Author Topic: 35 WHELEN (Read 7039 times)

UMFAN1 · « **on:** December 12, 2003, 02:57:39 AM »

I've been a fan of the whelen for 3-4 years and am finally getting one in about a month. A gunsmith friend of mine is rebarreling an old 30-06 of mine. I can't wait to take it to the range for some work. I plan on shooting the 250gr. bullets for deer next season, and can't wait to see the whelen's effect on game for myself. Does anyone out there have any experiences/characteristics they want to share about their whelens?

DLH · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2003, 01:31:17 PM »

Save the 250 g bullets for Moose and Elk. The jackets on them is too thick To open up on deer. For White tail I use a 200g, and if you must, try a 225 Nosler ballistic tip.
I use the 250g Hornadys in my 358 Norma mag, it would be for Moose and the bigger Bears.

My 35 Whelen loves IMR 4064, but I have not found anything that it realy doesn't like!! :-D

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2003, 05:22:54 PM »

I've used the 225 BT on deer in a .358 JDJ at 2300 fps muzzle velocity and they do an excellent job. The little bit extra you'll push them from the Whelan won't hurt them for deer. Excellent choice. Better than the 200s in my opinion.

GB

Daveinthebush · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2003, 12:55:39 AM »

I have had mine for almost 20 years now. As GB said the 225 BT is a great bullet. In the Whelen they are probably the best long range load for medium size animals. I have never recovered one from a caribou or moose.

For deer I would go down to the 200 or the 180's. You can load them down a bit and equal the .358 Winchester or .35 Remington.

The Whelen is a highly underated round.

onesonek · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2003, 02:25:12 AM »

I can't add much here, accept too affirm Dave's statement, "highly underated". I have a custom barreled #1, and use the 225 gr NBT's on deer and black bear. I save the 250 gr NPT's for elk. I haven't used on anything else, YET. But it's been an excellent performer on these critters!

lgm270 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2003, 09:54:28 AM »

For deer, you might try the Barnes X bulllets in 180 and 200 grain. Because they're all copper, they're longer than lead bullets of the same weight and have higher ballistic coefficients.

Obviously they move at higher velocities and shoot flatter. X-bullets seem to be finicky and don't necessarily work in all rifles, but if they do they usually work very well.

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2003, 09:45:54 AM »

The .35 Whelen is one cartridge that I have always wanted but every time I went to build one something always got in the way. Now I have come into a rifle that just may end up being my .35. Was just given a M721 in .270 that the barrel is showing signs of throat wear. How about a nice Shelin barrel cut to 24" sound? I think the standard .35 Whelen will be my choice, no improved versions. One more question, would you guys put open sights on this along with a good scope? Lawdog

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2003, 11:55:52 AM »

I sure wouldn't put a 24" barrel on it. Unless it is a grossly over bore round you just don't gain much from a couple inches of barrel and a shorter one is so much more handy in use. To what use would you put it that you think the few extra fps a 24" vs. 22" barrel would be worth the extra length and loss of handling?

GB

onesonek · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2003, 12:51:16 PM »

Hi Lawdog,
Mine is an AI, but I didn't bring it up earlier. The main reason I AI is too reduce case growth, The added speed is a bonus, which in this case/cal. combination isn't enough to make it worth while as a single reason. Barrel length is a personal preference. Two inches on a bolt gun can make some handling differences. But balance is what I look at. On the # 1, I have a 25", I like my carry hand more forward, near natural shooting position. How your gun is made up, is up to you. Even in the woods, I can't say 2 inches would bother me, unbalanced would.
Open sights, with QD rings and a moderate variable scope, would be my choice.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2003, 01:45:03 PM »

My Whelen is a sportized '03 with a 24" barrel. It's nicely balanced and handles really well. I don't get drawn often enough to use it on game here in Arizona, so it's mostly just a fun gun that I use with cast bullets. I think I would rate it as my favorite rifle.

Forgot to add, don't have iron sights on this rifle. Only a 2X Luepold M-8 in a Luepold single dovetail base/ring mount.

