ORIGINAL: bronko22000
I'd be very careful about using a pistol powder in the '06 cases for fire forming. Personally I wouldn't do it and would opt for a light load of the rifle powder of choice.
Hello Bronko. Why? I have been fire forming Acklies for years (Lots of years I'm afraid) using 11 grains of cheap pistol powder (Bullseye), topped with Cream of wheat with a 22 patch in the neck to hold it together. Pow.....instant case. No need to wear out your expensive barrel whilest shooting equally expensive bullets.
Having said that, I do not recommend starting out with '06 brass to make a 35 Whelen. Just buy 35 Whelen brass for crying out loud.....this isn't going to be a varmit rifle! Ream it to an Ackley and never buy another case again in a lifetime of Moose/Elk shooting. JIMHO.
I have fireformed 100's of6.5-'06, 257, 7MM and '06 Ackley rounds using this technique without a hitch. Call "Mr Ackley" at Sierra and he will back this up I promise. Regards, Rick.