Load Suggestions for 35 Rem - T/C Contender 12" barrel

[grg32]

Well, I am new to handloading and thought I would start with my T/C Contender in .35 Remington with a 12" barrel. I saved the brass from my last outing with the T/C and have a box of Barnes 180 gr “X” bullets I would like to use. I haven’t ordered the powder or primers and thought I would look to the experts for some advise. Thanks in advance, G

p.s. I posted the above on another site and only got one response (thanks WN if you read this here too)....WN was kind enough to offer a box of 200gr Hawk bullets he no longer needed and, with that, I can say I have both the 180gr Barnes mentioned above and the Hawk bullets to experiment with..thanks in advance, GRG32

p.s.s. is there a search feature on this forum I am missing...I would have tried to look for past postings on the subject before submitting this, but I could not find the "search" box...thanks again, GRG32

[Graybeard]

Use the Google Search and select to search GBO only. Works jist fine.

Barnes might have data on their site and if not for sure they will provide it if you ask. For the 200s just use the data from whatever load manual you have for 200s in a .35 Remington. Nothing different about the loads just because it's a TC 12" rather than a Marlin.

I prefer the standard old round nose 200s from folks like Remington, Winchester, Hornady, etc. for use in the .35 Rem. whether in a TC or Marlin. It's been a couple years since I last loaded up any ammo for my .35s and have not yet shot it up so the load info is not fresh on my mind. I kinda prefer 4198 for this old round but IMR3031 works well also and I think the last batch I loaded I used H335 but as I said it's been awhile and my memory of the load is a bit foggy.

[grg32]

I didn't think to contact Barnes directly, but, now that you mention it, believe that is a great idea....I found the search function right after I submitted the first message (you are right, works great)....thanks again for the info, GRG

Great site btw!

[Lone Star]

Some folks do not think that the Barnes X bullets are appropriate for the T/C - JD Jones among them.  Regardless, these bullets often do require different load data than typical two-piece bullets.  An example is the requirement to keep the bullets at least 0.050" off the lands when loading.  With the relatively weak T/C action, keeping pressures in line when using a hard bullet like the X is very important.  I'd stick to what Barnes tells you to do, particularly since you are new to reloading.  It is not a good idea for you to substitute maximum load data with one brand of bullet to another, particularly with the .35 Remington.  The Hornady 200 RN for instance has a much shorter bearing surface than the Sierra 200 RN, and pressures with the same powder charges are usually lower with the Hornady RN.

OTOH I have used X bullets for years (in firearms other than T/Cs) and find them usually accurate and their terminal performance excellent.

.

[KYODE]

i shoot a stout charge of H322 and hornadys 180gr single shot bullet(ssp) in my 14"er. it has been converted to use a cut down rimmed 303 british brass. results are spectacular imo. the conversion eliminated misfires(several in one box of 35rem factory ammo). it is simple as having a rim counter bore cut in the barrel by a smith, running the british case into a 35rem trim die, sizing in a standard 35rem full length die, and then fireforming to final shape with a light, fun target load that will give you the needed practice for handgun hunting.

   the past 2 years i've taken 2 deer in relatively the same spot at 200yrds more or less. a 13 point at top, and 7 point at bottom.

[KYODE]

.........and another note....you may not have to do the conversion....BUT....even in standard 35rem brass....you GOTTA try the H322 and 180gr ssp!

[grg32]

thought I would try new Winchester brass first....that said, which primers are you using with the H322 powder (or does it really matter)?  impressive deer btw....literally, it is what I will be shooting for...thanks for the great info.

[KYODE]

just a standard winchester WLR primer in this one. not sure it would matter, but it would take some experimenting to find out. if the load shoots ok....yer good to go. look up contender loads with H322. some manuals have data above n beyond lever action rifle loads. the 35rem is an impressive performer imo....much more so than some lever action data leads you to believe.
i get 2150fps+ out of this 14" barrel with the 180gr spitzer.

[jhalcott]

  Another nice thing about the .35 rem. is the fact that you can load many pistol bullets in it . This will cut down on recoil and and make it a pleasant small game and ground hog gun.