Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only 35 Whelen Reloading 250s and RL-15 ?

I have some RL-15 and Hornady 250 Interlock SPs to load in a Rem 700 CDL. I purchased the gun and components a few years ago meaning to get after it, but as yet haven't fired it. I seem to recall that there was a "classic" recipe with this bullet weight/powder combination.

Here are some older references I have:

MCR, 3rd Ed.: 250gr w/RL15 min 53.0 max 57.0
Hodgdon, 26 Ed.: 250 gr w/RL15 min 53.0 max 57.0

Here are a couple more recent references:

Nosler, 5th Ed.: 250 NPT w/RL15 min 49.0 max 53.0
Alliant Website (today): 250gr Speer 250 w/RL15 no min or max, just 54.0 grains

Obviously the lawyers have helped cut the recommended load weights.

If you're loading this combo please let me know what weight you're using and how it shoots. Thanks.

I load 58 gr of Re 15 with 250 gr Hornady RN and SP and 250 gr Woodleigh. The RN is the tightest group, steadily running under an inch at 200 yards. The Woodleigh is under 2" at 200 yards, and the SP is very close -- certainly all good enough to kill out to 400 yards. Velocity runs just over 2500 fps.

Manuals nowadays try to stop loading at around 54-55 gr of Re 15, but I have yet to have an issue with 58 gr in mine. Anyone must make their own rational discussion, of course.

Oh...it kills game in Africa and the USA really nicely... .

Dennis

I load 58.5 gr of Re 15 with 250 gr Hornady SP. No pressure signs.
I've been getting M.O.A. results @ 100 yards. Although I never harvested an animal with the Whelen, I believe this combo would stop anything in its tracks.

I will go out of the way for a fellow .35 cal shooter. I shoot this bullet out of my 350 rem mag Ruger; I have killed nothing with it yet though.

Hornady 7th edition (Newest, I believe?)

Barrel: 22" 1-16" twist
Case: Remington
Primer: Federal 210
Max case trim length: 2.494"
RL-15 /250 gr Sp #3520
Start: 49.4gr / 2100fps
Max: 55.1gr / 2400 fps
C.O.L.: 3.290"

Check out the balistics of the Remington factory 250gr load. They list it a 2400fps and the down range energy is impressive IMO. I wish they a load for this 250gr in the 350 remmag.

My buddy worked me up to 58.7 grains of RL-15 behind a 250 Hornady SP. That load turned my Whelen into the most accurate rifle in my safe.

I haven't chrony'ed it, but yesterday I was 1 3/4" high at 100 yards, and about 1" low at 200: < MOA at each distance.

FC

Float your barrel...

Even if you just shim the action at the lug...allow that barrel to be free from contact...

I have loaded RL-15 under some 250's...the 250 Hornady RN, and 250 Nosler Partition.
(I know, Dennis... I know..,Lol..!)

Although not on your list, the Barnes 225 TSX can also perform quite well. (It opens well even at low velocities on small thin skinned animals)


Charge weights with RL-15 in the mid-upper 50's does well...

...and, if your rifle gets a little finiky with that powder,
another "Classic" is IMR 4320 (mid 50's)

Finally, because I happen to have several pounds on hand, I also have done well with H-4895

I don't know if you have a chronograph or not...

That would be a good thing to leave at home until you find your load...

The temptation is to see velocities print big numbers on the screen...and anybody that has harvested with a 225-280 grain bullet out of the 35's will tell you that they kill beyond expectation.


Enjoy..!



Sincerely,
Scott

I don't use 250s in my Whelen (I save that weight for my 358 NM), but max load in my old Whelen with 225s (Sierra & Nosler PTs) was 60.5g RL-15. MV was ~2715 in a 22" bbl, so it was definitely max for that rifle. So FWIW suspect the loads with 57+/58g RL-15 with the 250s is very near max, if not actually there IMO.

BTW, don't know others's experience, but RL-15 in that rifle was always the fastest MV I could get with 225s.

I use 56grs. with 250 Partys.

I'd be more apt to note the speeds. Going over 2,550 fps just ain't worth it, so long as pressure signs aren't glaring at you.

Not seeing any pressure signs wouldn't make me seek more either.

My accuracy results, however in a Norma, echo those which Dennis has gotten with Hornady 250s. They are fine-shooting bullets in the 35s.

