Recommendations on the best bullet in the 35 Whelen for elk? Partition, Hornady, Swift -- others?
[This message has been edited by glenn (edited 01-04-2002).]
I spent a lot of time experimenting with loads for my whelen when I got it 5 years ago.
I am lucky my Remington Classic likes all most loads. I have tried the nosler BT and partition, Barnes 225 X, Speer, Speer GS, and Hornady's. I am partial to Hornady's because my grandpa and Dad used them.
My Whelen has a very long throat so I can load the cartridges as long as the magazine will allow. This allows me to get close to some improved loads. The last time I crono'd a load it was with RL15 using the Hornady 250 spizter's @ around 2650 fps. I also like the VV N550 powder with 250's, some loads are faster with no pressure signs.
I have not used it on game, maybe this spring bear hunting.
just my 2 cents worth
BD
My Whelen (700BDL from 1989 or so) also has a very long throat. Loading the 250gr Hornady spire point in the cannelure, I've got well over 0.100" of jump to the rifling. When you load these bullets long, how far from the rifling do you seat them, and do you crimp behind the cannelure or not crimp at all? I've been playing with a Lee factory crimp die for this rifle -- most people say that using this die to crimp outside a cannelure won't affect accuracy, but I haven't test that yet.
I�m interested in using them for my 358 NM.
I don't crimp the loads. I will check my loads notes and let you know the C.O.L. of the Hornady loads. I load most everything .050" from the lands. I adjust seating depth to dial in my accuracy once I have the best load.
It must be noted that each rifle is an individual case and I believe in loading for the rifle. I owned two 243's and they would not shoot the same load.
BD
Don't forget the Sierra 225gr. BT spire pt....very accurate bullet in my .35 Whelen 700 Rem. Classic. Velocity is good enough at 2550 fps. and I get 3 shot cloverleaves consistantly at 100 yds. Unfortunately, I have had only two white tails in my crosshairs with it and had to pass on both shots because they where in line with the nieghbors homes!!!!...Happened 2 yrs in a row now....so I cannot tell you how they work on game, but it looks good in the ballistics books and at the range.
Mike
With my long throated Whelen I am pretty much duplicating what you are doing . I also like using W-W 06 cases rather than the Remington Whelen cases as they have a grain or two more capacity . I have not had a chance to try VV550 yet , sure would like to get my hands on some .....
I also am using the WW 06 cases, seam to get a more define shoulder when forming cases. a little more capacity as well.
The VV powders are tough to find I finally had a local shop order it for me. I think it was about 40-43 bucks for 2 Lbs. VV will send load data if you e mail them.
Sam,
My Hornady load C.O.L. is 3.453
BD
Some people will say the Hornady is not tough enough for elk. I disagree because you aren't going to be pushing that 250 grn bullet more than say 2600 fps which is well within the performance enevelope of that bullet.
The Hornady issues you here about are generally when they are being launched at MVs in excess of 2800 fps or more and striking targets in side of 75 yds.
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MED
The sole purpose of a rifle is to please its owner
[This message has been edited by Mike Dettorre (edited 01-06-2002).]
My .350 also really like the 225 Sierras. I will be using it on an exotic sheep hunt next week. I doubt a 150 lb sheep will stop a 225 of any kind, but I am going to try to break a front shoulder and get as much quartering penetration as possible.
I have seen a recovered bullet from a boar that penetrated fron stem to stern. The bullet did not exit but mushroomed perfectly, to over double it original size. This was the Federal factory load @ 2650.
I believe African Hunter magazine had an article regarding the 35 Whelen in Africa. The bullet of choice was the Nosler 250 gr partition and Speer. Even took a lion with the Whelen!!!!! here's the page check it out.
http://www.african-hunter.com/site/firearms/35wheleninzimbabwe_01.htm
BD
I've recently been reading John "Pondoro" Taylor's "African Rifles and Cartridges". He has good things to say about the .350 Rigby Magnum (225 grains at 2600 - easily duplicated in the Whelen), and VERY good things to say about the rimmed .400/350 (310 grains at 2150).
In fact, Taylor said he could be happy using the .400/350 as his only medium bore for the remainder of his career. It was a very happy combination of bullet design, sectional density, and velocity. Too bad there are so few heavy .35 bullets today.
Anyone work with 300 or 310 grain bullets in a Whelen or AI Whelen? 2100-2150 sounds safely possible if the bullet didn't have to be seated too deep.
Sounds like fun!
BigIron
By the way, Cartridges of the World and Craig Boddington's Safari book peg the .400/350's velocity at 2000; Taylor says 2150. The Westley-Richards web site (http://www.westleyrichards.com/ammo.asp?Type=Rifle&ID=200112615301714) says their new-manufactured ammo gets 2000. I can't settle the dispute.
[This message has been edited by BigIron (edited 01-07-2002).]