Author Topic: 35 WHELEN (Read 7033 times)

Dennis Andersen · « **Reply #30 on:** April 26, 2004, 01:21:24 PM »

Thanks again Bonz

I was shooting the 225 ballistic tip in my Whelen. I tied 250 Partitions but wanted more velocity. I have taken two mule deer bucks and two antelope with the 6mm. None of them went anywhere. 85 grn. Barnes at about 3450. I also have a 350 Rem Mag. I haven't tried the Barnes in it. I know why the 350 and the 35? I wanted a Whelen couldn't find one saw the 350 at a gun show. Bought it, found a Whelen 1 year later and my wife bought it for me. I just can't part with the 350 now. I am going to give it to my friend someday.

The Bonz · « **Reply #31 on:** April 26, 2004, 03:49:55 PM »

Dennis.
I would be interested to know what loads you have put together for the 350 Rem Mag. I have always wondered if it is as "fast" as the loading books say. I would think with 225's it would equal or better the Whelen, and equal or a bit less than may Whelen Improved. Let me know what powders have worked for you. My favorite load for the 225 ballistic tips in my Whelen Improved is 60 gr. of Varget or 61 gr of Winchester 748. I hope this finds you doing well.
Bonz.

Dennis Andersen · « **Reply #32 on:** April 27, 2004, 03:26:11 PM »

Good evening Bonz

I had the most accuracy with 200 grain Sierra round nose with 60 grn. of Imr 4320. at 2700 fps. I shot several 1.5 inch groups at 200 yds.

I have tried 225 grain partitions with 60 grn. of 4320. at 2640 fps. They shot about 3 inches at 200 yds.

I just bought some 250 grn. round nose Hornadys I am going to try both Imr 4320 54.9 grn. and H 4895 49.1 grn. With speeds of 2500 and 2300 respectively.

All speeds are per loading manual as I have no chrony.

I can tell you the 350 recoils more, don't know if it the stoch shape or what.

The 350 is a model 700 clasic. 35 is a Ruger 77

The Bonz · « **Reply #33 on:** April 28, 2004, 05:07:28 AM »

Thanks for the reply. I have a Chronograph and does it sort out the wheat from the chaffe! There can be and usually are large differences between manual velocity and what I actually get. I found the $80 or so spent on it worth while. Curiously... You are specifying round nose bullets except the Partition, is that because of magazine room issues or so you don't use up as much powder space, or lastly, because you want them for the performance they offer as far as expending energy quicker with the broader nose? I would try some spitzers just for the heck of it, although your accuracy at 200yds is very nice. I have seen enough reviews of spitzer vs. roundnose vs. boattail to feel there just isn't much difference in ballistics. Thanks again for the reply. Just FYI, Barnes has told me they are going to make the 225 X in .358 a TSX bullet soon, and still offer the XLC coated bullet as well. The TSX with it's rings cut in the shank will give better velocity and seal the bore better as the copper will mash into the rings in the bullet as opposed to smearing along the bore. Less fouling is a great by product as well based on my shooting w/ 150 TSX bullets in my .300 Win Mag. By the way, with the 225 XLC (blue coated) Barnes bullet, I see well over 2800 FPS in my Whelen with super tight primer pockets and no measurable case head expansion. When you mention the X's won't shoot in your gun, what is your accuracy? Take care!
Bonz.

Dennis Andersen · « **Reply #34 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:16:02 PM »

Bonz

I bought a box of Sierra 200 grain round nose when my wife bought my Whelen. They were cheap and I wanted to break it in like they say you should. They were too short for the whelen. My overall length was way to short. So I tried them in the 350 just for the heck of it. They shot really well. So I bought the 250 Hornadys to try in the whelen. I haven't yet. When I took the 350 to Wyoming I was shooting the 225 grain Nosler partitions. They shot well, but not like the Sierras. I have been using 225 balistic tips in the Whelen up till now. You asked about accuracy with the barnes. I was lucky to keep them inside 10 inches at 200. My brother in-law has a 358 win and they will not shoot in it either. Where do you live anyway?

