I'm looking for one load to use on boar and cow elk. My rifle likes 250 gr. RN Interlocks over 54gr. RL 15, which should give me around 2350 fps out of a 22" barrel. An acquantance says to load 'er up to 59gr., but my concern is the application. Most shots are likely to be within 50 yards and I believe a non-premium bullet would not do well at that range and at that speed ( 2500 fps or better ).

Using these components only, what would be your recommendation as to charge weight? At this range groups are not that much of a factor, but I'm worried about a bullet not performing well. Too late to change components for this opportunity.

TIA

Bob

2500 fps is not fast, the Hornady is designed for that speed and will do fine for your described purposes. I have safely gone to 59 grains of RE15 with no problems at all, of course work up.

I've worked up loads to 59 grs of RL15 behind the 250 gr Hornady spitzer with no problems. Velocity from a 23" barrel is 2630 fps. No denying the load is hot but it's safe. I ended up settling on 58 grs.

I'm not so much worried about the 59 grains per se but how well an Interlock can hold up close range, at that speed. Do I need to worry about bullet failure at, say, 30 yards?

Borealis Bob

Youe 2350fps load will work just fine. I will however offer this one bit of advice.....Carry a sharp knife, you will need it.

Bob:

While I don't use Hornady bullets, here is a little info I learned with a 250 grain Speer Hot Core. The shot was 130 yards, cow elk about 650 lbs, the velocity was 2600fps+, the recovered bullet weighed 53 grains. The bullet was placed between the ribs and blew up in the heart. As far as I am concerned the bullet did a fine job. The elk walked 20 yards and dropped. If I was going to try a shoulder shot, which I don't want to take if I have a choice, I would use a Nosler Partition etc, otherwise I think a soft point is fine.

Jerry

I would bet you dollars to donuts that you will get better bullet performance at 2350 than those that run them out at 2600 FPS, and with Hornady RN bullets, that tend to be just a bit soft, I would bet you get better penitration than a faster load.....

I assure you that given the same point of impact on an elk you will kill him just as well or better, and the difference in trajectory will be only about 2 inches better for the 2600 FPS load, and most of us can wiggle on and off 10 times that much...To much emphasis is placed on velocity in this country...based on your post, your doing it just right.

Thanks for the input guys. I was hoping to find some Partitions, etc., on the shelves nearby, but no luck. Ray, I'm like you...don't need something that moves like lightning, particularly "close in." Learned a lesson a few years back when I hotrodded a 405 gr. Rem in my 45-70, blowing it up on a large boar at 15 yards. If I was more inclined to think the shots on this trip would be 100 yds or more I wouldn't be as concerned with the Interlock.



Thanks again, all.

Borealis Bob,



I've got a .35 Whelen too although I haven't hunted with it yet. It's at the gunsmith's getting a new walnut stock and other goodies. I agree with Ray's comments and reasoning. (I like to listen to people that have far more experience than me so I can learn from them.)



Here's my .35 Whelen load for the 250gr Hornady round nose.



Cartridge: .35 Whelen

Rifle: Ruger M77 MkII 22" barrel

Bullet: 250 gr Hornady round nose

Powder: RL-15

Powder Weight: 55.0 grs

Case Make: R-P (.35 Whelen)

Primer: WLR

C.O.L.: 3.26"

Average Velocity: 2,391 fps

Average Energy: 3,174 ft lbs

High Velocity: 2,404 fps

Low Velocity: 2,369 fps

Extreme Spread: 35 fps

Standard Deviation: 13 fps



I plan on using this load on some feral hogs when I get the chance.



The .318 Westley Richards, the .35 Whelen and the 9.3x62 (with softs) all made their reputations with a heavy, medium caliber bullet at moderate velocity (2300 - 2400 fps). Of course, that was in the days before our current premium bullets. Back in the old days it was just conventional cup and core bullets like the Hornady. But it worked back then and it will work now.



Just my ramblings....

-Bob F.

Bob...
This is my first time out with this rifle, so I know the feeling about wanting to bloody it. Hopefully it will accompany me to Africa some day rather soon. Your loads are similar to mine, 54-55 grains of RL15 for the most part. Shoots sweet.