Listen to Dennis he seems to know the Whelen.
FWIW I am running a Whelen in an FN commercial action with a 1 in 14 twist 20-inch barrel. I have run up to the old published max load from Alliant of 59.5 Gr Rl15 and a 250 Gr Hornady Rn with a col 3.290 and was getting 2495 fps ten feet from the muzzle. As I do not like to push things at full throttle all the time I too settled in at 58 Grains with absolutely NO pressure signs. Bear

Thanks, but probably no more than several of you. I've been shooting stuff with it since about 1993, so I do know some things, but it sounds like some of you all have as well. Oddly enough -- we seem to be coming up with about the same results... .

Dennis

Unexpectedly, but much appreciated, I have a hunt upcoming this weekend. I don't have time to do any load development. Based upon the advice, I think I will just load 20 cartridges with 55 gr, sight in, and go hunting.

Ahem. We are waiting for hunt results. Bear

Yeah...me too... .

Dennis

You might want to check out TAC powder by Ramshot.

I get high 2700's fps w/ TAC and 250 Gr Hornady softpoints. THis is in a Mauser 98 w/ 24" A&B barrel.

Get over 2800 fps w/ 220 grainers.

This powder is "PFM" in the WHelen and 350 RM.

WOW

I use 58 gr of RL15 under Speer 250 for bone smashing power and tight groups. this load is 2500 fps or a little better and has never shown any problems with pressure, cases last forever. I have been useing this load for nearly 20 years.

Dennis it seems that you might be the guru to go to about this. I have ended up with a 35Whelen and 500 (250gr.) Win.{Power points),
would they tend to respond much like the other 250 grs. or is
there something I should know or watch for when stating in on load development. Your time and any one else's comments appreciated. Thank you. Cheers NC

I run 250gr Partitions in front of IMR4064 though I'm sure RL 15 would work fine.

The Whelen is an easy to feed cartridge, I've been running one since the late 80's.

The Winchester 250-gr bullets shoot very well in my Whelen, though I've never tried to kill game with them. The hunting partner who let me shoot his Whelen in the early 1990's, which led me to buy mine in 1993, uses the 250 gr Win bullets a lot, and has shot deer and elk with them with no issues and great success.

Buy a couple pounds of Reloder 15 and enjoy yourself with them .

Dennis

Thanks to steelhead and muledeer I shall now go forth and slay the dragons. Cheers NC

I've never seen 250gr Power Points, but I've liked the Power Points in 22 and 30 cal for killing deer.

leverite2, those loads are fast. I requested data from ramshot and it was probably conservative but nowhere near that fast. I am interested though in your loads. Not asking for them just thinking about getting some tac and running some through mine. I would like a little more speed from my whelen and 225 gr tsx's as long as there are no presssure signs. Right now RE-15 is pushing them @ 2700 with 59 grs. Its a good load, 58 grs w/250 gr hornady's also works well.

I have had good results using IMR 4064 or IMR 4320 both of these were recommended by Bob Hagel.
If these powders were not available I am using the SWAG method and picking VARGET.
whelennut

Proceed cautiously. TAC is very dense and fine grained, so don't even think about getting close to having a compressed load.

I neck size my cases and my rifle has more headspace than other 35 Whelens. This I know, because my rounds will not chamber in my buddy's CDL. So I have max powder capacity.

Started using TAC w/ 358 WIn loads after reading an article by Barsness about the 338 Federal vs the 358 WIn. Barsness got more TAC into his 358 WIn cases than I could manage, so I ended up using Ramshot's X-Terminator. But, I gave TAC a try in my 350 Rem mag...It's my go to powder now for 225 gr TSX bullets.

Built my 35 Whelen this past fall (Tikka .270 rebored) and have yet to kill something with it but it shoots 200 gr. and 225 gr. TSX's to 1" @ 100 yards groups..

35 Whelen Fed210
200 TSX
RL-15 57.5
2665 fps

35 Whelen
Barnes TSX 225 grs
RL 15 60 grs
Fed 210 primers
2600 fps

Steelhead If you want to see em and try a few send me a PM
with addie to send them to and I will ship them off to you'
Cheers NC

Not many shooting results, agreed...my Whelen has taken conservatively 10 deer and 2 hogs with a 250-gr. Speer Hot-Cor pushed a mere 2190 fps by IMR 4064. Why no faster? it can't be done in my 24" Kreiger with that powder; shoots photogenic groups, though. Shots have ranged from 30-175 yards and it damages meat all out of proportion to what you might think given its velocity. There's no "eating up to the hole". Exit holes in the ribcage on deer tend toward fist-sized or larger, although I've never recovered any fragment of a bullet...strange. Experiments with Varget were inconclusive. It seemed adding additional grains of powder only gave nominal increase in velocity on the order of 10-15 fps, which led me to believe I was overpressure even though other pressure signs were not present. Accuracy was not great and I stopped using it. When I shoot up my loaded rounds with 4064 I plan to go to the RL15 to see if I can get the magical 2400 fps, although it's not necessary for killing at short to short-medium range, I assure you.

