Plinking load for 35 Whelen
- Thread starter RRBull
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I have a few load manuals which have lsitings for reduced loads and handgun powders. 5744 is popular for reduced loads.
I don't (currently) have a 35, so I can't tell you how effective it'll be, but even at the lowest possible speeds, the handgun bullets will be moving out a lot faster - and spinning MUCH MUCH faster - than intended. Therefore I suspect they'll be quite frangible, and make a big mess. 85gr XTP's for the 32ACP are really explosive out of a 308.
I don't (currently) have a 35, so I can't tell you how effective it'll be, but even at the lowest possible speeds, the handgun bullets will be moving out a lot faster - and spinning MUCH MUCH faster - than intended. Therefore I suspect they'll be quite frangible, and make a big mess. 85gr XTP's for the 32ACP are really explosive out of a 308.
I have read that Trail Boss is not as good in cases with shoulders, I have tested it in many guns and the only one with any kind of a shoulder was the .44/40..I have tested it in the .45 Colt, 32/40,38/55,45/70,45/100and it has real potential, it is accurate but you can run the pressures up quickly without getting much velocity especially in the .32/40.
If you get some 36 cal. (.360) round balls as used for cap and ball revolvers you can make up a very effective small game, close range load. There is very little surface contact between a round ball and the bore so low speed is your friend in getting accuracy. They will not shoot well at speeds much above
900. I haven't done this for my Whelens but I have for my 348 using .350 round balls. My load for that was 8 grains of 5744 with a large pistol primer. Groups in that rifle run about 3/4" at 25 yards. It will not shoot to normal point of aim so if you use a scope try using the top of the fat part of a duplex cross hair as a start for an aiming point. On the 348 I use a target disc peep insert with a second hole drilled up near the rim.
Or you can simply go to a more conventional .357 revolver bullet and develop a good load with one of them.
900. I haven't done this for my Whelens but I have for my 348 using .350 round balls. My load for that was 8 grains of 5744 with a large pistol primer. Groups in that rifle run about 3/4" at 25 yards. It will not shoot to normal point of aim so if you use a scope try using the top of the fat part of a duplex cross hair as a start for an aiming point. On the 348 I use a target disc peep insert with a second hole drilled up near the rim.
Or you can simply go to a more conventional .357 revolver bullet and develop a good load with one of them.
I don't want to hijack this thread but someone asked so.....13gr. Trail boss and 555gr. P Jones Creedmore...998fps in the Sharps 45/70 . 16gr. TB same bullet in the 45/100....1040fps. Both grouped good but the pressures run high, they are not as accurate as my B.P. loads using Swiss #1 1/2fg. One positive about TB is that 13 gr. fills more than half the case in the 45/70. I will be trying it in my Sharps 50/90 in the near future, with 635gr. bullet.
I use 23 grains of IMR SR4759 under a cast GC 205 gr bullet. It's quite a bit past a squib load more like a mid-range, but shoots to a 100 yard zero when the rifle is sighted for 200 with full power 250 loads. A lighter, gallery style load can be put together with Unique and the same bullet or 357 handgun bullets, but I really don't have a use for such a load. The SR4759 load is easy enough on the shoulder as it is.
I use 700x with 158 grain bullets. I do use a filler (one square of toilet paper) but have shot it without.
Use extreme caution when loading these light loads. With powder charges so small, it is easy to double charge and not know it until you fire the rifle. Rgeards, Bill.
Use extreme caution when loading these light loads. With powder charges so small, it is easy to double charge and not know it until you fire the rifle. Rgeards, Bill.
