35 Whelen Loads

[truck driver]

Well guys I couldn't help but resurrect this post since my new acquisition and after reviewing it I have found that everyone really went out of there way to help me decide on the 35 Whelen. 8)
As you have seen I tried to make my dream of a custom 35 Whelen come true and it may happen in the future since I still have the M70 and it isn't going any where.
I'm really excited about the 700 classic I got from Lee and can hardly wait to get a scope on it and shoot it. For the time being I have an older 6X in the safe that has been on every gun I have owned at one time or another and it will have to do for now until I send a 2-10 back to Bushnell for repairs from it's Weatherby experience. I really like the 2-10 power range for all around hunting and shooting. But then I could also take the Zeiss off the Weatherby and put that on her. :roll:
Thanks again for every ones help and to Lee for making his rifle available for my Whelen experience. :grin:

 

[SJB358]

You'll have alot of fun once you start shooting it buddy. Mine has been a cinch to load for and delivers great results both on the hunting fields and the range. That Classic will be a super rifle.

 

[DrMike]

The Whelen is earning its place in the field and at the bench, Rodger. It is a great cartridge, and your Classic will be a pleasure to load for and to use.

 

[sask boy]

Rodger again congratulations on that 35 Whelen the 700 is a great rifle. If you can get your hands on some RL15 you have a powder that will make the 35 Whelen look like a super calibre :wink:. Scotty gave me his load for the 225gr. AccuBond & it was .5 MOA in mine. I wish that I could shoot like Scotty cause I believe you could play to a .5 or so MOA @ 200 yards!!
I am sure looking for to your load development, with range reports & photos :wink:.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DON]

Fell in Love with the Whelen after the first shot. Couldn't believe how this gun could group so well for a 35 Caliber after shooting 30 caliber all my life.

I think my 30-06 recoils more too!!

Don

 

[SJB358]

I cannot take the credit for the RL15 loads in the Whelen. After I had a crappy experience with the 200 grain Remington PSP's, I started looking for a better bullet and found this guys data.

http://35cal.com/loading.html#700classic

His loads were WAY above anything I ever saw in any manual, and I was working with the 225 TSX at the time.

I started low and started creeping up and stopped around 59-60 grains with the TSX. I didn't get a chance to chrono the load until after I had already taken a bull elk and a black bear. To my surprise I was at 2730 or something. Didn't much matter, I zeroed it 3" high at 100 yards and shot it out to 400 yards. I shot the elk at 150-175 yards and the black bear at about 50. Both of them died on the spot. Shot a couple deer with the same load that fall. It worked okay on deer, not the hammer to the ground effect the PT's have. I switched over to 250PT's and later the 225AB's, all of them have shot excellent with RL15. Case life has been excellent with the loads. They do flatten primers some in my rifle around 60 grains, but I am not loosening primer pockets at all and the accuracy is as good as I can shoot.

I haven't tried it, but RL17 might be really good in the Whelen too. Haven't tried it yet, but it looks good for case fill and FPS with 250's.

Cartridge : .35 Whelen
Bullet : .358, 250, Nosler PART SP 44801
Useable Case Capaci: 61.198 grain H2O = 3.974 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.400 inch = 86.36 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 87 51.20 2144 2552 30119 6761 92.1 1.556
-18.0 89 52.48 2200 2688 32243 6972 93.4 1.512
-16.0 91 53.76 2257 2827 34527 7173 94.6 1.468
-14.0 93 55.04 2314 2971 36986 7361 95.7 1.425
-12.0 95 56.32 2370 3119 39639 7535 96.7 1.380
-10.0 97 57.60 2427 3270 42503 7695 97.5 1.336
-08.0 99 58.88 2484 3425 45598 7839 98.3 1.294
-06.0 102 60.16 2540 3582 48951 7966 98.9 1.253
-04.0 104 61.44 2597 3744 52586 8076 99.3 1.214
-02.0 106 62.72 2653 3908 56535 8167 99.7 1.176 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 108 64.00 2709 4074 60833 8238 99.9 1.139 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 110 65.28 2765 4244 65522 8288 100.0 1.104 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 112 66.56 2820 4415 70647 8323 100.0 1.070 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 115 67.84 2875 4590 76264 8354 100.0 1.037 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 117 69.12 2930 4766 82442 8381 100.0 1.004 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 119 70.40 2985 4946 89253 8403 100.0 0.974 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 108 64.00 2826 4434 74061 7810 100.0 1.056 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 108 64.00 2533 3561 49346 8291 95.6 1.251


That right there is very close to 338 Win Mag specs.. It really only lags behind my 338 Win Mag load about 75-100FPS.. It's impressive.

