Loading for the 35 Whelen.

[SeaBass]

I'm going to work up a load for my cousin's .35 Whelen.  It will be used almost excusively for whitetale deer, but he may shoot a moose with it from time to time.  Most shots will be under 100yds but he is capable of, and willing to take, a 300yd shot if the situtation calls for it.  I am leaning toward the 250gr bullet as it seems to retain alot more energy with minimal difference in bullet drop.

Anyone have any pet loads they would like to share?  I would very much like to hear about the actual performance of different bullets on deer sized game as well as accuracy of powder/bullet combinations.

Thanks.

[bja105]

I just built a 35 Whelen on a mauser action, so I'm a whelen newbie, too.

I've tried 4 bullets, so far.  I tried the sierra 225g, with IMR 4064 and reloader 15.  Accuracy was getting there, but I can't find anymore of those bullets.

For a lighter load, I use remington 180g hollow point 357 handgun bullets, with surplus wc846 (like BL-C2), or with blue dot, for very light, quiet loads.

I've been trying 250g speer spitzers and hornady round nose.  With Reloader 15, I can't get anywhere near max wtihout pressure signs, accuracy not great.  I've got more to try next time with IMR 4064.

If anyone else has suggestions, I'm listening, too.

[jhalcott]

Have you thought about varget? It works good in my 35 whelen with both cast and that other kind of bullet.  The twist in my gun is 1/14" you MIGHT have a little trouble with a 16" twist and the heavier bullets. A 200 grain bullet will take any north American deer to 300 yards. A Moose can be had also but they some times don't realize they are dead for a couple minutes.

[quickdtoo]

I'm shooting the 225gr TSX at 2890fps with a  max load of Rl15 in a 26" barrel H&R RMEF Ultra, accuracy is right at moa, but it's probably way more than needed for deer. If I was after deer alone, I think I try the 200gr TSX.

And FWIW, the 1:16" twist rate of this rifle shoots the 250gr Speer hot-cor spitzer extremely well using BL-C2.

Tim