Exploring the 35 Whelen
The 35 Whelen has earned its designation as a classic hunting cartridge. Comprised of a lucky blend of power, precision, and adaptability, the 35 Whelen strikes a chord with hunters who are accustomed to and want the same level of performance from their hunting cartridges.
The majority of modern cartridges have outperformed the 35 Whelen in terms of velocity and accuracy. Yet, there are few cartridges that pack the power that the 35 Whelen offers and can still be counted upon to be perform reliably. There are even fewer cartridges in the hunting cartridge canon that can say they are as deeply rooted in the history of American hunting as the 35 Whelen.
The 35 Whelen Story
The 35 Whelen rifle cartridge story begins in the 1920s. Famous American outdoor author and folk hero, Colonel Townsend Whelen, served as the inspiration for the cartridge that expert marksman and riflesmith, James V. Howe, designed. Howe employed the .30-06 cartridge case in its readily available and unmodified form.
By simply necking up the .30-06 cartridge case to .358 and enlarging the case, Howe was able to create a rifle cartridge that was capable of breaking the .30-06 cartridge case influence on American hunting and pack a far more manageable enhanced impact.
The 35 Whelen was a well-known wildcat cartridge for almost 50 years among only the most dedicated shooters. A wildcat cartridge is a consumer-made cartridge that is first created as a custom order and not a commercially produced cartridge. The 35 Whelen was known for its performance, helping it gain popularity among hunters using the round.
The potential of the 35 Whelen was clear, and large companies finally started acknowledging it. The 35 Whelen cartridge was officially made into a commercially available round by Remington in 1988, allowing more hunters in North America to use the round.
The Idea Behind the 35 Whelen Design
The idea behind the 35 Whelen cartridge is very simple. It aims to maintain a defined and reliable rifle round cartridge case design while allowing for the expansion of the bullet’s diameter. The design of the 30-06 Springfield cartridge case was used, and as a direct result, the round was easily used and supported by a large number of bolt-action rifles.
The 35 Whelen also has the following design advantages by using the larger .358 diameter (larger than a .30 caliber round):
More options for bullet weight
Greater impact energy
Increased penetration
Suitability for large size game
As opposed to higher velocity cartridges, which are also designed for long-range, 35 Whelen does not consider this design as an advantage, but rather seeks to remain a practical cartridge considering typical hunting distances.
The 35 Whelen also provides a high degree of assurance regardless of the hunting circumstances the hunter is faced with. It uses a larger bullet than most other hunting cartridges, which provides excellent energy and adequate penetration.
The 35 Whelen’s larger bullet diameter also means that, when compared to other smaller caliber cartridges, it leaves a larger wound cavity.
Some notable performance characteristics are:
Efficient energy transfer at common hunting distances;
The ability to penetrate heavy muscle and bone;
Good performance with controlled expansion;
and Sensitive to environmental changes.
The 35 Whelen is also not designed to be an extreme long-range cartridge. However, it does excel in woods and most hunting environments where the average shot is at a moderate distance.
Reasons Hunters Still Select the 35 Whelen
There are practical reasons for the continued use of the 35 Whelen. Many seasoned hunters tend to use cartridges with a proven track record and since this round has been in practical use for years, it has established a reputation.
Powerful but Not a Magnum
The 35 Whelen contains more power than most standard .30 cal cartridges, but while avoiding excessive recoil of larger magnum cartridges. With this trade-off, hunters can enjoy the use of the cartridge with confidence.
High Penetration, High Power
The 35 Whelen excels at the heavy North American Game it was designed for and provides the deep penetration required for even the toughest game.
Hunting Heritage
The 35 Whelen embodies those traditional values of use by hunters; the integration of the robust design of the traditional cartridge with the modern design of the ammunition is a nice feature.
The 35 Whelen vs Every other Modern Cartridge
Modern hunting cartridges are focused primarily on speed, with a flatter, long-range trajectory. But, most modern cartridges have left high performance in the field, and the 35 Whelen has not.
While modern options may create faster rounds, 35 Whelen strikes a good balance of weight and penetration, giving hunters more confidence when pursuing larger prey, making it a favored choice.
The 35 Whelen retains a strong following and shows that age and experience are a value as a round does not have to be cutting edge to be the most useful a hunter can get.
The History of the 35 Whelen
The 35 Whelen is one of the more prestigious choices in American rounds for a reason. The development, design, and construction of the 35 Whelen highlight the importance of modern design and consideration of the end use.
It showcases the power and flexible design to allow a round to last the test of time. The 35 Whelen also appeals to those that appreciate traditional hunting tools.
Wrap Up
The 35 Whelen round is a classic that really shows the design and construction of the 1920s and shows that modern design and construction are not always the best. The 35 Whelen really stands out among other rounds today because of the design paired with the construction, and the balance of the real world and the theoretical. It gives hunters confidence because of the great balance of weight, penetration and usability, among other things.
