Author Topic: 35REm and whelen loads (Read 492 times)

jhalcott · « **on:** April 15, 2006, 03:43:40 PM »

I'm looking for cast loads for hunting deer with a 24"35 whelen and a 14"35 rem contender. My Lyman book only shows 1400 fps in the REm,and that's about 357 mag loads. The bullet is Lyman's 358315.I also have a 358318 mold(250 gr)
TIA

Nobade · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2006, 02:40:51 AM »

I just use the normal jacketed bullet load data for 35 Rem, since the max listed loads are well in the range for cast bullets. I used to have one of those barrels for the Contender, it shot the RCBS 200gr. FN quite well over a stiff charge of 3031. Cast out of water dropped wheel weights, lubed with 50/50. For the Whelen, it'll depend on your particular rifle but that same bullet in my rifle worked great up to 2200 fps using IMR 4895.

jhalcott · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2006, 04:28:37 PM »

I took the 35REM 14" t/c to the range today.loaded with imr4064 and 3031 powders.Lyman 358315 GCed and lubed with Felix lube bullets. Overall length was 2.510. 2x scopeon top.The best 4064 load was about 1 3/4 ", but the best 3031 load went 0.0650".! 50 yard groups.I'm going to reload some more to see if this was a fluke! If not,I'll chro the load to see if it will work for hunting.

sawfish · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2006, 11:00:18 AM »

I don't think you will find that was a fluke. I have gotten consistent accuracy in the 3/4" range at 100 yards with the 358315 and the CPBC 200 gr bullets using RL-7. With R-P RNCL bullets, the same gun (XP-100)will regularly beat 1/2" using AA-2520 and H-322.

The XP-100 is unusually accurate, but my Contender in .35 Rem. Rimmed is very close. Accurate has a surplus powder (AA-2200) that is supposed to be great with cast bullets in the .35 Rem. I have the powder, but have used it only in my 45/70 BFR and Contender.