I would suggest the 180 grain Barnes X for Pa. Whitetail.

Lou I have used the 200 gr Hornady bullet on Manitoba Whitetails in a 358 win and a 35 w imp. It has performed very well in both cartridges. I would suggest you save the 250 speers for something a little bigger.

Hello All,

I've decided to take my .35 Whelen on my annual trek to PA for the first few days of gun season. I've had the Whelen for a while, but never got around to hunting with it. I have fairly accurate loads worked up w/ RL-15 and 250 Speer Hot Cores and 200 Hornady Spire Points. I really want to try the 250 Speer and see the legendary thump of the Whelen, but am concerned the bullet might be too tough for Whitetails. Will this bullets work on Whitetails or would I be better off with the 200 grain Horn?

Thanks,

Lou

I have found BOTH the 250 speer and the 200 Hdy spire point too tough for deer. I would recommend a Nosler ballistic tip. The Woodleigh 225 grainers also open up nicely.

Hi Lou,

I smile because I decided to eliminate your dilemna from the start by working up my .35 Whelen load with the 225 gr. Sierra!! I would certainly think the 200 would be plenty for whitetail, although it is possable that the lower velocity and additional weight of the 250 may actually do less damage to a whitetail at close range.

I will be interested in seeing the opinions and experiences of others who post on this. I still haven't shot a deer with the .35, but I am carrying it till I do!!

I've shot a half-dozen or so whitetails with a 35 Whelen. Used 200, 225, and 250s. The "legendary thump" is just that: legendary. I mean, they go down, but not any faster than when hit with a 250-3000. But I digress...

I like the Rem 200 PSPCL - reasonably accurate and opens a bit better than the hornady 200 or speer 250. H335 and Re15 are excellent choices...

Good luck.

Lou270,

I am with the guys that recommend the 225 gr Sierras and BT's. The 250 Speers are very stout. I have not shot the 200 gr Hornandy Spire points. Though I started with the 200 gr RN from Hornandy and Sierra and they are very soft and I would not recommend them for deer. I guess that brings use back around to the 225's.

If you are set on the 200 gr SP or the 250 Speers, I would go with the 200's. You can probibly reach 2800 fps and at that velocity, I bet they would open.

Good Luck on your hunt,
BigBullet

Hey Lou, Looks like I get to agree with most of the folks about the 200gr SP Hornadys being an excellent and tough Deer Bullet. I think well enough of them that I have nearly 300 already Moly Coated and ready to stick in Cases.

The trick is simply to include one or both shoulders. They will work great when you do that.

If you prefer Rib-to-Rib shots, they are not the best choice. Here a 200gr RN Hornady, Remington or Sierra would work quite well.

I like the 180gr FN Speer Hot-Cor for Rib-to-Rib shots. And I also like the 220gr Hot-Cor bullets when one or both shoulders is an option.

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There is a guy who frequents this Board as ".358" who has used that 250gr Hot-Cor on a large amount of Black Bears. It is his favorite Bear Bullet in his 358Win rifles. I don't remember his mentioning it for use on Deer though.

Best of luck to you.