An apples to apples comparison, wieght wise, shows a 35Whelen getting 2800fps with a 180gr bullet. I believe you could get 2900fps with a 338-06 and 180gr bullet but most likely I would imagine 2800fps would be the norm.

Where are you getting a 300-500fps delta? That makes no sense.

Even if you compare 200gr loads for each, they would be withing 100fps of each other. And with a 338win mag, which I do have experience with, I can get 3100fps with a 180gr bullet. Totally different animal than a 338-06. You can achieve 18gr more water wieght I believe with a 338winmag.

He must be comparing a 200gr to a 250gr. Fired out of either a 338-06 or 35 Whelen I would expect something in the 2400-2500fps range with a 250 but I have never tried anything that heavy.

That wouldn't be fair to compare the two.

I use a 45-70 for most of my MD hunting these days. I shoot 350gr bullets kicking at 1950fps. Some consider it overkill. But would it be fair to compare the 45-70 loaded with a 350gr bullet to 338-06? I doubt it.

Big bullets, medium velocity is a great hunting combination.

I've had a 45-70 Guide Gun on my Xmas wish list for proably 10 years now but I don't expect to see it under the tree this year either.

That's exactly what I looked up for it. I don't recall the bullet weight as it's been awhile, maybe that is the difference.

Either way, you may use a Whelen for deer but it's still overkill. Like the 338, the Whelen is a great elk round but overkill for an animal on which a 243 does an excellent job without wasting huge amounts of meat. I've shot deer with 200gr ABs in that velocity range and it was just way too much gun than is necessary.

You would be duplicating the same stats as the 30.06 in 180g, so I don't see a whole lot of difference...actually the 06 would be better.

I'm sure both are over kill for deer. I've dropped from 180 to 150g for my .06 deer hunting. And as Spaniel mentioned already, the 243 with a 100g bullet at 2800-3000 is excellent...and easy on the shoulder to boot

But dead is dead, so nothing to stop ya with the 180g 338.06, give it a try and let us know how it works out

Why would you do that? That wouldn't make any sense at all. Any reloader knows that.

I've killed several deer with a 338 WM and 200 gr. factory ammo. The shots were inside 100 yds. The only difference I could see between the 338 WM and an 18-wheeler was the fact that there were no tread marks on the deer. The only reason I used that rifle at all was because I had some issues with my normal deer gun at the time, and I'd just used the 338 for bear hunting the previous week.

If you engage more than 2 brain cells, it's pretty clear. As I said, it's been a long time (years) since I looked up that load and while I remembered the velocity range I do not recall the bullet weight I was looking at.

"Any reloader" does not memorize cartridges they do not shoot verbatim. I swear, if we reduced your post count to the number that actually included any productive information you'd lose 90% of them. All you seem to be informed about is picking fights.

They memorize it if they plan on quoting information. If they have any intelligence at all.

I mean, if you look closely, I have never picked a fight with you, but for some reason you have with me. And don't shoot the messenger, I am not the one giving out wrong information and come back and say "I didn't know the wieght and its been a long time" covering your tracks . Maybe you can go back and show me where my information is wrong.

If I don't know the answer, you won't see me commenting on it. For instance, you won't see me commenting on shotshell loading, or the 17 Javalena. Or bullet Casting. I keep my mouth shut if I don't know.