Ackley Improved Education

quandary said:

Thanks for the advice! So I can buy 35 W brass, load it, shoot it in a 35 WAI no problem. Then reload it with Redding 35W Improved dies. Sounds pretty straight forward. Seems like there is reason not to go 35WAI?

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The only reason not to go AI would be because the dies are more expensive. Some say they have a harder time feeding AI cartridges, but those tend to be on much smaller caliber rounds. My tikka feeds just fine with 35WAI.

P.O. Ackley was way ahead of his time! His design has so many benefits; longer caselife, less bolt push back, better velocities, very accurate. Also, easy to form by just firing the non A.I. round and those are more accurate in the A.I. chambers. I have several and they are worthy.

quandary said:

Thanks for the advice! So I can buy 35 W brass, load it, shoot it in a 35 WAI no problem. Then reload it with Redding 35W Improved dies. Sounds pretty straight forward. Seems like there is reason not to go 35WAI?

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Yes, you can. Load it with 35 whelen data, not ai data when forming.
I load for 243ai, 250ai, 257ai, 6mm rem ai, 280ai, 7x57ai and all form fine that way

And you may be quite surprised at the precision attained with "blow out loads".

Unless you're buying Peterson or another of the higher quality unprimed cases, I'd buy Federal, Remington or Winchester ammunition and shoot it for practice or with which to hunt. Saves the time and expense to load and fireform cases yourself. Additionally, I've found the original loading to shoot well from an AI rechamber.

CCAguns said:

Unless you're buying Peterson or another of the higher quality unprimed cases, I'd buy Federal, Remington or Winchester ammunition and shoot it for practice or with which to hunt. Saves the time and expense to load and fireform cases yourself. Additionally, I've found the original loading to shoot well from an AI rechamber.

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I am going to disagree with this.

Federal brass SUCKS. Almost as bad as Hornady (and sometimes worse). So in my opinion it would be a waste to go with Federal factory ammo for fire forming. Rem/Win wouldn't be bad. I have had good results with Rem brass on several Imp cases. .250AI, 6.5SLR, .25-06AI, .22-250AI, .243AI, .280AI (before Peterson released .280AI brass). Bonus of using Rem or Win brass...you NEVER get the dreaded donut in the neck, as Rem/Win use the same thickness of brass in neck and shoulders. Unlike all other brands of brass.

But I would just buy high quality brass and roll your own to start. Depending on cartridge choice...Lapua, Alpha, Peterson.

Seems like The Redding die sets for the 35 Whelen Improved out of the Series D Die Sets is the best option?

Another question. Is there a favored? powder for the 35 Whelen?

I'm loading 59 grains of h4895 with a 200 grain shock hammer in my 35 whelen to get 2995 fps in lake city 30-06 brass fire formed. On my 3rd or 4th loading. About 75 moa. Awesome iowa deer rifle

I've done well with IMR 3031 and 8208 XBR, Varget, and W748. Bullets from 180gr to 254gr. Varget did better with heavier bullets from 215-254gr, 8208 XBR and 3031 were my favorites for 180-200gr bullets.

I tried StaBALL Match and got pressure way below the velocities of the other powders mentioned.