35 Whelen

[sestoppelman]

Well that would be about 4132 ft/lbs of muzzle energy which is .375 mag territory. I seriously doubt its going that fast, probably more like 2350 fps., if that. Be curious what it would actually chrono at. Thanks.

 

[Eric Anderson]

I am with you on "heavy for caliber bullets" - usually extremely effective in hunting situations - really don't understand the new thinking / fad towards light weight bullets at hyper velocities. I understand that with some of the mono metal bullets that velocity is a requirement for proper performance and expansion, but in hunting scenarios I still think there are better options

Light weight bullets at hyper velocities are devastating on thin skinned game. Tissue damage is absolutely massive compared to bigger bullets moving slower.
Get shot in the gut with M2 ball. (30-06 FMJ 150 grains) you can be saved with not to many long term health effects usually.
Get shot in the gut with 5.56 mm NATO, and say hello to a colonoscopy bag. You are going to lose a lot of intestine.

I saw a young Marine getting medically discharge because of a training accident. A 5.56mm tracer round hit him right above the elbow, exited next to his wrist. His arm was all but worthless after that. To much tissue damage. It followed the bone right between his forarm bones.


Now, those same bullets have drawbacks though, they generally don’t penetrate a deeply, and certainly not in a straight line.

There is no free lunch, and they have definate drawbacks.

 

[Shootist43]

Bobz35W, FYI I just ran your 310 Gr Woodleigh with 57 Gr. of RL - 15 through QuickLoad estimated velocity was 2475 FPS. ALL RESULTS WERE IN RED BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT OVERPRESSURE.

 

[Bobz35W]

Bobz35W, FYI I just ran your 310 Gr Woodleigh with 57 Gr. of RL - 15 through QuickLoad estimated velocity was 2475 FPS. ALL RESULTS WERE IN RED BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT OVERPRESSURE.

Shootist
Thank you for the follow-up. Even though it's not showing signs of pressure, I value my face more than the assurance that this was from an older Woodleigh manual. As the 53 grain loads shoot just as well, I'll back it down just to be safe. Thank you for the update. Been reloading since 1978 and learned to err on the side of caution. Thank you

 

[Rule 303]

Shootist
Thank you for the follow-up. Even though it's not showing signs of pressure, I value my face more than the assurance that this was from an older Woodleigh manual. As the 53 grain loads shoot just as well, I'll back it down just to be safe. Thank you for the update. Been reloading since 1978 and learned to err on the side of caution. Thank you

Bobz35W before jumping ship, run your 57 grain load through a chrony. One thing I have learnt inover 40 years of reloading is the manuals-and this includes Quickload- are a guide only. Example, I use to load my 270W to max listed and it required considerably more holdover at 300 then what others with 270's did yet all were 2"high at 100mts. Put it over a chrony and it was over 300fps slower than those listed. I ended up running 5 grains over max listed to get to 3000fps. No pressure signs and long case life. I use the manuals as a guide when developing loads but use a chrony to let me know when I am near the max velocity.

I have also known a min listed load in a mates 308 to be an over pressure load, had to drop 3 grains. Generally the guides are good and should be used but you need a Chrony to confirm. Now before people have a chop about Quickload, yes I have found this to be the best- several mates have it- but it is far from being infallible. This I have found from personal experience.

 

[Alchemist]

The 35 Whelen interested me a lot as I am not farmiliar with the caliber at all. I thought it might be a caliber to look at as it fits between the 30-06/ 300 WM and my 375 H&H. I had a look at local ( South Africa ) online gunshops and could not find a rifle nor ammo advertised.
I see Chuck Hawks mention the 9.3 x 62 to be 35 Whelen european cousin. Is there anyone that has these and can comment ?
My dream rifle has always been a Mauser 9.3x62 full stock.

 

[Rule 303]

The 35 Whelen is just a 30-06 necked up to 358. Sounds like it would be a reloading proposition for you. Google for ballistics. Also google the 35 Whelen improved, just a blown out case so has less tapper.

 

[Shootist43]

Alchemist, the 9.3 x 62 and the 35Whelen are in fact "kissing cousins" ballistically. I've made that comparison many times. If I lived in your part of the world a 9.3 x 62 would have been in my battery many years ago. The "normal" weight bullet for the #5 Whelen is 250 Grs. however if I drop the bullet weight to 225 Gr and push it a little bit (using pre lawyer influenced loading data) the downrange performance is much better. I'm thinking the same would be true of the 9.3 x 62.

 

[Shootist43]

Rule303, your assessment of QuickLoad is correct. The Owner's Instructions recommend that you run your QL formulated round over a chronograph. If there is a difference in actual vs. anticipated velocity you enter the actual into the "program." I've been told that the burning rates (thermal dynamic characteristics) of some powders can be off by as much as 15%. It provides you a starting place and or a relatively accurate way to compare one bullet type and or weight to another as well as different powders and charge weights.

 

[walk-in]

I have hunted with my 35 Whelen in Alaska for many years now. I always find it amusing when I see someone who has not used it claim that it is not suitable for "long range" or is good for anything "except big Alaskan bears." I have killed Alaska moose (not the small Shiras moose) with mine at ranges from about 15 to 300+ yards. I have also used it for brown & grizzly bears with excellent results. I have had great success in my rifle with IMR 4064 and 250 gr. Kodiak bonded bullets with a 1/14 twist barrel.

 

[Cousin Bongo]

What walk-in said.

I used the 35 Whelen quite a bit when I lived in Alaska (250 gr Nosler Partition mostly). Excellent cartridge that's good out to 300+ yards.

CB

 

[Rule 303]

I have hunted with my 35 Whelen in Alaska for many years now. I always find it amusing when I see someone who has not used it claim that it is not suitable for "long range" or is good for anything "except big Alaskan bears." I have killed Alaska moose (not the small Shiras moose) with mine at ranges from about 15 to 300+ yards. I have also used it for brown & grizzly bears with excellent results. I have had great success in my rifle with IMR 4064 and 250 gr. Kodiak bonded bullets with a 1/14 twist barrel.

Fairly much says it all.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

So the .35 Whelen has been a cartridge that’s interested me since returning from my first safari in the bushveld. I was curious if anyone has tried the 280 grain a frame that’s available? It seems like it would be an absolute hammer, but almost boardering on overkill for the case capacity since the 250 seems to cap out around 2600fps.

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If you want some heavy projectiles for you 35Whelan Woodleigh in Australia make a 275gn and a 310 gn soft nose and solid

 

[Rule 303]

The 35 Whelen is close to the 350 Riby in performance and Pondoro Taylor like the 310 grain projectile for Elephant. Said it was very close to the 375H&H with a 300grain projectile in results.

 

[Rick Cox]

Thanks Nosler guy. That was my main concern. I love heavy for caliber bullets, but I don’t know if the extra penetration gained is purely diminishing returns at 280.

I suspect the velocity loss would limit this bullet to under 200 yards, to achieve reliable expansion in the Whelen.

 

[Rick Cox]

Will a Whelen sabilise a 280gr bullet? I wonder about the twist rate.

Scrummy

My Nosler has a twist rate of 1 in 14 and works well with 225 grain slugs. My understanding is that to achieve good results with a 280 grain you would have to go to a 1-12 twist.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I use Speer 250gr HCSP in my Rem 700 Whelen for non open areas that I hunt. I have them travelling around 2450fps. Really loves them.
More open areas I use IMR 4895 & Sierra 225gr Spitzer's. 5 shot groups at 100yds are 0.75". I tried a 10 shot string as well and it measured 1.75". 200yds was a 5 shot 3.20" group. Interested to see what happens at 300yds. Have to try that this weekend.

8 x 68
If you want a load that makes the 250gn Speer hotcore sing check out their reloading site for info.
I tried their MAX load after working up.
The load I settled on was,
64grains of cfe223 behind the 250gn Speer COAL 3.4 inches.
This gave me a chronoed velocity of just over 2,700fps. No pressure problem at all. This load really gets your attention when you pull the trigger.
Nosler lists 60.5 grains of Varget, I get a chronoed 2,850fps
My favorite is 65grains cfe223 behind a 225grain woodleigh PPSP.
This gives me a chronoed velocity of 2,940 fps average for 5 shots. This load develops over 4,200 fps, exceeding the 338 win mag
All loads group less than 1moa @ 100yards.
This is from a 25 inch MAB stainless barrel that allows me to load the accubonds to an overall length of 3.4 inches.
ALL LOADS PROVED SAFE IN MY RIFLE BUT SHOULD BE APPROACHED FROM 5 GRAINS BELOW.

 

[Rule 303]

Bob Nelson with you published MV I have to ask if you are running a Factory spec Whelen or the Ackley Improved version, as those velocities are what a bloke with the AI version gets.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The 2 loads I listed off the nosler site and Speer own reloading site.
My 225 grain woodleigh was developed from Wayne blackells load from a disc.
This program lists up to six different types of powder per projectile. And gives estimated pressures.
The 25/06, 270, 280 and 30/06 all run at 55,000 to 63,000 psi. Most loading manuals list the 35 Whelan at 48-50,000 psi. In modern rifles such as the rem 700, Winchester model 70, savage 110 and others of similar ilk there is no reason why the Whelan can't be loaded to similar pressure.
I used 1 case for the woodleigh load and loaded it 6 times, full length resized each time. The primer pocket was still tight and primers seated firmly. The CHE after load 6 was still within normal parameters. A mate measured the case after 6 loads and another one after 2 firings and said there was virtually discernable difference between the 2 case. Loads were developed in our spring and didn't show any problems when used in Namibia in 36 degrees Celsius.
I am happy with my loads without hotroding the case.
This finally brings the Whelan into the class it belongs.
REMEMBER TO ALWAYS WORK UP LOADS FROM MINIMUM. ANY SIGN OF PRESSURE THE LOAD SHOULD BE REDUCED BY AT LEAST 2 GRAINS AND THAT WOULD BE YOUR SAFE WORKING LOAD..
Cheers hope this information is of help.