Just wondering if anyone has used or heard of someone using pistol .357 cast bullets in a .35 Whelen. Not looking for a 1000 yard target load just some thing fun for prairie dogs and such.
Thanks for any info,

You can do that but your accuracy might be iffy with any velocity at all. The Remington 180 gr Core-lokt in bulk is better and not much more expensive.

Hey Big Iron, You might be able to make them work. The problem is that it is a real "balancing act" for the Pressure. Change to a different "alloy" Lead bullet and you need to start over too.

If the Pressure is too Low or too High, you will get Leading. If the alloy is too soft or too hard, you will get Leading. If the Lead bullet does not "Obturate" the full length of the barrel you can get Gas Cutting, Leading and/or both.

If you can locate a Gas Checked Lead bullet, it will help you. If you can't find one, you can use the old Milk Carton(waxed cardboard) Gas Checks(MCGC) by sharpening the end of a 38Spl/357Mag case and using it as a Cutting Die. Drill the Primer hole out so you can push out the cut Gas Checks.

When using the MCGCs, you do not want them to drop into the Case past the Neck. Since your 35Whe is a Bottle Necked Case, you have to be more careful with it than in a 444Mar or 45-70 with their Straight Wall Cases. Just be aware this can be a problem and load them long enough so it won't be a problem. Resize the entire Neck, but just expand a little bit of the mouth. That will cause the MCGC to be a snug fit in the Case Neck. And Seat the Bullet so it doesn't push the MCGC on into the Case.

And of course, transport them Bullet down. Check your barrel after each shot just to make sure nothing(an MCGC) is left in it before inserting another cartridge.

I know some folks use "Fillers" and have no problem with them. I'm old enough to remember all the problems with Fillers creating "Ringed Chambers" back in the `50s-`60s, so I wouldn't use one in anything I own nor would I fire a round if I knew it contained a Filler.

The Lyman Manual and the RCBS Cast Bullet Manuals may be the best sources for information you would appreciate "prior to" trying this in your rifle.

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The advantages are low cost, reduced report, nonexistant recoil and almost ZERO barrel wear.

I haven't tried it yet, but I intend to as soon as time and the weather permit. I have one of the Loadbooks for the .35 Whelen, and the Speer section lists 3 "do not reduce" loads, the Sierra section lists loads using 4 powders, and the Lyman section lists loads with one powder, all for 158 gr. .357 jacketed pistol bullets.

I used to shoot 180gr gas check bullets cast from wheel weights in my 357 Supermag for sihlouettes. If you got a 358 swage die, they should work in your Whelen. The molds I used were from RCBS. Probably couldn't push these much over 1750fps but who know? It would be fun to find out.
Russ

I use the Lyman reloading manual for the 158gr. hornady's. My rifle shoots about a one inch group at 100 yards with a four inch drop from my hunting loads. I use these for practice in all positions. They are cheap to shoot and very little recoil so I can shoot all day. I recommend these highly for anybody wanting to practice alot and not spend alot of money on premium rounds.

I shoot the bulk Win 125's in my Whelen, they are accurate and cheap.

Not in the Whelen but definitely with the .35 Remington. Mostly cast lead bullet using Unique or Universal Clays powder but some jacketed. Keep the velocity down to pistol levels and they make fine practice/small game loads. In the longer Whelen case you would probably benefit from a filler to hold the powder in place.

Speer #13 has a 158 gr pistol bullet load listed on page 377.

I have some 158 gr LFNRP loaded with 7 gr Bullseye for very short range practice. Don't try a load like this with a jacketed bullet, unless you like to pull bullets stuck in the barrel!