35 Whelen loads

[MCSO1357]

A quick browse of search results here shows that there are still a lot of hunters that use the Whelen, but haven't been able to find any info on loads. I have a 1988 Rem 700 Classic that I load the Nosler 250 gr PT and has worked well throughout the years. I was wondering if anybody has had any real world experience using the Nosler 225 PT or Accubond, specifically on elk. Would the additional velocity translate to enough of an increase in performance to make it worthwhile? With my existing load, I'm pushing the 250 PT at 2450 fps and limit my shot range to no more than 350 yards.

 

[bitbckt]

If you’re going to drop down in weight, I’d move to a mono. A 225 TSX at 2850 works well.

[edit] typo’d that, sorry. I’m getting 2750 over RL15. 2850 would be something... hah.

 

[MCSO1357]

Thanks for reply, may look at the Barnes offering.

 

[Runningwater]

2750 with a 225 mono ought to put a lot a hurt on about anything I'll be after!

I also have the 700 classic.

 

[jd270win]

Maybe consider the 200gr TTSX. It has a better BC than the 225 TSX, and you’d have to find a really thick elk to catch that bullet. I’d do that or the 225 Accubond if you want to extend your functional range.

Also, the gentleman over at ballisticstudies.com has done a ton of research on the 35 Whelen - it’s worth a read if you aren’t familiar.

 

[MCSO1357]

Maybe consider the 200gr TTSX. It has a better BC than the 225 TSX, and you’d have to find a really thick elk to catch that bullet. I’d do that or the 225 Accubond if you want to extend your functional range.

Also, the gentleman over at ballisticstudies.com has done a ton of research on the 35 Whelen - it’s worth a read if you aren’t familiar.

I’m always up for more reading on the subject, thanks for the recommendation.

 

[wildwilderness]

I have shot the 200 TTSX over RL 15 with success in the whelen at about 2700 fps. So far an elk, bear, deer, and caribou have all gone down with complete pass throughs.

 

[Onstep]

Has anyone found an alternative to RL-15 that gets the same velocities with temp stability? I'm using 15 and getting very good speed but my point of aim shifts enough to be an issue at 300yds (what I consider my outside distance with the setup I have).

 

[bitbckt]

Varget, H4350 (if you can find it), and RL17 have all worked in various loads for my rifle. The Hodgdon powders are more stable than Reloder, in my experience.

I couldn't tell you what MV you'll get in your chamber. The freebore on Whelen reamers has been all over the map over the years, before even discussing barrel length and twist effects.

 

[MCSO1357]

Varget is the first powder I’ll be trying with new loads for the temp stability. I do have a good supply of H4350 (unicorn shit) on hand at the moment, will try it if Varget won’t work for some reason.

 

[Sawfish]

RL-15 works well in the Whelen, as does most any powder with a similar burning rate. No flies on the 250 PT, or the 225 PT bullets. My first Whelen was a 98 Mauser built in 1968 before the round was adopted by Remington. My go to loading in that gun was (and is) the Speer 250 gr. Hot Cor over 56 gr. of IMR-4320 (old formula) which generates 2597 fps from a 22" barrel. 56 gr. of Accurate 2520 will produce 2544 fps with the same bullet. While 53.0 of Accurate 2015 churns up 2506 fps from my P-17 Enfield custom. More fun, but not as fast is my 16" Encore Pistol in .35 Whelen Improved which likes the Nosler 250 PT. I have used the 225 gr. Nosler PT in my 10.5" .375 JDJ and it expands well at those velocities. IMHO, it is important to remember that the .35 Whelen came about as a "poor man's alternative" to the then new .375 H & H. A military action could be rebarreled at a comparatively cheap price compared to a factory .375 H & H. It was never intended as a long range high velocity rifle, but rather as a close range heavy hitter. It was intended as a hunter's gun.

 

[Sawfish]

Has anyone found an alternative to RL-15 that gets the same velocities with temp stability? I'm using 15 and getting very good speed but my point of aim shifts enough to be an issue at 300yds (what I consider my outside distance with the setup I have).

Try Accurate 2520.

 

[Sawfish]

There is an excellent article in this month's (March-April) RMEF Bugle magazine written by Wayne Van Zwoll wherein he discusses the merits of the various .35 calibers, past and present.

 

[ST52v]

My buddy just had a tikka rebored to 35 Whelen. He was pushing 200 gr Hornady and 200 gr accubonds 2900 + with good accuracy!!! The accubonds were a little faster. He was keeping them around 1” mos. my Remington rebore will be next in a few weeks. I am still waiting on a few parts.

 

[SDHNTR]

If you’re going to drop down in weight, I’d move to a mono. A 225 TSX at 2850 works well.

[edit] typo’d that, sorry. I’m getting 2750 over RL15. 2850 would be something... hah.

Even 2750 is something!

 

[A382DWDZQ]

There is an excellent article in this month's (March-April) RMEF Bugle magazine written by Wayne Van Zwoll wherein he discusses the merits of the various .35 calibers, past and present.

RIFLES & CARTRIDGES

The Thick-Fisted .35s A bullet’s weight and diameter once determined its effect. Have we swung too far the other way? I peered into the carcass, which was …

bugle.rmef.org

 

[35WhelenAI]

I see this is a resurrected thread however I am happy to talk 35 Whelen...

 

[A382DWDZQ]

I ran across the thread looking for experiences with Accurate 2520. Picked up a 35 Whelen the other day. Have not loaded anything up for it yet though.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Happy to share my experience, I have been loading for the Whelen AI for 20 years. Not a lot of practical difference between that and the standard Whelen other than a small increase (relatively speaking) in velocity.

Speer and Sierra have done more recent testing with some of the newer powders and they really wake it up with respect to velocity.

Just started some load developmet with Power Pro Varmint and the 200 TTSX. Extrapolated some starting charge weights and have been working up. Impressive velocity. Accuracy is as good as it is with my old standby load using that bullet and IMR4064.

Will load some 225 Ballistic tips, 225 Sierras, 250 Speer HotCor's, 250 Hornady spire points with 2000-MR at some point.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Just looked at the Speer and Sierra load data, and I see what you mean. I have some hammer hunter 254gr and some 200gr Accubonds. Have not been able to find any .358 TTSX. I found some Federal Fusion the other day, so I’m going to shoot those to get a feel for the gun and then reload those cases and see how they do. Just need to get to the range…not really any questions right now, I’ve read a lot about it and pretty sold on the Whelen. Surprised to see Hodgdon dropped it from 2022 manual.