Trystan: when I cut a 22" Whelen down to 20", I lost a consistent 60-70 fps with most 200-225gr loads, maybe a little less with 250gr loads. Not a huge amount of velocity loss but more than what the internet says it should have been, given the expansion ration of the cartridge. Also, blast definitely increased.
Most of my 250 loads run about 2525 fps from the 20" whelens, using everything from IMR4895 to RL-15 to MR-2000. MR-2000 will get you much closer to 2600 fps, but I got nervous and backed it down.
2675 fps seems to be the accuracy node for most 225grain bullets for both my 20" guns, but you could get a little more, I'm sure. Most factory 200gr ammo runs 2700-2750 from a 20" barrel, I haven't bothered to work up loads with that bullet weight because the factory ammo is so good in that weight and readily available.
Would like to hear how the .358 Hammer bullets do.
Good to know thank you for the heads up
Good bullets properly placed always work, but not everyone knows what good bullets are, or can reliably place them in the field
