35 Whelen

[35Whelen]

Ah.....happiness on a crisp fall day. 310 grain 360 cal, sized .359. Waiting to be heat treated and water quenched. These should make supreme thumpers out of the Whelen. Can hardly wait to harvest an animal with one. Super fat Brown phase black bear walked right past the back door this morning...he's lucky he did it before these were loaded.

176525

[Yodogsandman]

Yep, that's one very lucky bear! Can't wait for someone to post a kill with this boolit!

[35Whelen]

I'm betting there won't be a recovered slug to look at ;) I am going to take mine with this fall. If I have to shoot my dead deer end on to recover one, I'm going to...just have to see what it looks like

[runfiverun]

you better line 2 or 3 up if you plan on recovering one of those.

[Beagle333]

'You use BLL on those?

[35 shooter]

That should be a great boolit for the whelen, especially with bears walking around in the yard!! I think it may take a bigger than deer animal to recover one of those lol.

[35Whelen]

Beagle.....yes I will be using an old Lachmiller lubrisizer to do the gas check and lube, but I have also been adding a coating of BLL when casting for the 358 Win as well and all I can say is WOW !!!
176546

[longarm85]

IM just starting to get ready to shoot cast in my 35 Whelen , shooting a 200 gr Gc boolit any advice on powders and loads?

[Beagle333]

Now ya got me wantin' one of them. Sheesh. [smilie=1:

oh my..... and it comes in a 296gr HP as well..... :coffeecom

[Mk42gunner]

Something tells me that boolit's penetration will need to be measured in feet, not inches; especially when heat treated.

Robert

[jhalcott]

Just where did that moldcome from? Ive been looking for a heavy weigt .359/'360mold for MYwhelen and .358 JDJ.

[Yodogsandman]

Just where did that moldcome from? Ive been looking for a heavy weigt .359/'360mold for MYwhelen and .358 JDJ.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_300

[35Whelen]

Thanks Yodog for the link....beat me to it. Longarm85....sorry I haven't loaded that light for my Whelen...I have always been a heavy for caliber bullet guy, and the lightest I have gone with mine is 250 grain. If you go into the CB Favorite cast boolits section and do a search 35 Whelen , there is a ton of load info for that very round.

. Have fun with the Whelen.....heck for that matter any of the 35's. My mini me Whelen is a 358 Win in a stainless Hawkeye that seems to shoot very well with the 240 grain cast and H4895
Heres what the 358 does with cast at 50 yards so far..

176628

Here's a starting place for you for the Whelen load you're looking for. Not mine, so I can't take credit... but there is no shortage of info on this forum for either the Whelen or 358 Win
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?314809-35-Whelen


(http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?314809-35-Whelen)

[35 shooter]

IM just starting to get ready to shoot cast in my 35 Whelen , shooting a 200 gr Gc boolit any advice on powders and loads?
I started at 48 gr. of imr4350 with my 35 whelen for 200 through 280 gr. boolits. I worked up from there to 54 1/2 gr. with the 200 gr. and 54 gr. with the 230 and 280 gr. for a bit over 2200 fps. with all 3 boolit weights although there's only a half gr. difference in powder charge between them.

All three weights shot well at the 48 gr. charge too at around 1950 fps.
These loads were safe in my rifle. They didn't do much after that untill i hit the 54 to 54 1/2 gr. range.

This was with straight ww alloy ht'd to 460* for 1 hour and water dropped.
After 3 to 5 days they reach 27 bhn and are ready to shoot in 5 days.
I had to ht to get much accuracy in the whelen past 1900 fps for whatever reason and i've seen others report the same thing.

I probably don't get much expansion, but both flat and round nose boolits still do a lot of damage on southern whitetails. The 35 doesn't need much expansion, if any, in my experience. The last one just dropped in his tracks at a 40 yd. shot from a 230 gr. fn @ 2200 fps.

Accuracy with these loads has been 1.5" or better for 5 shots
@ 100 yds.(usually much better) even when i don't weight sort my boolits.

Lots of good loads for the whelen in the archives here.

[TXGunNut]

I used a big hog to stop a 230gr boolit from one of my 35 Whelens. Too bad he was too stinky to recover the boolit. Hit him in the chest almost head-on headed for the far side hip.

[Lost Oki]

IM just starting to get ready to shoot cast in my 35 Whelen , shooting a 200 gr Gc boolit any advice on powders and loads?
I am shooting a 200 grain cast gc's in my 35 W. I use IMR 3031 at 47.8 grains, they clover leaf at 100 yrds. Have yet to get a shot at a whitetail so cannot say how they will perform.

[taco650]

Man o man, if I read another thread like this I'm going to have to get my 30-06 bored out!!!!!

[TXGunNut]

Man o man, if I read another thread like this I'm going to have to get my 30-06 bored out!!!!!