I have switched from the 250's (Speer and Nosler) to the 225 gr TSX in my Whelen's. With 60 gr of RL 15 it goes right at 2700 fps in my old tang Ruger and worked wonderfully on elk and moose in 2008. With the 250's I used 59 gr with the Speer and 58 gr with the Nosler with both going a hair over 2500 fps.

Getting the same velocity with mine and 59 grs of RE-15. 225 gr Tsx's also, 60 grs was starting to flatten primers a bit so I backed off. 1 more grain resulted in 30 fps.

Anyone here in Texzs? I would like to trade my 270 Tilk T3 for a 35 Whelen.

This will also be very helpful to me as I've just picked up the second .35 I've ever had, a Serengetti 350 Rem Mag. This data for your Whelens should be pretty much transferable.

I get better results with Varget.......just sayin'

Furprick,
I used to use IMR 4064 but found that IMR4320 was even better.
Now I want to try VARGET. It just has such a good reputation for temperature extremes and our deer hunting can be at 18 below zero sometimes.
Do you mind sharing your results with 225 gr. or 250 gr bullets with me please?
Thanks,
whelennut

leverite2,

Am just wondering why you advise "don't even think about getting close to having a compressed load" with TAC?

For what it's worth
Dug out my notes from my 35 Whelen in a Remington classic- With the 250 grain Speer bullet, (cup and core, not A frame) 57 grains of R15 and the CCI standard primer gave me an average velocity of 2446 fps. Fifty six and one half grains, CCI standard primer, gave an average velocity of 2374 fps.
The 57 grains of R15 and the Federal LR Mag primer, gave me (in the same rifle) an average velocity of 2515 fps with the Hornady spire Point, and 57 1/2 grains of R15 with the Fed LR Mag primer gave me 2522 fps with the Hornady Spire point.

With the Federal LR Mag primer and 57 grains of R15, I got 2492 fps with the 250 Speer, and with 56 1/2 grains R15, Fed LR Mag primer, I got 2492 fps.
Looking at my notes, the one conclussion I can safely draw is to work up loads carefulley, as evidenced by the fact that with 56 1/2 grains of R15, 250 Hornady bullet and CCI primer gave me 2374 fps, but the 56 1/2 grains of R15, 250 Speer and the fed Mag primer gave me 2492 fps.
The groups the went with those chrono readings were poor, but the lugs on that rifle desparately needed lapping. I believe the gunsmith said it was one of the worse cases he had seen. My notes indicate the first group after having the lugs lapped were sub inch, and that was with the Hornady Spire point.
For what it's worth, that rifle never grouped well at 200 yards with any of the 250 grain bullets I ran thru it. Never determined if it was a rifle or scope problem, though.

Fred

My Remington 700 BDL restocked in a Lee Six stock shoots 250 gr Hornady RNs under an inch at 200 yards, though it doesn't do that well at any range with pointed soft points. Still plenty good enough.

Dennis

Dennis
I wish I had resolved the poor grouping at 200 yards. I had suspected the 1 in 16 twist, but other people like you have had good luck with the Remington barrels and 1 in 16 twist. I don't think it was parallax because 225 grains bullets grouped well. Perhaps my barrel had an even slower than normal twist. I would assume, though that twist is held quite constant on all barrels. Any ideas?

By the way, we haven't chatted fpor a while. Hope you are in fine fettle and doing well. Firming up any hunting plans for this year yet?

Fred

Hi Fred,

No plans yet...waiting for Montana to draw. I'll be somewhere that time of year doing something, though... .

I suspect the 1-16 twist prefers shorter bullets of a given weight. My rifle shoots the 250 gr RN and the Speer 250 GS much better than it does 250 gr bullets that are longer -- though it pretty much shoots everything plenty well enough for hunting elk and caribou. But the Hornady RN's it shoots spectacularly, and I've killed game somewhere past 350 yards with them, so I'm pretty much settled there. It also shoots the 250 gr Woodleighs very well, but they're sort of a semi-RN anyway.

