Finally worked up some more Whelen loads

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

As every body knows I'm a whelen tragic and have been saying I will work up some more loads for my Whelen.
Well I finally got to the range yesterday and the results are as follows.
All cases used are Remington on their 6th reload.
Primers are Remington large rifle.
Load one was the 225gn Sierra 225gn game king using their max load of 70gn of CFE223. Results a little disappointing as they didn't break the 2,900 fps but potent still the same.

Load 2 was the 275gn Woodleigh that was one big surprise. I only loaded 2 and forgot to take more projectiles to the range. So another trip to confirm results

The 310 gn Woodleigh RN posed a problem as the max load with H4350/2209 is 59 grains at a very low pressure. A lot of case tapping and vibrating with an electric toothbrush I got 62gn in with a compressed load.
I was taking to @Anthony George and he sent me a photo of his drop tube he uses for getting more powder in a given case. Thanks mate. I made a 600mm(2feet)drop tube and managed to get 63gn of H4350 into the case that only came to the base of the neck.this still allowed me to seat the 310s.
A WORD OF CAUTION IS NEEDED HERE. THESE LOADS PROVED SAFE IN MY RIFLE BUT MAY NOT IN OTHER SO USE CAUTION WHEN WORKING UP LOADS.
load 1 with the 62gn load

The last load was 63gn of H4350

The target is my final 2 shots for the day with the 63gn of H4350. Now those loads really grab your attention when you touch them off,with recoil approaching 40lbs in a 9 pound rifle. Can't wait to try them with the brake on. They should be adequate for my scrub bull hunt.
Bob

 

[freefall]

That's a heck of a 5 shot group there, Bob!
I don't know how to Exalt you here, or I would.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

That's a heck of a 5 shot group there, Bob!
I don't know how to Exalt you here, or I would.

@freefall
Sorry to disappointment you mate but it's only 2 shots. My last 2 for the day.
Bob

 

[Anthony George]

Phk yea

That’s bloody awesome

 

[Jaegger]

@freefall
Sorry to disappointment you mate but it's only 2 shots. My last 2 for the day.
Bob

Hello @Bob Nelson 35Whelen … cool write up w/ pics & brass on their 6th reload - impressive! Glad to hear afew supply shortages materialized … I’m confident, still a pain!

Yea, damn good feeling when the final shots on the range produce Outstanding results … nearly or touching is how you end an enjoyable shooting day! Bests …

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Phk yea

That’s bloody awesome

@Anthony George
Thanks for the advice on the drop tube mate. Nice rounded primers, easy bolt life and no pressure signs that I can see. Looking forward to trying it on game.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hello @Bob Nelson 35Whelen … cool write up w/ pics & yea, the last two shots on the range & nearly or touching is how you end an enjoyable shooting day! Bests …

@Jaegger
I reckon if I had a third it would have been between the two others.
A bit like a 35 cal varmit rifle for accuracy.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Amendment load 1 was the 225gn Woodleigh Round nose with 66gn CFE223.

This is the result with the 225gn Sierra game king. Horribly close to 2,900 but no ceegar

Barrel lenght of the test rifle is 25 inches.
Once again these loads were safe in MY RIFLE ONLY .WORK UP FROM LOWEST LOAD DO NOT START AT MAXIMUM.
Bob

 

[leslie hetrick]

my 35 whelen deer load is 58 grs varget with the 225gr sierra sbt, it does 2600 fps. in a remington cdl 700 and a ruger #1, three less than a inch at 100 yards from the bench.

 

[HuntingGold]

Look out scrub bulls!

 

[assasinator]

man, i like the 310gr woodleigh loads.

i went to the range with 290gr 358009. 42 grains of 4198. 2290 fps. recoil was savage. lol. 17" pistol 350rem mag.

35 rules imo.

 

[HuntingGold]

Oh $hit... another 35 fan. The forum will never be the same

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Oh $hit... another 35 fan. The forum will never be the same

@hunting Gold
Randy the revolution may have slowed but it is still happening slowly. Maybe these loads will create a bit more interest.
Remember you are one of the converted.
Bob

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Is this the savage/stevens rifle Bob?

 

[CBH Australia]

Good result for your you, bad news for the Scrub Bull's

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Is this the savage/stevens rifle Bob?

@Wyatt Smith
Yes Master Smith it is the Savage/Stevens mate.

 

[sestoppelman]

Was planning to take my No. 1 Whelen out tomorrow but it will have to wait another week, have a new rifle to shoot in.
I have thought of the drop tube thing and have used one for black powder cartridge loading but never smokeless, always figured that was a bridge too far.
Perhaps a ball powder in the same range as H4350 would work better. Ever try Win760 or Hunter? Had good luck with both.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Was planning to take my No. 1 Whelen out tomorrow but it will have to wait another week, have a new rifle to shoot in.
I have thought of the drop tube thing and have used one for black powder cartridge loading but never smokeless, always figured that was a bridge too far.
Perhaps a ball powder in the same range as H4350 would work better. Ever try Win760 or Hunter? Had good luck with both.

@sestoppelman
They may well do BUT none of my data lists either powder. Besides that neither of those are available in Australia so I'm stuck with ADI powders but they are great powder just the same.
Bob

 

[7x57Joe]

I have used an aluminum arrow shaft for a drop tube which works nicely and is easy to make. Amazing how the powder settles using a drop tube.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

They have used drop tubes for over 100 yrs with black powder.
Bob your loads are in mid .375 H&H area, they should work on scrub bulls, most anything else too.