35 whelen

[Hank Hunter]

Just picked one up. What powders are you guys using with 250 grain bullets?

 

[lefty315]

I am having some very good groups with RL 15 and a 250 Speer HotCore.

 

[JD338]

I have a 700 Classic in 35 Whelen, 1988 vintage. Back then I was using IMR4064 and AA2015 with great accuracy for both 225 gr and 250 gr loads.
I just started working up some loads with RL15 and the 225 gr AB. This is a great powder for the 35 Whelen.

JD338

 

[Thebear_78]

varget with 250gr bullets for just over 2400fps, very accurate load and H322 for 225 grs

 

[RogueRiver]

I have used it on Elk bear, (blacktail deer and mule deer-200 rm cl W 59 grn of blc2).

I tried 2 other powders when I got mine and accuracy was ok but when I tried BLC2 I was amazed and have not used another powder in that gun since.

 

[SJB358]

I use R15 with 225's and 250's and it seems to be a perfect powder for the 35 Whelen. Listed as over 2700FPS with the 225's and close to 2600 with the 250's. That is pretty close to 338WM territory, and less recoil. Scotty

 

[tjen]

I haven't loaded for the whelen yet, Reloader #15 and 225gr Accubonds will be my first load. Then the 250gr partitions. If you do alot of shooting I can see why a 250 speer/hornady would keep costs down, but for just hunting loads the partiton sure does it right.

Is there much load tweeking between the 225gr AB and the Partition if you keep the OAL at the base of the ogive the same using a comparitor?

A few here know I have been playing with the 358win lately so my whelen has been neglected.

 

[BK]

I the past I have used IMR3031, but I think when I shoot up the last of the ammo I have loaded, I will also try RL15.

 

[taylorce1]

Make me another RL 15 user, for both my .338-06 and .35 Whelen. Might try some Ramshot Big Game powder though. I'll have to find it but I have some pretty impressive data for Ramshot powders.

 

[tjRoberts]

Another vote for RL-15
...tj3006

 

[SJB358]

Unless your rifle hates R15, you are likely to to use the powder. It has great velocity with the 225's and 250's. You can push a 250 upwards of 2600FPS which puts your mild recoiling 35 Whelen in the 338 Win Mag territory. Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

One more vote for RL15. I used 60 grains or so but with the 225 grain.



Cartridge : .35 Whelen
Bullet : .358, 250, Nosler PART SP 44801
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch or 84.84 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch or 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-15

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 50.40 2329 3010 42334 6758 96.3 1.379
-09.0 93 50.96 2353 3073 43692 6829 96.7 1.360
-08.0 94 51.52 2377 3138 45094 6897 97.0 1.340
-07.0 95 52.08 2402 3202 46541 6963 97.3 1.322
-06.0 96 52.64 2426 3267 48036 7027 97.6 1.303
-05.0 97 53.20 2450 3333 49579 7089 97.9 1.285 ! Near Maximum !
-04.0 98 53.76 2474 3399 51173 7149 98.2 1.267 ! Near Maximum !
-03.0 99 54.32 2499 3466 52820 7206 98.5 1.249 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 100 54.88 2523 3533 54522 7261 98.7 1.232 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 101 55.44 2547 3600 56280 7313 98.9 1.215 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 102 56.00 2571 3669 58097 7362 99.1 1.199 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.0 103 56.56 2595 3737 59976 7410 99.3 1.182 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 104 57.12 2619 3806 61919 7454 99.4 1.167 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 105 57.68 2642 3876 63929 7496 99.6 1.151 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 106 58.24 2666 3946 66009 7535 99.7 1.135 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 107 58.80 2690 4016 68161 7571 99.8 1.120 !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 56.00 2674 3970 69370 7094 100.0 1.118 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 56.00 2425 3265 47223 7285 94.2 1.307

 

[SJB358]

That is my load with the 225gr TSX. It is a very accurate and man, it is a power house. I am pretty sold on R15 for the 35 Whelen. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I have had good success with 53.5 grains of Big Game and 225 AB, and with 61 grains of W748 and 225 AB in my Remington Model 700 BDL. I had such great success with my .358 Hawkeye, that I decided that I needed a new one in 35 Whelen. Consequently, this will probably mean that I have to sell my Remington. This is a great cartridge.

 

[SJB358]

How do you like the Hawkeye in 35 Whelen? I bought one in 308 for my wife and it is a great little rifle. I would have preferred a Ruger M77 when I bought my Whelen, but Remington was the only one available at the time. I am completely happy with my Remington CDL, but I like the all weather ability of the Stainless Synthetic. Plus, on the odd change I ever get to hunt the big bears of Alaska or Canada, it would be a toss up between the Whelen and the 338 Win Mag. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I ordered the Hawkeye yesterday. I bought a Hawkeye chambered in 358 this past fall, and it shoots far better than it should. I have several loads that give me great velocity and sub-MOA groups. I was so impressed with the workmanship on that 358 that I decided to pick up a Hawkeye in 35 Whelen.

Originally, I was told that the 35 Whelen was not being imported into Canada. However, when I checked yesterday, I found that the distributor had three rifles in stock and immediately laid claim to one. When it gets here and when the whether warms a little, I'll let you know how it shoots.

 

[SJB358]

I agree about the Hawkeyes, they seem to be pretty well built rifles. I would really like to get one in 358, but since I haven't really finished putting the BLR 358 together, I will have to wait on that. I know the Remington CDL is 35 Whelen is a great shooter. I like how it handles and points, but I am bigger fan of Rugers. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Your BLR should be a fine rifle. Mine shoots quite well. There are certainly no flies on the CDLs. They are a handsome rifle and those that I have shot (admittedly in other calibres), shot very well. I would not be displeased to own a CDL. Frankly, I was not displeased with my Classic. In fact, if I don't get what I am asking for it, I'll probably keep it. After all, I do have a BLR in 358, and it shoots surprisingly well. I have several loads for it that give me between 0.6 and 0.8 inch. I used it a couple of years ago to take a bison.

 

[SJB358]

Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, I like the CDL and the BLR. They are both becoming favorites. I just would have preferred the Ruger, but I am pretty content with the Remington and Browning. I really am becoming a huge fan of the .35 Cal rifles. The Whelen has taken some nice animals so far, and the Browning has done well for me also. I think if I can get it past the wife, I will get another 35, just not sure which one yet. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Gotta' loave those 35s. They are all great cartridges.