New 35 Whelen for deer this year. Which factory ammo???

[Paul Shirek]

Hello:
I just got a new Ruger Hawkeye African in 35 Whelen and plan to hunt whitetail deer this year with it. I am not sure about what ammo to use. The H. Superformance 200 grain groups great but at 2940 (what I get) I wonder if it will just blow up too quickly to get an exit wound. I also have some Nosler trophy 225 gr. Accubonds. What is your experience???

 

[EuroOptic]

I have the same rifle!
I shoot these in mine Barnes TTSX - I dont carry em but barnes makes a great product!
Ive taken several whitetail over the last 2 years with it, its a thumper.. the 2 that took steps left blood trails a blind man could follow based off the slipperiness of the ground!
-Jake

 

[Bluefish]

I have not put any cup/core on an animal from my 35w. I will say all the coppers I have used hammer, cutting edge, all leave two holes. I have some ttsx loaded for this year. They shoot well and I expect won’t explode on entry if the wood chuck that wandered on to the range is any indication. Have not put one on deer yet. Hopefully soon.

 

[TaperPin]

What a cool rifle - it has a lot of personality.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Between my dad and I, we have shot 7 white-tail with a .35 whelen and always used the Hornady. 1 mature buck, 1 young buck, and 5 does. 3 of the does were DRT and the rest maybe made it 30 yards or so. No extreme angles but some slight quartering to and away and some broadside. Meat damage was on-par with other rifles I have used (.308 win, .243 win, 30-30, .223 rem). Full pass throughs on all of them. I don't think you can go wrong either way. I would just shoot whichever groups best.

 

[Paul Shirek]

Thanks guys for the good responses!

 

[mr.coon]

I have been shooting the 35 Whelen since they made them legal here for "primitive". Mine is a CVA Apex break-action. It shoots 3/4" at 100 with Barnes 180gr TTSX. I guess I have killed around 12 deer and 6 or so hogs with it. I have never seen any bad results. The Barnes work amazing. It's always a bang flop or a good blood trail even with the pigs. 100% exit holes. The blend of power and minimal meat loss is awesome. I don't find the kick bad at all, especially with the 180's. The first bullets I got were 225gr and 250's, and that wasn't much fun for a 7.5 rifle. If fact my scope broke. Thankfully Nikon replaced it.

By far the three most popular ammo's down here are the Barnes TTSX 180gr, Barnes TTSX 200gr, and Hornady 200gr SP Interlocks. I have heard complaints that the 200gr Barnes are too tough. I never put much stock into those complaints though. I can 100% say the 180's are not too tough. I have rib shot a couple yearlings with them and they expanded perfectly. I am pretty sure that bullet was designed with deer in mind and not elk, moose, or African game. The Hornady 200's seem well constructed and don't over expand. I have not seen or heard of one breaking up. That's all my dad and relatives shoot. They worked perfectly every time from what I have seen. 100% exit wounds

I don't know anything about how the Accubonds may perform. At that weight they may not expand enough if you hit between the ribs on a younger deer. They would likely be fine if you are a shoulder shooter. The main worry with the 35 Whelen on whitetail is "will it expand" and not "will it break up and not exit".

 

[beretta_man11]

I love my 35w. It shoots the barnes TTSX ok, but I've had phenomal results with the HSM loaded with the 225 sierra game king.