Just had an old Tikka M-65 rifle re-barreled to the 35 W Imp. Put a Shilen 1-12 in twist barrel on and cut it @ 23 inches. Started working up loads and fireforming 06 cases. Rl-15 was quite good but plain old 4320 was better with the 225 gr TSX and Accubond bullets. A max load in this rifle was 60 grs of 4320 for a little over 2800 fps. 3 shot groups with the TSX and accubonds are at or under 1 inch @ 100 yds with the same POI. Also tried some 250 gr bullets. Started with some 250 Hornady spire pts and tried several powders. 65 grs of RL-17 proved to be near max with the 250 gr Hornady. They print into 1 in @ 100 yds but POI is about 3 inches lower than the 225 gr loads. I think I could live with that without adjusting the scope. I'm thinking a 225 gr bullet @ 2800 fps and approx. 4000 ft/lbs of muzzle energy will make a very useful rifle for elk,moose a nice black bear and maybe a hog or two. I think hitting at 300 yds will be quite do-able. I'm thinking this rifle is going to be a lot more useful than many give it credit for. Anyone else out there use a Whelan Imp?

I had a 35 Whelen Improved. It shot great. Ultimately though, I sold it and kept my 9,3x62 as the two were too similar in performance.

I still have a plain old 35 Whelen though.

I've had one for about 15 years now. Custom on a Springfield '03 action with a 22" Shilen barrel. I've always used the Hornady 250 SP and with RL-15 I get just under 2700fps instrument velocity. It kills elk very nicely.

I've got one used Kreiger barrel 1/14 twist barrel @24".

Been shooting 225gr AB @ 2800fps plus with R-15 also had good luck with IMR-4064. I used it on one elk hunt no luck but drew bear tag this year so give the WhelenAI another hunt.

Never had one, but know of a couple. I have had a couple of 9.3 x 62s, which have essentially the same case capacity as the improved Whelen.

Medium bores such as these, with the usable velocities they produce, hit very hard, without vicious recoil. You will be impressed and happy.

One big advantage of the 35 over the 9.3 is the variety of slippery 225s available.

The 232s available for the 9.3 are all stubby things with very low B/cs. Come on Nosler, what about a 225 9.3 Accubond ???

If I got 2700 FPS with a 250 gr. Hornady in a 35 Whelen IMP I would have my chronograph checked..

Comparing the 35 Whelen to the 9.3x62 is about the same as comparing "dammit" to "cussing." from Pierre van der Walts book, African Dangerous Game Cartridges, and I have to agree with that..I would compare the 9.3x62 to the 375 H&H with a good handload and a 300 ir 320 gr. bullet at 2400 plus FPS out of my 26 inch tube Lothar Walthar barrel, and 2354 FPS out of my carbine switch barrel Brno mod 21 custom..

Secondtry,
Here in the USA, there are now more available components such as bullets and cases available than there is for the 35 Whelen and by a long shot..Try the 286 gr Nosler partition at 2525 FPS, or the 300 gr. Swift at 2400 both are bloody good killers of anything..The 232 monolithic HP from GS Customs in RSA will shoot thru a big old Wildebeest and sometimes even a cape buffolo on a broadside shot..BC and SD are challanged by some of these new bullets.

No prejudice here, my favorit rifle today is my 35 Whelen, but facts are facts.

Ray interesting comments you make in regards to the Whelen. In my standard Whelen, I am getting 2750fps, with a 225 grain Nosler Ballistic tip, and groups under .75. Also, a 250 grain Speer hot core, is moving across the chronograph at 2700 fps. Now, don't poo poo these loads, as I have been loading the same loads with IMR 4064 since 1971. Back then no one ever heard of the 9.3X62. Also heavier bullets here in North America, IMO are just not necessary.

Jerry

Lots of interesting comments.No doubt some have their favorite calibre. Perhaps I did not need to put this 35 W IMP together as I already have a 9.3 x62 and a 9.3x64 for that matter along with several other similar calibres. With the shortage of some components that is happening I recently came across a supply of 35 cal bullets so I went with the Ackley. As secondtry has pointed out I thought the 225 gr bullets would provide a little flatter trajectory and would be well suited to most NA game. I would agree if a grizzly was on the menu the 286 partition or 300 gr A-Frame out of the 9.3x62 or 64 would be a better option. Hoping to see how those 225's work on some local wild pigs and an elk this fall. Thanks for the comments

The 35 Whelen IMP is a great cartridge and will kill anything with the proper bullet. Its so close to a 338 Win Mag an animal wouldn't know the difference. With newer bullets it really makes it more versatile. I've had a 35 W IMP for 30 years and it has performed well. Bang flop most of the time. I think with a 1-12 twist it will slow the velocities down quite a bit. Really no need for any twist faster than 1-14.

quote:

Also, a 250 grain Speer hot core, is moving across the chronograph at 2700 fps. Now, don't poo poo these loads, as I have been loading the same loads with IMR 4064 since 1971.

Poo poo. As Ray mentioned, if I saw 250s going 2700 fps out of a .35 Whelen I'd check my chrono too. Hodgdon says a 250 SP with IMR4064 gets 2450 fps at 50,200 CUP. Lord only knows what the pressure would be with the bullet going 250 fps faster......a .338 Win Mag only gets 2657 fps max with 250s at 51,900 CUP.


.

TX, Nosler shows data moving their 250-grain bullets at 2600 and change out of the regular Whelen. I would think 2700 from the AI version would be quite achievable.

http://www.nosler.com/35-whelen

TX Nimrod: How long have you been handloading? Do you believe the only correct and safe data are those now listed in the current loading manuals? One thing is certain, every rifle is a law unto itself. Weither you believe it or not, many rifles of the same calibre produce velocity differences of as much as 200 fps. In the group in which I shoot one 35 Whelen is 100fps faster than the others with the same loads. Also, a 223 Remington in a 700 V is 200fps faster with the same loads as another identical rifle. Oh yeah, and as to the cronograph, would 3 different cronographs producing the same vels, within 5 fps, do?

Jerry

Guys I have to make a correction here: The rifle that is producing 2700fps with a 250 grain Nosler Partition, a Mauser with a Premium Douglas 24" barrel, is doing the 2700 fps with RL15. Sorry, my mistake. The 225 grain velocity is correct with IMR4064. 2 different rifles.

Jerry

I put a strain gauge on my 35 whelen imp before I blued it.
Re 15 used, 26" McGowen barrel.
2740 fps with a 250 Hornady @63,300 psi
2900 with 200 grn corlok @ 62,100 psi
That was fast enough for me and stopped there with the test.

i don't know about the ballistics,but i do know that min 35 ai with 250 gr partitions sure does knock a big moose on his azz

The load I was talking about previous, a 250 partition, we went to Kansas a couple years ago to shoot buffalo. At the shot, which was about 80 yds, you heard the bang, then the fwap, and then zing as the bullet, which passed right thru the buff, zinged across the praire. He dropped within a few feet.

Jerry

I had a 8.5x63 reb...and it was one of the most pleasant to shoot rounds ever, when I sold my R93 stuff it went with it....really effective round.

Ed

I have a 35 Whln IMP 22" about 2600 FPS with 250 gr and and 2700 with 225 gr. Both very accurate. 58.5 Gr RL 15 with 250 gr bullets
and 60 gr of RL 15 with 225 Gr bullets.

22" Ruger 77 LH with unknown custom barrel, pretty much my go to LH rifle out of 19 LH rifles Rimrock stock I converted to LH.

My Whelen AI is on a Mk X Mauser with a 24" 1in 14 twist stainless barrel. My best load is 62 gr. of Power Pro 2000-MR under the Hornady 250 SP for 2625 fps. Varget works extremely well with the lighter bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
If I got 2700 FPS with a 250 gr. Hornady in a 35 Whelen IMP I would have my chronograph checked..

Comparing the 35 Whelen to the 9.3x62 is about the same as comparing "dammit" to "cussing." from Pierre van der Walts book, African Dangerous Game Cartridges, and I have to agree with that..I would compare the 9.3x62 to the 375 H&H with a good handload and a 300 ir 320 gr. bullet at 2400 plus FPS out of my 26 inch tube Lothar Walthar barrel, and 2354 FPS out of my carbine switch barrel Brno mod 21 custom..

Secondtry,
Here in the USA, there are now more available components such as bullets and cases available than there is for the 35 Whelen and by a long shot..Try the 286 gr Nosler partition at 2525 FPS, or the 300 gr. Swift at 2400 both are bloody good killers of anything..The 232 monolithic HP from GS Customs in RSA will shoot thru a big old Wildebeest and sometimes even a cape buffolo on a broadside shot..BC and SD are challanged by some of these new bullets.

No prejudice here, my favorit rifle today is my 35 Whelen, but facts are facts.

I hear you Ray (and agree with you)- on the over 250 grain loads.

The OP mentioned 35 Whelen Improved, and the case capacity of that is so close to the 9.3 as to not matter. Bullet diameter difference is only .008 less than the 9.3. In this scenario, performance and velocity of similarly constructed 225/250 projectiles is going to be near enough to identical, although with a very slight advantage to the 9.3 - in theory.

FWIW I don't even know what reason the Whelen had to be born when the 9.3 had been around since 1905. Brass and projectile availability outside Europe way back then perhaps ?

My 35 AI is teamed up with VV n540 59gr 225gr swift also 60 gr with 200gr barnes x 25" barrel shoots min of angle out past 300yds I have taken 3 ak. moose many Black bears and many deer I would say it has as much or maybe a little more wack than my 330 dakota with 225gr this caliber will please you every time you take it out plus with my model 70 you can get 6 rounds in it if you want now that is some fire power

I have one in a Dakota Model 10 I put together. I can't say enough good things about it.

Back when Accurate Plating was still in the Tampa/Clearwater area, one of the guys who worked there told me about his own whitetail load.

Hornady makes a .358 "pistol" bullet that is 180 grains. From his recipe I can duplicate the 3000 fps he told me about. It's clearly pushing the envelope on pressures though.

I've only shot Florida deer with it, but it's the hammer of Thor with good placement.

Pretty versatile cartridge.

Garrett

I have a 35 Whelen Improved of unknown origin.

It looks like it was a project rifle. Perhaps the final project in some gunsmith school. I wish I knew, because whoever put it together did a fine job.

The action is an older commercial M98, with no markings.

The barrel is 22" and has no markings other than caliber. It has a banded front sight and a 3/4 rib with folding leaf rear sights, calibrated to 50 / 100 / and 200 yards. It has a banded ring for a sling just forward of the stock.

The stock is English walnut, set up in classic safari configuration, with a straight butt stock, ebony fore end, slim grip with a slight swell and metal cap, and raised, highlighted cheek piece.

It's beautiful, and it's a shooter.

I wish I knew the origin of this rifle, but I do not. I traded for it from a guy who also does not know its origin.

I am a conservative reloader, so my loads may seem mild to some of you. In this rifle I load a variety of 250 grain bullets to +/- 2650fps with 59 grains of RL15 and get excellent accuracy.

As good as these loads are, I can get better accuracy by loading a standard 35 Whelen load at a somewhat slower velocity.

But in the end, it doesn't really matter. Over the years I have shot well over 50 head of all the common African Plains Game species with this rifle and with various loads, without any issues.

I am a huge fan of the 35 Whelen IMP.

Cheers.