 

[truck driver]

Sheeesh 2700fps with a ton and 3/4 lbs of muzzle energy S$%&$%#T.
What a stomper.

 

[sask boy]

Rodger trust us :lol: you know we would not steer you wrong :mrgreen:. You know what might look real good on that lady? A Leuy straight 6X I know jerry & a couple of other members really like that piece of glass. Maybe in the VX-3 or VX-R if they make them.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[orchemo]

Another Whelen article. I have three Whelens. Two Rem 700 Classics and a Rem 7400 carbine. The 7400 is not a pretty rifl, but if you keep the chamber clean and oiled, it shoots well. With a 1.5-5 Leupold scope, it is quite a handy little brush gun. I have been pondering buying a Winchester Big Bore 375 Win, but the Whelen will do everything it does plus lots more.

http://gunsmagazine.com/the-35-whelen/

 

[truck driver]

Thanks for the link orchemo. Couldn't help but notice that Varget and Tac powder was the favorite powders in this writers column. I had read some where that Varget was good in medium bores but can't remember where, So many new powders it can be confusing. I'm glad I have the 35 Whelen encyclopedia here on line with all the load data tested and approved by Nosler members. :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Rodger, Varget is real good as well. Varget and RL15 are virtually about the same in burn speed. It was going to be my back up to RL15, but since I never got as far as using it, I have 0 experience, but I am sure it works excellent.

Finding either of the those powders are like finding unicorns right now, but if you can, I would grab all you can.

 

[gerry]

In my old 35 Whelen Varget was the best with 225 gr Accubonds and TSX bullets, in my new gun Varget did quite well with the 200 gr AccuBond. In the new gun IMR 8208 has been the best with the 200 gr AB and TTSX, preliminary work with the 225 gr AB looks quite good with that powder as well. Big Game looks quite good so far with 250 gr Speer's and 275 gr Woodleighs. In my old gun RL 15 did well, I just got 2 lbs to try in the new gun.

 

[DrMike]

Barsness was one of the first major writers to advocate TAC in the medium bore rifles. Barnes had suggested it in unpublished materials. It appears to be a good performer. I would likely have more luck finding a unicorn in my backyard than finding TAC at the present. I believe Gerry is right in pointing toward IMR 8208 XBR as a good powder.

 

[truck driver]

From what I've read about IMR 8208 XBR you can practically just fill the case and seat a bullet on top and still not reach max pressures. Compressed loads of 61.0 grs under a 225AB and only 49,000psi and 2773fps.
Just wondering what RL17 will do with the 200 & 225AB?

 

[SJB358]

Barsness was one of the first major writers to advocate TAC in the medium bore rifles. Barnes had suggested it in unpublished materials. It appears to be a good performer. I would likely have more luck finding a unicorn in my backyard than finding TAC at the present. I believe Gerry is right in pointing toward IMR 8208 XBR as a good powder.

I think powders like IMR4320 and 4064 are overlooked as well. I had REALLY good luck with FPS and accuracy with the 200 grain Hornady's and 4064. I have heard of some others really doing well with 4320.

This was a couple groups at 200 yards with the Hornady and 4064. Wanna say they were smoking along at 2850 or better as well.





I wanna say I was around 60-61 grains of 4064..

Cartridge : .35 Whelen
Bullet : .358, 200, Hornady SPSP 3510
Useable Case Capaci: 64.501 grain H2O = 4.188 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : IMR 4064

