Rifle · SAAMI
.35 Whelen
Classic wildcat-turned-commercial medium-bore.
- Caliber
- 0.3591″ · 9.12 mm
- Introduced
- 1922
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .30-06 Springfield
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1922
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- James Howe / Col. Townsend Whelen
- Manufacturer
- Remington Arms
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Moderate
- Case capacity
- 68 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 62,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 300 yd
- Max range
- 3800 yd
- Recoil
- 20–30 ft·lb
Introduced by Remington Arms
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .35 Whelen. Parent case: .30-06 Springfield.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.12 | 0.359 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.86 | 0.388 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.20 | 0.441 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 17.5° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.96 | 0.471 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.24 | 0.049 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 11.75 | 0.463 | ≈ |
| Case length | 63.35 | 2.494 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 84.84 | 3.340 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .35 Whelen is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
3 reloading powders listed for .35 Whelen, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .35 Whelen
12 models in the database chamber .35 Whelen. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed as wildcat in 1922 by James Howe and named after Col. Townsend Whelen. Gained cult following among hunters for its power and moderate recoil. Remained wildcat for 65 years until Remington commercialized it in 1988. Famous quote: 'The .30-06 is never a mistake.' Response: 'Only a .35 Whelen is better.' Popular in Alaska and Canadian bush for big bears.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .35 Whelen use?
- .35 Whelen typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .35 Whelen?
- .35 Whelen uses a 0.3591″ (9.12 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .35 Whelen still in production?
- .35 Whelen is active; typical availability is moderate.
- What is .35 Whelen used for?
- .35 Whelen is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .35 Whelen based on?
- .35 Whelen is derived from the .30-06 Springfield case.
- What are the best powders for .35 Whelen?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .35 Whelen include IMR 3031, 203-B, Norma 202.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Manufacturer Remington — Core-Lokt 35 Whelen Ammo | 200 Grain, 2675 FPS (SKU 21495 / R35WH1) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Federal Premium — Fusion Rifle 35 Whelen Ammo | 200 Grain, 2800 FPS (F35FS1) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 35 Whelen 200 gr SP Superformance (81193) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Nosler — 35 Whelen 225gr AccuBond Trophy Grade Ammunition (60081) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Bore — Buffalo-Barnes Premium 35 Whelen Supercharged (Item 42B) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Remington — High Performance Rifle 35 Whelen Ammo | 250 Grain, 2400 FPS (SKU 21499) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 66 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →