35 Whelen Mold

[jonp]

After reading several threads on the 35 Whelen I would like an updated opinion on molds for a 35 Whelen. I'm interested in an all around mold not one for any specific purpose like target shooting, moose only etc. Although powder used for this will vary as my whim takes me I am going to start with 4064/3031 as I have several pounds of each.

[scb]

Saeco 356 is my preferred choice. Very accurate in my JES re-bore.

[Yodogsandman]

For all around performance and accuracy, I'd go with the NOE Ranch Dog 360-230 and about 48.0gr IMR4064. An RG type mold (HP) would give more versatility, too. YMMV

[sthwestvictoria]

Lee has just come out with a clone of the RCBS 200 grain .358 which should be good. I have no experience with the Lee one however the RCBS is excellent.

If you want one mould then I would lean to a heavy mould 250-300 grains as you will get maximum punch at cast bullet velocities. However twist rate probably needs to be faster than 1:16 to use projectiles heavier than 250g.

[Beagle333]

None of mine are on the list. The aforementioned 360-230 RD, the 360627 and the 35XCB, all by NOE.

[Tatume]

The correct designation is RCBS 35-200-FN.

[jonp]

The correct designation is RCBS 35-200-FN.

I put the GasCheck on the end myself.

[TXGunNut]

Still looking for the answer to this one but I think the NOE RD 360-230 is showing a lot of promise. I think the 358009 is a fine heavyweight option for bigger critters. I couldn't get the lighter boolits to work well in this cartridge for some reason. Haven't started working with the 35XCB yet but will soon.

[MT Gianni]

Saeco 352 @ 245 gr, RCBS 200/NOE copy, 358627, you can shoot anything from 158 gr to 3589 280 gr. So much depends on the tyoe of shooting you want to do.

[35 shooter]

RCBS or NOE 200 gr. or the NOE 360230 are excellent choices for all around target and hunting.
If you like the idea of a heavy boolit, the NOE version of the 358009 has been a good one for me too and shoots right with the other two mentioned for targets.

The NOE 360230 would be hard to beat for one mould and done in the whelen imho.
Especially in the rg version with cup, flat and hollow point pins all in one mould.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

358009 is a big version of the Lyman 311291 and is similar to the 350482 used in the 348 WCF. All are of the original Barlow design and use a bullet body and nose ratio of good proportion. The round nose is aerodynamically ok...not too pointy and feeds well. LLS

[DanLee]

My favorite is NEI's .358-268-GC-DD bullet. Their pic says mold #167. It's the most accurate bullet of all in my Remington Classic.

[Artful]

With what you put up I almost went for other, but I will put RCBS 200 FN because it's such a good all around boolit design for almost every 35 caliber I have tried it in.

From 38 spl to 358 wcf it has worked well - for the majority of shooting most of us do either paper or plinking and you don't need a heavyweight for that - the 200 grain will kill well and I find I have few boolit designs that do better across a wide range. So that's why it got the vote.

[OnHoPr]

@ DanLee I just to a peek at the boolit you mentioned. Is that some sort of ridge around the nose of the boolit? Was it designed for maybe worn throats? If it was it was a clever idear. I kinda like their #168. I also like the Accurate molds #36-270CG. I think for the 35 Whelen boolits from about 220 to 270 gr would be all around boolits. With the 35 Rem & 35-30-30 types of cartridges the 180 to 220 gr would be more appropriate. A lot has to do with, besides accuracy for you rifle, what are you going to do with it, mostly range shooting or hunting. The shorter lighter boolit will consume less lead and have less recoil, but the longer boolit will give better BC and deeper penetration, especially if you ever think about HPing it.

[jonp]

Lee has just come out with a clone of the RCBS 200 grain .358 which should be good. I have no experience with the Lee one however the RCBS is excellent.

If you want one mould then I would lean to a heavy mould 250-300 grains as you will get maximum punch at cast bullet velocities. However twist rate probably needs to be faster than 1:16 to use projectiles heavier than 250g.

Is this the one? http://www.titanreloading.com/molds/bullet-molds/357-mag-38spec-38-sw-38colt-np/lee-dc-mold-c358200rf

[DanLee]

@ DanLee I just to a peek at the boolit you mentioned. Is that some sort of ridge around the nose of the boolit?

Yes, if you read the material at the website, you'll see that it's a little ridge .001" bigger than the diameter of the bullet. Walt Melander called it a dimensional detail and meant for it to help center the bullet in the throat. It works very well. NEI will also add that DD to any bullet, theirs or another brand, if requested. I also have #168. It weighs 300 grains gas checked and lubed. My Remington Classic will keep it in a 1.5" group at 100 yards. Remington made their .35 Whelen barrels with a very long throat, so longer bullets shoot better in them. I don't plan to HP either one. They will penetrate through a whitetail lengthwise already.

[sthwestvictoria]

Is this the one? http://www.titanreloading.com/molds/bullet-molds/357-mag-38spec-38-sw-38colt-np/lee-dc-mold-c358200rf
Yes, thread about it here:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?283606-New-LEE-design-358-200-RF

[jonp]

Thanks for the link. Looks like I found one to give a try.