Lawdog · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2003, 12:48:09 PM »

Sent my order in to Shelin for one of the match grade barrels in .358. Smith is going to do the chambering work, sights and barrel band sling stud while I'm waiting for the stock blank to come from Royal Arms. My .35 Whelen is next years project. Lawdog

freddogs · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2003, 05:48:26 AM »

:sniper: I've shot one doe mule deer at 200yds with my mauser 98 whelan using 250 grain speer spitzer bullets and it worked just fine. The accuracy is very good and the reciol not any worse than my 30.06. One deer is not a definitive test but I was pleased with the results. If I wanted to shoot 180 gr. bullets I could have stuck with the 30.06.(which works fine too). I just wanted something different for throwing larger chunks of lead.

The speers are relatively inexpensive, have more downrange velocity, and shoot accurately out of my rifle. Any thing hit with a 250 grain bullet is gonna hurt.

UMFAN1 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 27, 2003, 05:12:09 PM »

I second that Freddogs. I'm going with a .35 so I can take advantage of the 200 to 250 grain bullets vs. my current 30-06 loads. Plus I've been yearning for a Whelen since I first read about it.
Where I hunt here in Michigan(mostly on public land), if you don't drop a deer in its tracks, then there is a good chance that another hunter will claim your deer before you track it down. :cry:
According to everything I've read about the Whelen, its a great stopper, no matter what the game(in the U.S.) :-)

Barstooler · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2004, 01:31:26 PM »

I have two .35 Whelens, both built on 03 Springfield actions and I have used them for over 30 years. My first Whelen was so loved by my dad that I got tired of having to fight him for it every time we went hunting so found one for him. He recently returned it to me because his health now prevents him from hunting.

I have taken numerous deer, several elk, and two bears with them. I have settled on the .250 Speer bullet, and both my guns like IMR 4895 powder. Back when I started loading for them about the only 35 caliber bullets commonly available were 200 gr primarily designed for the 35 Rem, and at Whelen velocities they just damaged too much meat. When Remington introduced the .350 Rem Mag Speer came out with their 250 gr bullet and I have been using it every since.

CEJ1895 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2004, 09:08:12 AM »

UMFAN1 - I can't add much more to what has already been said here but I love the Nosler 225gr Partitions out of my 22" barreled Remington 700 Classic! Hits like a Mack truck, doesn't waste meat and not too hard to find the deer after the shot!

Robert · « **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2004, 11:35:20 AM »

They tend to be unstable, I'm also going to try the Speer. The Hornady does not have much of a bearing surface, less than 1/3 of the length.

Lawdog · « **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2004, 01:10:39 PM »

Robert,

Quote

They tend to be unstable

Do you mean Nosler Partition's? Just wondering as they are the bullet I intend to use in my Whelen. Never had much luck with Speer or Sierra bullets for hunting. Lawdog

Robert · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2004, 03:11:07 PM »

The canellure is less than 1/3 from the base and it is the only part of the bullet that measures .358, it starts tapering immediately in front of the canellure. I haven't given up completely on them, I might try them with lighter loads.
NOSLER on the other hand......I have never seen a Nosler bullet that I did not like. I havent tried any in the Whelen yet. The best thing I have tried so far are the 200 gr Remington Core Lokt in the bulk bags. I have some Nosler 225 Ballistics to try, but havent gotten around to it. I haven't had the Whelen Imp for very long, haven't even got the right scope on it yet, I am still shopping.
I think those Partitions will serve you well.

UMFAN1 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2004, 09:46:34 AM »

Thanks for all the great info guys. I am having my .35 Whelen built right now. It should be done in 3-4 weeks. Then the fun begins with scoping it and some shooting. I think I'll test the 225gr. Noslers and Hornady's 250gr. round nose bullets first.

