Weird Whelen Data

martinbns

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I just got my new to me 700 CDL in 35 whelen. A buddy was in Edmonton and the only bullets he could find me were 185 gr Hornady's and 250 gr speer hotcores. I wanted to start with re15 and Varget, the re15 data is really inconsistent, hornady lists 59 gr as max load for the 185, alliant lists the same load as max for the 250 gr hornady roundnose. I've never seen that much variance in a calibre before, what do you guys load for the various weights using reloder 15 and varget?
 
A lot of 35 Whelen data is all over the map. Not sure if the companies are concerned about some of the old rifles including lever guns that have been made up or what. Off the top of my head I think it is the Nosler manual that is most realistic. I am using 59/Re15/250grain with no problems at all and have heard of loads slightly higher than that being used. Both my rifles drive tacks with that load. Work your way towards that and see for yourself where the sweet spot is.
 
I'm not sure either. But I HAVE noticed that a lot of 338-06 loads produce more muzzle velocity with identical weight bullets as the Whelen. Bizarre.
 
I had a Remington 7600 that would shoot 250gr Speers with 57/Varget and a CCI primer. 2575fps.

It was a fairly hot load, so load down and work up .... blah, blah, blah. :)



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I had a Remington 7600 that would shoot 250gr Speers with 57/Varget and a CCI primer. 2575fps.

It was a fairly hot load, so load down and work up .... blah, blah, blah. :)



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Is that from the carbine length barrel? I have a .35 7600 on the way and am going to get into reloading to get the max out of this cartridge. That sounds like a lot for 18.5".
 
I've run about four pounds of Reloder 15 through my Whelen with 59.5 grains and a 250 grain Hornady as my load. It's fast, accurate and reliable with cases lasting a long time. Everything is fine in my rifle which is also a Remington 700

Chuck
 
59.0 grains or RE15 is a full case, so it makes sense that if it is the max load for the 250gr that it can't be exceeded for the 185gr - more won't fit. RE15 will not give max velocities with the 185gr, you will need to use a faster powder like H322, H4895 and the like. Use the data from a load manual.
 
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I was out today with it, I settled on 60 grains of reloder 15 with the 180's, they are really short. They shot OK, 2 groups under an inch, 2 about 1.5, pretty good for a moose gun.

It has to be the slickest feeding 700 I've ever owned, is that the gun or the almost straight shape of the cartridge?
 
Max load in my M700 CDL 35 Whelen with the 250 speer was 60.0 grains of RL15. Never had any signs of too high pressures, and it shot like crazy! Velocity was 2600+ Regards, Eagleye.
 
I was out today with it, I settled on 60 grains of reloder 15 with the 180's, they are really short. They shot OK, 2 groups under an inch, 2 about 1.5, pretty good for a moose gun.
I would use the 250 Speers for moose hunting. They have been very good shooters in all the 35s I've tried them in.

180s are varmint boolits anyways. :)



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I would use the 250 Speers for moose hunting. They have been very good shooters in all the 35s I've tried them in.

180s are varmint boolits anyways. :)



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Yeah I know, the only bullets I could get were the 180 Hornady's and a box of the 250 speers. I only intend to shoot the 180's at paper, I just wanted to get a feel for the rifle with them. Unfortunately for me, no moose this year, but I will load some of the 250's next.
 
Whelen data

I loaded 52 grains of IMR 4895 under a Hornady 250 grain Interlock, it chronied 2410 fps. This was a very easy load to shoot. I have gradually raised the charge to 55 grains without any pressure sign, and it is still very easy on brass and body parts.!!:cool:
 
Yeah I know, the only bullets I could get were the 180 Hornady's and a box of the 250 speers. I only intend to shoot the 180's at paper, I just wanted to get a feel for the rifle with them. Unfortunately for me, no moose this year, but I will load some of the 250's next.
Are there no 35cal boolits available? Seems like everything is getting short!



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Martin,
when you get tired of playing with that toy .35, see me and I will introduce you to one of my .358 Normas! THAT is performance; I find that the Sierras stand up very well at Norma velocities so they should be hot damn in an anemic cartridge!
 
Badger,
Clint went to Edmonton and in spitzer's all he could get were 180 gr hornady's and 250 gr speers. I was at the range yesterday after mounting a new scope and after sighting in at 25 yards I noticed the scope had moved to be touching the base so I had to call it a day.

I would like to try the norma on of these days, I am working up.
 
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