Two, three or four groove rifling? ;-)

[Chill Wills]

There is just a lot right about the 35 Whelen and cast bullets for hunting. Especially effective when you are after the larger game. I have not had mine out hunting in a few decades now because I have been interested in using singleshots and BPCR.
However, I just can not help myself from opening these posts on the Whelen.
I bought a Remington Classic 700 in 1989 and it has been great! Maybe I need to do some hunting with it again!

Keep posting and take pictures!

[taco650]

Two, three or four groove rifling? ;-)

IDK, please feel free to explain the pros/cons of each! Also advise on twist rates. I'd like a middle of road rate so I can load up pistol bullet plinking loads once in a while along with heavier CB's for hunting. I'd be shooting whitetails mostly, maybe a hog if I got a chance.

[Landy]

In .35W the twist options are:
1/12 > 250gr
1/16 < 250gr
1/14 = eats anything

[35 shooter]

Agree with the 1/14" eats anything lol. Mine has been great with 200 gr. all the way to 280 gr. boolits. Seems to always shoot it's best right around 2200 fps. with whatever boolit, but still holds in very well at 2400 fps.

Haven't tried anything smaller than a 200 gr. boolit in it.

[taco650]

Sounds like 1/14 will suit me fine. What about the different groove options (2,3 or 4), what works better with CB or is it a toss up?

[runfiverun]

it depends on the land height.
I wouldn't go 2.
3 works well and 4 is more evenly distributed around the boolit.
4 at .004 would be pretty good and give you a 350X358 barrel to work with.

[Chill Wills]

In .35W the twist options are:
1/12 > 250gr
1/16 < 250gr
1/14 = eats anything

My Remington Classic is twisted at 16-1 and supports 280 grain bullets at full velocity. I am not so sure that if shooting cast is the goal, that a little slower twist wouldn't be something of an advantage.
Those long heavy bullets shot into targets at 200ys tell the story. It works well.

[TXGunNut]

Mine's a three-groove, 14 twist. Was just kidding about two groove, feeling a bit nostalgic. ;-) Was leaning towards four groove but Jes told me there wouldn't be much difference, if any, for my intended use. Three grooves cost less than four. I use a 230 gr CB @ about 2400 for hunting.
The only downside of this cartridge is that nothing in TX (or many other states) needs the level of killing power that the 35 Whelen offers.

[taco650]

Mine's a three-groove, 14 twist. Was just kidding about two groove, feeling a bit nostalgic. ;-) Was leaning towards four groove but Jes told me there wouldn't be much difference, if any, for my intended use. Three grooves cost less than four. I use a 230 gr CB @ about 2400 for hunting.
The only downside of this cartridge is that nothing in TX (or many other states) needs the level of killing power that the 35 Whelen offers.

My thoughts exactly! I live in GA and its really too much power for a whitetail deer or feral hog.

Thanks for the input on twist rates, etc.!

[Landy]

Let's not make the Whelen, and its shorter fatter twin the .350RM, appear superfluous. They are as near to perfect as cartridges get for here in the other corner of the country or continent, since the Canadians have the same game.

[taco650]

Let's not make the Whelen, and its shorter fatter twin the .350RM, appear superfluous. They are as near to perfect as cartridges get for here in the other corner of the country or continent, since the Canadians have the same game.

I agree with you Landy but I'm a realist and the reality is you don't need a 35Whelen for whitetails in GA-35 Remington is fine.

HOWEVER... I'm still going to keep this idea in my head because its just a cool caliber and the bore on my 30-06 is getting rough. Also, many whitetails are killed every year down here with big boomers like the 45-70 which I consider a bigger thumper than the 35Whelen. I don't think any of those deer complained.

[TXGunNut]

Let's not make the Whelen, and its shorter fatter twin the .350RM, appear superfluous. They are as near to perfect as cartridges get for here in the other corner of the country or continent, since the Canadians have the same game.

I feel like the 35 Whelen is the CB answer to the 30-06. Conventional wisdom (whatever that is-or was)-when I was buying my first hunting rifle-was that the 30-06 would cleanly kill anything on the continent. That statement was likely made with J-words in mind. For some reason when I started hunting with CB's I felt like I needed a little more boolit diameter and a bit less velocity to do what I've been doing for years with J-words. The 30-06 was my go-to rifle for over 20 yrs and I've always felt it was more gun than I'll ever need for TX but I used it anyway. When my old 30-06 developed bore issues the 35 Whelen was the obvious answer, just took me awhile to figure it out. I've never tried to replace bullet placement with horsepower but I always felt a little extra power is seldom a bad thing, especially when a big piggy wanders my way.
I like hunting with thumpers, even though I know a good thutty-thutty with a boolit well under factory velocity will serve me just fine in most cases.

