.357 pistol projectile for 35 Whelen
- Thread starter ton45-II
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Back in the stone age I tried it with 158 gr pistol bullets in a .350 magnum, the ugly twin of the .35 Whelen, the results were uninspiring. In those days heavy .357 pistol bullets weren't common, the 173 gr Keith #358429 being the heaviest. Light loads with 200 gr cast bullets would be excellent small game/plinking pills in a .35 rifle.
I use 36 cal (.360) round balls for light loads. Seat them in an unsized case over just enough powder to keep velocity around 800-900fps. I think my load was 7 or 8 grains of 5744 with a large pistol primer, and accuracy at 25 yards was 1/2"-3/4". If you're lucky the lower thick portion (the tip) of your duplex scope reticule will be useful as the aiming point.
As for seating them first make sure the balls don't drop in the unsized case. Then simply sit the ball on the case mouth and run it in your reloading press up to a small block of wood held by your figers across the bottom of the opening for the sizing die. Seat till case makes contact with the wood or just slightly short of the wood.
I used Lee Alox bullet lube to give the balls a coat of lube before using them. Do this in one batch and allow drying time for the lube.
There is very little surface on a round ball to catch the rifling so keeping velocity low to prevent stripping of the ball in the lands is essential. Accuracy goes really far south if you push them too hard.
These loads are very quiet, good for target or small game.
As for seating them first make sure the balls don't drop in the unsized case. Then simply sit the ball on the case mouth and run it in your reloading press up to a small block of wood held by your figers across the bottom of the opening for the sizing die. Seat till case makes contact with the wood or just slightly short of the wood.
I used Lee Alox bullet lube to give the balls a coat of lube before using them. Do this in one batch and allow drying time for the lube.
There is very little surface on a round ball to catch the rifling so keeping velocity low to prevent stripping of the ball in the lands is essential. Accuracy goes really far south if you push them too hard.
These loads are very quiet, good for target or small game.
I did try the Hornady 158 grain JHP, as well as their 160? gr FMJ TC, as practice loads. I never got outstanding accuracy with them, and I never attempted to use them for deer. If I wanted a light bullet, I would try the Speer 180 grain, or some of the 200 grain bullets.
I had some small game success with various cast 158 grain bullets; a much better choice than jacketed .357 projectiles. They were cheaper and just as effective for small game.
I had some small game success with various cast 158 grain bullets; a much better choice than jacketed .357 projectiles. They were cheaper and just as effective for small game.
I'm experimenting with with some Cam-Pro plated 158 gr Truncated projectiles. I chronoed 9 grains of Trail Boss at an average of 1044 fps. It's shooting low so I need to get it to fly even slower to be zeroed at 25 yards. At 9 grains it's fill 60-65% of the cartridge. Trail Boss is just amazingly FAT.
