Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 35 WHELEN, 8208 and 225s

Hey guys,
My current load with woodliegh weld core RN 225s is 60.5 gr of varget. I just picked up a couple lbs of IMR 8208. I'm curious if anyone has loaded some 225s with the stuff and what kind of velocities/accuracy you got.Thanks.
-Brandon

I tried 8208 with 225 TSX and 225 NBT. Groups were substantially smaller than those with Varget, TAC or R15.
2700 fps from a 22" barrel seemed to give reasonable pressure.
Also got superior accuracy with 250 NP at 2500 fps.

I used The Rules (thanks J. B.) to calculate that, at .270 Win. pressure, 225s should not exceed 2700 fps and 250s should not exceed 2500.

Cheers,
Walt

What was you maxing out at with the 225s. I'm at 57gr and I feel like I could keep going...maybe 58.5? Obviously watching for signs of pressure.

Different bullets produce different pressures so be cautious.

I used Remington cases and Federal 210 primers. Ruger 77RS with 22" barrel. If you are using a Ruger make sure the forend screw is good and tight. After my stock split the Ruger techs told me that it needs to be torqued 90 to 95 inch-pounds. The owners manual says to tighten "firmly" but I did not realize that firmly is farmer tight plus a quarter turn. I could not achieve 90 ft-lb by hand and ended up getting a torque wrench and an Allen-head screw (available at fine hardware stores everywhere).

225 Ballistic Tip - 56.0 gn - 8208XBR - 2707 fps

225 TSX - 57.5 gn - 8208XBR - 2726 fps

By the way, .280 Remington brass works great for forming .35 Whelen cases because the shoulder will be set back slightly when full-length sized in a Whelen die giving perfect headspace every time.

Cheers,
Walt