.35 Whelen+break open single shot=problems?

[wreckhog]

The old Handi Whelen problems are well documented with factory ammo. In some cases, a bad batch of Remington primers were blamed, which makes some sense given that ammo is probably produced rarely, and thus with a certain few lot #'s of components, but these were also the same primers in factory 30-30, 45-70, etc. I get the impression that most guns were sold by the original owners (vs kept and heavily used) or put in the back of the safe. Thought I saw some posts re misfire problems with the new production .35 Whelen Handis too. So I started poking around. CVA and TC also came out with Whelens for the 2009 Primitive season and Hornady came out with more ammo. Lotta life in the round. Lotta problems too.

http://www.mdwfp.com/FORUMS/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=72234

http://www.msgunowners.com/long-guns-f14/encore-35-whelen-update-t3061.htm

This is just way too common across the board with multiple manufacturers of guns and ammo. While I would end up reloading, and probably minimizing the problem. I get the sense that just as a .357 Mag/Max is one of the best calibers for a break open single shot, the .35 Whelen in general, may be one of the worst.

I'll still buy a .35 Whelen Handi gun or barrel when it comes out, just going to lower my expectations. And probably going with a factory fit to have some degree of warranty protectiion. The caliber just seems very sensitive to ammo, primers, headspace, moon phase, hair day, etc.

[cwlongshot]

 The problem is common place, but NOT only in a Handi!!  The 357 Herrett, 35 Remington AND 35 Whelen ALL have had it! Its because of the tiny little shoulder the case to bullet diameter leave you to head space off of. Couple this with the handi Lil extractor/ejector and its a recipe for problems. I beat my forehead bloody getting reliability in the Herrett contender. Finally got it, but was never 100%.
 My 35 Whelen in my Mauser, is 100% reliable thanks to what I learned with that Contender. Fire formed loads, then the LEE collet neck sizing die have proven a excellent combo. But this will not work as well in the handi as you must FL at least occasionally and this can change the head space. Because the "elastic" nature of the action when firing higher intensity chamberings.
 Many have had problems with the grand dad 35rem as well.

CW

[manatee1947]

Lets hear it for RIMS, everybody say Amen.

[blind ear]

+1 AMEN, They are just about all fun (as in few problems) but I like high velocity rounds to. eddie

[Sourdough]

I have a RMEF run .35 Whelen.  When it was about three years old it started misfiring about every fifth round with factory ammo.  My handloads never failed.  Sent it back ti NEF, they fixed it.  Haven't had a misfire since.  I generally use Remington Core-lokt factory ammo.