Dennis Andersen · « **Reply #35 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:21:08 PM »

Me again

2800 out of the Whelen with a 225 is screaming. I have never priced a chrony. I thought they were much more than that. As I said I use Barnes 85 grn. in my 6 mm. I bought some 85 xlc's last fall and loaded them this winter. I am supposed to get 3500 with them. I can't believe how that tiny bullet knocks an animal down.

sofalyr · « **Reply #36 on:** May 25, 2004, 03:49:19 PM »

I have two 35 whelens a rem 700 clasic and a custom built on a Mark X. Shot an Oryx in Jan this year. Approximately 100 yards, behind front shoulder (250gr speer, 2448 fps, chronograph average). Went through a rib, cut aorota and exited far side... no noticable expansion. Oryx went about 50 yards and turned and looked at me, I put another in chest and it exited in front of hip... still no noticeable expansion. Oryx went about another 50 yards and layed down and died. I love the whelen and love speer bullets, but will use lighter bullets next time for game elk size or smaller.

UMFAN1 · « **Reply #37 on:** May 27, 2004, 10:37:29 AM »

I'll have my Whelen back from the gunsmith in another week or so. I can't wait! :grin: :grin:

sapper299 · « **Reply #38 on:** June 02, 2004, 11:29:02 AM »

I was wondering if anyone had shot the 250gr Speer Grand Slams?
I have shot the Nosler partitions with some good groups, but got a deal on some Speers and wanted to try them. I have had great luck with them in .308 at 165gr. What I have for components:
30-06 LC65 Match brass, fire formed and sized
Winchester Large Rifle Primers
Speer 250 Grand Slams
H335, Re-15, IMR 4350 powders on hand- able to buy more but would like stick to multi caliber type powders if I can.

Your thoughts?

The Bonz · « **Reply #39 on:** June 02, 2004, 11:45:11 AM »

A 250 grain anything in a Whelen will be sufficient to say the least. I haven't taken any game with a Grand Slam in any caliber, but I have taken game with the 200 gr .308 hot cor bullet in a .300 Win Mag. It expanded a ton and liquefied the internals of a muley buck hit broadside. It exited leaving a quarter size hole (98 yds). If the bullet shoots well, I would try the Re-15 as I can't get enough of any 4350 in the case and seat the bullet deep enough without compression. I have used H322 with 180 and 200 grain barnes X bullets and get good velocity, but haven't used H335. I think the Grand slam offers a good mix of expansion and retaining meaningful weigth from all I've heard. Good Shooting!
My favorite load is a 225 gr. barnes x at 2750 for the regular version, and well over 2800 fps with the XLC version. It shoots to @1" and will out penetrate any 250 lead cored bullet period. It gets velocity to where bullet drop is a lot less and can extend the range of the cartridge without sacrificing performance. My Whelen is the Improved version, but that only makes cases easier to trim and I don't feel adds more than 25 or so fps. I do have the bbl at 26" because it shot so well when the gunsmith had me try it out before he blued it. I just didn't want to shorten the bbl and mess up the accuracy.
Bonz.

sapper299 · « **Reply #40 on:** June 02, 2004, 05:45:28 PM »

I like the way the grand slam works, I have had several cases of drop dead performance,literally.
I like the fact that they cost a bit less, and every one of them I have recovered has retained at least 78% of the loaded weight after traveling most of the length of a white tail. So on that data, I will stick with what I know. I just need a good powder. I tried CCI magnum primers in the LC65's and after reaming the primer pocket, they still don't fit, go figure.
So we are staying with winchester primers.

Let me know any thoughts
Chef Dan

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #41 on:** July 03, 2004, 06:01:54 AM »

I have a Ruger M77 in 35 whelen. I got it as a general purpose big game rifle. I had a lot of trouble with misfires when I first got it. I sent it back to ruger and got it back with new bolt, and barrel. Since I have gotten it back I haven't had a single failure with it. I worked up two loads for mine. One was a hornady 250gr RN @ 2400fps, the other a 225gr sierra BTSP @ 2650fps. Neither is a real barn burner but I can use both with the same zero and they are very solid performers. The 250s print nice little clover leafs at 100 yards dead one, the 225s hit exactly 3" high. This leaves a zero for the 225s at around 250 yards and a fur on hold for carabou out to 300. Its not a magnum, not speedy, not glittery or fancy but it is a solid performer on anything that walks in north america. Its the only big game rifle I even own anymore.

dkhnt · « **Reply #42 on:** August 21, 2004, 02:24:49 AM »

In the event that you guys hadn't heard, Remington is making a limited number of their new CDL rifle in the .35 Whelan. I will have some for $590 + shipping to your FFL. The CDL is the Deluxe Classic. Matte finished with a nice Classic stock with an ebony colored forend tip. In the event that anyone is interested let me know as I can get a number of them. The CDL is a nice gun!

