Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 35 Whelen & Varget Question

I'm working with a 1:12 35 Whelen, using 57 grains of Varget under a 200-grain TTSX. Velocity is around 2,650 fps. Groups are 2" at 100 yards and 5-6" at 200 yards.

Action screws are torqued properly. The scope is known good and I'm checking the mounts next.

Is there any reason a 1:12 barrel should not shoot a 200-grain TTSX well? Do I need to increase the charge?

thanks,


Okie John

John,

That twist and that bullet should be extremely stable at that velocity. Typical twist is 1:16 for the 35 Whelen. I have had lots of success with Barnes bullets. PM your number, happy to give you a call and talk thru somethings.

1 in 12 is plenty fast enough. Power Pro Varmint can get you near 3000 FPS with a 200 TTSX bullet

Thank you. I'll be in touch.


Okie John

I recently tried 200ttsx’s in my 12 twist Whelen. I tried IMR4064 and IMR8208XBR. Each time I thought I had a decent load I would get a random flier or two opening the group to ~3MOA and the occasional flat primer on a load that was under max in charge weight and velocity. Probably something I’m overlooking in my process but for now I’m back to 225 TSX and a max book load of Varget. Accuracy and consistency are back so maybe I’ll stop messing with a good thing. Or I might try Mule Deer’s TAC load….

Please update if you have any breakthroughs.

My 1:16" standard Remington 35 Whelen shoots the 200gr TTSX brilliantly with imr-8208xbr. Same with my old school 308 win with 1:14" twist and 155 to 168gr weights.

I'm not trying to guess at the dynamics involved here, but best accuracy is often achieved just at the point of stabilization. The increased rates of twist seem detrimental to accuracy. This is a general rule of thumb observation and not specific to anyone's particular barrel.

I'm glad this observation was raised. I've been contemplating a 1:12" Whelen barrel on a Springfield action. For my use 1:16" would be fine.

My custom (1:12) Ruger #1 LOVES Varget and 250's. Might consider going to heavier bullet (like 225 gr) if nothing else works.

I'll second the comment re: PP Varmint. Very fast and accurate in the 35W with the 200TTSX. I did some of the first work with that combo and published it on another site. An easy 2950 FPS with my 23" barrel. It's a bit temperature sensitive though, compared to Varget. But then, darn near everything is temperature sensitive compared to Varget.

Varget is a little slower-burning than Varmint but I'd still bet you're leaving 200 FPS on the table. I'd work up carefully to 2850 and see how she shoots.

Cheers,
Rex

TAC has worked well for me in both 35 whelen and 358 win. 200-250 gr bullets were range of weights i tried in the whelen and 225 tops in my 358.

Varget and 15 were a touch too slow with 200's in my Whelen's.

8208, 4064 and similar will get into the 2850-2900 range out of most 22" Whelens with 200's without beating stuff up too much.

Anyone played with the 200 grn accubonds in the Whelen ? Got my hand on some and want to try them. My Scout loves the 225 accubonds and Varget.

OP sometimes changing powder makes a big difference. Reloder 15 is supposed to suit the Whelen.

I favor H4895 and with the 200 A/bond, in one rifle, I’ve only gone up to 56 grains, WLR primers which gave 2780 fps. This is in a 24” barrel.
53 grs = 2625
54 grs = 2670
55 grs = 2735
56 gra = 2780

In another rifle with a 24” barrel, I topped out at 57 grs
55 grs = 2735
56 grs = 2790
57 grs = 2825

Pretty potent loads. I’ve also had good luck with the 225 gr A/bonds

IMR-3031 gets me to 2,850 in a 22" tube. Vargay is too slow for this application.

Sounds slow for 200's with a whelen, you should be able to get them going 2900 fps give or take. Add fuel and see if the groups tighten up.

What would you guys with experience in loading for the 35 Whelen say is THE ultimate powder for 225-250gr bullets?

RL15 was all I ever used in the past. 225's at 2700-2800 and 250's at a comfy 2550-2600..

I have always started with H-4895 with 200-250 gr bullets. Excellent accuracy, temperature stability and velocities that are up there without stomping too hard on the gas.

Thanks guys. 👍🏼

61 TAC. .69" at 100 yards and 2850 fps.