Health-wise I'm moving along pretty well -- four months to go, and then we shall see. Went to Texas in Feb and shot some pigs with my .338 Fed and my host's 12 gauge, so that was pretty fun. And the organic, free-range pork is really good... .

How are things there for you?

Dennis

Dennis
Things are great for me- Running the road like a teenager- Went to Choteau Sunday, went to highwoods the next day trying to shoot praire dogs and headed up to Freezeout this weekend to see the geese. Need to get to Cody to go through the museum soon, plus spring bear opens next door in Idaho tomorrow.
Looks like it could be a hot dry summer though. Might have to hide out in AK for a few weeks.

Fred

If you have so much powder that it has to be compressed, you're way over charged. TAC is very dense.

My rl-15 charge with 250s is north of anything I've seen listed on this thread. My pressures are likely high but the primers look ok and and the bolt lifts easy. I'm clocking just over 2600 and the accuracy is exceptional. I might consider reducing it a bit because 2600 with a 250 may be pushing it a bit too hard even if everything else seems to look ok.

Bb

I'm running over 2500 with 250's and 58 gr of Re 15, with utterly no sign of pressure, so I'm not so far behind you. I suspect if I were chronographing at 8000 ft instead of sea level I might be even closer yet . This load puts three 250 gr RN's under an inch consistently...at 200 yards.

Mostly it hits stuff and they die pretty quicklike... .

Dennis

I took my custom BRNO out Sunday and tried 57g of RL 15 with 250G Speer Hot Core. Was at 3.33 COAL. The Norma Brass was 2.92 at 72.4 gH2O after firing. WLR primer. Chrony averaged 2600 fps.

Calculated pressure 61,881fps. at that velocity with Quickload, well crimped and sitting .01 from the lands.

No / NADA NONE signs of stress on the rifle or brass, smooth extraction. Nice clean and sharp recoil with a satisfying "crackboom".

I would say 57g is very MAX Hot Load with the new RL 15 coming from Sweden.

Any thoughts on that theory?

Could be lot to lot variation seen that before in RL 15. Have not bought any new RL 15 for aprox. 5 years. The Whelen does well with most mid range powders.


My 22" 35 Whelen with 250 Gr Speer shot the best around 2500 FPS with RL 15.

My Std load for my Rem 7600 35 Whelen Pump rifle is 56 Gr of IMR 4320 with usually the Speer 250 Gr bullet. about 2525 FPS, Or around 56 gr older RL 15 with same bullet.

I started out with 56 grains of 4320 under a 250 grain bullet in my 35 Whelen and it shot so well I didn't see a need to change. I have tried RL15 and it worked fine, similar accuracy and velocity, but didn't notice any advantage over the 4320. That's not a slight on RL15, I just have a lot of 4320 so don't see a need to change.

Fortunately I found this thread a few years ago when I started reloading for my Whelens. All three of my reloading manuals show a max of 54 grns of Re15 for 250 grn bullets, but I've been using 57 with 250 Interlocks with no signs of excessive pressure, and have made it a point to shoot in hot weather a few times. Chrono readings range from about 2420-2450 fps.

Interesting,I tried RL-15 in my Whelen and was getting 2200+. The max I found was 53.0 grs and that is what I worked up to. May try RL-15 with a 220 gr Speer just for fun.

I'm using 55.0 grs of Var-Get,250 gr Speer,CCI 200 and from a 22" barrel,the velocity is just over 2400 fps.

I have been shooting 58 grs. of RL-15 in my Jack Haugh rifle as its my most accurate load, but it will shoot 60 grs. and that is its max load..I had another and 58 was its absolute max, proceed with caution.

When I shot in competition an old guy named Rudy Wadekamp
told me about Varget.
He shot a 198 with iron sights at 1000 yds.
If it's good enough for Rudy it's good enough for me.
whelennut

I have to say that 35 Whelen was my favorite rifle for about 18-19 years it still is except I gave it to my son I started out with Reloader 12 but without me knowing they quit making it so I moved to 15 had all intentions of using 250 bullets but after shooting a while noticed that only way to get good groups was to single load the magazine recoil and oversized magazine in my Rem 700 keep smashing the exposed lead so I tried Nosler 225 accubonds and have not looked back. The thing I noticed was that I could load them long and not have interference with rifleing and she loves them that way. Reloader 15 is my go to powder.
The Whelen is a great cartridge that Remington almost killed with factory loads that were lake luster and barely beating 35 Rem.
Shawn

I run 57.o gr RL-15 with 250 NPT's in a strong bolt action.

