35 Whelen with CFE-223
- Thread starter GMC403
- Start date
Actually it shows 2664 fps with 64.0 grs of CFE223, and 2709 fps with 66.2 grs (compressed) of 2000-MR at a loaded OAL of 3.340".
Those MV's are impressive. The best I've done with a similar bullet (the Hornady 250 gr RN) is 2600 fps at a loaded OAL or 3.400" (long throat - 0.120" for the rifling) with 66.0 grs (compressed) of Reloder 17.
Both 2000-MR and CFE223 are a bit faster that Re17, so I can see those MV's as relaistic.
Thanks for sharing.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Looks like 2664 for fps CFE223, but close enough. Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR seems to be the top velocity producer, 2709 fps, for those who care. I was curious, so I went back and had a look at the loads I worked up in the 9.3X62. Quickload predicted 2708 with a 250 gr Nosler Accubond over 60 grs of H-335, but the instrument velocity (Oehler 35P) from my rifle was a mundane 2635, and pressure signs became visible on the brass with that charge, even though QL suggested I could increase to 61.5 for 2764 fps. My working load was a reduction of half a grain, and 59.5 gr of H-335, showed no pressure signs, and had a measured velocity of 2624 fps. The 9.3 has a bit more case capacity than the .35 Whelen, and a larger bullet diameter has a velocity advantage over a smaller bullet of equal weight, so the 9.3 has the advantage over the .35 Whelen. I do acknowledge though that improved powder can increase velocity without undue pressure spikes, and in the .375 Ultra I gained 50 fps with 380 gr bullets by switching from 4350 to H-100V. Sometimes these expectations are unrealistic though and a damaged rifle and injury can be the result, which was my experience with Retumbo in that same rifle. Don't become fixated on 2700 fps. If you are going to attempt to get 2700 from a 250 gr bullet in the Whelen, proceed incrementally and carefully, watching for danger signs on your brass, or warnings from your rifle. Extractor marks, flattened primers, and stiff bolt lifts are all warning signs that you ignore at your peril.
I have both a 35 Whelen and a 9.3X62 and have found that load data I've developed for the 250 gr bullet in the 35 Whelen generally approvimates the load data for a 286 gr bullet in the 9.3X62, as does the resulting MV's - typically the 9.3X62 uses a bit more powder for a bit higher MV.
When comparing Speer's load data for these two chamberings, I observed quite a difference however:
https://www.speer-ammo.com/downloads...Whelen_250.pdf
https://www.speer-ammo.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/Rifle/93mm_366_dia/93x62mm_270.pdf
What I see above however is a lack of consistency.
For their "Max Charges", most times, the 9.3X62 uses slightly more powder than the 35 Whelen and produces a slightly higher MV (my own experience), however for 2000-MR, the 35 Whelen uses considerably more powder for a significantly higher MV.
When comparing Speer's load data for these two chamberings, I observed quite a difference however:
https://www.speer-ammo.com/downloads...Whelen_250.pdf
https://www.speer-ammo.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/Rifle/93mm_366_dia/93x62mm_270.pdf
What I see above however is a lack of consistency.
For their "Max Charges", most times, the 9.3X62 uses slightly more powder than the 35 Whelen and produces a slightly higher MV (my own experience), however for 2000-MR, the 35 Whelen uses considerably more powder for a significantly higher MV.
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I have seen anomalies like that quite often.
It is usually because of a lab using a different barrel or rifle for a particular test. As you know, each rifle is different and velocities from apparent identical rifles can vary by over 100 fps.
A lab might start testing a caliber using a rifle, say a 9x62 Mauser. The book will reflect their results in that rifle. One day they might decide that the caliber has become popular enough to warrant a SAAMI test barrel for their pressure gun, so they buy one and start using that barrel.
Now the results will be quite different, because of the different barrel.
The other thing I noticed is that the test lab has jugs of all the powders they use for reloading. Some powders get used up quickly. A few powders will last a year. When that jug gets replaced, the powder charges will change a bit because of the age and lot number variation.
It is usually because of a lab using a different barrel or rifle for a particular test. As you know, each rifle is different and velocities from apparent identical rifles can vary by over 100 fps.
A lab might start testing a caliber using a rifle, say a 9x62 Mauser. The book will reflect their results in that rifle. One day they might decide that the caliber has become popular enough to warrant a SAAMI test barrel for their pressure gun, so they buy one and start using that barrel.
Now the results will be quite different, because of the different barrel.
The other thing I noticed is that the test lab has jugs of all the powders they use for reloading. Some powders get used up quickly. A few powders will last a year. When that jug gets replaced, the powder charges will change a bit because of the age and lot number variation.
