35 Whelen AI

[Dusty Texian]

After reading the recent threads on the 35 caliber rifles. I started thinking about a 35 Whelen AI custom 98 Mauser I had purchased some years back . The 98 custom is in like new condition and was assembled by Paul Jeager ,so the workmanship on this rifle is first class. I do not think the rifle has ever been fired. I pulled the old rifle from the back corner of the safe and gave it a once over ,and then began to wonder why I had never shot it. So I ordered a set of dies and bullets & brass . All that stuff should be in soon ,so while waiting on components I am looking over loading data for the 35 Whelen AI. From what I am reading this is going to be a powerhouse of a hunting rifle. Looks like the old Mauser may go on a hunt very soon. Anyone that has any advise on the loads for the 35 Whelen AI ,I would be very glad to hear from. I have ordered bullets in the 250 gr. range . Hope you like the pic. DT.

[TedH]

Beautiful rifle, and very interesting chambering. Look forward to your range report.

[gamekeeper]

Beautiful rifle, and very interesting chambering. Look forward to your range report.

Ditto....

[Bill in Oregon]

Dusty, that's a mighty big and beautiful stick to keep in the closet.
Not 35 Whelen AI, but I used Re15 in my 9,3X62 for a plains game hunt in Africa.

[Dusty Texian]

Dusty, that's a mighty big and beautiful stick to keep in the closet.
Not 35 Whelen AI, but I used Re15 in my 9,3X62 for a plains game hunt in Africa.

Bill , Re 15 is one of the powders I will start with. It did not take long to notice that many were using Re15 in the Whelen cartridges, Std. and the AI , and getting good results. My first loads will use the Speer 250 gr. SP over Re 15 powder. Many report good accurate performance from this combination. I have read nothing but good about the 9.3x62. It has quite the reputation for a very good hunting round. How did you like it on the plains game hunt? Thanks for the input Fellows.,,,,,DT

[7.62 Precision]

What a beautiful rifle.

[ollogger]

very nice indeed!
ive shot them but never owned one



ollogger

[Tycer]

Drool. I do love my 35s

[Rusty]

Don't know anything about loading for it but that is old school pretty!

[Bill in Oregon]

Dusty, I and my brother found the 9,3X62 to be a very big hammer in a small package. Your .35 Whelen AI will be every bit as effective and maybe more so with a bit flatter trajectory. Can't think of a better choice for elk- and moose size critters.

[piller]

Just based on the 35 Whelen case size from when I looked at them in a Gander Mountain store, that 35 Whelen AI should have plenty of power. How did a rifle that beautiful get overlooked for any length of time?

[Dusty Texian]

very nice indeed!
ive shot them but never owned one



ollogger

Hey OLLOGER, did you use it on game? Thanks for the input Bill, looks like the 35 whelen and the AI and the 9.3x62 are all about the same . Looking at the books ,I think it should be the kind of rifle cartridge that can do about anything ask of it in the 250 gr. range. And the good part is the brass can be made from 3006 ,and Lord knows I have saved a pile of it over the yrs. I have cast a bunch of .357 lead bullets with wheel weights to use in the fire-forming steps. I may as well shoot the rifle a bit while doing that. Who knows may even find a good light cast load for dispatching varmints and hog around the place. That .357 cast bullet @ 158 gr. traveling around 1500 fps. or so should bust their chops pretty good! I never did forget or ignore the old Mauser ,its just the last few years I have been shooting, loading and hunting with the old antique Winchesters only. Long before that It was the Mauser's that held my interest. Mainly the .300 Wby., .270 Win. the .250-3000 Imp. ,and the .22 centerfires. I knew one day I would get around to the .35 Whelen AI. The last few yrs. we have started seeing free range Elk on the West Texas place so there is a chance I may get to try it out on one, or an Aoudad and Desert Mule deer for sure.,,,,DT

[Dusty Texian]

very nice indeed!
ive shot them but never owned one



ollogger

Hey OLLOGER, did you use it on game? Thanks for the input Bill, looks like the 35 whelen and the AI and the 9.3x62 are all about the same . Looking at the books ,I think it should be the kind of rifle cartridge that can do about anything ask of it in the 250 gr. range. And the good part is the brass can be made from 3006 ,and Lord knows I have saved a pile of it over the yrs. I have cast a bunch of .357 lead bullets with wheel weights to use in the fire-forming steps. I may as well shoot the rifle a bit while doing that. Who knows may even find a good light cast load for dispatching varmints and hog around the place. That .357 cast bullet @ 158 gr. traveling around 1500 fps. or so should bust their chops pretty good! I never did forget or ignore the old Mauser ,its just the last few years I have been shooting, loading and hunting with the old antique Winchesters only. Long before that It was the Mauser's that held my interest. Mainly the .300 Wby., .270 Win. the .250-3000 Imp. ,and the .22 centerfires. I knew one day I would get around to the .35 Whelen AI. The last few yrs. we have started seeing free range Elk on the West Texas place so there is a chance I may get to try it out on one, or an Aoudad and Desert Mule deer for sure.,,,,DT

