35 Whelen Elk Loads

[Wondermutt]

Howdy, I am not versed in this round, but was asked by my wife's uncle to reload some for him. He is shooting a classic Rem 700BDL. He plans on shooting no more than 150 yards. He wants a 200G bullet. He has shot four boxes of superformance 200g SP and likes that round. So Hornady once fired brass will be used.

With that, here is what I have for choices:
Powder- Retumbo, Varget, IMR 4350, and enough RL25 for about 20 rounds.
Primers: CCI Large rifle, Winchester LR, Fed LR, Fed Match (215M)
Bullets: Gotta get that still.

With the powder and primers I have, what would you use and what bullet? We will start with the factory length and work on the OAL from there.

Thanks in advance.

WM

 

[SJB358]

WM, of the powders you have listed, I would start out with the Varget, and the 200 grain AB if you set on using 200's. With the rifle you mentioned, I don't see you having any issues working up a good load with the current combo you have.

The primers, just about any you mentioned would work fine. I use CCI250's in my loads, but just about LR primer will work fine.

The Varget you have would also work well with just about any 225 or 250. Depending on what bullets you can find available, I wouldn't be scared of loading any of the PT's or AB's for that rifle. They all tend to shoot pretty well from my CDL.

Good luck, I am betting it won't take too much load work to get a good load and inside of 150 yards, it'll be thunderous.

 

[gerry]

Like Scotty said Varget is the only one suitable for the Whelen with the powders you have. I have used it sucessfully with 200 and 225 gr bullets so far, 61 gr of it gave me a bit over 2800 fps with the 200 gr AccuBond with both Rem 9 1/2 and CCI 250 primers. Work up slowly of course and you will need a drop tube to settle the powder a bit better. Of the current 200 gr bullets available the AccuBond and the Barnes TTSX are the best ones and will deliver excellent performance. While heavier than your uncle wants, if you run across some 225 gr Partition seconds for a good price they are excellent as well.

 

[DrMike]

You've received sound advice. Though there is nothing wrong with 200 grain bullets, I do like the 225 grain bullets in the Whelen; they will give excellent performance.

 

[sask boy]

Another Whelen fan here. If he is only shooting max 150 yards I would take a serious look at the 225 AccuBond or the 225 Partition. Only powder that I have used is RL-15 . I am sorry that I do not have any other information for you.

PS. A range report with photos is always nice :wink:
Blessings,
Dan

 

[Wondermutt]

Thanks a lot guys. Good info. I am really trying to persuade him into the 225g Partition or AB. Any words that I could use to help him understand the difference between the 200 and 225g bullets for his intended use?

I will get some range pics, but our range is national forest. So you may just have to be bored by some of the beauty up here :mrgreen:

 

[gerry]

Pictures would be nice

There isn't that much differfence between the good 200's like the AccuBond and TTSX and the better 225's, if he sticks a bullet in the right place there will be elk steaks in his future. One thing I have noticed is the 225 gr Partition does damage a bit less meat than either of the Accubonds so that is something you could mention to him. The 200 gr TTSX and 225 gr Partition will penetrate a bit deeper than the 200 gr AccuBond but not by much, all of them are good bullets and will deliver for him.

 

[SJB358]

Pictures would be nice

There isn't that much differfence between the good 200's like the AccuBond and TTSX and the better 225's, if he sticks a bullet in the right place there will be elk steaks in his future. One thing I have noticed is the 225 gr Partition does damage a bit less meat than either of the Accubonds so that is something you could mention to him. The 200 gr TTSX and 225 gr Partition will penetrate a bit deeper than the 200 gr AccuBond but not by much, all of them are good bullets and will deliver for him.

Gerry knows the Whelen pretty danged well. I would say get whatever bullet you can. Any/all of them are likely to shoot outta that Remington, and shoot well. None of them will let an elk walk away, much further than 150 yards too. If you can catch something on sale, run with it. Saving a few bucks nowadays isn't a bad thing!

 

[PJGunner]

I have to agree with Scotty on varget being the best powder on the list you gave. I'd also thump for one of the 225 gr, bullets. My pet load uses Re15 and the 225 gr. Barnes TSX at 2710 FPS at the muzzle. I won't give the charge as while pressure signs in my cutom Mauser appear safe, the load was was too hot in my Remington M700 Classic. Accuacy was superb. (.50" to .75" depending on how well I'm shooting on that particular day)
I've just begun work with the 225 gr. Nosler Partition and AccuBond with Re15 and have reached the max load in the Nosler #7 manual with safe pressure signs. Now I have to play with seating depth to see if I can improve accuracy.
I'd originally planned to go with strictly 250 gr. bullets and had a decent load using H335 but a hunt I drew for a coveted Kaibab National Forest tag dictated the use of an all copper bullet. Hunters were asked to "voluntarily" use them to save the Condor so I went aong with the program.
I've taken two elk with that TSX bullet. One was hit just ehing the short ribs as she took off running angling a bit to the left. Bullet exited between the neck and right shoulder. At impact the elk went exactly three feet; straight down. When we opened her up to remove the internals, internal damage was massive. Range about 150 yards.
Elk #2 was way out yonder at about 325 to 350 yards as estimated by the guide and my hunting partner. I held for a lung shot and broke her neck at the base of the skull. :shock: Luckiest shot I ever made as it turned out my scope had decided to die.
Paul B.

 

[sask boy]

Hi Paul, I see that you are working on the 225 gr. Partition & AccuBond. I have been doing quite a bit of shooting with my custom RMR with the 225gr AB and using RL-15.
I am shooting either 59.5 or 60.0grs I will have to check when I get home. I believe that Scotty is shooting just about the same load as well. The OAL is 3.40" I will check that as well later this evening if you are interested.
I think we all agree that if you hit a Elk in the front shoulder or boiler room with the a Whelen bullet it should be meat in the freezer 8).

Blessings,
Dan

 

[tjen]

If he is fine with the recoil FELT recoil of the 200gr bullet at the superperformance velocity the 225gr will be the same or lower. Thats Felt recoil.

The 225gr bullets like the AB or PT are far better than any of the 200 grainers except the mono types. The PT with a MV of 2450 fps is good for 300 yards for both trajectory and the required 1900fps impact velocity. At 150 yards it will be ausum.

I would use a 220gr Hot core over the 200gr's low SD and at 2400fps if recoil was an issue. The again just use a PT/AB/GK of 225grs at any MV over 2400.

 

[JD338]

I have had great success with the 225 gr PT and IMR4064 in the past. RL 15 is an excellent powder with the 225 gr PT, AB or the 250 gr PT.

Any one of these bullets would make for some good elk medicine.

JD338

 

[Wondermutt]

Ok guys, I got the little soldiers all cleaned and dressed up but they have no where to go. I tried to find some 225g accubonds, but no dice. I normally would buy locally, but they are out and have no idea when they will get more.

Notice I said 225g :twisted: I am going to let him decide by shooting both and letting the watermelon down range speak the truth.

 

[sask boy]

If you can locate the 225gr. ABs I don't think you will be sorry :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guy Miner]

The way I heard it, was that if an elk even heard the name "Whelen" he'd quiver a mite, then fall dead, right there....

That's true isn't it? :grin:

 

[DrMike]

The way I heard it, was that if an elk even heard the name "Whelen" he'd quiver a mite, then fall dead, right there....

That's true isn't it? :grin:

They drop even quicker if you add a tad of pixie dust to the Whelen.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Silly question for the Whelen crew. Have you guys ever tried H414 behind the 225's?

 

[Wondermutt]

Where do you guys buy your 225 g bullets from? SPS does not have any.

Thanks

 

[SJB358]

I would look at all the usual suspects, Grafs, Midway, Midsouth, Sinclairs, etc. good choice with trying the 225's. I think you'll be pretty happy with a PT or AB.

 

[AzDak42]

After having shot 200g to 250g out of my light as a feather Whelen, I prefer the 250 Partition and 225 AB. But when it comes to the Whelen, there are no wrong answers. It's a thumper loaded with any premium bullet.