Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 35 Whelen handloading article

This post is just a heads up on a new 35 Whelen reloading source.

Last night I finished reading the Handloader April 2014 article by Brian Pearce. I standardized a couple of loads a few years ago and the article has given me the itch to try some different components.

Me too! Some good possibilities.

I laughed at the title. "Still a viable big game cartridge" What, are big game getting tougher?? Of course it's still viable. I did like the article though.

Damned bad timing; I was thinking of selling my Whelen and now I wonder if I need it just to try different loads, LOL

It's certainly still my viable biggest game cartridge!!

Never sell the 35 Whelen. I'll just re-barell mine when it's done. Think I've got about 12,000 rounds to go...

Can't get the magazine down here. Curious, what powders did he use?

Most of the old standbys. H4895 was the big surprise to me. It's always shown up in loading manuals, but I never paid much attention. I have always loaded Re 15 with 250 grain bullets.

Best thing I ever did was a digital subscription ... 3 magazines every 2 months to peruse.
Cheers...
Con

54.0 of H4895 under a 250 Nosler is bad medicine. My go-to load in my current Whelen.

Funny, I was too.

Bit of a high-jack but I'm curious to hear what rifles you guys have in 35 Whelen.

I'm going to pick up a 9.3x62 or a Whelen one of these days. CZ has a nice 9.3x62 in FS and the price isn't too bad. A new Whelen is hard to come by unless I'm willing to pay Cooper money and although I'd like another Cooper, I'm not sure I NEED another Cooper.

Sorry. Double post.

700 CDL. Love the way it handles. Very similar to the Mtn. Rifle.

I just read the article. I have the exact same rifle but have a Leupy 2.5-8x36 on mine. With some of the same powders Pierce used, I get almost identical velocities. The exception is Varget - I couldn't get it to move a 250 over 2350. I also think his H4895 load is a bit too much. I load 54.0 grains and get a couple feet shy of 2500.

Looking at Hodgdon's 35 wh data, 53.0 gr H4895 gets 2455 at 50k CUP and a 24" barrel. I get ~2490 with 54.0 and a 22" barrel. I feel safe at 54 but would not at 56 and the velocities he's getting from a 22" barrel. A 250 at 2500 isn't going to bounce off.

Ruger M77

Remington 700 Classic.

I run a Remington 7600 with a 1.5 X 4 Leupold I use IMR 4895 and IMR 4064 it with 200 and 250 grainers I would have to see what powder goes with what bullet been that way since the late 80's

An old BDL action in a LA Ti original ADL stock. Previously bedded in a really old Rem mountain rifle walnut BDL stock.

My Re 15 load has decreased in the last 15 years to about 55-56 grains under the 259 grain Partition, Speer SP, or Hornady Spire Point. Good for just below or right at 2500.

Considering buying another 84L, pulling the barrel and screwing on a 35 Whelen barrel for Alaska bear.

A stainless Tikka in .270 that I sent to JES for a rebore to 35 Whelen. Great shooting gun!

Owned an M17 that had been re-bored ... should have kept it as it held 6+1. Just about to have another built, taking a T3 varmint 243Win I own, changing the bolt-stop, adding a #5 profile 35cal tube at probably 21-22" long ... and getting a pair of 5 shot magazines and a 10 shotter for a particular competition we shoot.
Cheers...
Con