Heavy Bullets in the 35 Whelen

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

JPW, yes, perhaps you can say that. Because a cartridge is capable of being pushed at X velocity it doesn't mean I have to push it to the max. I'm having perfectly good results with moderate ballistics--mostly those that duplicate classic British cartridges. I'm sure I'm missing out, but I'm too old to change.

@Tom Leoni
Not to old to change mate but you have found what works for you. As long as it works have fun, it's just nice to know that better velocity is achievable if you need it.
Bob

 

[Tom Leoni]

@Tom Leoni
Not to old to change mate but you have found what works for you. As long as it works have fun, it's just nice to know that better velocity is achievable if you need it.
Bob

Thanks, Bob--very much noted. Somehow I've always stuck to mid-range loads--nothing particularly philosophical about it, just (as you said) what has worked for me for a long time. One of these years I'll have to give "your" caliber a try. I think it's one of the best designed wildcats in history, and one that deserves a wider fan-base.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Sierra list max velocity of the 225 game king with cfe223 at 2900 fps. That seams to be getting pretty hot, what do you think?

@35400Whelen
Finally got around to trying Sierra load with 225gn game kings
Started at 67grains of CFE223 and worked up to thier 70gn max load.
This gave me an average of just over 2,880fps for 3 shots with no signs of excessive pressure.
That game king is a short bullet with a small bearing surface so that may explain the load.
Bob

 

[jwp475]

JPW, yes, perhaps you can say that. Because a cartridge is capable of being pushed at X velocity it doesn't mean I have to push it to the max. I'm having perfectly good results with moderate ballistics--mostly those that duplicate classic British cartridges. I'm sure I'm missing out, but I'm too old to change.

You certainly don't have you, but I fail to see why a flatter trajectory isn't a plus. As long as pressures are within SAAMI safe area.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You certainly don't have you, but I fail to see why a flatter trajectory isn't a plus. As long as pressures are within SAAMI safe area.

@jpw475
If'n I can make an old cartridge even better by changing my loading and do it SAFELY I'm willing to give it a go. As long as I get good accuracy with the velocity.
A 310gn Woodleigh RNSP hits a lot harder when it leave the barrel at 2,455fps than it does at 2,200 fps.
As long as the bullet performs at the higher velocity I'm all for it.
Bob

 

[EfRed]

The .35 solution to that problem is a 358 Norma mag.

I had a .338 Win Mag Weatherby Custom Safari re-bored re-chambered to .358 Norma, just because I loved that cartridge from reading about it when it came out (pretty young then). Recoil's about the same, but that .358 bullet is reputed to hit with greater authority. If you need/want more than a .308, the .358 gives a significant step up, where the .338 maybe doesn't. I'm less concerned with long-range ballistics than most, having learned the trajectories of most of my guns (including big bore pistols) by field practice. I was lucky enough to have thousands of acres of sagebrush hills available; hike and shoot for hours through those hills. I am grateful to God for making that country, and grateful to my Father, who obtained the right for me to use it.

But I like my Springfield 35 Whelen, handy, because I grew up shooting a sporterized Springfield .30-06 that I had re-bored to .358. The rifle is about the right size and handles well. While the .30-06 is likely adequate for any NA game, the .35 Whelen is more adequate at little additional cost in recoil. Love the cartridge and the rifles in appears in.

 

[DocHolliday]

My .35 Whelen (Ruger #1)loves 280 and 250 gr A Frames over healthy doses of Target. Good luck finding either pill these days though

 

[A382DWDZQ]

I really like the .35 cals. I haven’t shot the 35 Whelen much, but I have 200gr TTSX loaded for that going around 2800fps on a 26” bbl. With the 358 NM, I was running 258gr hammer hunters around 2700 on a 24” bbl.

 

[steve white]

@35400Whelen
I've just looked up some loads for you
The 275 grains are all at 2,400 to close on 2,500 fps and max pressure is less than 52,000 cup.
ALL LOADS GIVEN ARE ADVICE ONLY. THEY ARE MAXIMUM LOADS AND SHOULD BE WORKED UP FROM 5 GRAINS LOWER KEEPING A WATCH OUT FOR PRESSURE SIGNS.
I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MISUSE OF INFORMATION.
ALWAYS USE CAUTION WHEN HAND LOADING.

For the 275 grain Woodleigh PPSP
Coal 3. 4 inches
Brass Remington
Primer Remington large rifle

Re 15 and Varget
58 grains 2,387 fps

CFE 223
61 grains 2,450 fps

AA2000MR
62 grains 2,480 fps.


310 grain Woodleigh RNSP
CFE223
54 grains 2,250 fps

Varget
51 grains 2,259fps

H4350
60 grains 2,219fps

AA4077ssc
60 grains 2,300 fps
Highest velocity under 51,000 cup

AA2700
60 grains 2,220 fps
Reasonable velocity low pressure 48,344 cup.

Hopefully this gives you a starting point.

Remember to work up to max safely

4064 did give good velocity to the 275 grainers up to 58 grains but pressure was up OVER 53,000 CUP .This is beyond acceptable pressure
Bob Nelson

Bob, are you having to use a long drop tube to get the charges in, or do you vibrate them down with certain powders?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, are you having to use a long drop tube to get the charges in, or do you vibrate them down with certain powders?

@steve white
Only use a drop tube with the 310s and H4350.
The load I use gives me 2,455fps with the 310s.
Using CFE 223 I just tip the powder in no problems.
Bob

 

[Boone66]

this thread got me thinking so I went digging through my bullet pile and sure enough I found an old box of Hornady round nose 275 grain bullets. There was a German fellow on another forum who loads his 9x56 MS with 280 grain bullets. I wonder if I can swage them down to 355 to load in my 9x56? Might have to give it a go.

I find the 250gr Speer hotcore is really all you need, I have yet to recover one.

 

[EfRed]

I find the 250gr Speer hotcore is really all you need, I have yet to recover one.

that bullet has an excellent reputation!

 

[KIH]

Factory ammo, Norma with 250grs Oryx bullet (lead is bonded to the jacket).

Norma Oryx .35 Whelen 250gr

www.norma-ammunition.com

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

that bullet has an excellent reputation!

@EfRed
Another good bullet but very underrated is the old 250gn Hornady round nose soft point. Dumps a lot of energy real quick on big critters. In my gemsbok bull it punched a golf ball size hole out the offside. He only went 10 yards and piled up nose first into the Kalahari sand.
Bob