to Hunter Montana: Since you asked, I do believe we all should turn down shots that we aren't sure of. We shouldn't rely on a "big gun" to make up for poor shot placement. Regarding the lost bull I mentioned in my previous post: it would have felt a lot better if I'd just waited for a better shot ( or let him walk away) instead of taking that "quartering away" chance in thick bush. He was gut shot and the bullet failed to reach the lungs. After losing the track a day later, I hung up my tag, where it remains on our camp's "wall of shame". I challenge anyone who draws blood without recovering the animal to consider their tag cancelled. I think we'd be better hunters and there would be fewer wasted animals as a result. The one elk tag and two deer tags on our cabin wall are a constant reminder to stalk close, shoot well, and use enough gun.
For hunting in my Whelen, I like the Federal Premium ammo using 225 Trophy Bonded. So far none of my reloads are as consistently accurate, so what the heck. Have only shot one elk with it. It was a running cow and she hit the ground in just a few strides after taking one through the lungs at approx 140 yards. Bullet sailed right through. As long as I don't have a reload as consistent as those factory loads, I'll keep using the Federal stuff.
A premium bullet is not really needed at Whelen velocities. I like both speer and hornady bullets. My choice would be the 250 speer. Impact velocity should be at least 2000+ fps. That should give you a 250-300 yard range.
Last year I shot a 6x6 bull with my Whelen using the 250 speer. It punched through both shoulders and exited at 50 yards. (recent box of bullets)
The 250 speer sp and 250 grand slam both hold together well. Both bullets looked very similar during penetration tests....classic mushroom. I can't remember retained weights, but neither lost much.
If you were strictly hunting dark timber for trophy bulls, I would consider 250 partitions or 225 TSX. Honestly, the standard bullets would work too.
Never shot an elk, but I like to do the "one" load deal where I can pick the rifle up and go kill stuff without worrying about anything and having to rush around with finding good loads etc..So in mine so far I've loaded 250gr Partitions over RL-15.
I haven't even put 50 rounds through the rifle yet so don't have much to go on but I will probably switch to Hornadies for whitetails this year<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Not sure how they do on Elk but I have had 2 bang flop whitetails with the factory Federal TBBC 225 grain Whelen load. Funny thing is , neither bullet mushroomed they both penciled through but both deer died in their tracks. Make of it what you will . Distances 20 yards and 40 yards.
"My 35 Whelen shoots both the 250 Speer and 250 Hornady into less than 2" @ 200. Any idea which might perform better? "
IVE USED BOTH BULLETS in my 35 whelen and loaded BOTH for others, most of the GUYS I HUNT WITH PREFER the SPEER 250 grains after looking at the wound channels both left, as it opens quicker than the HORNADY yet still tends to drive thru and exit. keep in mind that the IMPACT velocitys with the whelen useing the 250 grain bullets are significantly lower than many rifles(2300-1900fps) and those 250 grain bullets drive thru to great distances, the SPEER 250 grain is about IDEAL for that game and velocity range, sure the HORNADYS work great,and if you prefer them theres no reason not to use them, but at whelen velocities theres not much to be gained with the premium bullets other than bragging rights
I'd like to post a 225 grain Nosler ballistic Tip, I recovered from an elk. Weighed 206 grains when recovered. But I haven't figured out how to reduce the size of my picture file yet.
"both the Hornady and Speer make great bullets at 2,600fps and a premium is not needed"
Ive got to agree fully, Ive used BOTH in my 35 whelen and the speer opens slightly faster but BOTH work very effectively (that 35 whelen remington slide action is used as our camps back-up rifle most years) and its seen extensive use on ELK by several guys, infact several of the guys in our ELK camp own and hunt with 35 whelen rifles ,purchased after seeing first hand the results those big 250 grain speers have on ELK.
