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.

Rifle · SAAMI

.35 Whelen

.35 Whelen Improved9x63mm

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

Velocity2,400–2,750 fps

Energy2,900–3,500 ft·lb

Typical grains200 · 225 · 250 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1922
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: James Howe / Col. Townsend Whelen
Manufacturer: Remington (commercial)
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Moderate

Build

Case capacity: 68 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:16
Primer: Large Rifle
Case type: Rimless

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 62,000 psi
Eff. range: 300 yd
Max range: 3800 yd
Recoil: 20–30 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady Superformance SST 200 gr, 2,910 fps, BC 0.290 G7 · 100 yd zero.

Compare tooverlay up to 2

Range	Velocity	Energy	Drop (in)	Drop (MOA)
0 yd	2909	3758	-1.5″	—
100 yd	2750	3358	0.0″	0.0
200 yd	2595	2991	-3.1″	-1.5
300 yd	2445	2654	-11.4″	-3.6
400 yd	2299	2346	-25.5″	-6.1
500 yd	2158	2068	-46.2″	-8.8
600 yd	2022	1815	-74.3″	-11.8
700 yd	1890	1585	-111.0″	-15.1
800 yd	1761	1377	-157.4″	-18.8

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Superformance SST200 gr · SST Polymer Tip · 2,910 fps · BC 0.290 G7Buy now →

Buy links open .35 Whelen ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

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

In production — 66 active loads across 13 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 66 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Hornady	Superformance SST	200	SST Polymer Tip	2,910	3,760	0.290 G7
Hornady	Superformance SST 200gr	200	SST	2,910	3,760	0.290 G7
Hornady	Precision Hunter	200	ELD-X	2,675	3,177	0.285 G7
Hornady	Custom	200	ELD-X	2,675	3,177	0.285 G7
Remington	Core-Lokt	180	Core-Lokt Soft Point	2,900	3,361	—
Hornady	LEVERevolution	180	DGX Bonded	2,900	3,361	—
Buffalo Bore	Heavy	180	Jacketed Flat Nose	2,900	3,361	—
Nosler	Safari	180	Solid	2,900	3,361	—
Federal	Power-Shok	180	DGS	2,900	3,361	—
HSM	HSM Trophy Gold	180	Monolithic Solid	2,900	3,361	—
Barnes	VOR-TX TTSX BT	180	TTSX BT	2,700	2,913	—
Barnes	VOR-TX	200	TTSX BT	2,675	3,177	—
Hornady	Custom	200	InterLock SP	2,675	3,177	—
Federal	Power-Shok	200	JSP	2,675	3,177	—
Sellier & Bellot	SP 200gr	200	SP	2,675	3,177	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

1 reloading powder listed for .35 Whelen, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

IMR 3031

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

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 →

Traditions Performance Firearms Outfitter G3Remington Remington 700 CDL 6.5 CreedmoorSavage 110 Bear Hunter 35 WhelenSako 85 Black Bear .35 WhelenRemington Model 7600 .30-06 SprgRemington Remington 700 BDL 308 WinRemington Remington 700 BDL 243 WinRemington Remington 700 BDL .280 RemRemington 750 WoodsmasterRemington 750 Woodsmaster .30-06 22-inchRemington 700 Classic .35 WhelenRemington Remington 700 Classic 35 Whelen

Lineage

Immediate parent

.30-06 Springfield

Direct descendants (2)

.35 Brown-Whelen .35 Whelen Ackley Improved

Family TreeOpen .35 Whelen in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads66 factory loads for .35 Whelen↗Reloading1 suitable powder — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .35 Whelen↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

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.

Sources & provenance

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 →