Most book data stops at 55.o Prolly cuz there are Amish machine guns out there.

I typically use 57.0 grains of RL-15 with 250s as a starting point and go up from there. I've had several Whelen rifles and never had one that wouldn't safely use 59.0 grains of RL-15. My current Whelen reaches a bit over 2500 fps with 250s. Years ago Alliant listed 59.0 grains as a max load, I don't know why that's changed as I was getting similar velocity then too. I suppose anything that's had as tumultuous of a history as the Whelen has in wildcat form, it creates a tendency towards such downloaded data.

I've been using 58.5 gr RL15 with 250 gr bullets for over 20 years now. Any spitzer I have tried(Nosler PT, Speer HotCor, Barnes X, Hornady IL, Swift A-frame) has worked best at .050 inch off the lands for some strange reason and shoot .8 to 1 MOA for 3 at one hundred yards. Hornady round nose soft points and Woodleigh RN Weldcores I just seat to the cannelure and Lee Factory crimp. These shoot 1- 1.125 MOA. These loads have chronographed from 2520 to 2550fps in R-P brass and Remington 9 1/2 or Federal 210 primers. These results have held true both in an original 700 Classic and in a 700 CDL.

I've been using 58.5 gr RL15 with 250 gr bullets for over 20 years now. Any spitzer I have tried(Nosler PT, Speer HotCor, Barnes X, Hornady IL, Swift A-frame) has worked best at .050 inch off the lands for some strange reason and shoot .8 to 1 MOA for 3 at one hundred yards. Hornady round nose soft points and Woodleigh RN Weldcores I just seat to the cannelure and Lee Factory crimp. These shoot 1- 1.125 MOA. These loads have chronographed from 2520 to 2550fps in R-P brass and Remington 9 1/2 or Federal 210 primers. These results have held true both in an original 700 Classic and in a 700 CDL.

My apologies for the duplicate post gentlemen. Can't seem to edit it out after the the sight was down for the weekend.

I also like the RL-15 in my 35 Whelen. Hornady RN 250 gr. I get about 2600 fps. My standard hunting load. Primers will flatten out when I get closer to 2640-2650 so I back down my loads. Great moose thumper load and rifle. Just wish it wasn't a 1-16 twist brl. But it works with the 250 grs.
Erich

I use 250 NorthFork's and Varget or H4895. Nosler online data. Works better than R15 in my rifle.
Go to 2500-2550 and stop.

I ran 60 grains of 15 with 250 PTs at 2600. Haven't worn a primer pocket out ever nor have I ever had a pressure sign.

I've since gone to 225's in the Whelen and use 250's in my Newton.

Moose load is finalized for this fall's hunt.

57.5 gr Varget, CCI-200, RP case, 250 NPT for 2,535 fps in a 22"/1:12 bbl. 4 shots into 0.85" at 100 meters.

I guess I'm on the heavy/hot end here, but I load 57.0 RL-15 behind a 310 Gr Woodleigh Weldcore SN for my 1:12 Ruger Hawkeye. Gives me 2350 FPS, just a hair on the hot side with flattened primers, but no bolt lift problems.

This load has cleared a pair of 60" Bull Moose DRT, and a Coastal Brown Bear one shot DRT. Less than a tuna can of bloodshot meat from the moose, despite one of them being a shoulder- through the shoulder blade shot. All full pass through.

I have found some lot to lot variation with RL 15 in my Whelens. Also throat length varies a lot between rifles. ruger and Remington have 1-16" twist and long throats, my 2 custom barrel rifles have shorter throats and 1-12" and 1-14" twist. I load all of them to 2500 fps with 250 grain bullets and RL 15, but charge weight varies with the rifle and lot of powder.

I've got a Springfield custom in 35 Whelen improved, it loves 57 grains RL15 and a 250 grain Speer Hot-Cor, great accuracy. target is 6 shots, cold bore. 100 yards. It's a comfortable load to shoot in my rifle with no signs of pressure.