Dennis Andersen · « **Reply #19 on:** April 15, 2004, 04:08:33 PM »

I have a 35 Whelen in a Ruger 77. I took a nice Mule deer in Wyoming two years ago with a 225 grain Nosler ballistic tip. Great bullet and great accuracy. I tried 200 grn. Barnes bullets. They were terrible in the Whelen. My 350 Rem didn't care for them either. I use Barnes exclusively in my 6mm Rem and they perform great. Not so in 35.

jpex59 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2004, 11:24:37 PM »

My 700 shoots very well with 4064 or Re12. I use 200 & 250 gr. Hornady
spitzers, 250 gr.Speer spitzers , 225 gr. Sierra BT and 225 &250 Nosler Partitions. They all shoot 1" groups with both these powders so I have never tried anything else. I use 200 gr. Hornadys &225 Sierra BT's for deer. If I had to settle for 1 powder it would be 4064, almost same velocity as RE 12 with less recoil. The 1 bullet would be the 250 gr.Speer
except for big bear. Then I'd use the 250 Nosler Partition. The 35
Whelen is one of those cartridges that shoot good no matter what you use.
I would stay away from factory ammo if I were you. All I've shot were not very impressive. Handloads are the way to go.

Lawdog · « **Reply #21 on:** April 18, 2004, 11:20:33 AM »

jpex59,

On behalf of Graybeard and the Medium Bore Rifles forum I would like to Welcome you to Graybeard Outdoors. The best forum on the net for hunters/shooters going today. I hope you will post often about your .35 Whelen and any/or other questions, ideas you may have. What were your experiences with factory ammo, what make was it and what was the load? Small groups and tight lines to you. Lawdog

Dennis Andersen · « **Reply #22 on:** April 18, 2004, 03:33:12 PM »

I have a friend that bouught a Ruger 77 just like mine, one year after I purchased mine. He has had terrible luck with missfires, only in Remington factory rounds. The Federals seem to work fine. I loaded him some of the Nosler bt,s in Remington cases and they worked fine. he has sent the rifle back 3 times still the same thing. have any of you had trouble like this? I haven't. Our rifles both came from a limited run by Ruger.

jpex59 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2004, 06:55:06 PM »

Lawdog,
Thanks for the nice welcome. My only experience with factory ammo has been Rem. 200 gr. & 250 gr. Nothing as frustrating as misfires, they just
seemed awfully mild and were not that accurate. I've been building rifles
reloading and shooting rifles since I started " helping " my dad at age 8
( I'm 44 now ) and the only misfire I ever had were 3 out the same box of 100 REM. 91/2. I still use Rem. Fed. Win. & CCI primers with good luck.
My Whelen prefers spitzers over roundnose. I loaded some 200 gr. Sierra
RN and at best shot 2" groups. The same exact load with a 200 gr.
Hornady PSP shoots less than an inch. I think a lot of the 35 caliber, 200
gr. bullets were designed with the 35 Rem. in mind and don't hold together at whelen velocities. But any of the 225 & 250 gr. I've shot
have preformed very well. To me the Whelen is one of those rounds that is hard to make a bad bullet & powder choice for. Everything seems to work. And it preforms better on game than its numbers indicate.

Lawdog · « **Reply #24 on:** April 19, 2004, 11:44:22 AM »

Dennis Andersen,

I have had problems in the past with Remington primers(misfires). I believe that is the case here. The problem is the primer. Although I don't care for Remington bullets(the last good bullet Remington put out in my opinion was the Bronze Point), it is a personal choice, their primers seem to really need whack to fire. Tell your friend to change ammo brands and he shouldnt have any problems. Small groups to you and your friend. Lawdog

The Bonz · « **Reply #25 on:** April 23, 2004, 12:48:03 PM »

