How many people have a 35 whelen?

[Deepfork]

250 grains is the sweet spot for the .35 Whelen... no need for more than that.

Yep, 245gr Hammer Shock hammer at 2806fps is where I finally ended up with the 35 Whelen. 250gr Norma Oryx at 2680 is another .35 Whelen load I like. As several have said with the 9.3x62, much of the available load data for the .35 Whelen is outdated, too conservative and does not even mention some of the powders that give the best results.

 

[hoytcanon]

Nothing in my experience with over 150 big game kills supports your position.

I'm not asking you to adopt my position, but onlookers should have access to differing opinions and make up their own minds for themselves. 40+ years of guiding and hunting have sufficiently proven "to me" that mono-metal bullets are inferior in most circumstances at cleanly killing game, when compared to other bonded and most C&C bullets on thin skinned big game. That is not to say that they don't work, as they certainly do, but in gemeral, I expect longer, thinner blood trails, as this is generally the case. YMMV.

 

[jwp475]

Damage from a monometal bullet. Animal dropped at the shot. No tracking required.

 

[amschind]

250 grains is just about perfect for any NA game animal; I completely agree. But the question that arises from that assumption is: Why not use a .338-'06 to do the same job? "Because I already have a .358 Whelen that I like and I enjoy shooting it" is a completely reasonable answer, and tons of calibers exist for that reason. My point was that a .338 will struggle to fit a bullet over 250 grains whereas a 9.3 or .358 can fit a 300.

I almost exclusively shoot handloads, with the exceptions being 9mm, 5.56 and .22 LR practice ammo that only needs to go cycle the action, make a hole in the paper or ding on steel and tell me if I was aiming well. For everything else, I just need components available and I'm happy. If the bullet makers can make a variety AND sufficient quantity of high quality bullets in every 0.001" increment from .177 to .510, then more power to us all. We can have grand keyboard battles over the merits of the 248 grain .356 vs the 250 grain .358 and derive that much more enjoyment from the hobby. But when components get scarce and even very popoular components aren't available, that's when I wonder if a winnowing of calibers (not so much cases, since being reusable gives each case manufactured 3-10x the relative utility of each bullet manufactured) might not be best. .257 vs .264 and .243, .277 vs .284, .338 vs .323, .358 vs .356 and .366, .375 vs ..404, .416 vs et c.

I think that obsoleting guns and calibers that folks have put money and more importantly effort into is bad for everyone, and my favorite solution is that at least SOME runs continue in all calibers. I have looked at what would go into actually making cup and core bullets, and if worse came to worst, Casting copper cylinders and then milling them into bullets would be doable if not time-efficient.

This is pretty off topic already, I'm just trying to explain my underlying thinking. To be clear, I don't want and hopefully won't have a dog in this fight, but there was a time not long ago when this very issue arose for all of us and sadly I think that the possibility of shortages arising again now plays a role is cartridge discussions.

 

[Tbitty]

View attachment 625911

Damage from a monometal bullet. Animal dropped at the shot. No tracking required.

Is that a rabbit? Or a sever quartering to/away shot that basically ripped along the ribs?

Monometals are designed to not over expand and provide deep penetration, usually pass-throughs on deer sized game, not tear up meat like that. It's one reason people like them.

That looks like an exit hole from a ballistic tip or extreme expansion bullet, not at all what I'd expect from a Barnes TSX or similar.

 

[jwp475]

Is that a rabbit? Or a sever quartering to/away shot that basically ripped along the ribs?

Monometals are designed to not over expand and provide deep penetration, usually pass-throughs on deer sized game, not tear up meat like that. It's one reason people like them.

That looks like an exit hole from a ballistic tip or extreme expansion bullet, not at all what I'd expect from a Barnes TSX or similar.

Exit from a Hammer Hunter on a deer shot mostly broad side.

Patented Custom Bullets | Hammer Bullets

Hammer Bullets are custom designed bullets offering superior accuracy and ensuring minimal game waste. Our bullets have higher velocity and are lead free.

hammerbullets.com

 

[DG870]

I’ve got to question the “minimal game waste” statement if the picture is shows typical performance on game. I’ve shot deer and hogs with the 250 grain Hornady bullets and been able to eat right up to the hole. I’ll bet that deer went down fast!

 

[Deepfork]

View attachment 625911

Damage from a monometal bullet. Animal dropped at the shot. No tracking required.

I don't like an explosion like that, too much wasted meat. I've seen the same thing on a big whitetail with a 130gr power point in .270. Has a lot to do with where the bullet hits. As far as the mono vs soft point debate....neither or both every situation is different. I am reloading seven rifle calibers right now, 8 different loads (2 different .308 rifles). Bullets for my hunting loads:

210gr Nosler Partition - .338WM
245gr Hammer Shock Hammer - .35 Whelen
186gr Hammer Shock Hammer - .336-06AI
135gr Hammer Power Hammer - .308
165gr Fed Trophy Bonded Tip - .308
168gr Fed Tactical Bonded Tip - 30-06
140gr Fed Trophy Bonded Tip 7mm Rem Mag
270gr Barnes TSX .375 Ruger

I've leaned more towards the soft points until I discovered the Hammer bullets not to long ago I am impressed with them.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@amschind
Woodleighs make a lovely 310gn rnsp and flat nose solid in 35 cal that can be safely loaded to 2,455fps in my standard Whelen.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

250 grains is the sweet spot for the .35 Whelen... no need for more than that.

@hoytcanon
The Whelen is just sweet full stop. 180 to 310gn has you covered
Bob