35 Whelen Ackley Improved 250gr load?

[RevJim]

 The last time I loaded any 250gr bullets in my AI was back in 1995! I then used 53.5gr AA2015BR, and the older Barnes 250X (2550-2600fps). It was a real killer, but I tried the 200X and 58gr H322 later and settled on it (2970). The new 200 TTSX takes 58.5gr for 2950fps).
  Last February I loaded the 310 Woodleigh over R15 and it worked swell(2424fps). I now want to play with the Hornady 250rn and the Speer 250sp(2600 is what I want). I can work up with R15 from my Woodleigh data (55gr) or can use Varget. Both are temp stable. Just wondering if any 35 Whelen Improved data is out there with these two powders? I have to use Temp stable powders as I can be in late winter Utah (30 deg or colder)  and then get an invite to Texas for hogs/exotics where it may be 80 deg! I used CCI BR2 primers on all my loads so far, but I am open to trying some Federal 215 I have on hand. Any opinions out there, all welcome!

[quickdtoo]

I use RL15 with the Hornady 250gr RN for 2660fps from my 22" H&R.

Tim

http://35cal.com/loading.html#vz24

[RevJim]

 Thanks Pard, I have plenty of R15 on hand. I was kinda thinking I'd end up around 60+ with this powder. Do you use a Magnum primer with your load?
 

[roper]

The last time I loaded any 250gr bullets in my AI was back in 1995! I then used AA2015BR, and the older Barnes 250X. It was a real killer, but I tried the 200X and H322 later and settled on it.
  Last February I loaded the 310 Woodleigh over R15 and it worked swell. I now want to play with the Hornady 250rn and the Speer 250sp. I can work up with R15 from my Woodleigh data (55gr) or can use Varget. Both are temp stable. Just wondering if any 35 Whelen Improved data is out there with these two powders? I have to use Temp stable powders as I can be in late winter Utah (30 deg or colder)  and then get an invite to Texas for hogs/exotics where it may be 80 deg! I used CCI BR2 primers on all my loads so far, but I am open to trying some Federal 215 I have on hand. Any opinions out there, all welcome!

My 35 WhelenAI has 24" long Kreiger barrel and I settled on 225gr Accubond with R15 and Fed 215 primer and it's one of my elk rifles here in Co.  I tried H-332 and few other powders and my back up powder is IMR-4064.

I got little better velocity with the Fed 215 seemed like my groups got little tighter and I've shot out to 400yd with my present load.  I do most of my shooting testing loads early AM so haven't had mine out in our summer heat so no help on that.

[quickdtoo]

Thanks Pard, I have plenty of R15 on hand. I was kinda thinking I'd end up around 60+ with this powder. Do you use a Magnum primer with your load?

Fed 210, considered LRM primers, but never got around to trying them, 1¼" groups were good enough for me. 

Tim

[JesterGrin]

 I wish I had more information for you Rev but I would use the RL-15 powder but start load testing at mid range loads for the Standard 35 Whelen and work up from there till you experience your best accuracy and or pressure signs.


Some information here might help.   http://35cal.com/35whelen.htm  But as said for powder charges I would still work up the load.
 

 They say you can gain 10% or better with the AI over the Standard 35 Whelen.

 I may send my barrel and action off to have it re chambered for the 35 Whelen AI.

[RevJim]

 Thanks, I like the "looks" of the Ackley design, ha. I also like the fact that I can get the velocity of a hot loaded standard whelen in the Ackley with less pressure. That is the way I use all the Ackley designs/calibers I have played with ( only have the Whelen now, my SIL has the 22-250 AI)  My very first Ackley was one of the first Mod 700 Classics in 257 roberts. It impressed me big time, ha. I've had the 30.06 Imp (best with 24"bbl)  .280 AI (also best with 24" bbl) 30-30 AI (sweet) 6mm Bullberry Improved (30-30 AI necked down to 6mm) .17 Hornet AI, 22 Hornet AI, the above 257 Roberts AI and 3 35 Whelen AIs (2 Mod 700s, one 98 Mauser) One Mod 700 .375 Weatherby (basically an AI but with the radius shoulder..(it hummed!)
 Yep, I like them, but as I get older, I get tired of fireforming brass! ha
 I've always noticed an increase in velocity, even in 22" bbls, but it is just the "idea of it" that really appeals to me! I love those straight sided, sharp shouldered cases...even factory designs i.e. the WSMs, the RUMSs, now the 375 Ruger I just made a deal on...whoopeee!
 If a man likes to handload, and has the time to fireform,etc then the Improved versions are worth it, IMO. Plus, they are rare in hunting camp, so you have a hot topic to talk about at night ,

[RevJim]

 I ended up trying R15 and Fed 215M primers. 61 gr was benchrest accurate with the Speer 250 spire point. Velocity was 2750! 62gr opened up and had flat primers (anytime you see a flattened primer in an Ackley Improved, look out,ha) I used the Fed 215 cause I hunt in late winter, though I have never used a mag primer in any AI load before. I sure got an efficient burn with them!
I have questions whether or not the Speer 250 will open too soon at this velocity, so am going to work up the same recipe with Nosler 250, if they do as well, I'm set.

[RevJim]

 Went back out yesterday with the R15 and 250 Noslers, dropped back to 59gr, stopped at 61. I got 2765av for the 61gr and Fed 215m primer, and same, bughole group in same poi as the Speer 250! Nice surprise, can interchange if desired. My barrel is a "fast" one, I get more velocity than it should, but its checked out several times on other chronographs, and this is a new Beta Chrony I'm using now, which also checked out fine. I'm shooting around 5000+ feet elevation.