I've all but given up on acquiring reloading components, and have decided to concentrate on just two calibers until the hoarding issue calms down. So here's what I'm working with:

.35 Whelen and 7MM-08. The 7 mil bullets are hard to come by, but I can buy .358 bullets all day long. Not many people up in my neck of the woods shoot the various .358 caliber guns, so components (other than powder and primers) are still available.

I haven't done a lot of load development yet. I have used only 225 gr. partitions and TSXs, and 250 gr. partitions so far with only RL 15 and Varget.

I'd like to play around with a few more bullet weights so long as the powders I have on hand will work. This applies to both of the afore-mentioned calibers. The 7-08 is my son's rifle.

I have RL 19, 15 and 7. H 4350, 1000, 380 and Varget, and IMR 4350.

If you have pet loads for any bullet weight in the .35 Whelen with those powders (other than RL 15 and Varget) please chime in!

Likewise, for the 7-08, but I'm much more component limited with that one. I have around 65 or so bullets total for that one, and they are all 140 gr. Barnes TSXs. We came up with an acceptable hunting load with that bullet and H380. Just wondering if any of you have found good loads using the same bullet with any of the other powders I have on hand.

I only have two reloading manuals (Lee second edition and Lyman 49th edition.) I can find online data, but I prefer to get first - hand info from those who have already done the load development, considering how limited I am on components.

I realize all guns are different, but I think getting advice from ya'll is a better way to conserve what components I have than just starting from scratch via published load data the traditional way.

All of the powders I mentioned are near a full pound, except varget. I probably have only about a third of a pound left of that.

Thanks!

49-50grs of RL19 and 140gr TSX for the 7mm08

Haven't worked with the 7mm-08 but you are using two of the best powders in RL 15 and Varget for the 35 Whelen and 225-250 gr bullets. I'm sure you will find something good with those two, I have had good sucess with IMR 8208 and the 200 gr TTSX and Accubond if you ever decide to use the lighter bullet weights. My gun shot TTSX with 56 gr and Accubond with 57 gr for about the same speed of around 2840 fps.

Thanks Steelhead, What kind of velocity did you get with this load? My son's rifle is a Mossberg Bantam youth model with a 20" BBL, so the average barrel length of 22" will yield a bit more I'm sure. I just want to be able to judge max range for hunting purposes for him. I've read the TSX bullets don't like to open up at lower velocities.

Yeah, I've gotten very good results with both powders using 225 TSXs and partitions, as well as 250 partitions. Just looking for options for the other powders with the same or different bullet weights.

The 4350s are excellent choices in the -08; run 'em up at the upper end of published loads and you should find meat makers.

For the Whelen, RL 19, the 4350's and H 1000 would be too slow burning. RL 7 might be a bit fast but H 380 should work. Haven't tried it but in the unlikely event you haven't seen it Hodgdon has data for it. Looks like their loads for H 380 are a bit soft but would be a good starting point.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

I have read Hodgdon's data, and it does interest me that H380 seems to deliver increased velocity with heavier bullets. I might have to give it a try with some 250 gr. partitions.

+1

2800-2850 or so.

For the Whelen, I like 225 gr bullets and 60 gr of Varget. Close to 2700 fps. The 225 Accubond worked well on a couple of black bears. Lots of Whelen shooters RL-15 as well.

I appreciate all the info folks. I'm heading about 90 miles north today to see if I can punch a hole in a black bear with my .35 Whelen. I plan to get started on building some loads next week.

Reloading has become an activity my son and I thoroughly enjoy doing together. He's 13 now, and I taught him how to do it last year. He has about 20 rounds loaded up for his 7-08 with those 140 gr. TSX bullets. I can't wait to see the look on his face the first time he drops a big game animal with his own handloads.

I have done extensive research and range testing with my .35 Whelen, I have found IMR 4064 to work well with bullets in the 200-225gr. weights. Next up for testing is RL 15 as it has an excellent reputation amoung the .35 Whelen reloaders here on the 'fire. My two Whelen rifles like 225 gr. Sierra & Nosler bullets the best.

Matt,

My go to load in the 35 Whelen has always been 56 grains of 4320 behind a 250 grain bullet. Mine doesn't care which bullet. I have some RL15 on hand and want to try it with my 35 Whelen. I'm a bit skittish of shooting up much of my stock right now. I do have a lot of 4320 on hand and a lot of 35 caliber bullets so am good for keeping the 35 up and running.

