35 Whelen loads?

[tddeangelo]

Scotty and I have discussed it a little, but thought I'd toss it out for general comment...

Any pet loads, or suggested start points for a 35 Whelen?

I'm kinda fond of Partitions, but not opposed to Accubonds, either. I guess I could be persuaded to run a Hornady Interlock, but would sooner go to a Partition, if possible.

Thanks!

 

[JD338]

Tom,

I ran the 225 gr PT for years with IMR4064 and AA2015 and got excellent accuracy with the 700 Classic.
I now use RL 15 which gives excellent velocity and accuracy.
I am currently loading the 250 gr PT with 59.5 grs RL15. MV is 2574 fps from a 22"" barrel and accuracy is .6".

JD338

 

[tddeangelo]

Thanks, Jim!

This one will have a 24" tube, so should give me just a little bump in velocity. Hopefully.

 

[PJGunner]

My pet load for my custom Mauser in .35 Whelen id 60.4 gr. ofRe15 and the 225 gr. Barnes TSX. It's perfectly safe in that rifle BUT has proved to be too hot in a Remington M700 Classic and Ruger M77. I strongly suggest startingat least two full grains below that and working up. That rifle has a 1 in 14" twist 24" barrel. Velocity runs at 2710 FPS and groups are as small as .50" The largest group with that load has been 1.0". Call the average .75". Flat out does a number on elk.
What little work I've done with Nosler bullets has been with 225 gr. bullets. The rifle does not like the Ballistic Tips and I don't have many left anyway so no big deal. Accubonds have been worked up to 59.0 gr. of Re15 wothout problem. At 60.0 gr. I'm getting pressure signs so will stay with 59.0 Groups with the Accubonds are running right at 1.50". Same charge with the 225 gr. Partitions with groups in the 1.25" range so far. Again, start a couple of grains below that and work up. haven't tried the Nosler bullets in the other two rifles.
A load that had worked very nicely with usuable accuracy is 53.0 gr. of H335 with the 250 gr. Speer Hot Core, and 250 gr. Hornady bullets, both the round nosr and Spire points. velocity ran from 2510 to 2530 FPS average depending on the bullet. Accuracy averaged 1.25 to 1.50", again depending on the bullet used.
I've about settled on 225 gr. bullets in the Mauser, the 250 gr. bullets in the Remington M700 and do my cast bullet work in the Ruger. Makes keeping track of what I'm doing a lot simpler. :lol:
Paul B.

 

[tddeangelo]

Oh, that's a good point...

preferred/standard twist rate on a Whelen? I can have it dialed in as I wish (I think), so I should probably think about that, lol.

 

[DrMike]

When I rebarrelled by Whelen, I went with a 12 twist and Saskboy went with a 14 twist on his. Either handles heavier bullets with aplomb. I've never fully understood why the factories opted for the 16 twist on most of the offerings presented to the public. That twist will stabilise a 250 grain bullet, though it is just on the edge for stabilisation. I do like the faster twist, Tom.

 

[tddeangelo]

Sounds like 12 is the way to fly....I'll have to make a call here shortly and see what the plan was/is. I would imagine 12 twist can be accommodated. Can't imagine a 12 gives up anything on a 14?

My initial look will probably be to 225 PT's if I can find them, but I'm not at all opposed to 250's, other than my "35 newbie" concern that the 250's will be too "elk oriented" when the majority of it's use for me will be whitetails, and hopefully a few elk trips soon.

 

[DrMike]

I went with 12 twist because I was planning on shooting 280 grain A-Frames. I just haven't finalised the load at this time.

 

[JD338]

Tom,

Scotty loads 60.0 grs with the 250 gr PT and gets 2600+ from a 24" barrel.
I would think the same charge weight with the 225 gr PT would get you near 2700 fps.
That would be a potent load.

JD338

 

[tddeangelo]

Jim, for sure. When I get the rifle in hand, hopefully I'll have all my components squared away and we'll find out!

