Author Topic: 35 Wheelen with 173gr FNGC  (Read 553 times)

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Offline Cat Whisperer

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35 Wheelen with 173gr FNGC
« on: November 26, 2006, 02:27:39 PM »
Good day at the range - 4th trip.  First 3 I was trying 4227.

Eight 4-shot groups with 4350 at 50 yards.
Seated into the rifling (sometimes tough to close bolt) and lightly crimped into bottom lube groove.
No filler - case was 80-90% full
Gas checked, sized to .360 dia.
All grooves filled

The bullets are hard cast, air cooled. Fingernail doesn't make a mark on it.

45 gr - 3 shots in .50" all 4 in 1.02
46 gr - all 4 in 0.90"
47 gr - all 4 in 1.24"
48 gr - 3 in .52 all 4 in 1.08
49 gr - 3 in .63 all 4 in 0.81
50 gr - 3 in .53 all 4 in 1.64
51 gr - 4 in 2.32"
52 gr - 4 in 1.63"

Often it was the first 3 touching and the 4th outlying.

Rem 700 Classic with 1:16 twist.
Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
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Offline gutshot_again

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Re: 35 Wheelen with 173gr FNGC
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2006, 10:18:00 AM »
Which mould are you using?  I've tried Lyman's 358627 (nominal 215 grain, GC, SWC - is 220 grains with my alloy) with outstanding results.  In fact, the 358627 is the most accurate 35 mould I have in my rifle - and I have a bunch 35 caliber rifle moulds, as well as even more 35 pistol moulds.

My rifle sounds the same as yours - 1:16 twist, Remington classic 35 Whelen.

Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: 35 Wheelen with 173gr FNGC
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2006, 04:41:51 PM »
THanks for the post!  I'll keep my eyes open for a 358627.

THe mould is one of the 6 cavity group-buy Lee moulds from a year or so ago on Cast Boolets.

Next go-around I'll go with a heavier bullet 200-250 gr range.  (the 358009 couldn't keep in on 8-1/2x11 at 50 yards).

I've got a bit over 200 rounds of brass to process before then next set of loads, will anneal the cases this time too.

Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
Cat Whisperer
Chief of Smoke, Pulaski Coehorn Works & Winery
U.S.Army Retired
N 37.05224  W 80.78133 (front door +/- 15 feet)

Offline Black Jaque Janaviac

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Re: 35 Wheelen with 173gr FNGC
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2006, 03:59:52 AM »
That 358009, is that the 280 grain bullet?

I've read several people have not had success with that in the Remington Whelens due to the 1:16" rifling pitch.  I wonder if it couldn't be driven at closer to full-house loads an if you could get better accuracy.

After some time playing with cast bullets, I've become a bit skeptical about the velocity limitations often bantered about.  Indeed, if you push a cast bullet too hard it will strip.  But I don't think it's as simple as assigning a muzzle velocity as the limiting factor. 

There are other factors that seem to play in.  Bearing surface seems to be one, in my experience.  Acceleration force is another.  Shooting a heavy-for-caliber bullet maximizes the bearing surface.  So a heavy 280 grain bullet should be able to tolerate a bit more force than a short 180 grain bullet. 

Also, so often the cast bullet loads seem to use fast powders, even pistol powders.  In theory, you should be able to get a cast bullet up to 3000 fps with no problems IF you have a slow acceleration and IF you have a long enough barrel to do it in.  My Adams & Benet barrel with a 1:14" twist will stabilize a 280 grain bullet at 2250 fps, probably even slower (that's actually the slowest I've shot it at).  I'm shooting a paper patched bullet.  One powder I use to get this is RL-19 which is slow for a Whelen. 
Black Jaque Janaviac - Dat's who!

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Offline Cat Whisperer

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Re: 35 Wheelen with 173gr FNGC
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2006, 01:37:31 PM »
Yes.  I think (from what I've read) the limiting factor is pressure.  THat correlates with slow powders, smooth acceleration etc.

I've got 250 and 300 gr J bullets (as well as .375H&H and .458WM) if I want to go max effect and shoulder abuse.

So with this one, I'm inching up in weight, keeping velocity moderate, to get the largest soft bullet I can launch - great effect & comfortable to shoot.

Sized and cleaned all the brass.  More loads after a bit, working on .308W cast at the moment.

Tim K                 www.GBOCANNONS.COM
Cat Whisperer
Chief of Smoke, Pulaski Coehorn Works & Winery
U.S.Army Retired
N 37.05224  W 80.78133 (front door +/- 15 feet)