Mart

Yeah, I wish I had some 4320. I'm down to about 1/3 lb. of RL 15 and I doubt I'll be able to replace it any time soon. I even stooped so low as to buy a couple of boxes of factory ammo. It's a good thing the .35 Whelen isn't a very popular caliber up here, or I wouldn't even be able to get that.

Matt, I have a full box of 7mm/160gr AccuBonds and/or partial box of 7mm TSX 120 gr and/or partial box of Berger 7mm 140 VLD bullets you may have. If interested send me a PM and I'll get them up to you.

Powder is obtainable. Check Gene Sears Supply website, www.3rdgss.com, every day from now until powder arrives. The website is "real time". It comes in once a month between the 10th and the 17th. Last month was the 15th. They get a lot of powder in and it lasts about 2 days. Replenished my inventory last month. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tip, Jim! I'll keep my eye on that.

That only works for you lower 48 folks. Shipping up here requires a prohibitively high hazmat fee, so we are at the mercy of the local suppliers.

A load I use in one of my Whelens is 58 gr. RL15, 225 gr Partition, Fed 210 primer. This is loaded .020 off the lands in a 1 in 14 twist barrel. I get 2675 fps with good accuracy with this load. I get my most consistent accuracy from the same bullet over 55 grains of IMR 3031, 2550 fps.
Seems like a very tough bullet, I would imagine that it would be a great choice in your neck of the woods.

I've got both 225 gr. and 250 gr. partitions, and so far have only loaded them using Varget. Thanks, I'll give them a try with RL 15.

I know there are some books out there with load data for the .35 Whelen that show 2800 fps, or very close to it with a 225 gr. bullet. Anyone know which manuals these are? I'd like to pick those up, as I believe my particular rifle is capable of that, maybe even a bit more.

Matt,

I can't help you with those 2 particular cartridges. However, I do empathize with your situation. AND like your positive move ahead thinking - Hope I can learn some of the same.

I am OK on components and powders for rifles I have had for a while. But I picked-up a 30-06 this Christmas and am really scrouging to reload for it - Haven't even shot it yet

Good Luck

Ray,

At least you chose one of the most versatile cartridges in the world. Depending on which bullets you use, you could use any number of powders (assuming you can ever find any.)

By the way, I think I have some .308 bullets still, but I gave away my '06 in partial payment for my son's fourwheeler. Shoot me a PM if you're interested, I'll ship them to ya free. At least that will get you started with some bullets.

I think I have some 200 gr. FMJ BT Match, some 165 gr. speer soft points, and both 180 and 200 gr. Nosler partitions.

Disregard this - I remembered the guy who built my rifle had sent me some load data, and these loads were in the data he sent. 2800+ fps with a 225 gr. bullet is a true long - range combination.

Now I need to find the 225 gr. bullet with the highest B.C. There is a new 1000 yd. range up north of me that I'd like to try out. Imagine the looks on the faces of the BR guys when someone shows up with a sporter in .35 Whelen.

Matt, Thanks for the offer - I have the heavy for caliber bullets covered as that's always been my preference. No, I need lighter .30 cal bullets.

Matt, Nosler's data gets you to up to 2800 fps with a couple of loads, that might have been what you were thinking. Here in my part of B.C. we are also at the mercy of local dealers when it comes to powder like you. Thankfully I'm stocked up for now. I would say the 225 gr Accubond has the highest b.c. of 225 gr bullets, I believe it is higher than the .423 they list.

There is actually a Speer or Sierra bullet, also 225 gr. that is 446 BC. I need to look them up again.

I'm thinking with my throated chamber, which allows me to seat COAL to full magazine length (which allows for more powder without increasing pressure) and my 23.5" barrel, I should be able to exceed most advertised velocities without getting into the "danger zone".

No 7mm-08 loads but my 35 Whelen does great with both RL-15 and Varget.

With 250 gr partitions and 50 gr. Varget I get great groups, same with 225 TSX's and 60 gr. of RL-15.

Too many hours at work forced me to decide it was a good time to slim down the guns I load for, went from nine to focusing on three 257 Weatherby Mag, 30-06 and 35 Whelen...life is simpler now.