I have a couple of loads that my Ruger 77 really likes. My most accurate load is with the 250gr Hornady RN. I have also had decent luck with the 225gr Nosler BT and the 225gr Sierra SBT. The two main loads that I hunt with I worked out so that I can use the same zero for both loads. They work out in my rifle that the 250gr RN hit dead on and the 225gr sierras hit 3" high at 100 yards. This brings the zero at around 225 yards.

225gr Sierra SBT
H322EX 52gr
WLR COL 3.32
2575fps 1 1/4" groups @ 100 yards

250gr Hornady RN
Varget 54gr
WLR COL 3.235
2400fps Sub inch groups @ 100 yards

kbobb

Welcome to the Whelen Club. I think you will find the Whelen to be an easy round to load for. IMR4064 is what I use although I've found R-15 and IMR4895 to do very well too. I have found the best accuracy in the 7600's to be 53 gr. of 4064 with either the Hornady 250RN or Speer 250 SP. That is not a fast load by any means but it gets the job done on bear.

For deer, I would suggest the Sierra 225 GK, Speer 220 FT, or even the 200 gr. Hornady SP. The Nosler 225 B-Tips are very accurate but I haven't shot anything with them yet so I hesitate to recommend them. However, I'm sure they would do just fine.

WN

I think you'll really like your new rifle. Remember that it has a 1:16 twist, which generally means that you'll do better with lighter bullets. Having said that, my Ruger shot about 1 MOA with 250-gr. bullets, and I found that the faster I pushed them the better they shot. I stopped just below the published max for RL-15, and was getting an honest 2,550 fps with Partitions, and either Hornady 250. Hope this helps, Okie John

KBOBB - I tried that load of 52.0 grs. IMR4064 behind a 250RN and Spt. and my 7600 really liked it. Not terribly fast (2380fps in the RN and about 40fps faster in the Spt.) as mentioned. I haven't worked up any hotter loads with this powder because it shot so well with normal pressure indications (even in the heat of summer). I might also suggest factory Remington 250gr. loads, if you can find them; for they really shoot well in both 35 Whelen's I own. Regards - Riley

NOt that particular bullet, but with 53-54gr of that powder and a 250 grain Speer, very nice shooting. Still my favorite load is 53gr of IMR-4320 behind a 250 Nosler Partition. Good shooting.

After reading this forum regarding the 35 Whelen I bit the bullet and got one in a Rem 7600. I am trying the Hornady 250 gr RN with a starting load of 52.0 gr IMR 4064 and working up to 55.0 gr.
For you Whelen guys out there- does this sound like a reasonable starting point? Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks