Trying out my new Whelen, *range report with pics*

bcsteve

bcsteve

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
120   0   0
Location
BC
Kind of a part 2 of my other post. I loaded a few rounds to try out my Whelen today. I had some 250gr Speer HC, 250gr Speer GS, 250gr Hornady IL SP and 225gr TSX.

Followed the Alliant data of max load of 59.5gr of RL15 (2550fps with 24" barrel)) and Barnes max load of 60gr of RL15 (2713fps with 24" barrel) for the regular X 225gr (Barnes also say that you can usually go 1-2 grain over with the TSX).

So I started two grains lower for both, 57.5, 58.5 and 59.5 for the 250 grainers and 58, 59, 60 for the 225 TSX.

Went to the range today with the Chrony and started with my minimum loads

57.5gr with the 250 grainers: 2654fps!!! and flat primer (didn't shoot the higher loads):eek:

58gr with the 225 TSX: 2809fps!!! and flat primer (didn't shoot the higher loads):eek:

I'm getting 100fps higher than their respective max loads with two grain lower (technically 4gr lower if you add the 1-2 gr for the TSX) with a 22" barrel!?!? :eek: Weird!

I'm gonna pull the others, start even lower and go back tomorrow. As a reference, the factory Remington 200gr PSPCL ran at 2816fps.
 
Last edited:
I found the Alliant loads WAY over max in my 35 Whelen also....a good reminder why you reduce loads AT LEAST 5% and WORK UP! The other problem is I've had some serious lot to lot variations in RE 15 (used a good 10+ lbs of it in the last few years).

Try:

57gr of Varget behind the 225 TSX (2725fps)

55gr of Varget behind the 250gr Speer or HDY (2500fps)

They were winners in my Whelen...

Drop'em by a few grains and go from there.....

280_ACKLEY
 
280, that's more like the velocity I was expecting. I just checked the Remington website. They say their factory 200gr .35 Whelen is supposed to do 2675fps out of a 24" barrel. I got 2816fps out of a 22" barrel.
 
I also found the Alliant loads to be too hot for my .35 Whelen. I got a head separation after 3-4 loads with partial resizing.

I now use 57 gr of RL15 with the 250 grain bullets(2575-2600 fps) and 58 grains with the 225 NP's(2700-2725 fps). With 61 gr I was getting 2800 fps!!!!! Screw that!!!!

23" Douglas Premium barrel.

With your rifle, I would be inclined to reduce by 10% then work up
 
After yesterday's issue with hotter loads than I expected, I loaded some more. This time I went 54gr, 55gr and 56gr for the 250 grainers and 55gr, 56gr and 57gr for the 225 TSX. The velocities are better but the primers are still a little flat.

Here's the results:

Speer HC 250gr:
54gr @ 2538fps
55gr @ 2558fps
56gr @ 2581fps

Speer GS 250gr:
54gr @ 2520fps
55gr @ 2544fps
56gr @ 2582fps

Hornady IL 250gr:
54gr @ 2508fps
55gr @ 2547fps
56gr @ 2531fps

Barnes TSX 225gr:
55gr @ 2705fps
56gr @ 2763fps
57gr @ 2772fps

And now for the best part, look at the targets. Remember, these are three shots with a grain difference each. So far the Speers are winning but she's got potential!
ee5aa4ec.jpg

ee5aa57a.jpg

ee5aa4b9.jpg

ee5aa483.jpg
 
Last edited:
On a side note, it looks like I may have a firing pin issue with this Ruger. I had a misfire with a factory Rem round yesterday, I've never had this happen to me with a centerfire before but I knew sometime $hit happens so I wasn't too worried. Today I happen again twice with my reloads. On one round of TSX, I had to fire it 3-4 times before it fired and when it did, I ended up with a SUPER flat blown primer?!
 
bcsteve said:
On a side note, it looks like I may have a firing pin issue with this Ruger. I had a misfire with a factory Rem round yesterday, I've never had this happen to me with a centerfire before but I knew sometime $hit happens so I wasn't too worried. Today I happen again twice with my reloads. On one round of TSX, I had to fire it 3-4 times before it fired and when it did, I ended up with a SUPER flat blown primer?!
Click to expand...


that actually sounds like a headspace issue
 
After yesterday's issue with hotter loads than I expected, I loaded some more. This time I went 54gr, 55gr and 56gr for the 250 grainers and 55gr, 56gr and 57gr for the 225 TSX. The velocities are better but the primers are still a little flat.

Here's the results:

Speer HC 250gr:
54gr @ 2538fps
55gr @ 2558fps
56gr @ 2581fps

Speer GS 250gr:
54gr @ 2520fps
55gr @ 2544fps
56gr @ 2582fps

Hornady IL 250gr:
54gr @ 2508fps
55gr @ 2547fps
56gr @ 2531fps

Barnes TSX 225gr:
55gr @ 2705fps
56gr @ 2763fps
57gr @ 2772fps
Click to expand...