I just finished up a spring bear hunt and had the opportunity over the last three weeks to witness the use of four different medium bores and there effectiveness on eight bear kills. The 338 win with 250 partitions(2700fps), 35 brown whelen with 275 woodleigh pp(2550fps), 375h&h with 260 partitions(2800fps)and federal factory 300 gr round nose(2500fps?), and the 375 wby with 350 woodleigh pp(2500fps). There was one grizzly and seven black bears killed. Two of witch were bigger bears than the grizzly.
As you would expect, the damage these larger medium bores did was impressive. But to be honest the wounds were indistinguishable by caliber. They all did the same thing, lots of internal damage with big exit wounds.
From what I've seen on this hunt and many others through out my life, I would put the 35 whelen improved firmly in the same class as the 375 as a good choice for hunting Alaska. And that's not taking anything away from the 375. All of these calibers are so effective on game that the only real difference would be the shot placement.

I have a 35 Whelen improved that Mr. PO Ackley built. Out of a 24" barrel I'm able to get 2600 out of 250gr partitions. This is absolute max in my rifle. I believe the reduced taper of the case is masking a lot of the pressure signs. If I were to put a new 35 Whelen together today, I'd probably stick with the plain vanilla version. Just not enough to be gained, IMHO. That being said, I get amazing accuracy out of IMR 8208XBR pushing 225gr sierra Gamekings. Cloverleafs over and over. It's a thin barrel too, .585 at the muzzle. When I hit a milk jug full of water at 335 yards on the first try(probably luck) with a 4x scope, my father-in-law finally shut up about how much of a rainbow trajectory the Whelen has. He missed it 4 times with his 223 because the drop got him. A wonderful cartridge, I just wish there were more 275gr slugs available.

quote:

FWIW I don't even know what reason the Whelen had to be born when the 9.3 had been around since 1905.

And the 318 Westley Richards of 1910.
The 35 Whelen fits between them nicely and I find it interesting that the 318 is touted as being so capable, as is the 9.3mm, but for some reason, the 35Whelen and improved are always marginalized.
I am not a velocity junkie so my 35AI is loaded right to 318WR specs and in a light rifle is a pleasure to shoot. 250gr at 2400fps seems just right.

quote:

Originally posted by srose:
I think with a 1-12 twist it will slow the velocities down quite a bit. Really no need for any twist faster than 1-14.

Except to shoot heavy weight bullets (250+ grs), which is what this cartridge was designed for!

LRx is right. The original 35 whelen was loaded with 250, 275, and 300 grain bullets at 2500, 2400, and 2300 fps. Or so I've read. 1/12 was needed to stabilize those long bullets. Those heavy weights really hit hard too. I've got friends that swear by the 225 accubonds. Use them for everything from Sitka black tail to brown bear. But I'll stick with the heavys.

Allow me to clarify my statement somewhat..In effect I am saying one can get 2600 FPS with a 250 gr. bullet at a reasonable 50 to 52,000 PSI..

I am sure that I can also get 2700 FPS but at around 65,000 PSI..that's do-able, but puts an awful strain on the gun for a silly 100 FPS IMO..

I have gotten 2562 FPS with a 320 gr. Woodleigh in one of my 9.3x62s, but I shoot that bullet at a flat 2370 FPS and at reasonable velocity. Same with the 404 Jefferys, you can get 2600 plus pretty easy but at very high pressure and additional recoil and the effect on game is the same, so why is the question>

These velocities are all doable and admitably I also am guilty of this from time to time. but its not smart and on a hot 110 or better day those loads will surprise you with a blown in half case and the more reloads that case has the more likely it will occur..BTW, I use a 50 caliber bronze wire brush to get the other half of the case out..just push it in and pull it out, out comes the case...and its time to go home and pull all those bullets you spent hours loading up..been there done that too many times.

quote:

Originally posted by LRx:

quote:

Originally posted by srose:
I think with a 1-12 twist it will slow the velocities down quite a bit. Really no need for any twist faster than 1-14.

Except to shoot heavy weight bullets (250+ grs), which is what this cartridge was designed for!

I shot 300gr Barnes Originals out of my 22" Remington with a 1 in 16" and they made perfect holes at an MV of about 2345 fps.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca