35 Rem. 200gr FTX, how hot for CQ deer hunting?

roadwarrior

roadwarrior

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Hi guys, I'm getting slowly started in preping for the next deer hunt. Being new to reloading, this will be the first year I intend to use reloads to hunt. I am using a Marlin 336 RC, 20 in. barrel. I am going to use the Hornady 200 gr. .358 FTX bullets, CCI LR primers, Rem. casings and BLC (2) powder.

I have found the following loads from a friend's reloading computer program.

Min: 36.90 gr. 1899 fps 1601 ft/lb

Near max: 41.82 gr. 2193fps 2136 ft/lb

From comparing this data to 200 gr. RN loads elsewhere, their max load is 41 gr. wich would give me: 2143 fps 2039 ft/lb with the FTX.


I have never shot a deer at over 100 yards and most of my shots are under 50 yards. Now for the question: how hot, or not, should I load for an optimum bullet expansion at short distance on medium game?
 
Go to the Hornady site. They have loads there for the ftx bullets. Sometimes you have to trim the case a little shorter due to the longer length of the ftx. I have done some for the 356 win using standard 200 grain loads and found them very hot. went to their site and found my loads were really hot according to their data. I haven't had a chance to try new loads.
 
roadwarrior said:
Hi guys, I'm getting slowly started in preping for the next deer hunt. Being new to reloading, this will be the first year I intend to use reloads to hunt. I am using a Marlin 336 RC, 20 in. barrel. I am going to use the Hornady 200 gr. .358 FTX bullets, CCI LR primers, Rem. casings and BLC (2) powder.

I have found the following loads from a friend's reloading computer program.

Min: 36.90 gr. 1899 fps 1601 ft/lb

Near max: 41.82 gr. 2193fps 2136 ft/lb

From comparing this data to 200 gr. RN loads elsewhere, their max load is 41 gr. wich would give me: 2143 fps 2039 ft/lb with the FTX.


I have never shot a deer at over 100 yards and most of my shots are under 50 yards. Now for the question: how hot, or not, should I load for an optimum bullet expansion at short distance on medium game?
Click to expand...



Load and shoot for accuracy, that big slug will take care of the rest.:cool:
 
You have your bullets, so that is what you are asking about.
I would prefer a 200 grain round nose, soft point. For that rifle deer hunting, good accuracy would be three inch groups at 100 yards.
 
I've got the Hornady load page printed out for the FTX and they do not show a load for BL-C(2).

On top of that, their fastest loads listed max out at 2000 fps wich is slower than what I can achieve with the loads I listed earlier. They don't offer a load that can match the specs of the leverevolution ammo:

35 REM 200 gr FTX LEVERevolution 82735
Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle 100 yd 200 yd 300 yd 400 yd 500 yd
2225/2198 1963/1711 1721/1315 1503/1003

Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle 100 yd 200 yd 300 yd 400 yd 500 yd
-1.7 3.0 -1.3 -17.5

But that's really besides my intent for this post. I was more wondering if I should use a soft charge or a full throttle one for a deer at less than 50 yards. My hope is for the bullet to fully expand, penetrate adequatly and retain the majority of it's weight (not getting a jacket/core separation).

As of now, I am leaning towards a 41 gr. charge that will beat Federal's 200gr. RN in velocity and be a step below the Leverevolution. Any thoughts?
 
Sure hard to figure out why you are asking all these questions about loading a 35 Remington to shoot a deer.
Just get any bullet that was designed for the 35 Rem for hunting, load it to about the same as a factory load and shoot the deer. It won't care what you did.
 
I agree, you're getting too wrapped up in factory produced ballistics, which are overly optimistic anyway. The .35 rem. kills because it is a wide, heavy bullet, that when put in the right spot, kills game, period. There is no need for fancy bullets, top end velocities, which can cause extraction, probs. anyways. Find the load that is most accurate, functions well in the levergun, practise with it, and you're good to go!
 
Ok, I guess I was over thinking things. Just did'nt want to make any mistakes on my first deer hunt with reloads (and look foolish in front of the boys at camp).

I've loaded about 15 rounds in increasing increments with the FTX to see how everything holds up at various pressure and 25 more with some cast bullets for some cost efficient fun at the range.

Thanks to all for setting me strait! :)
 
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