 

[rjm158]

I have used 58.0 RL-15 in my 22 inch Remington 700 with 200 gr Hornady FTX's and 225 gr AB's both of which shoot in the .5-.75 group size depending on how steady I am on a given day. I don't know precise velocity but the 225 AB's were what I chose for deer hunting last year and it accounted for 3 very dead coyotes, a large 10 pt, and a button buck, all one shot kills.

Ron

 

[tddeangelo]

RL-15 seems a good choice, but not easy to come by right now. I have 4064, another one often suggested, and can get 4320 pretty easy, too. Might not get to RL15 till after the supplies are back on the shelves....

 

[sask boy]

As Doc stated my barrel is a 1-14 twist & it would look after 250gr. well. It is unlikely that I will shoot anything heavier than a 225gr ABs but you never know :wink:.
I am shooting 60grs of RL-15 with my 225ABs and they are traveling a little over 2700fps if I remember right 8)
I hunt with a group of 6 people and 2 guys have come out of the closet and now own 35 Whelens since we hunted together last fall.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guest]

Tom,
My 35-Whelen Load is 59.0 RL-15 with Fed 210 Primer. Velocity is 2677 fps and groups .75, 3-shot groups at 100 yards using either the 225 AB or Partition.

My gun is Rem 700 Classic with 22" barrel.

Don

 

[gerry]

57 gr IMR 8208 - 200 gr AccuBond - 2840 fps
56 gr IMR 8208 - 200 gr TTSX - 2833 fps
60 gr Varget - 225 gr AccuBond - 2763 fps
Had good groups as well with RL 15 and XMR 2015 in the past with several different 225 gr slugs with speeds in the 2660-2725 fps range depending on the exact load. Going to try Varget and Big Game with 250 gr Speer's and and the 275 Woodleigh this summer.

 

[PJGunner]

TD. The only reason my custom .35 Whelen has a 1 in 14" twist is I bought the gun from an estate sale at a gun show. It it hd been my build, it would have been a 1 in12" twist. Have you ever been to a gun show, or in a gun shop and something just latched onto you like a hungry cat on a slow mouse? The fit of that rifle was literally absolute perfection, looked gorgeous and I didn't even try to haggle on the price. Besides, it has turned out to be a very lucky rifle. 8)
Paul B.

 

[338 Ultra]

I listened to the guys here when I got my whelen loaded RL-15 under 225 accubonds, over cci-200 primers in resized win 30-06 brass that I had bought 10 or 12 years ago. First load proved to be what I wanted and needed, tight groups and more than flat enough shooting. Never bothered to fool around any more than that and no game has survived the AccuBond onslaught in my hands or my friends who have borrowed her. Very fine cartridge that has 30-06 180 grain trajectory but 338 WM killing power what's not to like? I like a lot of cartridges, but have only a special soft spot for a very limited number of cartridges and the 35 is one of them.

 

[Oldtrader3]

The Powley Computer recommends: IMR 4320, 4895 and 4064 powders as far as IMR loads ware concerned.

 

[tddeangelo]

Thanks, Charlie. I have 4064 on hand, and 4320 seems to be somewhat available locally, so I should have something to work with.

I just ordered 100 of the Speer 250gr Hot Cor bullet...found it for a decent price and it seems to be a well-regarded bullet, so I figured I'd run with it.

I talked to JES yesterday and the rifle arrived. He is going to have it back in the mail to me "early next week", which means I should have it back by next weekend or early the following week. I have some slight fitting to the stock to do yet, and some bedding, and then it should be "go time". Dies and brass are inbound already from Midway. I haven't checked tracking, but they should be here soon. Wish I'd thought to order the bullets at the same time and saved myself a few bucks on shipping, but oh well.

This rifle should be a sweetheart when it's complete. Just hope it shoots like it's supposed to!

 

[sask boy]

I know how exciting it is to get that new rifle and then have the fun of experimenting with it to getting doing what you want it too. Good luck, I am really looking forward to the range reports with photos :wink:

Blessings,
Dan