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 98 54.90 2579 2954 42671 6867 93.9 1.236
-09.0 99 55.51 2607 3018 44069 6946 94.4 1.218
-08.0 100 56.12 2635 3083 45515 7023 94.8 1.200
-07.0 101 56.73 2663 3148 47010 7097 95.2 1.183
-06.0 102 57.34 2690 3214 48557 7170 95.6 1.166
-05.0 103 57.95 2718 3281 50157 7241 96.0 1.149
-04.0 104 58.56 2746 3348 51813 7310 96.4 1.133
-03.0 105 59.17 2773 3416 53527 7376 96.7 1.117
-02.0 106 59.78 2801 3484 55302 7441 97.1 1.101 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 108 60.39 2829 3554 57139 7502 97.4 1.086 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 109 61.00 2856 3623 59043 7562 97.7 1.071 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 110 61.61 2884 3694 61015 7618 98.0 1.056 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 111 62.22 2912 3765 63059 7672 98.2 1.041 ! Near Maximum !
+03.0 112 62.83 2939 3836 65178 7724 98.5 1.027 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 113 63.44 2967 3908 67376 7772 98.7 1.012 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 114 64.05 2994 3981 69656 7818 98.9 0.998 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 109 61.00 2981 3946 69964 7436 100.0 0.999 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 109 61.00 2690 3214 48467 7341 91.7 1.164

 

[DrMike]

Very nice, Scotty. Those are loads that will get the job done.

 

[SJB358]

From what I've read about IMR 8208 XBR you can practically just fill the case and seat a bullet on top and still not reach max pressures. Compressed loads of 61.0 grs under a 225AB and only 49,000psi and 2773fps.
Just wondering what RL17 will do with the 200 & 225AB?

I think 17 might be a little too slow in order to get full speeds out of the 200's, but the 225's and 250's might show some promise.

Here is what QL shows for 8208 and a 225AB

Cartridge : .35 Whelen
Bullet : .358, 225, Nosler AccuBond 50712
Useable Case Capaci: 57.585 grain H2O = 3.739 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : IMR 8208 XBR

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 92 48.60 2426 2940 44493 6226 97.1 1.293
-09.0 93 49.14 2450 2999 45902 6286 97.4 1.275
-08.0 94 49.68 2475 3060 47356 6345 97.7 1.257
-07.0 95 50.22 2499 3120 48856 6402 98.0 1.240
-06.0 96 50.76 2523 3181 50405 6456 98.3 1.223
-05.0 97 51.30 2548 3243 52003 6509 98.5 1.207
-04.0 98 51.84 2572 3305 53653 6560 98.7 1.191
-03.0 99 52.38 2596 3367 55357 6608 98.9 1.175 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 100 52.92 2620 3430 57117 6654 99.1 1.159 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 101 53.46 2644 3493 58935 6698 99.3 1.144 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 102 54.00 2668 3557 60813 6739 99.4 1.129 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 103 54.54 2692 3621 62754 6778 99.6 1.114 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 104 55.08 2716 3685 64761 6815 99.7 1.099 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 105 55.62 2740 3750 66835 6849 99.8 1.085 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 106 56.16 2763 3815 68981 6881 99.9 1.071 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 107 56.70 2787 3880 71200 6910 99.9 1.057 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 54.00 2764 3817 71725 6479 100.0 1.059 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 54.00 2531 3200 50203 6721 95.3 1.221

It actually seems a little fast for 225's, but speeds look pretty good. I bet it's good though. Pretty much anything that works well in a 308 works well in the 35 Whelen.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice, Scotty. Those are loads that will get the job done.

I was sorta goofing off with them Mike. Gerry was posting some great stuff with his 35 Whelen and 200's and I wanted to try to see what sorta loads mine would turn in. I might be a little concerned with that 200 Hornady on close shots run that fast. Now, the AB, Northfork, or TSX... :twisted:

 

[DrMike]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with the InterLock (or any cup-and-core bullet) at 2850 or less. It would deliver a serious thump to whatever received it. While I would prefer a more robust bullet primarily because I might meet a grizzly at any point in my hunting in this area, I would imagine that a 200 grain InterLock at 2800 fps would serve to deter them from becoming overly aggressive. I would prefer more mass, but load you show is still a pretty serious deterrent. It would certainly be better than a stick in the eye should one encounter a determined grizzly.

The grizzly I dropped in 2005 was with my .356, shooting 220 grain Speer Hot-Cors at 2400 fps muzzle velocity. The first shot dropped that bear right smartly, breaking both shoulders.

 

[truck driver]

I have some IMR4064 on hand and will look for some of the others.
Oh just for an up date on me it will be a while before I can shoot because on the dental surgery with bone graphs. Can't have any hard impact to the face ( Recoil ) so I'll have time to do some reloading till then.
The O.A.L. of 3.340, how is that measured in the quick load program?