considering... Hunting bullet 200 or 225 or 250 for lower 48 states. Would the 200 hundred weight shoot significantly flatter than the 225. I don't like to shoot past 200yds.
THX, Lee

As far as I am concerned, 250 grains is the best weight for the Whelen. Much better sectional density than the lighter bullets and plenty of velocity for shots out to 300 yards.

If not shooting past 200 yards I would go 250gns or up.

My Whelen loves 280grn Swift A-Frames...

https://cuttingedgebullets.com...n&key=ER_E150_RAPTOR

What won't this kill in the lower 48?

Depends on what your shooting. If it is non dangerous game the 225 is hard to beat. 225 TSX, 225 Partition or 225 Accubond in that order. If ranges may be shorter and the target bites back 250 gr or even the 280 gr A-frame but you will need a least a 1in 14 in twist or better yet a 1 in 12 in.

I feel very comfortable and confident killing ELK, Nilgai, hogs deer and other non dangerous game at 200+ yards w/ the 225 NAB in my Whelen.
It has more than enough energy/momentum to smash through a Large Elk's lower shoulder bone AND turn the lungs to jellow AND exit the cavity.

I have had excellent success with 225gr X and TSX bullets at 2626 FPS. Had complete penetration on nearly everything i have shot. Of the 30+ head of plains game taken with this caliber, I can remember only recovering three bullets. One was on a warthog going away after a poor first shot, went in the back end of the pig and got caught in the skull, second I hit an eland cow front on in the chest and it ended in the rear quarter and lastly was a finishing shot on an oryx that I found in the dirt. I cant imagine why greater penetration is required with a heavier bullet.

The other important factor, my rifle with a 1:14 Shilen barrel shoots these really well.

Good hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Killartist:
I feel very comfortable and confident killing ELK, Nilgai, hogs deer and other non dangerous game at 200+ yards w/ the 225 NAB in my Whelen.
It has more than enough energy/momentum to smash through a Large Elk's lower shoulder bone AND turn the lungs to jellow AND exit the cavity.

TKA, does the AB exit a nilgai? I was talking to a guide earlier this year and he told me he is shooting a 338 RUM and a 225-grain NPT, and he has yet to have one come out.

Doubles, unknown. Of the 9-10 I've killed.ALL have been w/ TBBCs or NPTs.
I killed a very large bull in Co last Sep that was significantly larger than any Nilgai I have seen, killed or seen hanging.
Most of the Nilgai were shot w/a 338 WM using 210 NPs and I have a handful of them.
Most would get full penetration (side to side) and leave large lumps/nipples on/in the offside hide. Easy to add to my collection.
Their hide seems very tough and elastic, but I've had that happen w/ ELK also.

Ok... Your post said you were comfortable shooting "elk, NILGAI, hogs, deer, and other non-dangerous game at 200+ yards w/the 225 NAB in my Whelen".

That was the reason for the question. Your response indicates you have not shot Nilgai with the AB.

Thanks for the clarification.

My Whelen likes and performs the way I want it too with 225 grain Barnes "X" Flat Base and the 225 grain "TSX".

Though I use only Cast in the old Girl nowadays, I used the 225 X Flat Base for a while years ago and it killed like the hammer of Thor. I doubt you could recover one of those in an Elk. Mine were going faster than the 2625 listed above at 2821, probably 63K'ish PSI loads in a 25.5" barrel. Really no need to stress the gun that way so I stopped! Now shoot 280-290 grain cast at 1750 FPS through everything. The gun and I both are happy!

I've had 3 Norma Mags and at one time or another shot and killed with almost all of the 35 bullets. The 225X and NP are both deadly but I settled on the 280 Swift because a hunter sent me them for years. My bro-in-law traded me out of my last Norma so I had Jesse bore out the 30 Gibbs to 35 and now just shoot 250 NP as that's what was on hand in Anchorage last year. The 35 is the hammer on moose up here!

A lot of people think that a lighter bullet shoots flatter not always the case. Look at a ballistics chart and compare the same bullet shape and different wts.

"A lot of people think that a lighter bullet shoots flatter not always the case. Look at a ballistics chart and compare the same bullet shape and different wts."

Yep. Or think they can actually hold that same 4 inches at 400 yards leaning against a tree shooting across the canyon.

quote:

Originally posted by reddy375:
A lot of people think that a lighter bullet shoots flatter not always the case. Look at a ballistics chart and compare the same bullet shape and different wts.

