Marlin Junky
01-18-2008, 06:19 PM
I thought I'd post some targets shot after a long haul of breaking-in and load experimenting with my .35 Whelen H-R.
The first four targets were shot about a week ago with my 260 grain SWC cast of clip-on WW metal and heat treated for 1 hour at 450F. The charge was 50 grains of Ramshot Hunter with a 1/2 sheet of 1-ply stuffed on top to act as a wad, removing all the airspace. I also added one TBS of Carnauba to my 1.5 pound lube sample and haven't determined yet how much credit can be given to the Carnauba. Yes, the rifle is still throwing flyers, but I hope to correct that with a few applications of Tubb's Final Finish, which was referred to me by Bass Ackward who has also given me much needed good advice on this project. I have noticed that 1) this particular barrel has pretty shallow grooves that need to be keep clean in order for it to shoot well. The first four targets are posted in the sequence they were shot. 2) I have also noticed (with the aid of a magnifying glass) that lead builds up just forward the chamber, next to the lands while the muzzle end (using the Carnauba additive) stays clean... much cleaner than I usually tolerate with the old Ballard rifled 336's. I'm betting 35+ bucks that the Tubb's Final Finish will take care of the fouling problem and reduce (hopefully eliminate) the flyers.
The last target was shot about two weeks ago on a very damp yet well lit day, also with the 260 grain SWC cast of clip-on WW metal and heat treated for 1 hour but at 425F. The charge was 53 grains of Ramshot Hunter with no wad of 1-ply. The lube was the same as above but without the Carnauba ingredient. I purchased a 5-pound bag of Carnauba flakes about mid '07 with the recommendation of .357 Maximum and this was also a wise investment. If one does experiment with Carnauba (this stuff is T3 Carnauba), go slowly with it because just a TBS in a pound and a half of lube will make a very noticeable difference in the lube's physical properties.
The range is 75 yards and the sight is a Leupold VXII set on 4x. The velocity averaged 2069 for the first four strings and the 53 grain charge averaged 2102 fps (obviously the TP wad increased pressure somewhat). The white dot is 1-1/4" in diameter. I just want to take this opportuninty to thank Bass and .357MAX publicly, because without them, this .35 Whelen barrel would probably be holding up a tomato plant this summer. :drinks: One other handloading technique that might be worth mentioning is that the .35 Whelen necks were only sized to about half way to the shoulder. I haven't tested the hypothesis yet but I believe this technique helped align the rounds in the very loose throat which is .391" in the neck area while the groove diameter is .357". I am shooting .3585" boolits. (.3585" + .024" = .3825")
I need to post a quick P.S.: I loaded and shot all rounds just about a week after the boolits were heat treated.
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_1.jpg
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_2.jpg
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_3.jpg
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_4.jpg
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_0.jpg
The first four targets were shot about a week ago with my 260 grain SWC cast of clip-on WW metal and heat treated for 1 hour at 450F. The charge was 50 grains of Ramshot Hunter with a 1/2 sheet of 1-ply stuffed on top to act as a wad, removing all the airspace. I also added one TBS of Carnauba to my 1.5 pound lube sample and haven't determined yet how much credit can be given to the Carnauba. Yes, the rifle is still throwing flyers, but I hope to correct that with a few applications of Tubb's Final Finish, which was referred to me by Bass Ackward who has also given me much needed good advice on this project. I have noticed that 1) this particular barrel has pretty shallow grooves that need to be keep clean in order for it to shoot well. The first four targets are posted in the sequence they were shot. 2) I have also noticed (with the aid of a magnifying glass) that lead builds up just forward the chamber, next to the lands while the muzzle end (using the Carnauba additive) stays clean... much cleaner than I usually tolerate with the old Ballard rifled 336's. I'm betting 35+ bucks that the Tubb's Final Finish will take care of the fouling problem and reduce (hopefully eliminate) the flyers.
The last target was shot about two weeks ago on a very damp yet well lit day, also with the 260 grain SWC cast of clip-on WW metal and heat treated for 1 hour but at 425F. The charge was 53 grains of Ramshot Hunter with no wad of 1-ply. The lube was the same as above but without the Carnauba ingredient. I purchased a 5-pound bag of Carnauba flakes about mid '07 with the recommendation of .357 Maximum and this was also a wise investment. If one does experiment with Carnauba (this stuff is T3 Carnauba), go slowly with it because just a TBS in a pound and a half of lube will make a very noticeable difference in the lube's physical properties.
The range is 75 yards and the sight is a Leupold VXII set on 4x. The velocity averaged 2069 for the first four strings and the 53 grain charge averaged 2102 fps (obviously the TP wad increased pressure somewhat). The white dot is 1-1/4" in diameter. I just want to take this opportuninty to thank Bass and .357MAX publicly, because without them, this .35 Whelen barrel would probably be holding up a tomato plant this summer. :drinks: One other handloading technique that might be worth mentioning is that the .35 Whelen necks were only sized to about half way to the shoulder. I haven't tested the hypothesis yet but I believe this technique helped align the rounds in the very loose throat which is .391" in the neck area while the groove diameter is .357". I am shooting .3585" boolits. (.3585" + .024" = .3825")
I need to post a quick P.S.: I loaded and shot all rounds just about a week after the boolits were heat treated.
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_1.jpg
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_2.jpg
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_3.jpg
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_4.jpg
http://www.theartdepartment.net/images/targets/360-260_0.jpg