35 Whelen loads

[35WhelenAI]

Interesting, didn't know it was dropped from that manual. With the resurgence of the single shot rifles allowed during southern states primitive rifle seasons, would think they would still show data, even if it isn't including the newer powders.

CFE 223 shows some promise with the 225/250 gr bullets using Speer data, but 2000-MR looks like it will be the best velocity.

Do you have a chrono? Interested in what you get from the Fusion factory loads.

FWIW, from my 25" bbl AI, 2945 fps with the 200 TTSX and IMR4064 with 1 gr over the std Whelen max charge in Barnes data gives .0003" case head expansion. Power Pro Varmint is at 3000 fps and no traditional pressure signs, as well as minimal case head expansion so still working with that powder.

Good luck and hope to hear how it goes.

 

[jsthntn247]

Would have liked to have tried PP Varmint but happy with the results from a single shot CVA.

 

[35WhelenAI]

That's a nice group and load! What's the effective barrel length without a brake, if it has one? Do you know the all-up weight of the rifle, what scope are you using?

I've always had an interest in a single shot standard Whelen.

 

[jsthntn247]

That's a nice group and load! What's the effective barrel length without a brake, if it has one? Do you know the all-up weight of the rifle, what scope are you using?

I've always had an interest in a single shot standard Whelen.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Good looking rifle. Thanks for the pic.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Interesting, didn't know it was dropped from that manual. With the resurgence of the single shot rifles allowed during southern states primitive rifle seasons, would think they would still show data, even if it isn't including the newer powders.

CFE 223 shows some promise with the 225/250 gr bullets using Speer data, but 2000-MR looks like it will be the best velocity.

Do you have a chrono? Interested in what you get from the Fusion factory loads.

FWIW, from my 25" bbl AI, 2945 fps with the 200 TTSX and IMR4064 with 1 gr over the std Whelen max charge in Barnes data gives .0003" case head expansion. Power Pro Varmint is at 3000 fps and no traditional pressure signs, as well as minimal case head expansion so still working with that powder.

Good luck and hope to hear how it goes.

Alright, finally made it out to put the Fusions through. Good lord that trigger is light.
1947 Turkish ASFA Gewher 98 Sporterized, ~25.5" bbl Temp ~63F

Min: 2,899
Max: 2,941
Avg: 2,923
S-D: 18.2
ES: 42

1. 2908
2. 2941
3. 2937
4. 2899
5. 2915
6. 2940

 

[35WhelenAI]

2923 FPS from a "standard" 200 grain factory load with a bullet of bonded construction is great. Surpasses what Hornady gets with their Superformance 200 gr traditional cup and core interlock.

Very nice.

I'm running just over 3,000 FPS with 200 gr TTSX handload from my 35 AI w/25" bbl. To split hairs between that and your chronographed factory load velocity is a moot point.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Hey guys, resurrecting this one again. Iowa legalized .35 bottlenecks and up a few years ago now, and I have a stainless CVA Scout with a 25" barrel and factory brake in .35 whelen. I killed an average whitetail buck with it last season with the 180 TTSX. However, I have several 180 Hot Cors to load and have heard great things about the 225 GameKing.

Have any of your worked up any loads with Varget? I also have a .308, and Varget and 168 ELDMs are the easy button. If I could use Varget in the Whelen as well that would increase value and efficiency at the reloading table.

 

[Eleven]

Have any of your worked up any loads with Varget?

I use Varget exclusively in my Whelan. I don't do any 180s or 225s but I have 200s and 250s that both work great with it.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I use Varget exclusively in my Whelan. I don't do any 180s or 225s but I have 200s and 250s that both work great with it.

Thank you, and what do you use for a starting charge for the 200's? I have quite a few 200 TTSX as well.

*EDIT*
Well, I apologize for my ignnorance and laziness. I did a quick Varget Google search, and was able to find this on the Hodgdon/Varget load data section. The following screenshots are for 180, 200, 225, and 250 grain bullets.

 

[Eleven]

For simplistic sake, and since they both work in my rifle very well, I use the same load. 55gr Varget under a 200 or a 250 partition. The 200 gets 2,600fps, the 250 gets 2,500fps.

 

[Spoonbill]

Hey guys, resurrecting this one again. Iowa legalized .35 bottlenecks and up a few years ago now, and I have a stainless CVA Scout with a 25" barrel and factory brake in .35 whelen. I killed an average whitetail buck with it last season with the 180 TTSX. However, I have several 180 Hot Cors to load and have heard great things about the 225 GameKing.

Have any of your worked up any loads with Varget? I also have a .308, and Varget and 168 ELDMs are the easy button. If I could use Varget in the Whelen as well that would increase value and efficiency at the reloading table.

I use Varget and 225 gamekings in my whelen. So far I have only neck shot one buck with it, so no comments on how the bullet performed but the accuracy is good using 5 shot groups.

 

[Bluefish]

Varget should work fine in the whelen. I used it for some 150g cutting edge loads. It seems a bit of the fast side for maximum velocity compared to cfe 223 and power pro 2000. Will be a good middle of the road load.
considering I took 3 deer with slower 35 cal cartridges last year, maximum velocity is not needed.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Varget is a good powder for 250 grain bullets, also have run it with lighter bullets but have settled on 4064 and Power Pro Varmint as go-to powders for loading the 200 TTSX. I'll try to remember and check my load records for varget and post up again later tonight.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Varget is a good powder for 250 grain bullets, also have run it with lighter bullets but have settled on 4064 and Power Pro Varmint as go-to powders for loading the 200 TTSX. I'll try to remember and check my load records for varget and post up again later tonight.

Sounds great and thank you!

 

[35WhelenAI]

Looked at my data for Varget and 250 grain bullets. It did well for velocity, I started low and worked up. Took two elk with the Hornady 250 gr Spire point and another with the 225 X (original X). I like Alliant 2000 MR for the 250s if I were to use 250's, beats Varget on velocity from loads I worked up for the heck of it. But honestly, once 250 gr projectiles start moving 2650 FPS and beyond do you really need more? That's where the 200 TTSX at over 3000 FPS with Power Pro Varmint and in the 2900's with IMR 4064 has better ballistics down range. No need for a 250 anything at this point.

 

[Torque]

Varget and RL15 are my go to powders for 225 Nosler ABs.
I just worked up a Ramshot Big Game load yesterday that I hope to test this weekend.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

For anybody that is looking for a nice .35 Whelen rifle, I will be posting mine in the classifieds this week. Factory stainless, fluted, CVA Scout with 25" barrel and brake. Less than 200 rounds fired. I also have dies and components that will be for sale as well.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Sorry to see you give up the 35. Going a different direction?

 

[RevJim]

I used a 35 Whelan AI for a bit over 20yrs. My first load was the original Barnes 250x over 53,5gr of 2015br BR2 primer, remington case. I shot a wad of game with it in '96 first trip to South Africa. Only recovered 2 bullets, both lengthwise shots on a zebra and kudu. Another trip, I used 58gr of H322 under the Barnes Secant Ogive 200x for 2970fps, 22" barrel. I later tried the 200 TTSX and 58 1/2gr H322 gave me 2950. +3 at 100 = -3 at 300! Never had any temp issues with either one.