The .35 Whelen cartridge, a powerful round favored for hunting large game in North America, is chambered in rifles manufactured by a variety of companies. These range from large, well-known manufacturers offering various models to smaller custom gunsmiths specializing in specific builds. Common action types for this cartridge include bolt-action, single-shot, and occasionally lever-action. Examples include bolt-action rifles built on magnum Mauser actions, and single-shot rifles utilized for hunting in dense brush.
Given the cartridge’s ballistic performance, appropriate rifles tend to be robustly constructed. This ensures safe operation and durability under the recoil generated. Historically, the .35 Whelen, developed in the early 20th century by Colonel Townsend Whelen, has filled a niche for hunters requiring a cartridge more powerful than the .30-06 Springfield but less expensive to load than larger, more specialized rounds. This balance of power and practicality has sustained its relevance in the modern hunting landscape.
