I recently ordered 100 220 grain Hammer bullets for my 1885 Highwall in 35 Whelen

https://hammerbullets.com/product/358-cal-220g-hammer-hunter/

I loaded a few with 64 grains of Power Pro Varmint and fired 3 over my chronograph 2921, 2901 and 2912. Then I shot 3 at 200 yards for 1/2 MOA. Load development complete I loaded 3 boxes and just waiting on deer season to open on the 23rd

Good Lord, over 2900 fps out of a 35 whelen with 220gr bullet. Make sure you are wearing glasses and I would also suggest leather gloves.

Speer lists 63.8 grains of Power Pro Varmint with 220 grain bullets plus Highwalls have 28" barrels.

28” barrel is darned near good for 100FPS or more. isn’t any huge trick to get 2750-2800 with a 24” Whelen and a few powders.

My Whelen which I had built has a 22" barrel and although I have not run it through a chronograph I would expect 2650 +- out of it with 225gr Accubonds, so I guess 6" more barrel could get you to 2900 fps safely. Man that is a hammer

Great info. Thanks!

Makes me want an 35 Whelan.

On a serious note I just purchased some Hornady 220 round nose for my 30-06 for use to 250yds and less. I doubt I can come close to 2900fps and more likely 2400fps. Big difference

I use plain of H4895 from my 7600 35 Whelen that gets 2700 flat with the 225 Sierra and I don't consider that a hard load at all. With a powder like 15, PP Varmint, 4895, etc I'd bet you'll easily push up over the 2700 mark without setting anything on fire. John's 28" barrel is really something though, just flat impressive from that 1885 with the 10 twist.

Speer lists 2826 FPS with 63.8 grains of Power Pro Varmint. Add 80 FPS extra for the 38" barrel and you are at 2906.

In a 24" barrel, Sierra lists 2900 FPS for their 225 SGK over both 70.0gr CFE 223 and 71.6gr PP 2000-MR. PP 2000-MR has been amazing for me with 250 and 225 gr bullets, but too slow for 200gr. I've yet to try CFE 223 (and see little reason to based on what 2000-MR is doing for me). I have gotten great performance with Varmint at just under 3000 FPS with the 200 TTSX. It's a whole new world for the Whelen with these new powders - perfectly safe and very accurate loads that far exceed "traditional" Whelen velocities.

Rex

Very versatile Hammer!

I went with CFE223 because I was unable to find 2000MR

I am using PP2000 with the 220 Hammers for a bit 2830 in my 22" Ruger. Accurate as heck for me. Seems like a great powder.

JWP - what's the twist on your highwall?

Mine started out as a 30/06 I sent it to Jess Rebore for his 5 groove in 10 twist. Very happy with the results

"Primitive firearm" season eh?

Great cartridge, a great bullet, great accuracy and velocity......”go forth and kill lots of stuff”! memtb

That’s what I was razzin him about too!

That sounds like a heck of a Whelen load (and rifle).

I've got to pop my Apex Whelen a time or two this weekend to get ready for Primitive.

That's what the state calls it, nothing primiitve about it.

What load are you shooting?

I know all about it. This time of year a scrounger at my range can find a lot of 35 Whelen empties.

I wish I could find some 35 Whelen cases

Local shops haven't seen 35 Whelen or 35 Remington ammo in quite a while. I'm still working off my original 30 or 40 Whelen cases from years ago.

And I'm shooting a lower-powered load for reduced recoil. It's a midrange book load of RL10x and the 225NAB for about 2,425fps from my 25" barrel, basically like a .358Win. Kills well out to 220yds, which is as far as I've taken it on game.

It "whoomps" hogs pretty hard, like the one in my avatar from a few years back. Always exits, even on angling shots.

👍💯

Agreed! That is a great pig!

I actually backed my 225 Whelen load down quite a bit as well to just under 2,600 with 65.6g MR2000. I had played with some maxed out loads of MR2000 and it shot fine. However, I have heard mixed reviews on how tough the 225 sierra can be (my personal experience with them has been excellent with my previous hunting load at 2,630 using either H4895 or RL15, can't remember offhand) so decided to slow it back down. I didn't plan to shoot very far and didn't want an issue if something was in your face close.

With my present load I got great accuracy and mild recoil. It should be easy on the brass and easy on the bullet. It exited on a broadside black bear a couple weeks ago with lots of internal trauma/bleeding at around 170 yards through the chest. Insurance shot proved unnecessary but it managed to take out the back wheels.

Nice bear.

Indeed. Pretty bear for sure.

Nice bear! I need to do a bear hunt.

Wow, beautiful bear!

I like that Sierra myself. Nothing fancy but under 2700 it expands wide and leaves one helluva blood trail.

So it would be hell on deer at 2900ish

If I was only hunting deer I doubt I would ever shoot another bullet and wouldn’t mind pushing them fast.

This is the only one I have ever caught. Mule deer doe, quartering to, entered onside shoulder and found it under the hide in front of the offside hindquarters.



These Hammers the OP is running look intriguing to me. My rifle didn’t care for the 225 TSX. If these Hammers would shoot could be a good do all bullet.

I’d think so John. I can’t see one making many tracks myself.

MedRiver, cool recovery. Same thing I’ve seen from a few I’ve caught.

The 220 Hammer is very good in my Whelen. Easy accuracy.

I may try some of those Hammer bullets next year. I haven’t had time to work up new loads the past few months and elk season is upon us. My 22” Whelen is handy in timber but I’m probably not hunting with it this year. I have gotten good velocity and accuracy with CFE 223 and 225 gr Partitions. Happy Trails