35 Whelen/280

[30-338]

Well finally got to chronograph some loads in the 35 Whelen0. I started with 54gr/IMR-4064/225gr AccuBond @ 2453fps worked up to 58gr/IMR-4064/225gr AccuBond @ 2705fps. Accuracy was pretty good and I may try some more powders.

In the factory 280 I just got started with 50gr/R-17/145gr Speers @ 2556fps stopped at 53gr/R-17/145gr Speers @ 2904fps max for that load was 2968fps. Again accuracy was good and I'll try some 150gr/160gr bullets next.

 

[DrMike]

Each of those loads are moving, for certain. Either will be good for game.

 

[SJB358]

If you want to give it a try, RL15 has been very good to me speed and accuracy wise for the 35 Whelen with both 225's and 250's. I am getting 2575FPS with the Speer 250's. Plus I am staying MOA or better out to 300 yards. Scotty

 

[JD338]

30-338

Both the 35 Whelen and 280 Rem are great American Classic cartridges.

280 Rem M7000 Classic
140 gr 57.0 grs RL 19 just under 3000 fps and well under MOA
160 gr 54.0 grs IMR 4831, accuracy .400"

35 Whelen M700 Classic
225 gr 59.0 grs RL 15, accuracy .7" Need to chronograph the load
58.0 grs IMR 4064, well under MOA
54.0 grs AA2015BR, well under MOA
250 gr 52.0 grs AA2015BR, well under MOA

JD338

 

[30-338]

I appreciate all the suggestion on powders for the 35 Whelen. When I was breaking the barrel in I had one group that was less than 1/2" that was with 225gr Sierra also shot some Speer 220gr and Hornady 250gr. Most bullets I've tried give bewteen 1/2 to 1" groups.

Not sure when I'm going to chronograh again but will post that data.

 

[SJB358]

Another powder that shows a lot of promise is TAC. I have not used it, but a few of the other Whelen owners said it was accurate and fast with their loads. Sounds like your Whelen is pretty accurate as is. I still would like to try the AccuBond in my Whelen, I bet RL15 would get it pretty near to 2800 and be an accurate load. Scotty

 

[30-338]

Scotty, I pick up 36lbs of Tac afew years ago when PV had it $6/7 per lbs got it to replace H-335. Been a good powder for some of my volume PD rifles.

With the Kreiger barrel I was hoping for around 2750/2775fps with 225gr bullets. I also chrongraphed some Sierra 225gr and 225gr TSX. I'll try some R-15 and I got a some Brigadier-3032 alittle faster than IMR-3031 give that a try.

 

[SJB358]

I know alot of folks have been getting more speed and similar accuracy out of TAC that I am getting out of RL15. I can push the 225gr TSX to just under 2800 really easily. It is over book loads, but really, any 35 Whelen data is pretty lame, except for Alliants data. I would think you could get the AccuBond up to nearly 2800 or over fairly easily. That right there puts it with the 338 Win Mag, and over alot of 338WM factory loads. Good luck. Scotty

 

[Guest]

I have a Remington 700 Classic in 35 Whelen, just wanted to know from Beretz who replied earlier, are you shooting those current loads using new brass or resized 1x or 2x fired brass ? Just curious about the pressures you may see at the 2800 fps level. I just loaded up some 225 Accubonds with R15 but haven't been to the range yet to perform some testing.

Thanks,
Don

 

[SJB358]

I am shooting a Remington CDL with the 24" barrel. I haven't used the 225gr Accubonds, but have been shooting the TSX's for a few years and the 250gr Speers. I have ran up to 60gr's with the 225's with 0 issues as far as pressure signs. I stopped at 60gr's cause the speed was so good and accuracy was excellent. No difficult bolt lift, marks on the case, or less than usual case life. The 250's have been ran to 59gr's with the same lack of pressure signs. I am using Remington Cases for the 35 Whelen and CCI250 primers. Overall, RL15 seems to fill the case with most bullets, have a lightly compressed load that doesn't show any pressure signs.

I have also shot this load in 90* heat recently and didn't have any issues. If you look at Speers most current data, they do show 59gr's for a 250. Not saying it is safe in all rifles, but the load data is there. Good luck. Scotty

 

[Guest]

Thanks your info is really helpful.

Don

 

[JD338]

Don,

I have the same rifle. Those 700 Classics are shooters too!
RL 15 is a excellent powder with the 225 gr AB. This is an honest 350-400 yd elk rifle.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Without a doubt. 35 Whelen is an excellent cartridge, and the Rem M700 platform has worked really well for it. I love mine. I am a Winchester guy at heart, but I really like my 35 Whelen CDL. Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

Try some of those 140 gr. Accubonds and Partitions in that thing. My .280 really like 54.0 grs. of IMR4350 for about 2940 fps in a 22" barrel, and Magnum primers and 59.0 grs. of H4831SC for about the same velocity!

It might be interesting to see what H100V would do in it as well. I didn't have that powder to try in my .280 before I sold it...........

 

[30-338]

I know alot of folks have been getting more speed and similar accuracy out of TAC that I am getting out of RL15. I can push the 225gr TSX to just under 2800 really easily. It is over book loads, but really, any 35 Whelen data is pretty lame, except for Alliants data. I would think you could get the AccuBond up to nearly 2800 or over fairly easily. That right there puts it with the 338 Win Mag, and over alot of 338WM factory loads. Good luck. Scotty[/quote

Well was up the gunsmith today he used a Shilen barrel for his Whelen 25" long. We both loaded up some R-15 and 225gr Accubone and TSX with max load of 59gr/R-15 both rifles with 225gr AccuBond just under 2700fs and mid 2600 with the TSX. We had shot a known load to check velocity with the Chronograph everything was fine. He just got a new 8lbs of IMR-4064 we worked that up in both rifles with 58gr/IMR4064 and 225gr AccuBond his rifle was 2775fps mine was 2772fps. I got some of his loads to shoot over my chronograph need to check that out.

 

[SJB358]

Darn, I recind my statement about RL15 being good for the 35 Whelen. That is some really cooking speeds. I may have to give some 4064 a try if I can grab some Accubonds the next time at the bullet store.

I am also kinda of shallow on the intel for other powders for the Whelen. I really have only used RL15 since it was recommended by a bunch of folks. Looks like 4064 is pretty awesome also. Now I wanna try out the 225gr Accubonds. They are screaming and alot less expensive than 225gr TSX's, and better BC'ed! Thanks for sharing that data 30-338. Now I have another combo to try out! Scotty

 

[JD338]

I used IMR 4064 in my Whelen for a long time. Never clocked any loads but they shot very well.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Man, now I feeling like I have been missing the boat. Oh well, I have a lb of it sitting here, so I may try it out when I can get some Accubonds. I guess I quit messing with the Whelen's powder when I was getting accuracy and speed out of RL15, never even thought of trying 4064. Scotty

 

[30-338]

Man, now I feeling like I have been missing the boat. Oh well, I have a lb of it sitting here, so I may try it out when I can get some Accubonds. I guess I quit messing with the Whelen's powder when I was getting accuracy and speed out of RL15, never even thought of trying 4064. Scotty

Scotty both our 35 whelen are 1/12 twist barrels not sure what a factory is so you may have a good load for your rifle. I just pulled up Rem site and factory barrels are 1/16 twist.

 

[JD338]

30-338

You are correct, my 700 Classic has a 1:16 twist and the CDL is the same.

JD338