23 February 2002, 03:12
Arild IversenLoads for 35 Whelen.
Finally....my 35 Whelen is just a couple of weeks away !!
It is a Ruger stainless with the new synth. stock and a 22" Shilen barrel.
I need firsthand experience with loads and bullets for moose an red stag hunting.
Powders aviable in Norway are mostly Norma and Vithavouri. ( not a bad deal at all )
Its told to duplicate the 9,3x62 with good handload, but thats not my goal.
I want good hunting loads that works.
The 35 Whelen is still a strange bird here in Norway, by there are some around, and the users are prising them highly.
It will be topped with a Leupold 3,5-10x50 VX III to take care of the dusk and dawn hunting for red deer.
Jeeeezz am I looking forward to this !!!
Arild
23 February 2002, 07:29
<bigdog>Arild,
I have played with the Whelen for about ten years.
My Whelen w/ a 22" barrel likes the following powders with 250 gr bullets at around 2600-2650. My Whelen has a very long throat therefore I can seat the bullets as long as my magazine will allow. I get very close to improved velocities with it.
I feel the Whelen was designed to shoot 250 gr bullets. The best powders I found are RL15, Varget, AA2015BR, H414, H4895, and N550 & AA2495BR, no order of preference.
I get the best velocity from N550 with no pressure signs, the accuracy is there as well. The RL15 powder really works well in the Whelen but I have to load mine at max levels to get decent groups. The other powders are about equal.
I should mention none of the powders grouped larger than 1.5". I believe it close enough for a hunting rifle for the intendend game.
I have had excellent results on deer, boar, varmits & Elk. I have a bear hunt next month and will use the 35 Whelen. It is a very capable caliber out to 300 yards. It happens to be one of my favorites.
That's my .02 worth.
BD
25 February 2002, 02:34
<saltaparapetos>Hi Arlid: My best favourite load for .35 WH is 50,1 grains of TU-3000, behind a 225 grs Nosler ballistic tip, in RP case with CCI primers. That load delivers a muzzle vel. of +/- 2600 fps and is extremley precise. I use it for hunting wild boars and it just turn them off. No second shoot needed. Sorry, no Norma or Vith, powders used in this caliber.
Greetings
28 February 2002, 03:15
Arild IversenThank you fellas...
Good to hear that the 35 Whelen is up to the task. Expected som more action on this one as I have the impression that quite a few here are using the Whelen.
Anyway... I�m looking forward to start reloading for it.
Arild
28 February 2002, 03:24
sdgunslingerYou should be in good shape loading for the Whelen with Norma 203 or VV N 550 available to you .
I get pretty much the same results as bigdog out of my long throated Whelen .......
[This message has been edited by sdgunslinger (edited 02-27-2002).]
28 February 2002, 05:24
jpbArlid, have you considered a simple rechamber and bolt face opeing to take the .358 Norma Magnum?
It is easier to get brass and reloading dies for the Norma mag in Scandinavia than the 35 Whelen (my experience anyway). However, after you have the dies, you can make .358 Norma Mag from any belted mag (I made mine mostly from 7mm Rem Mag because I had a lot of them).
Recoil is substantially increased over that of the 35 Whelen, but of course there is no free lunch!
The .358 Norma Mag has got to be the classic Scandinavian "�lgf�rvaltare" ("moose tipper-over" if I my feeble Swedish is correct 
jpb
[This message has been edited by jpb (edited 02-27-2002).]
28 February 2002, 19:33
Arild IversenJPB..
I alredy got a Ruger M77 in 338 Winnie wich I use for moose hunting. This new rifle is primarely ment for red deer and roe, but will also see use as a spare rifle when traveling north for moose.
If and when i decide to rebarrel my 338, the 358 Norma Mag is defenately an interesting project.
Arild