I have two loads for my Whelens. 225 grain TTSX over 59 grains of IMR-4064. This load goes 2715 fps out of my 26" MGM barreled Encore and 2669 fps out of my 24" barrel Ruger Hawkeye. 250 Speer Hot Cor over 55.5 grains of H4895. This one averages 2556 fps out of my Encore. I have not tried it in the Hawkeye yet. The Encore has a 1:14 twist and the Ruger has a 1:12 twist. The TTSX load shoots well under MOA in both guns. The Hot-Cor is my latest load and gives one hole accuracy at 50 yards with the Encore. Actually, the TTSX load does everything I need it to do, but it is nice to have options. I am anxious to hit a hog with the Hot Cor. I went through a lot of powder in developing these loads. What is amazing is that when the right load comes along there is no question about it. It just clicks. I did try Reloder 15, also Varget, H380 and IMR-4064 when working up something with the 250 grain Speer. H-380 gave good accuracy, but no velocity. H4895 was the best for both accuracy and velocity. This is the first time I have used this powder for anything. I bought it to try with the Speer bullet as nothing else was satisfactory.

225 gr. Sierra or Nosler over IMR 4064 has been my most accurate load in my .35 Whelen, I've been using this combination for 20+ years now and have taken Whitetails with it. I've tried RL-15 and Varget but keep coming back to IMR 4064.

I'm using H4895 in my M7600 35 Whelen. Pretty happy with it as well.

I have been using 225 gr Accubonds over 60 gr of Varget getting 2689 fps from a 22" barrel M700 classic. Taken a number of black bears with it. My supply of Accubonds is getting low, and I'm not sure when they'll be available again. I have several boxes of 250 gr partitions that I may have to use. I even have a box of Hornady 250 gr round nose. So I'm studying the 250 gr loads that others have used.

I'm mainly using this for bear over bait in Canada at range of around 100 yards.

I'll be working up loads for my Whelen soon using RL-15 and 250 gr NPT's, at mag box length of 3.350" I'm still 50 thou off the lands, damn long throated sob, may look at monos if the NPT doesn't shoot.

Mine is to Gunner. Jumps a mile but it dotes on 15 and 225 AB or 250 Partitions. That's for my CDL. No clue how my 7600 is throated. Loaded to fit the mag and it shoots.

In my 7600 35 Whelen 56 gr of IMR 4320, with 250 Speer, around 2520 FPS, under 1" or 55.9 GR of older RL 15. Prefer the 4320 load. Great for moose or bear.

10-4 B, Thanks!

What a great thread!
I have a K98 Mauser action being turned into a 35 Whelen by Gunsmith Ed Lapour right now. I'm itching to get it back. It will have a 24 inch 1-12 Krieger with a brake. I was originally thinking I was going to do a 358 NM but I changed my mind. I've been stock piling all the Original Barnes 250s I can get my hands on.
I've been running QL numbers on this combo for a while. I was like a kid on Christmas waiting for this project to get done. After lurking on this read I am drooling to get started working up loads for it.
Oh, the 358NM? I have been talking to Montana Rifle Company about making me an X2 in 358NM.
I have an Idaho cow moose tag burning a hole in my pocket, but I'll have to use the trusty Ruger '06 for that this year. I'm heading to Alaska to work this September and I will have moose fever by the time I get home to hunt.

I have a Remington 700 classic 35 Whelen with 22 inch barrel. I use 250 grain Speer Hot-Cor bullets but had trouble getting over 2450 fps until I tried RL15. Turns out that my rifle absolutely loves RL15. I worked up hotter and hotter loads until I stopped at 60 grains. There were no pressure signs, at all, but once I chronographed I was more than satisfied. Those 250s are sizzling out at 2770 fps. The only problem was that this load kicked like a mule in that old classic stock. My solution was to put the action into a new Bell and Carlson stock ... which did a lot to reduce the recoil. Then I had a custom brake made by a local gun smith; his brakes actually vent slightly forward, so the concussion is not as bad as brakes that vent back toward the shooter. My Whelen is a dream to shoot and crushes elk and moose.

I have read on threads all over the net that Whelen's love RL15 ... if you haven't tried it, I sure would give it a whirl.

Based upon Speers recently released data, I trialed Power Pro 2000MR under 250 gr Partitions. Accuracy is superb, so it is going on a moose hunt in a few weeks.
Alliant and Nosler dropped max load recommendation on RL15 rather abruptly. I experienced pressure spikes, so discontinued use as there is no shortage of alternative choices.
Strongly suggest that anyone considering RL15 and 250 gr bullets in their Whelen, look at the published data, and work up carefully.
A 250 gr moving much above 2500fps is geting into dicey territory.

CFE223

Interesting thread. Started in 2010 and dies, resurrected in 2017, briefly dies and came back to life once more. More proof of life after death.

Not sure of the year I got my first .35 Whelen but think it was around 2009 or 10, A Ruger M77RS if found at a gun show NIB. About three months later a Remington M700 Classic showed up and I bought it. Bought some Hornady and Speer 250 gr. bullets, spitzers and round nose for the Hornady's and Speer's sptizer Hot core.

I'd read Paco Kelly's article on the Whelen a so tried working up to his H335 load in the rifles. He quoted 2525 FPS as I recall and both rifles did just that on average with groups ranging from 1.25" to 1.50" in the rifles. No signs of pressure and primers were nice and round.

Then, one day while cruising a gun show I saw a very nice classic custom Mauser. I asked to pick it up and it felt like it was made just for me. When I asked the price, I did not even think about quibbling for a lower price. It too liked that H335 load so that's what I went with. I had a chance to do a hunt on the Kaibab here in AZ but while they were not insisting on all copper bullets they did ask if we would use them voluntarily. So I got some 225 gr. TSX bullets and heard how good Rl15 was in the .35W so got a couple of pounds of that too. I worked up to 60.4 gr. in the Mausers for 2710 FPS and groups from .50" to .75" depending on how well I'm shooting. I only saw one decent deer on that hunt and if I'd taken the shot, that TSX would have passed though him and taken out some of the does behind him.

Since then I've been doing cull hunts for cow elk on a private ranch and that 225 gr. TSX literally floors elk. I messed up on a couple of shots hitting them a bit too far back yet they went down and try as they might, could not get back up.
I've done seven hunts on that place and four elk bang, flop DRT. The other three bang flop and unable to even try an get away.

Personally, and this is just my opinion, the .35 Whelen is at it's best with a good 225 gr. bullet. There isn't a single animal in North America I would not tangle with that TSX load and would not worry on most African big game.
Paul B.

I agree. I have other loads worked up in case, for some reason, I cannot get to the 225 grain TSX. The only one I hunt with is the 225 TSX. Good for anything you can do with a 35 Whelen in North America.

Gladesman,

I found 60.0 gr of Re15 under a 225 TSX is an honest 3/4-1" load going 2624 fps out of my 23 1/2" Kimber barrel. I use 58.0 gr of Re15 under a 250 Woodleigh round nose for 2506 fps and they both impact at the same point when using Winchester 30/06 brass that has been resized. Interestingly when using Hornady 35 Whelen brass the Woodleigh's hit 1 " lower and 1/4-1/2" left of the '06 brass. Go figure. My barrel is a 1 in 14 twist. Have fun! Terry

Sorry, I thought Gladesman initiated this thread. My apologies to 300winmag. Terry

Lately I have been shooting an old Ken Waters load in my .35 Whelen, Hornady 200gr. RN over 54.0gr. IMR 3031 has produced 100 yd. 3 shot groups you can cover with a quarter. As a convenience factor I have also loaded 54.0 gr. of IMR 4064 and RL-15 just to see what the same charge with these powders will do.

I saw where there were no comments for CFE223.
I use it in my 35Whelen /AI and it is great gives good velocity and accuracy with 200gr, 225gr and 250gr Nosler ABs and PTs. It should work in the standard Whelen also.
I use a stash of old Winchester white box large rifle primers to set it off and they are marked for use in either standard or magnum loads, before I used CCI or Federal match primers with little luck.

How come nobody uses R17?

I am getting 2780fps w 225g partions

And

2550fps w 275g woodlieghs, seated out a little

To my surprise, data from the new Speer manual caught my attention and initiated an exercise in trialing some of the newer powders. I found 2 loads that produced good accuracy in my Whelens. 8208 under 250 gr RN Hornadys looks good and makes a kind of retro looking round. My new "go to" load is a 250 gr Partition over a case full of Power Pro 2000 MR.
While my Whelens have never been finicky, that last package is producing a little better accuracy than I've experienced with RL15 or Varget.

Any idea on the speeds? Been hearing great things about PP2000 but haven't tried it yet in any of my Whelens. I was going to try some 200 grain TTSX's and wondered if it might work there as well..

I have been derelict on getting the chronograph out as I was pursuing accuracy, However..... based on the felt recoil, and considering that I am into a 2nd pound of PP2000, I think the velocity is a notch or 2 higher than I realized with Varget or RL15. Not too scientific, but I suspect that Speers published velocities are are pretty good indicator.
I am overdue on checking a variety of loads against the reality of my chrono.