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #43 on:** August 21, 2004, 04:37:31 AM »

IfI had my druthers I'd like a 35 whelen in a composite stock with a stainless matte barrel.Pure utilitarian- a rifle for hunting moose and bear, that I don't need to worry about banging up a nice stock.Maybe Savage will make one

Mac11700 · « **Reply #44 on:** August 21, 2004, 05:17:32 AM »

Hey Guys:;

I'm buying a RMEF Handi in 35 Whelen...in the next few days and was wondering just how good a whitetail round this makes...I've read over what everyone here has to say for the heavier bullets...but there hasn't been much discussion on the lighter ones...and I'm just wondering why??? I know that most here would rather shoot the heavier ones since the went with a larger bore size and wanted something bigger...but I was figuring it should do all right with a bunch of different weight bullets...maybe even some pistol bullets for plinking and having fun with...but it will be used for deer hunting and when I finally get to go west for elk and muledeer....this cartridge looks like it can do just about anything providing you use the correct bullet...

Mac

Bandito · « **Reply #45 on:** August 21, 2004, 06:01:18 AM »

Try the 200 gr rn from Remington from MidwayUSA in the bulk. The round nose seems to transmit power sooner than the protected point. I have not needed the heavier bullets for whitetail. I have some 280 gr WLN with a huge meplat for the heavy stuff like elk and piggies. I have some loads for both Whelen and 358 WCF with a 148 gr HBWC over a small charge of Red Dot. What a hoot! Grandkids like to shoot this load. It makes little noise and recoil. For whitetail a recoil sensitive shooter could start with the 180 gr single shot pistol bullet from Hornady at low velosity and go upwards with the charge and go to progressively heavier bullets. Whelen is good. 'Dito

Mac11700 · « **Reply #46 on:** August 22, 2004, 05:21:37 AM »

Bandito:

I would be interested in obtaining your loading data for the 148gr wad cutter...sounds like it would be a hoot to shoot :wink:

I'm wondering how many folks use pistole bullets in their Whelens

Seems like it would be a great way to practice with your rifle on the cheap....and I would bet you could get some deceant groups with some of the better jacketed 158 grain bullets too...I see only 1 lmild load with these in Lymans#48 editon

Another one I will try will be the 180 grain XFB Barnes...3000-3100 fps with a 180 grain x bullet should do wonders on mulies and whitetails out a little past 300 yards...with less than 4" drop at that range...then for elk...I would like to try the new Triple shock 225 grainer....I don't know how these would work out...but if they do as good of job as everyone has said they do...that just might be a great load to use....

Mac

The Bonz · « **Reply #47 on:** August 23, 2004, 06:33:01 AM »

I have tried the 180 X in the Whelen IMPROVED I shoot, and it goes out at 3050 fps and based on case head expansion and primer pocket tightness, as well as primer appearance there is room to go, but why?

I shot an elk at 204 yds thru the lungs with the 225X (non XLC/TSX) and it put a quarter size hole thru both lungs. It hit between the ribs going in and out so nothing hard was hit. The elk dropped at the shot. MV was 2750 fps and impact was around 2200-2300 FPS or so.

I wrote earlier I get 2800 fps with the 225 XLC's, and as someone responded, it is "screamin'" however it is definitely a safe load. My top XLC load gets to almost 2900 fps avg. I do have a 26" bbl on my custom Mauser 98, and as it is so accurate I couldn't bear to have the the gunsmith shorten it. That sure helps on the velocity.

Barnes is not kidding when they say you can get 125-200 fps more with the XLC.