[2X22]

I have a .35 Whelen 40 degree Improved in my own safe! I had it rebarreled with a Shilen and there it sits. I have the dies, but just never got around to doing anything with it and it just sits in the back of the safe...somewhere...

I have a PILE of 250's and a few thousand 30-06 brass. I ran about 300 over the expander ball, only lost about a half dozen. But then I was side tracked and there she stays.

I need to get to work on it as soon as hunting season is over!

[Bullard4075]

I would suggest you check the rifling twist as bullet selection might be easier. My 35 Whale does it's best with
the 225 Noslers and with 250s not so much. Talking to Nosler and Sierra about production timing for their 225s
to resume, they assured me end of October. Varget powder has been a stellar performer for me. I suspect the
Hornady 200 FTX might be a great deer bullet though maybe a bit soft for elk. The 200 Rem factory has been
noteworthy also. 86r might have some imput on the 200 FTXs.

[Dusty Texian]

I would suggest you check the rifling twist as bullet selection might be easier. My 35 Whale does it's best with
the 225 Noslers and with 250s not so much. Talking to Nosler and Sierra about production timing for their 225s
to resume, they assured me end of October. Varget powder has been a stellar performer for me. I suspect the
Hornady 200 FTX might be a great deer bullet though maybe a bit soft for elk. The 200 Rem factory has been
noteworthy also. 86r might have some imput on the 200 FTXs.

Thanks for the input 2x22 and Bullard4075, As close as I can tell the ROT on this 35 Whelen AI ,is 1x10.5" or 1x11" . Does this sound about right ? I have been an avid handloader for over 40 yrs. but have no past with the 35 Whelen AI. As of right now I only have the 250gr. bullets to try. I am on the hunt for some 225gr. bullets to try also. Bullard what is the ROT in your 35 and is this the reason you say that the 250gr. does not do so well? Has anyone tried the 200 TSX BT bullet? I have had very good results with the Barnes .308 150gr. TSX BT solid copper bullet. A decent Bc. and deadly on game .,,,,DT

[vancelw]

I think .35 Whelen (not AI) is usually 1:16
My 1895 was rebored to .35 Whelen with a 1:14 for better handling of the larger cast bullets.

If yours is faster than that it ought to handle 250 bullets just fine.

[Bullard4075]

I would suggest you check the rifling twist as bullet selection might be easier. My 35 Whale does it's best with
the 225 Noslers and with 250s not so much. Talking to Nosler and Sierra about production timing for their 225s
to resume, they assured me end of October. Varget powder has been a stellar performer for me. I suspect the
Hornady 200 FTX might be a great deer bullet though maybe a bit soft for elk. The 200 Rem factory has been
noteworthy also. 86r might have some imput on the 200 FTXs.

Thanks for the input 2x22 and Bullard4075, As close as I can tell the ROT on this 35 Whelen AI ,is 1x10.5" or 1x11" . Does this sound about right ? I have been an avid handloader for over 40 yrs. but have no past with the 35 Whelen AI. As of right now I only have the 250gr. bullets to try. I am on the hunt for some 225gr. bullets to try also. Bullard what is the ROT in your 35 and is this the reason you say that the 250gr. does not do so well? Has anyone tried the 200 TSX BT bullet? I have had very good results with the Barnes .308 150gr. TSX BT solid copper bullet. A decent Bc. and deadly on game .,,,,DT

My Whelen is the Remington 700 Classic (the same rifle used by Ken Waters in his 35 Whelen UPDATE) with a 1 in 16 twist. My results do not track
exactly with his as my rifle seems to prefer 225 and lighter bullets. My best powder (Varget) was not out I believe when his update came out, at
least he doesn't mention it.
I recommend you read his 35 Whelen Pet loads and update, if you can't get them message me.

[Dusty Texian]

Thanks for the info,Bullard4075. I will dig-up the Pet Loads . Ken Waters has been a big help in the past on other cartridges. I have always enjoyed his writings. I ran another ROT test on the barrel today ,used a better plug and rod and came -up with 1 turn in. 11.5 . Should have some test loads ready in a day or so. Will report back on how it does.,,,,DT.