Recently laid in another 1903 Springfield -- this one a Mark I -- anticipating a .400 Whelen project.
Then yesterday I happened by a local shop and found a very nice Winchester Model 70 in .30-06 for a very reasonable price. Serial number indicates it was made in 1962. Not needing a third .30-06, but looking at that distinctive pre-64 barrel, I got to wondering about a rebore vs. a rebarrel. I could go all the way up to 9.3X62 or 64, but I have been there, done that. I could go .338-06, but I've done that, too.
So now I am thinking about a .35 Whelen, Brown-Whelen or Ackley Improved. I would likely have JES rebore it with 1:12 twist to handle the big Woodleigh if I ever needed to.
I honestly can't imagine needing much more gun than this for the rest of my days.
Who has experience with the various .35 Whelens?
With today's powders and premium bullets, perhaps the classic original .35 Whelen will do just fine.

Bill, I had a Griffin & Howe built on a 1953 Model 70 in 35 Whelen. Realistically, it is all you'd need for all NA game, as well as everything up to the Big 5 in Africa. I shot a 250gr bullet, but these days, a 225gr monometal or Accubond might flatten it out a bit. Nice, effective caliber without the usual payment in recoil.

Many years ago I sent P.O. Ackley an 03 Springfield and requested it be rebored and chambered to 35 Whelen Improved. He tried to talk me out of the improved chamber saying it showed little additional velocity. He was correct. With the powders and bullets today, I would go with the 12 twist standard 35 Whelen.

I agree with your choice of 1 in 12 in twist. I would go with the 35 Whelan Ackley Imp. It provides more positive headspacing less case stretching and longer case life. Forming cases is merely loading and firing std Whelan brass. The increased capacity provides a slight increase in velocity or std velocity at slightly less pressure. Factory 35 Whelan ammo can be fired in a properly chambered 35 Whelan Improved with little loss of velocity. All good things. The 35 Brown Whelan offers a little more performance but case forming is a lot more work than the 35 Whelan Improved.

isn't there some new Whelen brass in the classifieds?

I have a ton of loaded Whelen ammo that I loaded up then sold the gun..Its all new components, and I have some brass bullets for sale on AR Classified..

Ive owned and shot the std. Whelen, the 35 Whelen IMP. and the 35 Whelen Gibbs, The Gibbs is the moistest for bestest, but cases are too hard to blow out, and the one I had was a fwt pre 64 and kicked like a sack of mules on testosterone.


I know the 35 Whelen is still popular but its always seemed a might short on velocity to me at least as an all around elk rifle. Its a great short range elk rifle in the thick stuff but not a bit better than my .348 Win. mod. 71 Win. or as good as the 9.3x62 at those short ranges. I even sold my 9.3x62, a round that Ive pimped for many years.

With the advent of the .338 Win. or even the 358 Norma, I left the 9.3x62, 338-06, the 35 Whelen and even the great 358 Norma to the others that pursue our sport. All good calibers.

99% of the elk I see anymore are at rather long range. The 06 based cartridges are great short range calibers, always have been, but the .338 fills both bills perfectly for me.

I have an Ackley Improved Whelen with a Shilen 22" barrel on an '03 action. With Hornady Interlock 250 grain bullets and RL-15 I get chronograph velocities of 2675 fps and fine accuracy. I really like it for elk hunting.

I have been shooting a Ruger Model 77 (Tang Safety) in .35 Whelen for about 20 years now and love it.

At first I was not all that happy with it, because it came with a 22 inch factory barrel. Worked with it for 3 years, then had it re-barreled wit6h a 26 inch ER Shaw barrel, 1 in 12 twist I believe and it does a great job with 225 grain Barnes "X" Flat Base bullets.

I have a standard Whelen with a 24" tube. I also have a 358 win BLR with a 20" bbl. I feel the 358 is well, kind of anemic really. The Whelen is far from it. Impressive velocity's and 300 yds is a walk in the park. I feel no need for it to be "just a little more" whatsoever. And a standard caliber is always a better resale prospect than a wildcat.

Thanks for the comments guys.
Nosler shows the 250-grain Partition at 2600. This is what I was getting our of my CZ in 9,3X62, and I'd call it plenty good to 300 yards, beyond which I personally have no business shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
The Whelen is far from it. Impressive velocity's and 300 yds is a walk in the park. I feel no need for it to be "just a little more" whatsoever.

Agree 100% for ALL practical intents and purposes. Well said. A true, no nonsense, no excuses, dead reliable cartridge. Pun intended.

Still, a Springfield? 35 Whelen.

I have been shooting a 35 Whelen built on an '03 action with a Shilen 1:14 barrel screwed on. Built this in the late '80's. The 225 grain TSX shoots extremely well and it is a great hunting rifle. There is nothing in North America i would not hunt with it.

Standard 35 Whelen works for me. The Ackley Version, yes might have an advantage on brass life, etc. but I don't have problem with the Standard. I do have a 25.5" barrel and when I was shooting jacketed bullets, had all the velocity I needed for as long of a shot as I want. If long range is your concern, take the numbers on BC and velocity out of the Barnes manual for a 225 X something bullet and then compare that to the 30-06 180 or 338 Win mag with a 250 grain and then go see if you can hold that 4 inches of difference at 400 yards from field positions. I love my Whelen and it is on a 03 Springfield.