Got me a load worked up in my old 25-35 Win. carbine SRC:

97 gr. GS Customs flat nose HP, WW brass, 210 Fed, 29 grs, 0f H-380 got me 2535 FPS, that has to be an omen!! so I quit there..I did load the gun up to 32 grs. for almost 2600 FPS but felt a slight drop in the lever on firing with two of 5 rounds so back off that.

The same load with a 117 gr. hornady rn gave me a weak 2210 FPS, I normally shoot the 117 at around 2250 to 2300 and max is usually about 2300 of H-380 in a 25-35 Win..

The 97 gr. GS Custom HP is a monolithic FN bullet and is actually as long as the 117 gr. Hornady and penetrates a full 8 inches more than any soft point in dry magazines. Dry magazines will tear up bullets but the 97 gr. GSC made perfect mushrooms in all test in wet and dry magazines..I am sure it will add considerable killing power to this fine rifle..

I found the same to be true with the 180 gr. flat nose HPs in the .348 at 2700 FPS they out penetrated all the 250s I had on hand that included 250 gr. Woodleighs, Barnes Originals in 220 and 250 and WW factory Silvertips by 4 to 7 inches in wet and dry paper..The 180 GSC is as long as the 250s and expands greatly..

I really am impressed and they have increased the capabilities of both calibers, they sure shoot flatter at 300 yards.

As to accuracy the 25-35 has always been a 2 inch gun and I shot 10 into 1.2 at 75 yards. its is a one inch gun now with 3 shots at 75.

The ,348 shot the 180 better at 1.5 for 3 at 100 yards, that's the best its ever done..

My chosen load with the 180 GSC consists of 53 grs of Rl-15 for 2645 average of 10. 58 grs. of H-380 will get you about the same. Both gave outstanding accuracy and tore big holes in wet magazines and my back up cross ties!!

I like these GS Customs bullets.

I tried these 97 gr. flat nose hp's in my 250-3000 and shot great 3 shot groups..GSC also makes spitser HP in 85 and 100 gr. that I have been shootin for several years..That 85 gr will shot thru a deer and leave a quarter size exit hole and almost all have been instant kills, with a couple of 15 yard runs..Great bullets and I have no afilations with GS customs other than being a proud customer.

Ray, this is great to hear. When I get my .25-35 Tomcat back from John Taylor Machine, I will try these bullets.

I've had marginal performance with two Hornady 117gr bullets in my 25-35 and a 120# doe. Just did not get the expansion I thought I would get. You thinking the 97gr GS might be the way to go??

Zephyr, what was your muzzle velocity?

Not at home with my books, but some where around 2250fps. The first shot was around 80yrds

Zephyr,

I think you will like the 97 gr. bullet on deer. it really sizzles.

I have never had any problems with the 117 gr Hornady on deer or elk, deer run 25 yards, maybe 50, elk sometimes a little further as one would expect, but they leave a good blood trail, then sometimes both deer and elk just fall down and don't get up..

There isn't a lot of room for bad shooting with the 25-35, shots must be heart, or double lung, spine or brain, a bit shallow and you are in for a big time tracking job..The same shot that a 30-30 would put them down pretty quick with a finisher necessary. No room for error.

I have shot most of my deer and elk with factory 117 gr. WW and Rem corelokts, both work great, but hard to come by however I have about 15 or so boxes of factory stuff in both brands. of.

Bill, I suspect your Tom cat will get you plenty of expansion with the 117 gr. Hornadys, as you will pick up a heck of a lot of velocity over the std. 25-35, probably right up there with a 250-3000 or factory 257 Robts. It has to be a real hammer on deer and suitable on elk up to about 250 yards or a bit more.

I intend to find a straight grip Marlin and stick a 24 inch 25-35 barrel on it and add a 3X Leupold in QD Leupold mounts..Be my poke around meat gun in the South Hills Unit 54 or 55 Idaho draw hunt, behind my casa.