Vit. N135 for .358 Win

[bullet]

Scotty,

When you are considering powders for the 358, you've listed some good ones. Don't neglect some of the newer powders such as 10X and Benchmark. I am getting some excellent results that merit more careful examination. W748 yields some very fine velocities and good groups, also. Generally, you can work with any of the powders in the intermediate burning rate category, but it almost appears that the powders on the faster end of that category of powders are yielding good to excellent results.

Did you ever get any AA2495 powder? Also this powder is great for the 250gr bullets also. My last trial which was yesterday with my accurate load of 46.5grs yielded 2416fps. Still under and inch with the Ruger Hawkeye.

 

[DrMike]

Bullet,

Were you wanting to share some of your powder? I know you have plenty.

I bought a pound, and I have already loaded up several sets of loads. However, the high today looks to be about -25. It should warm up by the first of next week. I hope to get out to the range then. I have some other loads to pop off as well.

Consequently, my Hawkeye in 35 Whelen came in today. There are only three in Canada, and I managed to snag one. However, the checkering is really messed up. It looks like Ruger used a dull cutter to cut the checkering. The distributor offered me a $100 discount, and I'll use the money to have a local stock maker to re-cut the checkering. It won't be as pretty, but since the rifle will be a working gun, I can live with it. I'll be working up several loads for it over the next couple of months.

 

[SJB358]

Mike, I will keep that in mind about the powders.

You are going to like that 35 Whelen. I was just looking tonight to see what I wanna load next for mine. I really want to load it with 250's at about 2550 or 2600. I would think it would be about perfect with that bullet weight and be plenty for big game as far as I want to shoot at them. R15 is about the best thing I have seen out of the Whelen. It is very clean and seems to be very accurate too. Plus, it fills the case well, and gets excellent velocity. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I had a Remington Classic in 35 Whelen. I sold it to buy this one. It pains me to divest myself of any rifle, but I thought sure that I'd like the Hawkeye after my experience with the 358. I have no doubt that it will shoot well, I just have to work on making it look somewhat pretty. Life's too short to hunt with an ugly rifle. I had focused on 225 ABs in the other rifle, and I'll undoubtedly review much of that data first thing with this one. I will likely work up a few loads with the 250 grain Partition and/or 250 grain Woodleighs. The thrill of working up the load will keep me going for a while.

 

[SJB358]

Right now my go to load is a load of 60gr's of R15 and the 225gr TSX. It has proved to be very accurate and very dependable on big animals. I would like to try the less expensive Speer or Hornady 250's. I am pretty sure they would survive well at Whelen velocities and are a lot less harder on the wallet. Plus, they are a pretty decently shaped to reach out there and still put the smack down at 300+ and that is kind of my goal for most loads. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

On the Whelen, it is hard to beat RL15. My experience has been all positive. The Speer and/or the Hornady will work quite well on elk and moose, to say nothing black bear. I saw the effect of a 250 grain Hornady SP from my 358 BLR on a bison. Whilst I might have gotten better performance with a 225 Partition, it thumped that buffalo with authority. The Whelen could only do the job with great authority, I should imagine.

 

[SJB358]

That will probably be my two rifles that go to Idaho this fall. The 358 Win and the 35 Whelen. Hopefully the Whelen will shoot one of the Speers or Hornady's well. I am thinking R15 should be about right for both of those also. Seems like the powder was made for the Whelen. I haven't seen many others that get so near to the 338 Win Mag performance without extra pressures and within book specs. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

In my estimate, you'll be toting two of the finest calibres imaginable. Within reasonable distance, either will work very well on elk and deer. They speak with real authority on black bear. Not bad. Good luck on the Idaho hunt this Fall. What are do you intend to hunt?

 

[SJB358]

Elk is what I intend to hunt, but I always buy my bear and deer tags also. Maybe a wolf tag too if they actually open a season to them this year! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Take a predator call and you might just be able to call a wolf in. Even if there is no season, it is neat to watch them come running. If there is a season, bonus.

I do love my 35s. I'm experimenting with X-Terminator and 200 grain TSXs at the moment, in addition to taking a look-see at 2495 with with 225 Sierras and 225 Partitions.

 

[SJB358]

I always have the predator call, next to the elk call! I am going to try AA2520. I got some good data the other day from them and so I am going to give it a shot with some 225's. I have a few others in mind too. Hopefully the big 35's will have some time to stretch their legs a little this spring/fall. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I just commented on another thread that results for the spring grizzly draw were just released. I found out that I didn't get drawn. On the other hand, I deliberately chose areas that are near to my home and that have a lower success rate for draws as they have a lower harvest and higher application rate. However, there is wolf and a fall draw for grizzly.