I want to try the TSX 225, but I have such a good supply of the others to use up. Honestly, even the plain old X bullet at 2750 fps (225 gr.) is all I need. The Whelen or Improved vesion won't equal my .300 Win in trajectory no matter what I do, so I have a super 350yd gun in the Whelen Impl and should I need more range, the 300 Win Mag gets the nod.

Not a bad choice either way!

anthony passero · « **Reply #48 on:** October 03, 2004, 11:49:33 AM »

It is good to to know there are so many people enjoying a grand round such as the 35 whelen. I have used the whelen exstensivly and find the 250 gr speer with as much 4320 as your gun can handle my favourite all round north american game cartridge. Shoots as well as I can hold it and then some. Not too much damage on deer, plenty of power for elk and bucks wind. Kicks like the proverbial mule though in my remington 700 classic. Wlelen by the way favoured the 26 inch barrel length for this cartridge.What glass do you favour for this round. I would love to try some of the new barnes. a 225 at 2800 would be a missle.

Anthony

The Bonz · « **Reply #49 on:** October 04, 2004, 05:22:48 AM »

I like the way you describe a 225 grainer in a .358. A MISSILE is very appropriate. I kept my bbl. at 26" and have been happy. I am really thinking of having it shortened to 23 or 24" after this season, it will help with the weight and make it a bit more handy. I feel with the XLC or TSX bullets from Barnes, I gain enough velocity that I will still be close to where I am now, as I do not open the throttle up all the way with the XLC's. The TSX's just don't match the XLC's for velocity, at least in my Whelen.

I have a Leupold 3-9 x 40 VXII on the Whelen now, and have had a 3-9 compact from Leupold on there in the past. Both are great. I like the optics better on the VXII so it is the one I plan on keeping on the gun.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #50 on:** October 12, 2004, 08:30:16 PM »

I got my whelen right before I moved to alaska. I thought it would be a perfect all around big game rifle. I was originaly going to have a mauser rebarreled but found the ruger for a good price, much cheaper than I could have the mauser redone for. When I first got it I put a 3-9x40 burris on it bought a box of remington 200gr loads and headed to the range. Second shot, click, no bang. Turned out that it would only fire about 50% of the time.

I sent it back to ruger and didn't get it back for a few weeks. When I got it back there was a letter in with it telling what they did to it. New barrel, bolt, and firing pin. About the only thing left was that god awful ugly stock.

Ever since its been back I have had no problems with it at all. I worked up a couple of loads for it. I quickly settled on two loads that it really liked with performance no one can argue with. Done! There is really nothing else I can do to this rifle, I would restock it but how can you mess with a rifle that shoots so well. Time and time again I have considered selling it but just can't bring myself to do it. When you find a winner you just can't get rid of it, so I guess while everyone else has thier pretty mauser conversions and remington bolt guns I'll just settle for this ugly ruger. :wink:

Paul Barnard · « **Reply #51 on:** October 14, 2004, 02:51:09 PM »

Don't overlook the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 225gr as a premium bullet option in the 35 cal. It flat out gets r done. Expansion, weight retention, penetration. It's the whole package.

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #52 on:** October 25, 2007, 01:10:06 PM »

I just found this old post. Information is great. However, all you guys who have Whelens, have you hunted big bear with them? If so, what loads are you using?

The Bonz · « **Reply #53 on:** October 26, 2007, 06:35:40 AM »

I haven't done any bear/dangerous game hunting but the 358 Norma Magnum is pretty stout and the 35 Whelen Improved is pretty much similar with the 225 grain bullets IMO based on load data for the Norma vs. my actual loads for the 35 Improved. I shot my 3rd elk with the 35 Improved last week, and it is a beast of a gun in terms of it's on-game performance. With the Barnes 225x, TSX, XLC it will do anything a 250 lead core bullet (the Whelen made it's name with that bullet) will and more in terms of penetration and reliability in putting anything down for good. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt anything with it where it is a legal caliber. Put a 250 Barnes X (discontinued I believe) in it and it will penetrate forever. Use a premium bullet and you can't go wrong. The nice thing about the 225 Barnes bullet is you can take hard angling shots and be assured it will reach the vitals with any reasonable shot out to 250-300yds.

Bonz.