Please school me on 35 Whelan!

Potshot21

Potshot21

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Have done a little research and this cartridge had caught my interest. What are some opinions of the cartridge in general, its performance on big game, and ammo availability?

I have an older Savage 111 fcxp3 in 30-06 that I'm thinking about rebarreling to 35 Whelan, anybody have opinion or insight into this idea?

Thanks folks for any info you can provide!

Bill
 
Look up the writings of Col. Townsend Whelen (the designer) and Elmer Keith. They wrote glowing reports about the .35 Whelen's performance.

Given a good quality 250 gr bullet at 2500 fps there's not much in North America that's going to go far with a good hit - out to 300+ yards.

Ammo availability? Make it from .30-06 cartridges.
 
The .35 Whelen is a very adaptable cartridge for game, large & small. One can make loads suitable
for gophers to grizzlies using bullets from 110-300 gr. Based on 30-06 necked up means brass is easy to get.
It's a popular round with lovers of the .35 caliber for good reason, and many custom built rifles as well as
factory built units have been available for some time now. It's a dandy.:)
 
It's a good old cartridge. Today I would prefer a 338-06. By some odd quirk with case capacity the 338-06 out performs the 35 ever so slightly... and a great choice of bullets too.
 
guntech said:
It's a good old cartridge. Today I would prefer a 338-06. By some odd quirk with case capacity the 338-06 out performs the 35 ever so slightly... and a great choice of bullets too.
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In 1987 Remington adapted the .35 Whelen as it was originally designed. That being the 30-06 simply necked up with no other changes. P.O. Ackley's improved version gave the cartridge 10% more case capacity and a sharper, more distinct shoulder to solve headspacing problems inherent with the original round. Remington goofed by standardizing the original version rather than the AI one. No worries though, as long as the rifles' chamber is well cut, and yer not pushing hot loads through 'er.:)
 
Potshot21 said:
Please school me on 35 Whelan!
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Since we're doing school, spelling counts. It spelled W-H-E-L-E-N. :)

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It's the best caliber ever :) I shoot cast 158 grain pistol bullets in my Ruger Number 1 35 Whelen all day long. Über flexible cartridge in my opinion and extremely hard hitting to almost any big game in NA.
 
As far as ammo availability, I just picked one up about a week ago and about all I can find local is Remington Express loaded with 200 or 250gr core lokt. Or some really, really pricey Noslers, even the Remmies were $50 a box taxes in! Fortunately there seems to be a fair number of Partitions, Accubonds and Interlocks on the reloading shelves.......now for some dies....
 
I've had mine for years, it makes a decent short-range hammer. (Short-range being under 300 yards).

The Whelen was billed as the "poor mans .375" back in the early days of the last century. Magnum length actions were rare and expensive, and 30-06 brass and actions were all over the place.

Times have changed, and the real .375 is easily in reach of anyone needing that level of performance. Not that the Whelen ever matched the H&H in the first place. Rebarreling a Springfield was a bargain compared buying a Holland and Holland rifle, but rebarreling to Whelen now when the real .375 is sitting on the shelf isn't much of an economy move.

The Whelen will likely stumble along for years as a nostalgic choice for the enthusiast, much like the .257 Roberts does. There are easier ways to do much more now.
 
Potshot21 said:
Have done a little research and this cartridge had caught my interest. What are some opinions of the cartridge in general, its performance on big game, and ammo availability?

I have an older Savage 111 fcxp3 in 30-06 that I'm thinking about rebarreling to 35 Whelan, anybody have opinion or insight into this idea?

Thanks folks for any info you can provide!

Bill
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Potshot If you want a big game calibre that can stop big moose ,elk and even bears without excessive recoil you should give the 35 Whelen or the Whelen imp a serious look. For big game I would suggest you consider at least a 225 gr bullet or a 250 gr. I have the Nosler #6 manual in front of me and it lists 225 gr loads that have muzzle velocity of approx. 2800 fps and muzzle energy over 3900 ft/lbs and a 250 gr @ 2500 ft/sec for around 3500 ft/lbs. If you use premium bullets like the Barnes TSX, Noslers Accubond or Partition or the Swift A-frames those bullets will penetrate on large game and likely exit in most cases and let out a lot of blood.Also recoil will be considerably less than 300 mag or 338 mag rifles. For fireforming cases or plinking cheap 357 cal pistol bullets will work just fine. A very effective calibre.
 
This is what the Whelen in a 22" barrel is actually capable of, and no I had no loose primers or ejector marks...........









And this isn't even using W-W brass, this is with Rem Whelen brass..........as Dogleg says it ain't a 375 H&H but it sure lays a hurting on the critters out to 350 mtrs when loaded to potential. I would have no qualms using it on any NA game what so ever, nor it's short action twin the 350 RM.
 
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So basically, I must reload my own to feed it?

Will they typically fit in a 30-06 box magazine?

Anyone know a spot to purchase donor actions? If its not too expensive to find one, I'll build it as opposed to ripping apart my 30-06 (sentimental value and such).

So far, I'm liking what I hear, and am very interested in this build!

What kind of twist rate would be good? And would a 20" varmint contour barrel sound silly for this application?

Thanks guys! Your input is much appreciated!
 
Awesome cartridge. Big thump with low recoil. Excellent moose and bear gun. Full energy transference and deep penetration. Sold mine to a fellow Gunnut who used it for a long range goat kill. Part of me wishes I had not parted with that rifle. Working on building a new 35 Whelen. Hoping Sako might turn one out on the 85 or Winchester in the Model 70 Extreme Conditions.
 
c-fbmi said:
This is what the Whelen in a 22" barrel is actually capable of, and no I had no loose primers or ejector marks...........









And this isn't even using W-W brass, this is with Rem Whelen brass..........as Dogleg says it ain't a 375 H&H but it sure lays a hurting on the critters out to 350 mtrs when loaded to potential. I would have no qualms using it on any NA game what so ever, nor it's short action twin the 350 RM.
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Nice looking guns Douglas and it definately looks like you've found 'the load'. Nice shooting.
 
still my favourite ......easy to load for...about the only thing I've changed in the last few years is drop from the 250gr to the 225 Accubond. I don't think I've ever shot anything twice with it. The 250's go in the 358 NM now
 
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