35 Whelen w/cast?

[Lead melter]

Anyone got one and would like to share recipes? Looking at the current RCBS and Ranch Dog versions for a mold. What think ye?

BTW, potential rifle is Ruger Hawkeye with 1:16 twist.

[sagamore-one]

One load that I use is 38 gr of 4198 over an RCBS 200 flat nose.
Favorite varmint load is 57 gr of 3031 over a Remington 150 gr soft point (jacketed). Really does a number on ground hogs and feral cats.

[Lead melter]

Is that cast load H4198 or IMR-4198?

[sagamore-one]

IMR this load is used to fireform converted 06 brass for use with the 150 jacketed loads. Both are stout loads, both group well.
I would advise you to reduce your loading by a couple grains and work up to my level as all rifles are not the same. Mine is a Mauser action with an Adams Bennet barrel with 1 in 14 twist.

[badgeredd]

I got some special custom boolits from GabbyM that go 235 grains with lube and checks. In my Classic, I used 60 gr. of H4831 for 1850fps and a 1.5" group at 100 yds. I haven't worked with the Whelen as much as I should because of other projects.

Edd

[yondering]

I've used 50gr Re15 with a paper patched 300gr NEI flat point. It's a thumper.

[Dean D.]

I love my .35 Whelen. An Uncle introduced me to the cartridge many years ago with his re-barrelled Mauser 98 in the .35 Whelen. I have since re-barrelled my Rem. 700, 30-06 with a Douglas .35 Whelen barrel and have never looked back.

I just recently discovered among my Uncles various boolit moulds, a Lyman #358318, 245gr. RNGC 2 cavity mould.

I have not tried this mould out yet but I am anxious to do so. I cannot locate my Uncles notes or loading data for this boolit and cannot find any data in any of the many manuals I have on hand (including an Ideal #38 and an old Lyman manual circa 1950) If anyone has any data on loading this boolit I would love to hear it.

Dean D.

[Bret4207]

I've used the old standard go to load of 13.0 Red Dot in my 03-A3 Whelen with the Bator 358-260. the Lyman 358318 and RCBS 35-200. The Bator ended the digging activities of a woodchuck rather abruptly and the other all shot well enough on paper. This isn't a hunting load, just a paper punching load.

[Dean D.]

Thanks Bret, I'm going to cast and size some of those 358318's this weekend and see about loading some up. Do you need any filler with that 13.0 of Red Dot?

Dean D.

[bearmn56]

Lead Melter
I can't think of a better cartridge than the .35 Whelen for cast bullets with its long neck. I shoot its little brother, the 9x57 Mauser. My favorite cast bullet is the Lyman 358009 that weighs in about 280-290gr depending on alloy. This bullet has a one caliber ogive and has three grease grooves. Lots of bearing surface to push hard. I am getting 1900+fps from this bullet without leading. Have pushed this bullet to maximum at over 2000fps, again without leading. Have hunted with this combination and killed a nice white tailed buck in Nov 2008. Never was able to get decent velocity/accuracy out of the 358315 or the 358318. I have plinker loads in the 1200fps range with both of these bullets, but this is too slow for a hunting load, in my opinion.
Good Luck on this project
Bearmn56
Montana Territory

[Bret4207]

Dean- No filler needed and it doesn't appear to be position sensitive.

Bearmn56- Everybody and their brother wants a 358009, including me! The 358315/8 might not be working for you due to fit. Ever try bumping the nose a bit?

[badgeredd]

As Bret said, "Everybody and their brother wants a 358009, including me!" I've been wondering about the same design but with a slightly shorter nose section to go around 270 Grains.

Edd

[Dean D.]

Bearmn56 - What were you loading behind the 358318? I have not tried Bret's 13.0gr of Red Dot but I will as soon as I can bum some (I use Clays in my shotgun trap loads, that is all I have left in that burn rate category atm and powder of any kind is scarce around here right now). I did pick up some IMR 4227 and IMR 4759 today though!!!!! My much loved (for it's versatility) Unique is not available anywhere in my area right now.

For now, the only .358 molds I have are the 358318 and the 158SWC GC for .38spl. Not sure if it is even possible to load a plinker with the latter.

[bearmn56]

Dean D.
I have done a fair amount of testing using the 9x57mm Mauser. By case capacity it is somewhat smaller than the .35 Whelen. You might want to check my posts under the 9x57mm Mauser on this part of Cast Boolits (CB loads, your favorite cartridge). I list some loads that I used using Herco, Green dot and Red dot. Ten to twelve grains is a good starting point. These give arount 1100-1200fps with the 315/318 bullets. I have had the best luck with the 358009 bullet that I get from a supplier by the name of Vern Anderson. Vern lists his bullets in Gunbroker under Glen Hills Cast Bullets (GHCB is the marker to search by). His bullets are around 12-13 Brinnel hardness and they give no leading to over 2000fps in my rifle. I have been unable to acquire a Lyman/Ideal mould for the 358009 and have been using Vern's bullets with great success.
Bearmn56
Montana Territory

[clodhopper]

I have been shooting the RCBS 200 gr lighty coated with Lee liquid alox sized with gas check to 359, then dipped to top of neck in LLA with around 40 grains of 4064.I do have the 358009 mould* it shoots well with the same treatment. and slightly less 4064. More recoil.The 200 RCBS killed three deer for me this fall. Very effective up to 125 yards.

[Dean D.]

Bearmn56 - Thanks! I happen to have several canisters of Herco hanging around begging to be used up. I'll try some of that. Thanks for the tip on the 9 X 57 also!

[Tomkitty]

My 35 Whelen is a Rem 700 Classic with the 1-16 twist. It really likes the RCBS 35-200FN gascheck bullet with almost any of the medium burning powders. I load it close to 2000 fps and get good groups (1"-2" @100) and great performance on deer and feral hogs. It is a one-shot killer for sure if you just do your part. My current load is 42 grs H-335 + Super Grex filler and the 200 gr cast bullet.

[farmbif]

Going through the latest load data from accurate I came across a load using 204 gr 358009 and 2520 powder
They tested it to 2739 FPS
I’m gonna have to get some 2520 and work up a load and see if I can get close to that
The fastest I have shot rcbs 200’s is about 2100 fps

[Beerd]

WARNING Will Robinson!

Read that AA data again.
Loading a 280gr 358009 bullet using data for the much lighter 358315 bullet is not recommended.

[8mm]

I have two 35 Whelen rifles. A Ruger 77RS and most recently a CVA Hunter. I have loaded the Saeco #352 250gr., and a NEI 358232 238gr. over 20.4gr 2400 with excellent accuracy at 50yd. The 100yd range at my club was unavailable at the time of testing, so 100yd accuracy is still to be determined. I have no idea what the velocity is with that load, but both rifles shot equally well. Apparently the 35 Whelen delivers good accuracy with little load development. I started with 14.8gr. of Unique (Lee dipper) that was also accurate but the 20.4gr/2400 (RCBS Lil'dandy rotor #25) was better and easier to load. Very mild recoil with this load in the CVA so that is a plus. I no longer hunt deer but there is no doubt in my mind that this load will do the job at 50 to 100 yds.