wsj, I've loaded fairly extensively for the Whelen . Mine is a Czech VZ24 ('98 Mauser) with a 24" bbl. With this rifle I have exceeded 2700 fps with the 225 gr. Nosler Part., Sierra SBT, and most recently the Barnes Triple Shock "X". I've used quite a few powders, mainly Varget, but tried Rl-15 when I got the Barnes bullets. I like Rl-15 well, but i have to keep my O.A.L. at 3.30" so i run out of powder space. I can get 62 grs. in the case but it's a VERY heavily compressed load. No pressure signs though.
Varget, which is a bit faster burning, may be a better choice. It's what I used to run both the Nosler and Sierra at around 2700. I tried 60 gr. Varget last week with the TSX, and got 2648 fps. No doubt 1 more gr. will bump it on up the 2700.
I have my 35 Whelen loads and chronograph data in a spreadsheet form if you're interested in seeing them. Contact me via private message if you're interected.
35 Whelen

wsj,



I have two 35 Whelens that I load for. The Rem 700 is a Grice Bros run in CDL form. I load this rifle with 62.0 gr R-15 over a 225 gr Ballistic tip to 2710 fps. My COL is 3.500" in this rifle with RP brass and CCI-200 primers. Yes, its slightly compressed and I don't crimp my cases. You should be able to get more R-15 powder into the case then you may think. Of all the powders I have tried I find R-15 the best of the bunch. The others I have tried, IMR 3031, IMR 4320,IMR 4064, Varget, Norma 204, and IMR 4350. I have settled on 61.0 grains R-15 just because its more accurate in this rifle and this gives me 2660 fps.



For a serious all around hunting bullet, try the Barnes X. I beleive they will tackle anything this rifle was designed for.



35Whelen,



Where'd you find the 225 gr TSX?



BigBullet.



PS: IMR 4350 will work very well with the 275 gr and 300 gr bullets, in case you'd like to try them.

wsj:

In my custom Remington 700, with a 24" BARREL, 56 GRAINS OF 4064 GIVES ME ABOUT 2700FPS with a 225 ballistic tip, AND A 250 GRAIN BULLET WITH THE SAME 56 GRAIN CHARGE GIVES ME 2625FPS. Both bullets shoot one hole groups with that powder charge. I have been using 4064 in the 35 Whelen since the early 1970's. FWIW.

Jerry

Since you are handloading, may I suggest you have your rifle's chamber recut to the Ackley Improved version?

I have one in this caliber, and really enjoy it.

The sharper shoulder and less taper on the case are not magic. But it does allow your rifle to use higher pressure loadings with less bolt thrust and other advantages.

I want to make it clear that I am not saying the small increase in case capacity of the AI version (5%) is responsible for the gains in velocity. You will simply be shooting higher pressure loadings that are still safe in your rifle.

You can still shoot standard 35 Whelen ammo in the rifle if you need to (as I have done on one occasion when the ammo didn't arrive at camp with my rifle).

Garrett

Thanks all for the firsthand insight, and an additional detail: rifle's a 700 CDL with factory 24" bbl, as I think most of you figured out.

35Whelen: Yes, I'd like to see your data and an e-mail's on its way.

BigBullet: From your experience with the same rifle, I guess the answer is simply pour in more powder, which I'll try. Of course since I've got the box of magnum primered loads sitting there, it'll be an interesting comparison.

vapddog: Not knocking the Remington pumps (I still have and load for the first centerfire I ever bought, a 760 in 30-06), just theorizing based on the oft repeated truism that bolts have a stronger primary extraction mechanism than pumps.

It appears that there's quite a lot of variation in velocities achieved in different rifles with the same basic load. I expect some of that is attributable to the number of custom barreled Whelens. Not having loaded for a Whelen before, I was struck by just how much longer I could seat a BT than the listed SAAMI COL of 3.40. My Whelen 225 gr. BT loads are just a tad shorter than 8 Rem mag 220 gr. loads that are seated just short of the lands. Could the throat on this 700 be longer than is common, resulting in a lot of room to seat a bullet but reduced pressure/velocity? But that doesn't square with 2659 fps from the factory load, does it? Nevermind - it looks like I should be able to see 2600 with this powder and standard primers.

Thanks again. -WSJ

Mr. Garrett: Yep, I've thought of that. I've wanted a Whelen for years and my original plan was to buy a nice used Win 70 Classic Supergrade and have it re-barreled to the Ackley Improved Whelen. But I never came across the Supergrade when I had the $$ in hand and when Remington came out with the CDL, which appealed to me, and then offered it in the Whelen, I figured I'd better just buy it. I might still consider doing the improved job but right now am just trying to achieve the velocity and accuracy level that should be possible with the rifle/cartridge/bullet combination. Thanks. -WS

wsj



With the long throat you have and the long magazine space available in the M-700 , you won't need to worry about improving the chamber to substantially beat the speeds most reloading books show for the Whelen .



It will take a bit more powder than commonally used by most data sources , and RL 15 is the most likely candiadte to succeed .



Your rifle should do 2600fps with the 225 s in a walk ; I'd be surprised if you couldn't do close to 2650 with 250 gr spitzers and the bullets seated out long.....

Just out of curiosity, what is an extra 100 fps going to do for you?

I can't see where the energy will make or break a hunt and also the difference in trajectory even at 300 yds, is not significant.

So just like I figured in my 338/06, why try to squeeze the extra 100 fps.

Sort of like concentrating on draining the last drops out of a wine bottle instead of enjoying the rest of the wine.

But we all do illogical things. I sure do at times,

Seafire