Now I can talk with some fellow Whelen disciples! I have one that is the Ackley improved version, and it is awesome. I have taken one shot in anger, and one elk in the freezer. I like the 26" bbl and left my Shilen that length when Norm Thompson from Colorado Springs made it on a Mauser 98 action w/Tmney trigger and Buehler safety. I like the 225 Barnes X bullets (XLC coated or regular) and they shoot 1" groups. It shoots anything (180 X bullets, 200 Hornady's, 225 Nosler BT's, Sierra 225 Boattails, 250 Speers or Hornady's) to an inch or less, with the 225 Nosler Ballistic Tips piling into .5" at about 2725 fps with a charge of Varget or IMR4320 and Remington brass w/CCI250 primers. I get very large velocity spreads with regular CCI200 primers.
I love my gun! It hasn't taken as many critters (yet) as my previous pet (5 good animals and still in my heart though!) .300 Win Mag. but it's just a matter of time. I will shoot a good old fashioned 250 grain lead core bullet this year for nostalgia, however the elk mentioned above was flat hammered with a 225 X bullet when taken broadside.
Look forward to any reply's.

Dennis Andersen · « **Reply #26 on:** April 23, 2004, 04:44:38 PM »

Hey! Bonz

What powder and charge did you use with the barnes 225? As I had said I had no luck at all with the 200 grn. I talked to a Barnes sales rep and he swears by the Barnes 250grn, in his Whelen. I realize yours is improved and mine isn't. But I might as well throw the barnes 200 rather than shoot them.

The Bonz · « **Reply #27 on:** April 24, 2004, 12:08:28 PM »

Dennis, thanks for the question! I use Hodgdon VARGET for the most part, although IMR 4320 works just as well. I started with the regular 225 X and then purchased some of the 225 XLC bullets and got a huge increase in velocity with accuracy being just as good as the regular X's. The Improved chambering does not make the gun more or less accurate as you probably have figured out. It gives me something no one else shoots, and I don't have any case stretching issues (no trimming!) like I do with my .270 or other '06 derived cases. The powder capacity difference is only 2 grains more for the Improved vs. an unfired Whelen case before I fire form it. It might be good for 50-75 fps. I would ultimately tell you to play with your seating depth, as I feel most powders of appropriate burn rate will give up similar accuracy potential when all is said and done. Basically, powder ain't the #1 issue. Start long on seating, 1)make sure they are off the rifling and 2)that they fit in your magazine. Then I start backing off .010 at a time until I find a sweet spot or I establish they just won't shoot and I've burned up a lot of bullets and powder. My .270 Winchester will not shoot 130x's at all, but piles every other bullet you can imagine into very tight groups. Good luck and look forward to hearing from you. The 250 grain x's are a good bullet for me, but man, the 225XLC gives me so much more velocity and I know it will penetrate better than any lead core 250 bullet, so I use the 225.
Howard.

Dennis Andersen · « **Reply #28 on:** April 24, 2004, 03:20:39 PM »

Thanks for the info. I don't know if I am going to try the 225s ofr 250's or just stick to the 225 Noslers. I havea 6mm rem that shoots 85 grn. Barnes like you wouldn't believe.

The Bonz · « **Reply #29 on:** April 25, 2004, 01:36:58 PM »

Dennis, on those 225 Noslers, I didn't get if they were Ballistic Tips or Partitions? I love the accuracy of the Ballistic Tips, it is incredible to see them in .5" groups knowing the power they pack on the other end. In case you do not know, the large caliber Ballistic Tips have very thick jackets (from 8mm caliber on up) to give "controlled expansion", i.e. they shouldn't blow up so-to-speak like the .308 and under ballistic tips can when they hit bone. I shot an antelope straight on to me with a 150 Ballistic Tip out of a 7STW at 200 yds and it cratered big time! I was getting 3225 FPS at the muzzle, and it was still going was faster than it was meant to perform at when it hit. The heart/lung region was completely intact, it was a mighty enough shock to the system that he just plain went down for the count. All my X-bullet hits from an assortment of calibers, whether straight on to a mule deer buck 124 yds, bull elk broadside 334 yds, cow elk broadside 198 yds, whitetail doe <60 yds going away, etc. the barnes has given complete destruction of the vitals and an exit wound. Haven't found one yet, although I would like to! Good bullets they are! Good luck, and let me know how and what you decide on.
Bonz.