35 Whelen on plains game

[BWB]

Will the 225 gr Barnes Tsx work well on plains game? This will be my first time using a Barnes bullet. The largest game I’ll be hunting will be a Blue Wildebeest.

 

[jnmullins]

I used the 300gr TSX from my 375 two years ago on plains game and have used both .308 190gr LRX and .358 200gr TTSX on Texas whitetail and pigs with great success. I am very pleased with Barnes performance on game and also accuracy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the 225 TSX from a 35 Whelen on any plains game

 

[jbirdwell]

I used the Barnes 225 TSX in my custom 35 Whelen on my safari last year to take, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Zebra, Sable, Warthog and Blesbok, all with 1 shot kills.

 

[baxterb]

Will the 225 gr Barnes Tsx work well on plains game? This will be my first time using a Barnes bullet. The largest game I’ll be hunting will be a Blue Wildebeest.

That’s essentially a 350 Rigby and the 350 Rigby was one of the most common and successful rifles in the story of East African Safari.

 

[Mekaniks]

Yes sir Don’t overthink it…. Go have fun!

 

[Redfishga1]

Absolutely

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Waiting for Bob Nelson 35 Whelan to chime in.
Gumpy



P.S. I agree with the others, it will be more than adequate

 

[mdwest]

My wife took a monster eland at more then 250 yards with a 35 whelen shooting 225gr accubonds…

There isn’t a plains game species that won’t fall to a 225gr TSX shot from a 35 Whelen as long as you put the bullet where it belongs..

 

[KCSafari]

Should be perfect for PG. American version of the 9.3 so should handle anything you’re after. Good luck and have a great safari.

 

[RedTag]

You may want to consider the 200 grain or 180 grain Barnes in the Whelen. The Barnes likes a lot of velocity and target resistance to open up. This is one bullet design that really makes sense to go lighter and faster. Typically use 250 grain Interlock hand loads (or factory Corelokt) in my Whelen, which are proven bear thumpers, but got good accuracy and very impressive velocity from the 180 grain Barnes, though this was range testing only for what it’s worth.

 

[BWB]

Thanks for everyone’s help. I’m just getting really anxious. First time jitters. Haha

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Will the 225 gr Barnes Tsx work well on plains game? This will be my first time using a Barnes bullet. The largest game I’ll be hunting will be a Blue Wildebeest.

You’re looking at one dead blue wildebeest right there. Go for it.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Will the 225 gr Barnes Tsx work well on plains game? This will be my first time using a Barnes bullet. The largest game I’ll be hunting will be a Blue Wildebeest.

@BWB
You don't need a Barnes for plains game
The good old 225 gn accubond launched at 2,800-2,900fps will handle any of our to any sensible range.
Any GOOD bonded core bullet works well in the Whelen. Even the old 259gn Hornady Round nose punched a golf ball size holes out the other side of a big gemsbok bull
Bob

 

[BWB]

Bob, Those accubonds are as scarce as hen’s teeth! Is I could locate some what loads would you recommend to get 2800- 2900 fps ?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks for everyone’s help. I’m just getting really anxious. First time jitters. Haha

@BWB
Your not the only one that got the first time jitters.
Mate DON'T OVER Think IT.
The Whelen doesn't need the 225 gn tsx to kill big game. Unless you reload and can get the velocity up you are limiting your range with the Barnes 225 in my humble opinion. The 200gn TTSX would be better.
In my humble opinion a good bonded bullets works well in the Whelen and will not let you down. The accubonds will give you plenty of penetration along with the Woodleighs.
My good friend @Rick HOlbert is in Namibia at the moment
He is using a 358 Winchester loaded with 225gn Woodleigh rnsp @2,520fps.
The reaction on game from his it is very violent compared to Spitzer bullets. He hasn't recovered a projectile YET from game including a big Sable. He is hoping to get a big eland bull so he can recover a bullet.
If the 358 will do the job then the Whelen with more velocity will give you even more punch.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, Those accubonds are as scarce as hen’s teeth! Is I could locate some what loads would you recommend to get 2800- 2900 fps ?

@BWB
For the 225gn accubond
Work up to 61gn of Varget starting at 57 gn
With CFE223 START at 64gn and work up to a MAX OF around 68gn

There's nought wrong with the good old 250 gn Speer hot cores loaded to 2,700 fps with a max load of 64gn CFE223. If'n that don't flatten PG there's something wrong. That load would be effective out to 400yards.
African game might appear tougher than normal game BUT a good bullet in the RIGHT SPOT and they ain't going far apart from down.
You sound like me, like to over think things.
When I went to Namibia I took 5 different kinds of projectiles from bonded to good ol cup and core. All killed game ONE shot. Even the humble Hornady Round nose.
My advice is pick ONE GOOD LOAD and practice with it from all positions including off sticks so when you pull the trigger on that dream animal you are knowing it will go where you want and do the job.
Bob

 

[BWB]

Thanks Bob ! Found some accubonds to try. Appreciate your suggestions. Will try the Varget and Cfe loads.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks Bob ! Found some accubonds to try. Appreciate your suggestions. Will try the Varget and Cfe loads.

@BWB
Highly recommend this article
The loads listed you will HAVE TO WORK UP TO.
It's a great read.
The 225gn accubond sighted in for 250yds is only 4" low at 300. And 400yds is a backline hold on big game
You will see the old saying the Whelen is a good brush cartridge is balderdash and cockey pop.
Bob

 

[PanhandlinPat]

Get a Sierra manual or the Sierra reloading app; It’s got full power whelen data in it. I’m shooting a 200 gr ttsx with accurate 2495, crimped lightly in the bottom groove as it’s a compressed charge. I think I’m a grain or half grain less than sierra’s accuracy load with the ttsx and still getting 2860 fps out of my 21” barrel.