The discussion of the Whelen on here lately has got me thinking (which isn't always a good thing). Who here has experience with an AI Whelen?

Would this be an ideal cartridge for something like a coastal brown? I would think you could do a fairly lightweight package without too much recoil and really be set up for a hard hunt for coastal bears.

Shoot me some pics and some ballistics you're getting. Thanks.

I had a 35 Whelen AI 25 years ago. Based on the slight velocity gain, and the added aggravation of having the rifle built, getting special dies, and forming cases I'd never again have one. The standard 35 Whelen is just fine as it is. I think my velocity gain was about 25 fps.
That very small shoulder on the AI cases is a PITA for case forming.
I had the added grief of getting an AI chamber that didn't match the F/L die. At that time, and it may still exist, there were no standards on the 35 AI as far as reamers and F/L dies. I had a Clymer reamer and RCBS F/L die, and the F/L Die sized the fired case short, if you get the drift. It moved the shoulder back on each resizing. They may have developed standards for that issue now, but I had the problem back then.

Isn't the .35 Whelen AI affectinately known as the "Patton"? I dunno, if I could own something called the "Patton" I might have to go for it regardless!

In all seriousness, given the minimal improvement the Whelen AI provides over the standard Whelen, I just can't see how it makes sense in this case.

With the Whelen pitching a 250gr. bullet at 2500fps, does getting 2525fps really matter?

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I had the added grief of getting an AI chamber that didn't match the F/L die. At that time, and it may still exist, there were no standards on the 35 AI as far as reamers and F/L dies. I had a Clymer reamer and RCBS F/L die, and the F/L Die sized the fired case short, if you get the drift. It moved the shoulder back on each resizing.

A simple adjustment to the die should have eliminated this problem.

A 35 Whelen is a fine round as it is. Taking it to AI would add very little. If I was going to go to the trouble of if somehting other than a std chamber I would look to the Brown/Whelen, 350Howell or even the 35Hawk. Even then at equal pressure there will be very little gain.

I happen to like the 338-06 over the 35Whelen but it just my personal choice. Either is a fine round.

my 350 AI has given absolutely no grief whatsoever. i think it would do a fine job on big bears, although i really prefer a 375. the loading data for it is sketchy at best, but in general you up your 35 whelen load by 5%. gives about 150FPS more. i think the biggest problem with a 35 is finding good bullets. they are out there but it seems that nobody much stocks them

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gives about 150FPS more.

That would be about 125fps more than I've seen. Like I said I prefer the 338 if I want a 250gr+ I step up to a 375 or 411 version or my 375H&H.

The IMP got me over 2600 FPS with a 250 Gr Slug.. That will Stiff'in up anything in AK..
AK

My 35 Whelen AI gives 2675 fps with 250 grain bullets, which is pretty much equal to factory 338 Win Mag loads. That should be enough for any "soft skinned" game. I've never loaded a standard Whelen, so I don't know what the gain is, but I am completely happy with my rifle and load.

currently just started building a whelen on an argentine. i'm not sure if i'll go improved or not also.
that said.... there are gains to be had with the AI version, as said they are small though, and maybe not worth the effort. one thing about the ackley improvement, the larger the bore compared to case volume, the less the gain. ackley pretty much stated that in his books. at one time, pushed pretty hard, there was a train of thought in some groups that the improvement helps more in maintaining head space on a releively large bore to case diameter cartridge. it seems to me that such is the case with the whelen, it's pretty good as it is in standard form and the issues of headspace don't seem to be as problematic as once earlier thought. i think it may have had more to do with the lack of recognition of the "standard" ackley improvement chambering procedures than anything else.

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Originally posted by rnovi:
Isn't the .35 Whelen AI affectinately known as the "Patton"? I dunno, if I could own something called the "Patton" I might have to go for it regardless!

There you go. The 340 Patton. Now that would sell much better than 35 Whelen.

I built one about 5 years ago and while I like it just fine It's hardly worth the gains. A stiffly loaded standard Whelen wouldn't be too far behind it, and certainly not enough to make much of a difference in the field.

Most folks run the Improved Whelen at pressures much higher than they know. The 1/4 rule applies well here and at same pressures, barrel lengths, etc., you will be lucky to get 50 fps. My standard 22" Whelen throws the 225 gr TSX at 2700 fps and is a proven killer on elk, bear and moose. So... I would not bother with the Improved at all.

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I built one about 5 years ago and while I like it just fine It's hardly worth the gains.

I agree, as I'm getting less than 50 feet per second better than the standard version.

The AI version is well exaggerated in my opinion.