This conversation sparked my interest since I like the 35 caliber, but I don't have the gonads(balls) to play where you guys are going. I have researched the 35 calibers extensively for an Encore barrel and came to a conclusion that my 308 Winchester is more than adequate. However, I still lust for a 35 caliber. I traded my 357 Maxi barrel to Gene Gray for the 308. It was deadly accurate with a 200 grain Cast Bullet out to distances I won't talk about.
Let's talk about recoil in the 35 Calibers. Wheelman had talked about a 250 grain bullet.
I made some searches using a meager 200 grain bullet in a 15" barrel on several 35 cartridges. But first, I ran a 44 Magnum handgun with a 6" barrel and a 265 grain bullet moving out of the barrel at about 1261 fps.
The recoil on the 3 pound gun is a meager 18.89 foot pounds of recoil. I say meager 'cause the 350 Remington Mag out of a 5.56 pound encore with scope runs 33.02 foot pounds of energy. You might say, "well, that's only 14 or so more pounds than a 44 Mag. It is my opinion that recoil is very subjective and the effect differs from person to person. Another opinion is that the difference between an earthquake of number 5 on a Rector Scale is severe, but a 7, which is only two pointsmore is exponentially more severe, like doubled. I like to call the recoil scale "The Rectal Scale" simply because more recoil not only causes more pain, it also causes a certain tightening of a major organ just as you prepare to pull the trigger. This Rectal effect causes me to want to close my eyes and pucker up when I think the gun is going off. I'm kidding!!! Sort of!!!!
I ran several loads for data and I started with the 350 Rem Mag. I'll list the bullet, Powder, Velocity, Recoil, Energyat 200 yards and the % Powder burn in the 15" barrel. The % powder burn in the barrel is very important for muzzle blast and noise.
Bullet, Powder, Velocity, Recoil, 200 yd.Energy , % Powder burn
200 gr. Hornady SP bullet used in all calculations below
350 Rem Mag.
60 gr IMR4064, 2434 fps, 30.95 fpe, 1234 fp, 92% Burn
59 gr IMR4895, 2531 fps, 33.02 fpe, 1330 fp 95% Burn
35 Whelan Improved
59 gr IMR 4895, 2494 fps, 31.62 fpe, 1240 fp, 94% Burn
358 Winchester
IMR4198, 2278 fps, 22.00 fpe, 1034 fp, 99% Burn
35 Remington
37.7 gr IMR3031, 2039 fps, 18.46 fpe, 811 fp, 88% Burn
28 gr IMR4227, 1928 fps, 14.54 fpe, 728 fp, 97% Burn
For a comparison with a known caliber that has killed more animals on the American continent that all other calibers put together. I submit the following:
A 30-30 Winchester with a 170 grain bullet from a 20" barrel carbine will produce 1415 foot pounds energy at 50 yards and 886 foot pounds energy at 200 yards.
I shoot over 10,000 rounds a year in rifles and TC Encores and Contenders. If I had to tolerate over 15 pounds of recoil energy, I would not be shooting at all.
Another suggestion: Keep the Rubber Grip and forget the pretty wood where you are going. I have fired full blown 308s with Wood form fitting grips. I use only Rubber Grips.
This is just an opinion and study the notes above for what it's worth.
Harold Clark
seventcu @ citlink.net Remove the spaces to use the address.
