Hello,

Does anyone out there have any load data they would care to share on the .35 Whelen Ackley Improved???

My project rifle will soon be finished and I would like to start getting some components. Good whitetail loads would be a bonus!

Thanks!

MIBIGHNTR

I was going to post the same question. I just got my Whelen rechambered to the ackley improved and now I could use some load data also. I am going to start with IMR 4320 powder and 250 gr Speers. For Whitetails the 225 gr Sierra BT should be pretty good. I guess we are on our own as far as finding loads in this one. Good Luck
Dale

Ummmm, know the problem with a wildcat round. Okay, there is very little published data on many of the Ackley "improved rounds." Most of what I have found were in Ackley's manuals that can be hard to find. Go to www.addall.com and do a computer search for that two volume set...ya might get lucky.

I knew a guy who shot a Brown Whelan, which is an improved Whelan, as the shoulder is blown out. His standard policy on his boomer was to use the extant Whelan loading data, which is fairly common and increase the charges by no more THAN FIVE,,,that is FIVE Percent...working up slowly from ordinary Whelan max data. I shoot the standard Whelan. My favorite load that is safe in MY RIFLE is Fifty Seven point five grains of IMR 4320 over a Speer two fifty grainer in WW cases with WLR or CCI 300 primers. That load gives me 2630 fps in my 24" barrel. So you can see where your improved powder charges will run with the two fifty grain slug. Start at fifty seven grains and slowly work up to a max of fifty nine point five grains..backing off immediately if you detect pressure signs, like sticky bolts. Do not change components from the above...if you do, back off and work up very slowly.

Naconah
I have both of P O Ackley's books But, He doesn't give any loads for it. He just says to increase standard 35 Whelen loads by 5 % . If I could of got 2630 fps with a 250 grainer, I would not of had mine improved. You are lucky to have a fast barrel on your Whelen. On the up side, After I had my Whelen Improved, the factory 250 gr Remington loads shot into 7/8" groups. Before they would group around 2". Now I have a nice varmint rifle.

Dale

I had a 35 whelen ackley, until I had it re-chambered to a 350 Rigby.

Anyhow, I don't have my load data handy, but suggest you look at std 35 whelen data, and allow that you can fit a few more grains of powder in the case.

I primarly shot 250 gr bullets, and found that Reloader 15, Varget and VV N550 worked well, achieving 2600 fps and change from a 24" barrel. For primers, I found Federal 210's work quite well.

If I were loading for white tails, I'd use the 225 gr bullets, I've heard the sierras are more accurate then the balistic tips, but didn't get decent accuracy with sierras, and never tried the B-tips. I don't fault the 225 gr bullets, the chambering was poorly done, hence the re-chamber.

As I recall, so don't take this as gospel, I worked up to a max of 60 gr RL 15, 60 gr Varget, and 62 gr N 550.

Hey Bros

I just found my load notes on the Improved Whelen and I will post the data here shortly, right now gotta get some z's. Keep in mind there is a movement afoot now being sponsored by Schumer and others to ban our big bore and other powerful hunting rifles.

As I promised you, here are some loads for the .35 Whelen Improved...the Ackley version.
The test gun was a custom Whelen with a 20" Brl. 1.16" twist. All data from Big Bore Rifles and Cartridges. Wolfe Publishing.

In general, the data for Improved versions show about a 100 fps gain on standard Whelen loads. My standard Whelen shoots 250 Speers at 2630 fps with Fifty Seven and half grains of IMR 4320. The rifle has a 24" tube, so with the same length barrel the Ackley load should go about close to the expected twenty seven hundred mark.
Here are some selected loads...all the below are considered maximum so start well below.

225 Grain Slugs

225 Sierra
Cases: Remington
Primer: Fed 210M
Bullet: 225 grn Sierra
Powder/charge: IMR 4320 61.5
Velocity: 2815
COL...3.28

225 grn Nosler
Primer Fed 215
Cases: Remington
Powder/Charge: AA 2520 62.0 grns.
Velocity: Twenty Seven Hundred and Fifty fps.
COL...3.30

250 Grain Slugs

250 Grn Speer
Cases: Remington
Primer: Fed 210 M
Powder/charge: Fifty Nine grns. IMR 4320
Velocity: 2610 fps
COL...3.34

250 Barnes
Cases: Remington
Primer: Fed 210M
Pwder/charge: 58.5 IMR 4320
Velocity: 2613 fps
COL...3.36

Good luck.