Yes lets compare. I would like to use the Nosler # 6 manual as a reference. According to Mr. Nosler the 35 Whelan can push a 225 Partition to 2800 fps. When zeroed @ 200yds it is 8 inches low @ 300yds with 2370 ft/lbs
23 inches low @ 400 with 2060 ft/lbs
and 46.6 inches low @ 500 yds BC=.430
Now the 250 gr Partition can be pushed to 2500 fps. BC is slightly higher @ .446. When zeroed @ 200 the 250 gr is
10 inches low @ 300 yds and has 2110 ft/lbs
29 inches low @ 400 yds and 1770 ft/lbs
and 59 inches low @ 500 yds

The trajectory and energy clearly favour the the 225 gr bullet over the 250 gr at any reasonable range the 35 Whelan may be used. The 250 may well be a better choice when big bears are on the menu but for elk and moose the 225 is ample bullet.

It sounds like the 225 is very popular.
It has been my choice as well.
the 225 seems to be the right bullet for the case.
Kind of like my personal choice for 30 06 is the 165.
I still wonder what the 200gr does great out of the 35W.

My .350 no2 Rigby has near identical ballistics as the .35 W and it is regulated for a 225-grain bullet. I found brass and over a dozen boxes of Speer 225-g bullets here on AR so am set for life.
Cal

For whitetail deer i use the 200 grain bullet,mostly Rem.coreloks.

For the tougher beasties i have a supply of some Barnes X that it shoots real nice.

For varmints i have played with some rather light pistol bullets and like what i have seen so far.

I have a 35 Whelen I need to finish the stock on (mequite). It's a worked over 1917 Enfield with #2 24" barrel and Wiebe bottom.

I plan to start with 225 gr TSXs and see how they do.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
Ok... Your post said you were comfortable shooting "elk, NILGAI, hogs, deer, and other non-dangerous game at 200+ yards w/the 225 NAB in my Whelen".

That was the reason for the question. Your response indicates you have not shot Nilgai with the AB.

Thanks for the clarification.

I've been itching to go Nilgai hunting. When I finally go, most likely use my 350 Rem Mag with 200 TTSX at 2900-3000 fps.

Early on with my 35 Whelen I tried several bullet weights and found my rifle likes 250 grain extremely well. The 225's never shot well in it. The 35 Whelen and 250 grain bullets seem to be made for each other. I've been shooting 250 grain Partitions almost exclusively for several years now and have no trouble making shots to 300+ yards with that bullet. I did pick up about 400 of the old 275 grain Hornady round nose a couple of years ago but haven't had a chance to use them on game yet.

FWIW, with plain ol bullets, the 250gr weight holds together well and does the job, as reliable as a bitches ass. However, more velocity and a more sophisticated bullet like we have so many of today, going lighter is just as good, and a smidgeon flatter.
My take is, a partition 225gr 2700 or so, a Barnes if you can get them, 200gr at around 2800, and cup n core almost anything 2450 or so is what brings out the best. More weight than that, it's better to go to a 375. Anyway, that's just my take on it after messing around a bit

I have killed many whitetail with Nosler AB and Barnes TSX bullets at 225 grains. These kills have been from 50 feet, to 286 yards, the cartridge just seems to work.
Doug

I sold my Jack Haugh 35 Whelen, but it thrived on the 225 Nosler accubond or partition...It was a certain elk killer, and I would not have hesitated to shoot a cape buffalo with it, had the opertunity arose. The 35 Whelen struck me as one of those calibers that seemed to kill all out of proportion to its ballistics, I know some doubt that scenario, but Im not one of them, It just happens IMO..The 7x57 and 250 Savage are two more examples IMO..

If I intended to shoot only out to 200 yards as you stated then I would shoot the 285 gr. Speer or the 280 Swift A-frame at about 2600 FPS, it will sure knock the snot out of an elk or big bear or anything else for that matter, and still give you the ability to make a hit at further ranges. That load would shoot as flat as a 180 gr 30-06 and that's no slight praise.

My .35 Whelen a rebored pre'64 Winchester M/70 prefers 225 gr. Sierra and Nosler. Idetermined this by extensive range testing with a wide range of bullets. I have taken whitetail deer with the .225 Sierra load and believe that I would be comfortable using the same load on elk or moose.

If you keep the velocity around 2550, the old Sierra game king 225 BT would be very good. It was my go to bullet in my old 358 Win. Very effective on red deer and very accurate.

BTW I read NAB as Nosler Accu Bond.

quote:

Mine were going faster than the 2625 listed above at 2821, probably 63K'ish PSI loads in a 25.5" barrel. Really no need to stress the gun that way so I stopped!

That is something I never worry about with any of my rifles.

I start out at the bottom of the load tables and work my way up until I get the accuracy I am happy with, and stop right there.

I have shot elk, a caribou, whitetails, a muley or two, pronghorns and feral hogs with my Whelen and it is one of the guns that will be passed on to someone when I am gone.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
My .350 no2 Rigby has near identical ballistics as the .35 W and it is regulated for a 225-grain bullet. I found brass and over a dozen boxes of Speer 225-g bullets here on AR so am set for life.
Cal

I believe the 350 Rigby was built around a 225 at 2600 fps. That's a lot of case for a relatively mild load. Hunters seemed to have a great deal of confidence in it.

250 grain Hornady spire points and round noses have shot so well out of my rifle, and killed so reliably, that I've never been tempted to try another bullet. They have accounted for elk, caribou, bear, deer, and plainsgame on multiple hunts.

A friend from Montana has a .35 Whelen as well, and hunted elk for years switching between 200 grain X bullets (the precursor to the TSX), 225 grain Sierra Game Kings and Nosler ballistic tips, and a 250 grain soft point. I can't remember the brand. He said they all worked well, but he always felt the Barnes were a little light, and the Sierra's were a little soft.

Inside 200 yards, don't think it's possible to make a bad choice. I have noticed though that velocities published online and on ammo boxes do not match with what I find in reloading manuals or in my rifle. Don't be disappointed if you're not seeing light bullets hit 2800 fps, or the heavies hitting 25-2600 fps.

Finally, my rifle has a 1:16 inch twist (thanks Remington ), and actually will not stabilize 225 grain Accubonds or TSX bullets. Accuracy at 100 yards is marginal at best, and from there they start tumbling like little kids in a ball pit.

The 250s is an excellent bullet in the 35 Whelen and one the caliber was intended to shoot..

That said, the reason I don't recommend it is because I like the .225 Nosler as well, and its close enough to nearly equel the 250 and if I want/need more weight then the 280 and 285s at near 2600 FPS are even better...Just my thinking on the subject.

If I had to pick one bullet and no other for an all around big game bullet, it would probably be a 250 gr. spitzer and probably a premium bullet, but in some cases the Sierra BTSP would be a good selection..Its a great on cow elk in an alfalfa patch.

I like the 250 gr for 200 yards and under, the 225 gr for more open country. Both shoot well but the 250 gr gets my vote. It just works so well with any 250 gr around 2500 FPS. Usually goes through a moose in my experience.

i need to dig out one of my 358s, especially the 1:10 twist one i built, well, more than 20 years ago for the 225gr X bullets

225 sierra hunters are great bullets in 35 caliber, and my humble suggestion for the whelen

I have shot a 35 Whelen AI on many hunts started with 225 swiftsthey shot under minute at 200yds later I tried 200 gr,Xthey worked well on caribou ihave bought some 250 gr. but never got to loading them yet the 225 kill moose with great athority Kevin

I have been using the .35 Whelen since 2000. I have shot bullets from 200 to 250 grain from game ranging in size from steenbok to eland and moose. I have pretty much settled on the 225 grain load for all the hunting with the Whelen. It can be loaded to 2650-2700 fps which gives a decent range, at least out to about 300 yards and kills stuff dead. I have not needed more than one shot on anything with the Whelen. I would consider the 250 grain slugs if I were using it for bear but otherwise happy with the 225 grain loads. I have used the Partition, the Sierra SP and the TBBC from Federal. I have shot the most game with the TBBC and it has worked spectacularly. I have also found the Sierra to be quite soft, so only use it for paper or deer size game.

Use what you choose for practice and evaluate the
results for speed and accuracy. My experience with the 35 Whelen is for 250 gr. Swifts or North
Forks for big animals or dangerous game at 2,500
fps. These hit like "the Hammer of Thor" and good
placement results in a one shot kill. Also I only
use Fed 215 primers and RL 15 powder. this combo
works best in a custom 721 Rem and a Ruger #1
I also shoot Sierras and Hornadys for practice & zero and hunt with the more expensive bullets. Longest kill has been Zebra at 310yds.

Good hunting

Tetonka
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
I have a 35 Whelen I need to finish the stock on (mequite). It's a worked over 1917 Enfield with #2 24" barrel and Wiebe bottom.

I plan to start with 225 gr TSXs and see how they do.

I'm changing my answer!!! Just checked and the Northfork 250 gr is .002" shorter than the 225 gr TSX. Same powder room. Will try it as well!!

My Whelen is one of the rifles I own that loves and shoots lights out with Factory Remington 250 grain Core-Loks. It shoots them so well that I don't bother trying to find something better in the way of handloads.

Necked up Lapua 30-06 brass. 62.5 grains of Tac.
200 grain TTSX and a 210 GMM to ignite it.
High 2800s in my buddy's Factory Remington, laser accurate and no pressure signs.

Thumped a bunch of PG with both 225 & 250. Marginal difference in accuracy or actual impact on game. Both have been very effective.