35 Whelen load development

[Tractorsaw1]

I am starting to work up a load using the barnes 225 grain TSX & reloader 15 for my 22" 35 whelen.  I have loaded up 3 rounds each grain weight from 58 to 61 grains in 1 grain increments.  What i could find on the barnes website only listed reloader 15 for the 200 grain TSX.  After redigging thru the archives Quick listed 62.5 grain as max load.  Question is 1 grain increments to big a jump, or when should i start the .5 grain steps?  Paperwork with the bullets stated seating .030-.070 off the lands so i went with .030 off.  Thought that mattparliament seated his .005 off the lands?  Any rate what is the correct order, increase powder to find the closest group, then jockey the distance amount off the land to see what it likes best?  Anyone shoot this bullet regularly in the whelen, or what is your preference of the 35 offerings?  Seems like its been a few years since matt & quick's work up, how are the rifles holding up?  Thanks

[bajabill]

plenty of differences, but I shoot 225 sierras (not the barnes, and they are a completely different animal)

I use 56.5gr of Rel 15 and get 2600 fps (measured) out of it - not a handi however, but a 24" bbl.  Even with the differences, 58 doesn't sound like a starting load to me.  But, you may have supporting data showing otherwise.

[Dinny]

Anytime I have Barnes related questions, I email Ty Herring and ask for his advice. He usually answers the same day too.

tyh@barnesbullets.com

Thanks, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

I haven't shot mine since my original work with the 26" RMEF. I did shoot the 200gr TSX-FB today in my 35 Whelen Improved Handi, it's loaded .050" off the lands, accuracy was excellent with RL15.    I always work up in ½gr increments, sometimes that little change is all it takes, 1gr increments may miss the sweet spot and you'll go home scratching your head wondering what to do next. 

Tim

[Tractorsaw1]

Thanks guys,  Bill my info came from what I had researched here on this site.  Dinny thanks, I will drop him a line.  Quick I will add the .5 grain increments.  I have thought about the improved, but hadn't made up my mind yet.  What are you getting out of the 200 grain for velocity and more details on accuracy out of the improved, is that a 22" barrel?  Pm me if you don't want to post it up.  Thanks

[mattparliament]

stick with the .5 grain increments and always keep an eye out for pressure signs as well.  I no longer have my handi-whelen, but I do have one in a ruger #1.  Incidentaly it only had a 20" barrel so I had to find a little faster burning powder to achieve the same velocity.  It is right at 2825 fps, I consider it the original ruger compact magnum...  Accuracty is .75MOA and a thumper of a bullet

[Tractorsaw1]

Sounds great.  Thanks Matt

[Tractorsaw1]

Ty at barnes got back with me pretty quickly:

I'd suggest reducing the 200gr min and max charges by 2 grains for use with the 225gr TSX Bullets. I'm not sure why we didn't test that powder in both bullet weights.
 
Changing the seating depth can change pressures. Just start low and work the load up as is customary in the reloading process and you'll be fine.
 
Thanks,
 Ty Herring | Customer Service Lead Tech
 
So, that means start at 50.5 & 55.5 max   

Looks like i got a lot more rounds to load up.  Again that is with COAL at 3.330, i am around 3.460, but i will have to check my info at home on that.

[Tractorsaw1]

Looking at there site some more, seems odd that there max charge for IMR 4064 is one grain different between the 200 & 225 grain TSX?

[quickdtoo]

Looking at both bullets the 200gr appears to have at least as much , if not more bearing surface, and it has one less groove.

Tim

[Tractorsaw1]

Tim, is the profile shape that much different between the 2 bullets?  Starting to wonder about how long i have them loaded out?  Looking from Matts photos I will have to count how many grooves I have exposed to his.  I did slit one side of the case to get the length, but did not use a rod to push out the round?

[quickdtoo]

Here's a SxS pic.

Tim

[Tractorsaw1]

Thanks Tim, I can see now how i am loaded out at least .100 longer than your 200 grain coal you posted of 3.330

[bajabill]

I did not expand too much above in my performance numbers.  I know I have room to grow with my load.  I set a minimum muzzle energy level to get to, and I was happy with that level if the accuracy was good - and it is for me.  I think the 35 whelen suffers in the published load area compared to some other chamberings (such as 338-06).  There are some high energy listings, but most are not so if you tend to average the numbers, it appears as if the whelen is not extremely powerful. 

I finally shot a deer with that load - albeit a small one.  The 225 gr 35 cal bullet certainly did the job.  But, even though dead is dead, I think it was way more than required for the task I had for it.  The deer was half way field dressed before I got my knife out.  This barrel is going to sit on the sidelines for a the next few deer hunts.

[Tractorsaw1]

Thanks Bill, It will probably be more than i need it for also.  Although I do hunt some areas where a long for me shot is possible & Deer is my primary target.  I am looking at the 2800 fps milestone some here have found to go along with minute of Deer accuracy.  I may need to drop down to the 200 grain, but after a lot of reading, looks like the 225 is the do it ALL load, as my first choice.  Barnes listed max load with IMR 4064 is 2700 fps, no slouch, neither is 2600 as your load.

[bajabill]

I also shoot the remington 200gr in this gun.  I use 58.5 Rel7 and get 2750 fps - roughly the same ME range .

For me, this is probably the weight bullet I should have been using for hunting, but had some reservations from some speculation that the remington 200gr was designed for 35-remington velocities.