.35 Whelen

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name= .35 Whelen


caption=
origin= USA
type= Rifle
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer= Col. Townsend Whelen / James Howe
design_date=1922
manufacturer=
production_date=
number=
variants=
is_SI_specs=
parent=.30-06
case_type=Rimless, bottleneck
bullet=.358
neck=.385
shoulder=.441
base=.472
rim_dia=.473
rim_thick=
case_length=2.494
length=3.340
rifling=1-16"
primer=Large rifle
is_SI_ballistics=
bw1=180
btype1=FN
vel1=2963
en1=3510
bw2=200
btype2=SP
vel2=2798
en2=3478
bw3=225
btype3=SBT
vel3=2613
en3=3412
bw4=250
btype4=RN
vel4=2523
en4=3535
bw5=
btype5=
vel5=
en5=
test_barrel_length=24
balsrc= Accurate Powder [http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/Standarddata(Rifle)/358Cal(9.09mm)/35%20Whelen%20pages%20312%20to%20315.pdf .35 Whelen load data] ] The .35 Whelen is a powerful medium-bore rifle cartridge that does not require a magnum action or a magnum bolt-face. The parent of this cartridge is the .30-06 Springfield, which is necked-up to accept a bullet diameter of .358" (9.09 mm). This cartridge is more powerful than its parent, especially in killing power on large game.

History

The .35 Whelen was originally developed in 1922 as a wildcat cartridge by Col. Townsend Whelen, and built by gunsmith James V. Howe (later of Griffin & Howe). At the time Colonel Townsend Whelen was the commanding officer of the Frankford Arsenal, and James V. Howe was a toolmaker in the same establishment.

The 1923 issue of 'The American Rifleman' Colonel Whelen referred to it as "the first cartridge that I designed" and in that same article stated that, "Mr. James V. Howe undertook this work of making dies, reamers, chambering tools, and of chambering the rifles, all in accordance with my design."

In 1987 the Remington Arms Company standardized the cartridge, in other words they began producing it as a regular commercial round.

Performance

Suitable .358" bullets range in weight from 150 grains to convert|300|gr|g. A great attribute of this round is its ability to utilize 38/357 pistol bullets (which are all .358") for cheap practice, low recoil target shooting, and varmint hunting. Using a convert|250|gr|g|sing=on bullet, the .35 Whelen will generate 3500 ft·lbf at the muzzle from a 24" barrel.

The .35 Whelen is the ballistic twin of the .350 Remington Magnum. With the correct bullet choice, this cartridge is suitable for virtually all thin-skinned large and dangerous game. The European designation for this cartridge would be the 9 x 63 mm, and with its wide bullet selection and high muzzle energy, puts it in the same echelon as the venerable 9.3x62mm.

Cartridge specifications

* Bullet diameter: .358"
* Maximum case length: 2.494"
* Maximum cartridge length: 3.34"
* Shoulder angle: 17.5 degrees
* Industry maximum pressure: 52,000 CUP (Copper units of pressure)

ee also

* List of rifle cartridges
* 9 mm caliber

References

External links

* [http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/35w.html Reload Bench - .35 Whelen]
* [http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=75 Reloaders Nest - .35 Whelen]
* [http://www.chuckhawks.com/35Whelen.htm Guns & Shooting Online - .35 Whelen]