The Accurate Reloading Forums
270 - 275 grain bullets in 35 whelen
270 - 275 grain bullets in 35 whelen
I stumbled across some 275 gr. bullets in 35 caliber and wanted some ideas on loads. I currently shoot 200-225-250
grain bullets using RL-12 and 4064 with excellent results.
I have considered using these same powders and just working
up slowly but would appreciate any experienced input. Yes I know a heavier bullet in a whelen will be slow, but I just care if a load kills cleanly. I don't care how fast it is going at the time. Thanks.
16 July 2004, 05:49
Bwana-beI would go with RL15, maybe even 19, starting at around 45g, and look for about 2200 fp or so.
16 July 2004, 06:48
bartscheA compressed load of IMR7383 (52.5gr.)a mag. primer a must. Should give you about 2100fps. Hi-Tech Ammunition, LLC advertises in Shot Gun News IMR 7383, $24.00/ 7lbs. tele; 800-468-8617 I use it in a number of rifles and have some good results. So far it seems impossible to over load because of it's burning rate and light density. It's a gentle beast all unto it's own.I haven't heard one horror story yet.
roger
16 July 2004, 08:25
Terry BlauwkampQuote:
A compressed load of IMR7383 (52.5gr.)a mag. primer a must. Should give you about 2100fps. Hi-Tech Ammunition, LLC advertises in Shot Gun News IMR 7383, $24.00/ 7lbs. tele; 800-468-8617 I use it in a number of rifles and have some good results. So far it seems impossible to over load because of it's burning rate and light density. It's a gentle beast all unto it's own.I haven't heard one horror story yet. roger
What is IMR 7383? I've never heard of it. IMR 7828 I understand but not this other one.
16 July 2004, 08:31
ricciardelliMy choice would be:
RL-15 From 51.0 grains to 55.0 grains
Federal 210 Primer
But the following will work:
RL-12 From 52.0 grains to 55.0 grains
Federal 210 Primer
IMR-4064 From 48.0 grains to 52.0 grains
Federal 210 Primer
16 July 2004, 11:20
bartscheTerry, Call that tole free # and you will receive the info you are looking for. They're nice guys to deal with and if you buy four they will pay the Haz mat charges. If you drop me an E-mail I'll give you all the test data I have.It's a surplus powder that was used on 50 cal. artillry sighting , or tracer rounds.
Thanks to all for the info. I will try the RL-12 & 4064 first, but I have been wanting to try RL-15 as I have read good reports on it here and elsewhere.
17 July 2004, 03:05
sdgunslingerThe Hodgdon #26 book has alot of data for the Whelen and 275 gr bullets ; with listings for Hodgdon , IMR , Winchester , and Alliant powders.
One of the best is no doubt RL 15 . The listed start load is 51 gr with a max of 55 gr for 2392 fps out of a 24 inch barrel @47500 CUP .
17 July 2004, 03:56
wooferthat should clear some cobwebs!
woofer
18 July 2004, 16:46
Bwana-be270g at a virtual 2400 fps!! I find it a bit hard to believe at first, but I know a lot of 250's going 2500 from 24" bbl, so why not?
What a load, and from an '06 case.
I shot a few to check for pressure and they looked good.
I know Swift makes A-frames in 35 cal. 280 grain, does Hornady still make 275 grainers? The box I have is an old
box of Hornady 275's.
20 July 2004, 17:00
N E 450 No2Elmer Keith was a BIG fan of 275 grain bullets in the 35 Whelen. If I had a 35 Whelen I would have to try them on the big stuff... And on a few pigs too.
20 July 2004, 17:58
okie johnAnyone know who else makes .358" bullets over 250 grains? Thanks, Okie John.
OJ,
Woodleigh, I believe.
Joe
20 July 2004, 21:40
Bwana-beNorthfork, Swift, Woodleigh, and I think one of the African bullets, GH or somebody also does. Oh, and I think the guys that do the different thickness jacket dealies... h... whatsit?
Round nose... Can't remember.
You're welcone!
Hawk!
21 July 2004, 03:13
sdgunslingerThere's also the Kodiak bonded core , in 270 or 275 gr I think.....
Does Kodiak have a website? I tried to find them at
Kodiakbullets.com and had no luck. I talked to Northfork
and Hawk. They make 270-275 gr. premium bullets in 35 cal.
Swift makes a 280 gr. A-frame.
22 July 2004, 03:27
sdgunslingerI don't know if Kodiak has it's own site , but you can get them at :
http://www.hunting-rifles.com/kodiak.htm22 July 2004, 06:49
Paul BQuote:
I shot a few to check for pressure and they looked good.
I know Swift makes A-frames in 35 cal. 280 grain, does Hornady still make 275 grainers? The box I have is an old
box of Hornady 275's.
Hornady discontinued them in 1967, the same year they brought out their first reloading manual.
To quote the last paragraph on page 240 of the first Hornady manual.
"Two hundred fifty grain bullets have always been the most popular of the 35 caliber Hornady series. The heavier 275 gr. bullet was discontinued in 1967." At the front of the book is a copyright date of 1967.
Considering the fact that there is some interest in the bullet, I wonder if Hornady could be persuaded to make a run of them for those of us that want them. I did find a partial box with 35 bullets, but that isn't enough to really work up a load. I wonder what Hornady's response would be?
Paul B.
22 July 2004, 15:42
WstrnhuntrIn what way and under what circumstances would you guys consider them an advantage over 250 grainers @ Whelen velocities? It would obviously have to be fairly close, but I dont see them doing anything a 250 wouldnt myself. Bust up a Brownie better perhaps? Just curious and looking for opinions..
22 July 2004, 15:58
Bwana-beDefinitely more than enuff. But sometimes that's just what you're looking for. In fact, the velocity loss prolly bout equals the SD gain. So long as you're talking within 100 ys, there's not a whole lot a 250 in a Whelen hasn't taken. And well.
First of all, thanks to all for the info posted here. My
interest in 35 cal. bullets over 250 is a gain in sectional density hopefully gaining some penetration. This would only be useful in situations of under 100 yds. as the Whelen's
powder capacity would limit velocity. As someone else stated there is little the 250's won't handle. It's just an
experiment I guess, but there's no such thing as a bad
reason to go shooting.
PaulB, I spoke to Hornady. They just informed me the 275 grainers were discontinued. You provided more info than they did. Thank you. I spoke to Hawk bullets and they told me the 275 gr. 35 cal was always one of the deepest in the bullet box. I also soke to Northfork and Kodiak. I'll pass on any info I get to AR readers to use if they wish.
22 July 2004, 19:17
okie johnI think if you're not going to use heavy bullets, it's probably smarter to just use a 30-06. The selection of heavy bullets for the 9.3x62 was my main reason for interest in it, and is about the only reason I can see to pick it over the 35 Whelen. Thanks for the information, Okie John.