Bore Size

[Rummer]

I have a .35 whelen witha .3555" bore.  Are .358" bullets safe?

I was navigating the SAAMI website, but I have been unable to find any specs for rifle bore variance. 

ANybody know any sources.

Thanks,

Rummer

[jhalcott]

  How did you get this measurement? is this a Remington barrel or another make?

[jhalcott]

 Those few thousandths MAY run pressure up. Have you shot any factory 35 Whelen ammo in the gun ? What was the results,cratered primers,sticky extraction.enlarged primer or pocket? I once had a 25-06 that had a very tight bore(.253 groove dia) that would blow primers on factory ammo. You might have to go with cast bullets in that gun IF you can't get jacketed to work properly.

[Rummer]

The barrel is an ER Shaw barrel.

My father obtained the measurement buy pushing a 9.3mm Lead slug thru the bore and measuring it.

The measurement were taken using a Vernier caliper and subsequently a micrometer.  The measuring tools were checked by first measuring Hornady and SPeer bullets.  These bullets measured .3575"

Shaw Measured the slug using a  "spin size" meaning that the bullet can be spun in the micrometer.  Shaw's spin size measure was .357" Has anybody ever heard of this?

I have found a source for .356" bullets but they are much more expensve than the .358" Hornady's that I like.

I find that my velocities are typically about 100fps slower than published.  This occurred both with my handloads using the 200gr Hornady and the Remingto 250gr factory.  I have seen slight primer flattening with handloads using bullets in the 200gr-225gr class.

The rifle shoots well but I am trying to determine whether or not .358" bullets are safe.

If they are no problem.  If not, I will then decide whether to rebarrel or go to .356" bullets.

Thanks,
Rummer

[jpsmith1]

Dumb question.  Did he measure bore or groove diameter? 

If E.R. Shaw is getting one measurement and you are getting another, I'd take it to an impartial third party for measurement, then accept the measurement that that source agrees with.  E.R. Shaw is a reputable company and I'd bet that they know their stuff.

[Rummer]

jpsmith,

We are talking about measuring groove diameter.

The difference in SHaw's measurement and mine are explained by the "spin size".

ER Shaw is a reputable company.  I am not trying t bad mouth them.  I know several people who have Shaw rifles and the do good work.  My rifle is the first Shaw rifle I am aware of where there is an issue.


Is "spin size" the standard for taking this measurement?  If so, then the diameter of the factory bullets above would be .359" rather than the .3575".

Regards,
Rummer

[beemanbeme]

Let's see, that's .003 over.  Or .002 if you use Horn or Speer bullets.  Which divides out to .0015 or .001 a side.   Don't you think you could find factory rifles comming off the line that would display that much variance?
  I'd not sweat it.  As suggested by the reload books, start low and work up, looking for pressure signs.  How's your accuracy?
Personally, I think we spend too much time, weighing and measuring and angsting when we should be out shooting.  

[Rummer]

Accuracy is good.

 1" groups (give or take .25") are the norm at 100 yards with the Hornady 200SP.  I get 2600fps with 58.5gr IMR-4320.  Great deer load.

I was looking to develop a 250gr load.  I get 2300fps when I chrony remington factory 250's.  This is a l100-250 fps low when talking about .358/250's. 

I'd like to build a 250gr kill it all load for this whelen.  I was hoping to use Hornady 250's, but it loks like Hawk bulet .356" will get the nod.

Thanks for the replies.

Rummer

[jhalcott]

  rummer, I use a 250 grain cast bullet (actually ~245) in my whelen at 1995 fps. This IS a chronoed velocity. I do NOT feel under gunned by this velocity. I bet you take any 3 factory 35 whelens and chrono them, you will get a variance in speed AND accuracy! have you really calculated how much difference that 250 fps less affects the "killing 'power" of the Whelen? Hornady 4th ed,page 425, only shows 2400 fps in a 22" model 700. Using the 250's ,with the 200's they show 2650fps with only ONE powder
  From your account of shooting results I don't see a problem with the .358 dia bullets. IF your barrel IS smaller than it should be ,you should be getting HIGHER velocity BECAUSEof higher pressures! You would be seeing more evidence of flat primers and expanded pockets too. IF YOU ARE HOT RODDING the loads to get that extra few fps you are heading into dark waters. 1.25 groups from a 250 grain slug will kill ANY deer in America and most anything else you want to hunt with it!
  When I had that nasty 25-06 mentioned before, I got LOTS of signs that some thing was wrong. Blown primers were just one,since this is not your problem and the bolt is not "sticky" ,WHY SPEND THE MONEY ON A GOOSE CHASE? USE IT TO BUY SOME hORNADY BULLETS!

[jhalcott]

BTW,the difference in trajectory is only about 2-3 inches at 300 yards IF sighted in at 200 ! Energy is about 300 pounds less using the 250 gr Spire point.

[Rummer]

Thanks for all the replies.  I appreciate it.

I am not hot rodding loads. I work my way up to manual max values.

I am usually not a velocity freak, especially where .35 bullets are concerned.  I was mostly worried about safety and barrel life when I started this thread.

I don't shoot the rifle enough to shoot the bore out and it looks like safety won't be an issue.

I do want to try the Hawk round tips.  SInce they have 250gr .356 bullets as an option I am going to give them a try.  I will not switch over to .356 bullets entirely and I will not rebarrel.

Thanks
Rummer