Just finished trialing RL 15 behind 225 noslers.
Good results... 1.5 in. in at 100 yds, but I think I can do better. What powder do I try next?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

I just loaded some Sierra 225 gr. over IMR 3031. Haven't shot them yet, though. Should be accurate.

JLR,

I have had my best results with RL15 & AA2015 BR, with 250's, primers were WLR's. These loads group 1" at 100yds.

The 225's I shoot are the Barnes X with BLC 2, RL 15 and AA2015BR. I have also used Varget, AA2495,and H4895 with good results. I have yet to try it but some have good luck with N550 in the Whelen.

I am currently trying some H414 since I use it in my 06 down to 243. Just a sidenote my Whelen did not start grouping until I started loading it right at max.

just my .02 worth

BD

I think RL 15 is the best powder in the Whelen.

Reloader 15 is the best powder I have found for the Whelen, but IMR 4320 is real good also. IMR 4064 can be very accurate too. I don't like the Ball Powders in the Whelen because of the muzzle flash that they produce, but a lot of Whelen shooters like H335.
Dale

JLR,
My 225g loads for my Whelen:
1 .225g Nosler or Sierra
Rem. brass trimmed/ partial sized to 2.484"
Fed 210M primer
54.7g IMR 4064
C.O.L. 3.270"
Lee Factory Crimped
Velocity-@ 2544 fps at 15' from 24" barrel
1/2" groups w/ 3 shots at 100 yds. w/ Sierra's, 3/4" groups w/Partitions.

The Sierra's are a whole lot cheaper to shoot than the Partitions at paper. In my rifle there's not much difference in the point of impact between the two bullets. They are both good shooters and kill deer dead. I use 250g Hornady RN's on Montana elk with BLC-2 powder with sub MOA groups. I'm hooked on those RN's in my rifle. IMR 4320 is another load I use with the 250g Partition. Looks like you got some choices and some shootin' to do.

RL-12 From 52.9 grains to 61.5 grains
Federal 210 Primer

If you are not using Federal 210 primers, then try them with your RL15 loads, the groups just might tighten up. Varget works well with the whelen as well.

In my 35 Whelen Pump, I use the :

IMR 4320 @ 56.0
Speer 250 SPT
Fed Match 210GM Primers
Fed Nickle Cases
Vel: 2600 FPS

Excellent Load in my Rem 7600 for Moose and Bear
Reloader 15 should also be a dandy powder.

In my 7600 with 225 Sierra's, 3031 was more consistent and faster than RL15, and Tac was fastest of them all, with similar velocity spread to RL15. HTH, Dutch.

My Whelen is an improved version, and I love AA2520 with 225's and 250's. Another great powder is IMR 4320.

RL 15 and Fed Match 210GM primers your groups should tighten up a little

I have had good luck with varget with 250gr bullets and H322 for 225gr loads.

Like some others have said Varget is good in the
Whelan. Mine likes 55gr Varget with 210m primer
with a 250gr Horn SP on top. Clocks about 2450 fps.

In my 7600 pump 35 Whelen I have had the best luck with

250 Speer SPT
IMR 4320 at 56.0
Fed Match 210GM Primers
Federal Cases

Try 250 gr. Hornady RN's with RL-15. I got 2,550 fps and 1 MOA from a Ruger M-77 MkII Limited Edition 35 Whelen, using a 4x Leupold scope with a stock duplex reticle. The load was just under the published maximum. I also had good luck with IMR 4064, but with higher pressures than with RL-15. Good luck, Okie John.

Anyone have any luck with the Speer 180 grain bullet? I was thinking about loading some for whitetails.

I have loaded the 180 gr Speer in .358 Wins for about 20 years now. It's an outstanding load for whitetails. This bullet is also very accurate and I have got some nice groups at 200 yds with it.

I can't say what will happen with it at short range out of the bigger .35 Whelan. My loads start out at 2700 fps.

A buddy of mine hit a buck on his farm in PA with that bullet out of his .358 Win at 240 yards. He says the deer just did a nose dive and was dead when he got there.

A lot of .35 hunters shoot heavier bullets. That's fine with me but for whitetails this little 180 gr bullet is a bomb. The recoil is a lot better than with heavier bullets also.