Your results tell me you're still a little on the warm side for a 22" bbl, bear in mind that there is no free lunch out there... expect 2500 fps with 250's and 2700-2725fps with 225's..... the extra velocity is not worth the consequences when the stars all align on ya and blow up your new rifle!
 
rgv said:
that actually sounds like a headspace issue
Click to expand...

I agree. Sounds like your chamber may be a little on the large size, allowing for the base of the shell to not be tight against the bolt faceresulting in the firing pin not getting a proper dent on the primer. Sounds like your over resizing your brass, making it loose in the chamber. Back your die off and try only necksizing the previously fired cases enough to hold the bullet tight without sizing the rest of the case. I'm betting the primers won't flatten and they won't misfire anymore with the same loads. The primers may be flattening because they back partway out of the pocket up against the bolt face before the brass expands and stretches back over the primer flattening it.
 
Last edited:
A quick headspace check can be done with scotch tape on the head of the case. Tape runs around .0015" per layer. Remove the striker assembly before doing this.
There is a chance you do have a weak spring. If you remove the striker assembly and look at the spring, you may find the first 3 or 4 coils at each end to be completely collapsed. If this is the case, get a new spring. I like to use the blitzschnell spring which is just a step above the factory rating. I don't like springs which are too stiff unless I plan to hunt in arctic conditions. Since I'm a warm weather fan, this isn't likely to happen! Regards, Bill.
 
I just sent this PM to Steve, but I thought I may as well post it here too...


Steve,
Rest assured that your chamber is on the tight side of the tolerance. I set it up with a very tight feel on the "GO" gauge without forcing the bolt completely closed on the gauge. A new unfired RP Whelen case chambered easily. It's probably on minimum SAAMI spec, maybe even a bit shorter. Obviously you have no problem chambering factory ammo, so it's not too short. My guess is the firing pin protrusion is short or a weak spring or a combination of the two. I went thru this exercise with an ABolt a while back. If you like I can put my headspace gauges in the mail to you and you can check it yourself. This will eliminate one variable in your own mind.

Looks like the Ruger Whelen might be a shooter though .....keep us updated.
 
Having owned a few "Rembo" built rifles and having spend HUNDREDS of hours on the phone with him (I get a Christmas Card from Telus thanks to him (grin)) I can guarantee you that he didn't miss a detail such as headspace.

Also, owning more than a few King barrels I have found them to be on the tight side (my guess is they're due to not being lapped), and as a result you'll hit max velocity (and pressure) possibly as much as a grain or two sooner with most loads.

Can't explain the Rem factory ammo (I have had 260 Rem factory ammo WAY too hot so possibly the case).

As to the handloads, I would suspect two things are happening.

1. Still running a little on the "warm" side.... as mentioned 2500fps is about what to expect (many get more... but not without "risk"), dropping a grain or two should help (try those varget loads I mentioned).

2. Sounds to me like your dies are not set up perfectly. For max case life, unscrew the sizing die and then run a case in it. Keep screwing it down until you can see that the neck has been resized JUST at the datum line (the neck/shoulder junction). Partial resizing will give you a perfect fit to the chamber. I suspect you're pushing the shoulders back too far... creating excessive headspace ... which will flatten a primer even on a light load, but is not a fault of the rifle or gunsmith.

Good luck

280_ACKLEY
 
After talking to Rembo and reading several threads on other forums, it sounds like I'm not the first one having issues with misfire with the combination of Whelen and Remington brass. From what everybody is saying, the Rem brass may be slightly under specs and have rounded (not well defined) shoulders. A combination of both may let the brass slide a little forward. Once fired brass or necked up .30-06 brass usualy solves the problem. I'll try once fired brass next and see what happens.
 
I am the proud owner of a Remington 700 CDL in 35 Whelen. I have not experienced any problems with the Remington brass I have used in it. I have 2 lots, both have worked just fine. That being said, I am not a Remington brass lover, so am busy making Whelen brass from Winchester 30-06 brass. It forms very easily, and even with the '06 headstamp, would be impossible for anyone to confuse with that chambering! Regards, Eagleye
 
Those velocities sound pretty high to me.

My current chronograph matches velocities with an earlier one I owned, and is usually pretty bang on for factory ammo when adjustments are made for barrel length.

When I graphed Remington factory 200's in my 7600 and my buddy's 700, I got around 2655 fps.

I can't seem to put my hands on my loading book right now, but as I recall, I load around 55 grains of IMR 4320 with a 220 grain bullet of my own manufacture, and get around 2630 fps. The load shows the usual top-end pressure signs, and I'm not really tempted to crank it up any.

If you have access to another graph, it might be interesting to try your loads over that one to see if you get consistently high velocities.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom