peep rear and post front.....I'd have trouble imagining a rifle better for that purpose. But before you think of it as only a "short-range" hunting rifle. When loaded with the right bullet....it can easily handle shots to 250-300 yards on game....even with the peeps.

The .400 Whelen duplicates the performance of the .404 Jeffrey which was used successfully in Africa by many game departments as issue rifles....and for culling big and dangerous game. It shoots flat enough for nearly any application against Moose or Bear.....and most of deer hunting as done in the North East. Especially the woods of Maine. John "Pondoro" Taylor himself said of the .404 and its ballistics, "it was entirely adequate against any beast anywhere in the world", or words to that effect!

And.....it is just plain extraordinary. You won't likely bump into many other .400's at hunting camp! A classic cartridge......for a classic action!

Once again....best wishes with your decision!

Dave

P.S. If it really is that hard to decide. Compromise and chamber for the .375 Whelen Improved. It will neatly split the difference between all the other cartridges mentioned. And you will certainly have no problem with component bullets......and don't need to worry about using the belted case! Maybe the best of all worlds. Still a classic....easy to load for....lethal and sufficiently flat shooting.....and not one in every camp! What more could a guy ask for?

P.S.S. From the looks of another thread......if you chamber for .35 Whelen when Quilly shows up....you won't be the only guy in camp with a .35 Whelen. (Actually I'd be surprised if the .35 Whelen isn't already pretty popular in Maine!)