Bought a 35 Whelen

Was going to do a JES rebore but my son Ben put me onto a Ruger77 tang safety model. Came with a Leupold VX1 3x9 and 2.5 boxes of Rem 200gr shells. Got dies ordered and some Hornady 200gr SP. Going through my powders today and looking at loading data was wondering if anybody has used BLC-2 in the Whelen? Velocity looks good. Got an average of 2629 fps out of the factory shells today. Dan.

Congrats on the new rifle, can't wait to see it. I have used BLC(2) but only with 220's and heavier. It was erratic with speed but overall was pretty fast, accuracy was fair. Since you have it already it is worth a try to see how it works in your rifle. I followed the general rule with BLC(2) of using a magnum primer with older ball powders and you might wish to as well.

I'm still in the process of thinking about getting a .35 Whelen.
Would I like to get one? Oh hell yes!
If I could find one for a decent price, and I have the cash to buy it, you bet I would.
Maybe I'll rebore one of my many .30-06's I have to a .35 Whelen!
I know they're a whopper when on the receiving end.


Hawk

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I do believe you'll be pleased with your Ruger. Funnily enough, I never worked up a load with BLC(2). I have no doubt it will work well, but I focused on other propellants (RL15, IMR 4895, H4895, IMR 8208XBR, A2520 and W748). None of the Whelans I've worked with were particularly fussy about propellant. All those mentioned worked well to deliver good accuracy and velocity.

I have used 4064, 4895, 3031 and have read the Varget and RL-15 are also great powders. I load nothing but the 250's in mine as I believe that the cartridge was designed for the heavier bullet. One can shoot 200 grain bullets in 06, the 35, does better with the heavier bullets.

Any powder that works in the 308/223 works for the Whelen mostly.

Try what you’ve got, with magnum primers to light that stuff off.

Like Mike said, the old Whelen isn’t fussy, congrats on that rifle. Fairly hard to find a Ruger 35 Whelen.

A buddy of mine who outfits 10 bear hunts a year on the Alaska peninsula says the 35 whelan loaded with swift Aframes is probably the most under appreciated big bear killer. One of his long time guides has carried one as his stopper for 20 years.
You’ll be ready should you go looking for trouble in a 10 foot bear!


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gerry":3n5qziu0 said:

Congrats on the new rifle, can't wait to see it. I have used BLC(2) but only with 220's and heavier. It was erratic with speed but overall was pretty fast, accuracy was fair. Since you have it already it is worth a try to see how it works in your rifle. I followed the general rule with BLC(2) of using a magnum primer with older ball powders and you might wish to as well.

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Was reading Ken Waters last night and his tests with BLC-2 was erratic also and quit using it. I have most of the powders that has been suggested so plan on starting out with H4895 when the dies and bullets get here. Will try different powder/bullet combo as I like to have more than one load incase stuff is hard to find like right now. Thanks for all the replies. Dan.

EXCELLENT!

Looking forward to seeing photos of the rifle - I miss my old tang safety Ruger 77, it was a 300 Win Mag. Great all-around rifle.

What a cool cartridge! And you'll have lots of 35 Whelen folks here on the Nosler Forum for comparing notes.

Enjoy that thumper!

Regards, Guy

You are going to enjoy your new 35 Whelen. I've been loading for my 700 Classic since 1988. AA2015BR, IMR4064 and RL15 have all been supurb powders. The 35 Whelen really comes alive with 225-250 gr bullets and RL15.This past season I used my 35 Whelen loaded with a 250 gr PT at 2585 fps to take a nice buck, DRT. My buddy used his custom Ruger 77 with the Speer 250 gr Hot Core to take a doe. She only went 20 yards and the blood trail was amazing. The 250 gr bullets hit hard!

JD338

JD338 thanks for the info and picture. Was looking at a Remington like yours on a auction site till this Ruger showed up. It was to good a deal to pass up. I plan on trying other bullets as well as RL15 but right now now bullets hard to come by. Like to never found a set of dies. Looking forward to getting this project going. I'll keep you all posted how it turns out. Dan.

Let me know what Bullets you need. I happen to keep some 358 Bullets squirreled away for new Whelen shooters! :mrgreen:

Been loading my new Whelen for about a year now, started with Varget 59 grains under a 225 grain AccuBond or Partition has been very accurate and consistent. over 2800 fps (24 inch gain twist 1:12 barrel) I do have some 250 grain Swift A frames and Speer Sp's to play with. I tried the lighter variety (200 grain Barnes TTSX) but if you want to use the 35 to its full potential 225 grain fodder is perfect. IMO if you want to shoot 200 grain bullets stick with the 30-06, above 200 it really starts to shine. Some new powders have come out being applied to the Whelen specifically CFE 223, and 2000MR both producing top end velocities with 225-250 grain 35 Cal bullets. Good luck, I love mine.

Here’s some pictures of Dan’s OLD rifle :twisted:

Nicely done gentlemen!

SJB358":1kko98n8 said:

Here’s some pictures of Dan’s OLD rifle :twisted:

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Scotty I hope it gives you lots of enjoyment. Glad I got to meet you and thanks for the unloved Remington, lol :lol: Dan.

I really have a strong liking for the .35 Whelen. First used 250 gr. bullets but no game taken. Drawing tags for big game here is AZ is like trying to with the Powerball lottery. Lucked out on a Kaibab deer tag finally but they asked hunters to go monometal. I tried the Barnes TSX with Re15 and worked up to a max load for my rifle. @700+ FPS and .50 to .75" groups. Didn't et a deer that year but two years later did an elk hunt in New Mexico and the Whelen/TSX combo was a winning combination. In fact it has worked so well for me that I haven't even tried seeing what other bullet/powder combo might work.
The rifle is a custom on an Oberndorf Mauser action, 1 in 14" twist barrel. Brass is Remington, 60.4" gr. Re15, Winchester WLR primer and the 225 gr. TSX bullet.
Paul B.