Rifle · Proprietary
.35 Whelen Ackley Improved
Ackley Improved version of the .35 Whelen; blown-out case with sharper shoulder adds meaningful velocity for large and dangerous North American game..
- Caliber
- 0.358″ · 9.093 mm
- Introduced
- 1955
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .35 Whelen
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1955
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- P.O. Ackley
- Standard
- Proprietary
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Uncommon
- Primer
- Boxer Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 62,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 350 yd
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .35 Whelen Ackley Improved, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- .35 Whelen
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.09 | 0.358 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.78 | 0.385 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.53 | 0.454 | ~ |
| Shoulder angle | 40° | — | · |
| Base ⌀ | 11.94 | 0.470 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.24 | 0.049 | ~ |
| Neck length | 11.84 | 0.466 | ≈ |
| 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 Ackley Improved is highlighted below.
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.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
The .35 Whelen AI takes the already-capable .35 Whelen and reshapes the case for improved powder efficiency, typically adding 80–120 fps over the parent cartridge. Popular among hunters who pursue elk, moose, and bear at moderate ranges and want the extra authority of an improved case.
FAQs
- What bullet diameter is .35 Whelen Ackley Improved?
- .35 Whelen Ackley Improved uses a 0.358″ (9.093 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .35 Whelen Ackley Improved still in production?
- .35 Whelen Ackley Improved is active; typical availability is uncommon.
- What is .35 Whelen Ackley Improved based on?
- .35 Whelen Ackley Improved is derived from the .35 Whelen case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 – 2015 (Centerfire Rifle) — Velocity & Pressure / Cartridge & Chamber Drawings · bullet ⌀ archived
- Reference Wolfe Publishing (P.O. Ackley) — Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders, Vol. I — P.O. Ackley · velocity, grain weights
- Secondary Wikipedia / Nosler (reloading data) — .35 Whelen (parent) — with cited Nosler Reloading load data · bullet ⌀, velocity archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →