Heavy Bullets in the 35 Whelen

[Wyatt Smith]

The 35 whelen with a 250gr. bullet will more than likely kill more then I'll ever get the chance to shoot, I just have the bug to try some 275's just to do it.

I know the feeling. I’ve got an itch to try 350s in my .375

 

[35400Whelen]

I know the feeling. I’ve got an itch to try 350s in my .375

I'd like to see how that turns out and compare what your 375 dose with what I get with my 400.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The 35 whelen with a 250gr. bullet will more than likely kill more then I'll ever get the chance to shoot, I just have the bug to try some 275's just to do it.

@35400Whelen
If the bug bites mate give it a wirl. That's the fun of reloading. Hopefully the load info I posted helps you
Bob

 

[bruce moulds]

I am now starting to wonder what the 400 whelen is capable of too.
std length action and 30/06 boltface - interesting ramifications.
bruce.

 

[35400Whelen]

@35400Whelen
If the bug bites mate give it a wirl. That's the fun of reloading. Hopefully the load info I posted helps you
Bob

Back in the 120's things were a lot different then they are now. James Howe and Col. Whelen intended for the 35 Whelen to use bullets up to 300gr. in an affordable rifle/cartridge combination that would still be very affective. I think they did a fine job at accomplishing their goal.

Yes, Bob the loads you gave will be very helpful. Thanks!

 

[35400Whelen]

I am now starting to wonder what the 400 whelen is capable of too.
std length action and 30/06 boltface - interesting ramifications.
bruce.

I have not been able to hunt with my 400 Whelen but hopefully this fall I will. The loads I have worked up with it so far are very good. 300gr. Hornady at 2430 fps., 350gr. Swift A-Frame at 2327 fps., 400gr. Hornady DGX at 2150 fps., 400gr. Swift A-Frame at 2177 fps. All with CFE223.

 

[bruce moulds]

that 350 gn swift load looks interesting.
what say the big bear hunters about this?
it might also do well an sambar deer in Victoria, south east oz, where terrain suited.
you and bob nelson are on the same page with cfe223.
if I need some, I know he will share his supply with me.
bruce.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I know the feeling. I’ve got an itch to try 350s in my .375

@Wyatt Smith
Well scratch it master Smith and let us know the results.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have not been able to hunt with my 400 Whelen but hopefully this fall I will. The loads I have worked up with it so far are very good. 300gr. Hornady at 2430 fps., 350gr. Swift A-Frame at 2327 fps., 400gr. Hornady DGX at 2150 fps., 400gr. Swift A-Frame at 2177 fps. All with CFE223.

@35400Whelen
Dang that CFE223 is a great powder, try it in your 35 Whelen with a 250 grain hotcore off the Speer reloading site.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

that 350 gn swift load looks interesting.
what say the big bear hunters about this?
it might also do well an sambar deer in Victoria, south east oz, where terrain suited.
you and bob nelson are on the same page with cfe223.
if I need some, I know he will share his supply with me.
bruce.

@bruce moulds
Mate sambar ain't armour plated. My 444 Marlin with a 280grain Woodleigh @2350 fps was to much gun for them. The last one I shot was with my 270 and a 130grain ACP. Bang flop.
Bob

 

[35400Whelen]

that 350 gn swift load looks interesting.
what say the big bear hunters about this?
it might also do well an sambar deer in Victoria, south east oz, where terrain suited.
you and bob nelson are on the same page with cfe223.
if I need some, I know he will share his supply with me.
bruce.

I think the 350 A-Frame will be one heck of a bear load. I have some Hawk 350gr bullets on order too, I'll see how they compare to the swifts.

 

[35400Whelen]

@35400Whelen
Dang that CFE223 is a great powder, try it in your 35 Whelen with a 250 grain hotcore off the Speer reloading site.
Bob

I have some Speer 250's and some Sierra 225's that I am going to try with CFE223. Hope to get it done before fall hunting season. I have both of their new reloading manuals. They both show very impressive results.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have some Speer 250's and some Sierra 225's that I am going to try with CFE223. Hope to get it done before fall hunting season. I have both of their new reloading manuals. They both show very impressive results.

@35400Whelen
If you need some loads for the 225 grainers PM me.
The 225 grain game king doesn't give the velocity that nosler and Woodleigh do.
Bob

 

[35400Whelen]

@35400Whelen
If you need some loads for the 225 grainers PM me.
The 225 grain game king doesn't give the velocity that nosler and Woodleigh do.
Bob

Sierra list max velocity of the 225 game king with cfe223 at 2900 fps. That seams to be getting pretty hot, what do you think?

 

[MS 9x56]

@35400Whelen
I've just looked up some loads for you
The 275 grains are all at 2,400 to close on 2,500 fps and max pressure is less than 52,000 cup.
ALL LOADS GIVEN ARE ADVICE ONLY. THEY ARE MAXIMUM LOADS AND SHOULD BE WORKED UP FROM 5 GRAINS LOWER KEEPING A WATCH OUT FOR PRESSURE SIGNS.
I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MISUSE OF INFORMATION.
ALWAYS USE CAUTION WHEN HAND LOADING.

For the 275 grain Woodleigh PPSP
Coal 3. 4 inches
Brass Remington
Primer Remington large rifle

Re 15 and Varget
58 grains 2,387 fps

CFE 223
61 grains 2,450 fps

AA2000MR
62 grains 2,480 fps.


310 grain Woodleigh RNSP
CFE223
54 grains 2,250 fps

Varget
51 grains 2,259fps

H4350
60 grains 2,219fps

AA4077ssc
60 grains 2,300 fps
Highest velocity under 51,000 cup

AA2700
60 grains 2,220 fps
Reasonable velocity low pressure 48,344 cup.

Hopefully this gives you a starting point.

Remember to work up to max safely

4064 did give good velocity to the 275 grainers up to 58 grains but pressure was up OVER 53,000 CUP .This is beyond acceptable pressure
Bob Nelson

this thread got me thinking so I went digging through my bullet pile and sure enough I found an old box of Hornady round nose 275 grain bullets. There was a German fellow on another forum who loads his 9x56 MS with 280 grain bullets. I wonder if I can swage them down to 355 to load in my 9x56? Might have to give it a go.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Sierra list max velocity of the 225 game king with cfe223 at 2900 fps. That seams to be getting pretty hot, what do you think?

35400Whelen
What powder weight were the using to get that.
I get 2,950 fps with the Woodleigh PPSP 225grain.
Bob

 

[35400Whelen]

35400Whelen
What powder weight were the using to get that.
I get 2,950 fps with the Woodleigh PPSP 225grain.
Bob

They list 70gr. of cfe223 as their max load with a universal 24" 1-12 twist barrel.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

They list 70gr. of cfe223 as their max load with a universal 24" 1-12 twist barrel.

Seems well over the to but who knows. It would depend on the bearing surface. I know I get 2,950 with the 225 grain Woodleigh PPSP chronoed with a 25 inch 1-12 twist plus 2 inch muzzle brake.
Bob

 

[35400Whelen]

That's why we start below the max and work up.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Sierra loads always seem “hot” compared to other manuals, with bullets of similar weight and construction.