I don't know, think I'd soon have a .30-06 as the Whelen. I don't see any advantage in the Whelen. Similar energies developed at lower velocities with a bigger bullet and a rainbow trajectory. Far as "big game" goes, if the Whelen can kill it, the .30-06 with a proper bullet can and can do it a bit further out with less hold over.
When I think REALLY big, dangerous game, I start thinkin' .375 H&H or bigger. I simply don't have a need down here in Tejas, though. If I lived up there in Alaska, I might have one. Well, I don't know if I'd care that much for bear hunting. I hear the meat sux, but heck, I guess you can't have too much overkill on a moose, eh?
But, down here in brush on hogs and deer, a .357 carbine properly loaded is a baby .35 Remington, effectively. It ain't far off in ballistics, anyway, with up to 180 grain bullets.