The 35 Whelen and Mr. Rifleman ~ The legendary shooter and hunter

Published on January 21, 2018
Duration: 31:01

The .35 Whelen, developed by Col. Townsend Whelen and James V. Howe, is a powerful American rifle cartridge based on the .30-06 case, designed for big game hunting. It offers significant stopping power with manageable recoil, comparable to a 7mm Rem Mag, making it more comfortable than a .338 Win Mag. Despite its efficiency, it remained a wildcat for decades before Remington standardized it in 1988, though its commercial adoption faced challenges.

Quick Summary

The .35 Whelen cartridge, developed by James V. Howe and Col. Townsend Whelen, is based on a necked-up .30-06 case. It offers impressive ballistics for big game, with a 200-grain bullet at 2,900 fps and manageable recoil comparable to a 7mm Rem Mag.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: The Search for the .35 Whelen
  2. 01:27Historical Need for a Big Game Cartridge
  3. 03:01Col. Townsend Whelen & James V. Howe: The Creators
  4. 05:18.35 Whelen Design and Ballistics Explained
  5. 07:09Performance and Recoil Advantages
  6. 09:29Market Challenges and Commercial Adoption
  7. 13:56Versatility in the Field

Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed the .35 Whelen cartridge?

The .35 Whelen cartridge was developed around 1922 by James V. Howe, a master machinist at Frankford Arsenal, under the direction of Colonel Townsend Whelen, a renowned marksman and hunter.

What is the .35 Whelen cartridge based on?

The .35 Whelen is essentially a .30-06 Springfield case that has been necked up to accept a .35 caliber bullet, maintaining the same shoulder dimensions and angle.

What are the ballistic advantages of the .35 Whelen?

It offers impressive ballistics, with a 200-grain bullet reaching 2,900 fps. A 225-grain bullet matches the trajectory of a 180-grain .30-06 out to 400 yards, providing excellent energy for big game.

How does the recoil of the .35 Whelen compare to other cartridges?

The .35 Whelen generates about 23-24 ft-lbs of free recoil, which is manageable and comparable to a 7mm Rem Mag, making it more comfortable than cartridges like the .338 Win Mag.

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