TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 2,789
- 2,856
That is a great story, Congratulations on your first bear.
First Ever Bear (Contains Some Graphic Content)
- Thread starter KinleyWater
- Start date
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,608
- 4,050
congratulations
Alaska
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2006
- 963
- 422
Nice bear !
- Thread starter
- #24
KinleyWater
Handloader
- Jun 15, 2019
- 1,132
- 1,574
Thanks!
Congratulations on your first bear. Good choice on the .35 Whelen. It's one of my favorite cartridges for big game.
"perhaps the currently impossible to find 220gr HotCor FP, or even one of the 200gr RNSPs."
I could be wrong but I think those 220 gr. Hot Cores were discontinued a few years ago. I do remember someonc complaining loudly about that back then.
Probably my bullet of choice would be the 225 gr. TSX or maybe the TTSX. I've used the former on elk six time with six one shot kills. It all depends if your rifle likes them or not. My custom Mauser loves them but My Remington 700 Classic and Ruger M77 not so much All three are chambered to the .35 Whelen. All three also shoot the 250 gr. Speer Hot Core into nice groups.
Paul B.
"perhaps the currently impossible to find 220gr HotCor FP, or even one of the 200gr RNSPs."
I could be wrong but I think those 220 gr. Hot Cores were discontinued a few years ago. I do remember someonc complaining loudly about that back then.
Probably my bullet of choice would be the 225 gr. TSX or maybe the TTSX. I've used the former on elk six time with six one shot kills. It all depends if your rifle likes them or not. My custom Mauser loves them but My Remington 700 Classic and Ruger M77 not so much All three are chambered to the .35 Whelen. All three also shoot the 250 gr. Speer Hot Core into nice groups.
Paul B.
- Thread starter
- #27
KinleyWater
Handloader
- Jun 15, 2019
- 1,132
- 1,574
Thanks!
That was back in 22, but on of the things I don't mind is chewing over old stuff - in this forum, anyway. People here are by and large great, and I really mean that.
I have not seen the 220HC for sale in quite some time, and I don't see them on Speers site, either, so I think it's a safe bet to assume they've been discontinued. I have some old 200 grain X bullets, I think first generation, and I cannot remember where, but I seem to remember some complaints about failure to open. Of course, that could just be campfire excuses for missing the target - I just don't know.
As it happens, I have another hunt for bear planned for this spring in Idaho, but this will be self-guided (read likely to end in failure). I was planning on building a 308 load using Nosler ABs for it, but I don't think I will have the time now. May have to go back to the Whelen with that 250 load, or *gasp* buy some factory!!!
wvbuckbuster
Handloader
- Nov 5, 2015
- 2,984
- 3,185
The Sperr 220gr HC has been discontinued. I used a Fury 35 cal 220gr couple years ago in my Whelen and it worked fine on a 7pt WV whitetail. Got good groups with it. They come 50 to a bag. Might check them out if you want to stay with that style and bullet weight.
jakasspeech5
Beginner
- Jul 16, 2024
- 12
- 11
If the 225 TSX doesn’t group, try the 250 Speer—consistently accurate in multiple rifles
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That would have been my second choice if the TSX bullet hadn't shot well.
Paul B.
Aussie Wanderer
Beginner
- May 5, 2022
- 244
- 591
A great read thank you. I imagine this will be relived around many future campfires. Tough hunting conditions and would have been very easy to not persevere. Well done
