Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 35 Whelen with modern powder and bullets...?

Not available up here in Canada - at least not yet. TSXs, Hornadys and Partitions are most common here. My plan is to use it as a "walk-about brush gun", for scouting, etc. That being the case, a premium 225gr in a TSX, Partition or AccuBond will get the nod at ~ 2700 fps.

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

Bob, that 225 TSX, AB and Partition are all awesome bullets, just as you mentioned. Run them 2700-2800 and just watch stuff take a nose dive. I love the Accubond myself outta that weight range but I’ve been working with the 200 TTSX and that sucker leaves nothing to be desired at 2900 FPS.

Looks very good, thanks for that info.

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

Hammers are available in Canada. https://georgesshootingshack.ca/category/bullets/hammer-bullets/#

BCSteve, thanks for that info. That's handy in Toronto. I also have a source for 225gr Partitions, 200gr and 225gr AB's. It looks like the Noslers have better BCs which may matter at +400 yards.

Thanks again.

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

A question about the burn rate of CFE223, where does it fit in burn rate charts, anyone know? I have it for PP2000MR, is CFE223 similar or slower? JB, if you're there, I'm sure you would know!

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

Thanks for that!!!
I’m just setting up my new-to-me 700 BDL 35 Whelen and scouring through printed loads and load data. Some of the printed data I’ve found to be 5 or more grains more than other sources. I wonder how that author came to the conclusion those loads were ok.

The burn rate chart that I have has CFE223 and then PP2000MR.

I finally ran my CFE loads over the chrono this past week.

63.0 gr + 250 NPT yielded 2,645 fps in a 22" 1:12 barrel. I was impressed. I had loaded up to 64.0 and it was stout - right up there with my .338 and 250 NPTs.

Varget, 4064 and RL15 just can't keep up.

I fired a couple of 250gr Hornady SPs using the same load of 63 grains CFE223. It wasn't run over a chronograph, but was accurate and, as you say, "stiff", but not bad!

Thanks for that info!

Also, thanks to jwp457. I'd guessed it was a little faster, but your tests show much less pressure than a similar load using PP2000MR.

Tomorrow's blog gives an update on my .35 Whelen firing the 225 AccuBonds over 66 grains of CFE 223.

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

Excellent blog

Nice blog Sir. Thanks for taking the time. I’m enjoying researching for my Whelen and appreciate good, modern information. 👍

If I wanted my Whelen to perform like a Whelen I’d have bought a .358Win. 😁

I think I know what powder I’ll reach for first.

I chrono'd a previously accurate load then shot it at 100yds again, but without the Magnetospeed attached.

35 Whelen
220gr Speer HCFN
62.0gr Power Pro Varmint
Avg 2777fps
SD 14
ES 41
1" @100yds with my terrible eyesight


Thanks, Dinny

Here's the latest on my Traditions OUTFITTER G3 in .35 Whelen: 69 grains of CFE 223 under the 225 AccuBond at 2850 fps. Three into .67" at 100 yards. WLRM primers in Hornady brass. COL @ 3.45". This is now my hunting load at +1" at 100 yds. I could go to 70 grains but will leave well enough alone! No undue stresses on the brass at the above results.

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

I just loaded some 35 Whelen for a friend. Our velocity goal was 2450 to 2500 fps with a 200 grain and 225 grain bullet. He will be shooting Iowa Whitetail deer and usually at way less than 100 yards. The powder of choice was AA2520. The 200 grain bullet is a round nose Hornady and the 225 is a Nosler plastic tip. I don't remember which bullet but we pretty much decided 2450-2500 fps was plenty enough. His rifle is a Remington 7600. I got to shoot 20 rounds out of his rifle with both bullets. The recoil is significant with either bullet. But, the whole idea with a 35 Whelen is rule number one. Bring enough gun. I'd say the 35 Whelen is enough gun.

kwg

The intent of this thread is to showcase the .35 Whelen "with modern powders and bullets". With all due regard, no one needs a .35 Whelen for bambi or the ballistics from a downloaded .35 Whelen.

As to: "Ya don't need to hot rod the Whelen in order for it to be effective in my experience"; what experience? Lacking details one is left to guess... so I assume it's being suggested that "traditional" loads are adequate for something like a big bull moose to 200 yards or so... a 250gr at 2400? But what if that "big bull moose" is at 400 yards? Modern loads within SAAMI specs of 62,000 PSI for a 250gr Partition at ~2700 fps is more than ample if placed correctly!The impact velocity at 400 yards would still be ~2300 fps, about the same as a "traditional load" at 50 yards! That's the benefit of "modern powders" and a fresh understanding of what the REAL pressure standard IS, not what so many "gurus" imagined it to be when "everyone" thought 52,000 CUP was 52,000 PSI !

Bob
www.bigbores.ca

I'm finally back to being able to shoot the heavier recoiling rifles and started 700 Classic 35 Whelen load development. I'm starting with my heavier 225gr. loads first.

My loads used 225gr. Partitions, 225gr Barnes TSX, Remington brass and Win. LR primers.

RL15: 59.0gr.
Part. avg. vel. 2559 fps
TSX avg. vel. 2664 fps

Varget: 60.0gr.
Part. avg. vel. 2709 fps
TSX avg. vel. 2694 fps

CFE223: 67.0gr.
Part. avg. vel. 2804 fps
TSX avg. vel. 2780 fps

There is more room on the throttle for the CFE223. The other two are pretty much maxed out. I've also got PP2000MR, but only two pounds. I don't really want to start with it not knowing when I can get more.

Between the two bullets I got much better accuracy with the TSX, the Partition just didn't shoot well at all. Surprising to me, Varget and CFE were tops in accuracy. The Varget loads cloverleafed 3 shots at 100 yards. The CFE load was just over an inch. I'll focus in on these two powders and the TSX for a closer look. Truth is I could stop right there with either of these and kill anything I'm ever going to shoot with it.

By the way, my youngest daughter (33) went to the range with me for the first time in ten years. She wanted to try the Whelen and went two for two on a ten inch steel plate at the two hundred yard line resting only on a front bag. I guess she's getting the itch to get back out with me.

Thanks for the data/results and for bumping this thread back up Mr. Aboltfan.
Sounds like fun having your daughter out to the range.
Best,
Rex

I’m getting great groups and velocity with CFE 223 and Partitions. Federal cases and GM210 primers.

Tristan
A 6.5 pound Whelen is going to be a handful with 225s at upto 2,900fps and 250s at around 2,700fps. With 310s at 2,455fps it will be downright painful. Mine is 9 pound field ready with scope and 5 in the mag, that pleasant but recoil is very noticeable. I got a 1 in 12 twist, that will handle projectiles from 200 to 310gn no problems.
Bob