Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Best Replacement for .35 cal 200gr CoreLokt

Since these have essentially become unobtanium in component form, is there a preferred substitute? I'm going with Hornady 200's this year, but have some 220 speer to test and will be getting some 180s too. Looking for the closest terminal performance and accuracy from those that have played with the various options.

My early 336 RC seems to shoot the Hornady about as well as the last of the Remingtons that I had, now that I've fire-lapped it. Previously, it had trouble hitting a paper plate with anything at 50yds now it's 2" at 100yds for five shots with a 2.5x scope.

I had several hundred of the Remington 200 gr Core'lokt and unfortunately, my Marlin 336-A in .35 just would not group the core-lokt after trying several powders. My rifle did group the Sierra 200 gr round nose which is my replacement for the core-lokt. I am not a fan of Sierra bullets so I did not try to push them too fast. There is a sticky on Marlin owners of extensive testing on the available .35 Remington bullets. you should go over there and read it.

Also, I find no fault with the Hornady 200 gr FTX bullet, accurate and deadly with Hodgdon's "LVR" powder.

The 180 grain Speer FP might be worth a look. They work well from my 356 Win.

These have shot well in my 336 .35 Rem. 1.5" if I do my part.

I went back and found that bullet review article, I'd seen it several years ago. It's a good read and my take from it is that the 180 Speer might be the next best choice. Similar or better penetration than the other 200gr and a bit better trajectory. I have a lot of opportunity for 150-200 yd shots and a little less drop is helpful. Seems my Hornadys didn't fare as well at extended range as some of the other ones but the bullets in the pics seemed to have less exposed lead than the recent lot I have so maybe there is hope.

IMO...the Hornady 200 gr fTX should work fine at 150 to 200 yards if your so inclined to shoot a pointed ripped bullet in a Marlin. I have used Hornady's .452 FTX bullet out past 200 yards with deadly results.

The soft tipped FTX Horandy bullet does upon up much quicker than the hard tipped equivalent bullet. especially the muzzleloader bullets.

Doc, good suggestion. I think I'm going to have to try a box of those. The BC number is significantly better than the RN version so should have a bit less drop at 200 if the rifle likes them.

The 220s are too hard for 35 Rem velocities, IME. The 180s or even Hornady 200gr RN are better, and the flex tip bullets work. Don’t overlook a gas checked cast from beartooth or such, either. JMO

I've got a mold or two somewhere in the pile but it will be a while before I have the casting stuff out and organized enough to be useful.

My only kill with the .35 REM came with the Sierra 200 gr. bullet. I highly recommend it. I pushed it to 2050, and shot a deer at about 9 feet straight down out of a tree stand. The bullet hit spine, held together and exited the chest of the deer. I figure if it held together at that range, it would be fine at any range at which I'd use a .35 rem. There was significant evidence of expansion, too. it was mare accurate than the hornady or remington bullets, too.

Old 70

If you sighted in for a factory round nose bullets the Hornady 200 gr FTX bullet will impact 5 inches high at 100 yds with handloads or factory ammo.

I ran them through JBL and the drop difference with 100 yd zero at 200 (8.7" vs 10.3") is not nearly as dramatic as the retained velocity and energy difference. Given 2100fps launch, the FTX is 200+ fps faster at 200yds than the 200gr RN. It also has ~30% more retained energy (1162 vs 871 lbs). Definitely going to have to try some of these FTXs next year.

Ditto on the 180 gr. Speer bullet.

If you have time load 41.0 of Hodgdon "LVR" powder with the 200 gr FTX bullet, It's a load the seems to work best in many Marlin .35's. Also, you can't put enough LVR powder in a .35 rem case to do any damage to a rifle....LVR is a slow..slow burn rate powder as compared to others used in the .35rem.

I use Hornady 200 grain. I think the 220 Speer would be a good choice too tho.

The longest I have ever had to trail a deer was a doe shot through the lungs with a 45-70 and 350gr flat point at ~100 yards at dusk. I think I trailed her 600 yards in a 75 yard circle, one tiny speck of blood at every 10-20 feet..

After that experience, and with a 35 Remington replacing the 1895G, I am thinking punching both shoulders would be better.

Any thoughts to this approach?