No problem, if I get to it I’ll post up what I get as well.

I’m patiently waiting for my Whelen and in the meantime reading everything I can on load data. I’m sitting on four pounds of RL15 and 150 Speer 250gr Hot Cors. This is possibly the best read on the Whelen so I’m bumping it from a year and half slumber.

This was a timely bump.

I just started a thread about the 35 Whelen in the reloading forum.

Just in case anyone still looks at this thread and for the original poster a decade ago I’m running 59.5 grains of RL15 with WLR primers Hornady and Nosler brass and 250 grain Speer Hot Cors. No pressure issues at all. Tread carefully and at your own risk of course. My rifle is a tank. I have a SS Ruger M77 Hawkeye with a Shilen 23” 1:14 Super premium match grade barrel. I get excellent accuracy with perfect looking primers.

That is a great shooting load in a few Whelens.

This is great info for me as I have just purchased a Ruger #1 35 Whelen. Thanks for bringing this back to the for front.

I started shooting 2000 MR this summer based on Speer data. It easily bested RL15, Varget and H4895 for velocity with comparable accuracy in my 20" 1:14 Ruger. Getting 2630 with 66 grains and a 250 Speer HC. 67 Grains gets the 225 Sierra going about 2665 and hitting to a similar POI. About 1 MOA for the Sierra and about 1.5 MOA for the Speer. Brass seems to be holding up well. A 3" zero at 100 gives a pretty useful "hold on hair" trajectory out a fair ways with those velocities. Planning to fill my antelope tag with the Sierra.

I have been playing with that powder in my Ackley Whelen, and I worked up to 68grns so far with the Speer 250, and in my 22" barrel my Chrono said 2747! I will compare against another chronograph to confirm. I have seen no pressure signs and groups are slightly under 1".

Have not found the need to push velocity with my old RL 15 load and Speer 250 gr or NP 250 gr. It just works around 2500 FPS for me. Dont want to mess with a good thing.

My God those are high velocities with 250 grain bullets! Muzzle energies up there with the 338 Winchester Magnum. This year I am loading to 2300 fps like I have for the last three years. Love the big leaky exit holes and the very little need for any kind of tracking.

Mine is the Ackley version, but yes, amazing performance. Based on case volume, I have 3 grains more room (which I have NO intention of utilizing) before I even touch the base of the bullet. Speer's data shows a compressed charge at 66.2. I am more than please with where I am at.

The biggest advantage I have found from getting max velocities out of a 250 grain .358 in a light rifle is that it makes the recoil in my 200 grain .300 WM load feel downright enjoyable.

I have yet to chrony my rifle/load. I’m pretty sure I got the load as a hand me down from BeretZ through some guys on a different forum. It’s works well in my rifle with GOOD brass. Some R-P brass won’t behave well in my rifle no matter what load I use. That stuff found a new home in the trash or pucker brush. Oddly I find the old Colonel rather pleasant to shoot even with heavy loads. Might be the stock. I’ve found other rifles more uncomfortable to shoot in 30-06 and various 300 mag chamberings likely due to poor stock design.

My 35 is the Gibbs version and I'm getting very close to 2700fps with 250 Speers and could probably from the looks of the brass get over it. JES bored it and it's a tackdriver, yesterday my wife and I shot a bunch of floating targets and it proved to be moose ready at all ranges.

My handled for 225 grain bullets in the Whelen was 58 gr of RL15 for about 2625 fps

One of my RL 15 5 # is marked Made in USA the other is marked made in Sweden, which seems to be slower. About 1 grain in my Whelen's to reach same speed and accuracy. Works great in the 5 Whelen's I have loaded for.

I just shot mine today with 59.5 grains of RL15 and 66 grains of AA2000MR. No issues and JD338 as my witness. My rifle is a newer Ruger M77 Hawkeye with a Shilen SS barrel. It’s Shilen’s top shelf barrel with a match grade chamber and 1:14” twist. These loads are stout but the spend cases show zero visible signs of pressure. They look as good as spent factory loads. Recoil is much like a stout 06 or well behaved 300 mag. Both these are accurate loads not just stout loads. I only use Hornady and Nosler brass or reformed quality 06 brass. Remington brass has given me a real headache. Remington brass has hung up in the chamber with book start loads. This is from factory 200 corelokt ammunition and I’ve heard rumors of poor quality brass used in factory ammunition. It’s found a new home in the giggly weeds.