[taco650]

I feel like the 35 Whelen is the CB answer to the 30-06. Conventional wisdom (whatever that is-or was)-when I was buying my first hunting rifle-was that the 30-06 would cleanly kill anything on the continent. That statement was likely made with J-words in mind. For some reason when I started hunting with CB's I felt like I needed a little more boolit diameter and a bit less velocity to do what I've been doing for years with J-words. The 30-06 was my go-to rifle for over 20 yrs and I've always felt it was more gun than I'll ever need for TX but I used it anyway. When my old 30-06 developed bore issues the 35 Whelen was the obvious answer, just took me awhile to figure it out. I've never tried to replace bullet placement with horsepower but I always felt a little extra power is seldom a bad thing, especially when a big piggy wanders my way.
I like hunting with thumpers, even though I know a good thutty-thutty with a boolit well under factory velocity will serve me just fine in most cases.

Well said. When I bought my '06 back in... 1979(?) I wanted one rifle that could be sufficient for all of North America. I lived in OR at the time and FYI, Roosevelt elk can be over 1200lbs on the hoof and can run several miles even after a good hit. Thus the 30-06 (or 308) was a good choice. Now that my bore has started to wear after thousands of reloads (and poor maintenance on my part for several years) is why I think about the 35 Whelen. Thanks for the encouragement TXgunNut!

[Landy]

...Roosevelt elk can be over 1200lbs on the hoof...

Can you hear it? -- It's persistent and persuasive whisper -- 35 Whelen, 35 Whelen, 35 Whelen, 35 Whelen.

[runfiverun]

the 35 is a very popular choice for Elk around here.
many hunters are like me and think 300 yds is a fair shot in the bush and if you can't get any closer you need to re-think your plan.

[35 Whelen]

I built mine with a 14" twist, just in case. Glad I did because for elk I settled on a 225 gr. Barnes TSX (I know, I know...blasphemy) and the rifle is insanely accurate with that bullet while running it right close to 2700 fps. The next to last bull I killed was at 355 yds. according to my laser.

I love the Whelen because if you think about it, using .358" bullets you can load everything from .38 Special wadcutter loads at 700 fps all the way up to 300 gr. bullets at 2200 fps. What more could a fella want?

35W

[taco650]

I love the Whelen because if you think about it, using .358" bullets you can load everything from .38 Special wadcutter loads at 700 fps all the way up to 300 gr. bullets at 2200 fps. What more could a fella want?

35W

My thoughts exactly! 357 pistol bullets for plinking, etc. big cast for everything else. Why am I still waiting? That $$$ thing LOL!

[35Whelen]

Now here's the boy I would like to try the 35 THUMPER on.....just about 10 miles from my house. Ain't he just a tank of a Grizz

Hmmmmmmmm

178038

[skeettx]

I can BEARLY wait for the report on the Thumper's effectiveness
Mike

[taco650]

Now here's the boy I would like to try the 35 THUMPER on.....just about 10 miles from my house. Ain't he just a tank of a Grizz

Hmmmmmmmm

178038

Yes, tank with claws & big teeth!!!

[TXGunNut]

Hope you get a chance at that big old bruiser. Decided on a load yet?

[35Whelen]

Did up twenty rounds tonight with IMR 4831. Starting at 49-50-51-52 grains....slight crimp. RP cases with CCI BR-2 primers Had a heck of a time until I figured out I had too much flare with the M die. The flare was causing the neck to jam on the bullet guiding sleeve. Had to neck size them again to take the flare off and just open the neck up to accept the round just past the Gas check. Then things went the way they should. Hoping they will get me in the 2000 to 2100 fps range. Will try to get out this week as I have a trip planned for the end of Oct. Used straight wheel weights with 2% tin, heat treated for an hour at 425 then ice water quenched. Dry sized .359 before the heat treat, lubed and gas checked and then two coats of Bens Liq lube.

[taco650]

"35 THUMPER"?

Is this the boolit you showed at the beginning of the thread?

[35Whelen]

Taco....yes that's the one. NOE bullet mold 360 - 310. Mine casts, checked and lubed at 317 grns, using COWW. It was a group buy that was started a while back, now a stocked item with NOE. Its a copy of the NEI ( Australia or New Zealand ) 282 heavy 35.

[JesterGrin_1]

Nope I am not going to say a word lol. Ok a few 35 Whelen Ackley Improved. :) Great round if you have something large enough that needs it. Elk,Moose,Bear

For smaller stuff such as Deer and Hog the .358 Winchester or 35 Remington should get the nod. :)

[Yodogsandman]

The 35 Whelen can be loaded down to those lesser cartridges , too! It really does cover everything! Perfect for anything you want to do with it!

[35 shooter]

The 35 Whelen can be loaded down to those lesser cartridges , too! It really does cover everything! Perfect for anything you want to do with it!
Yep. :cool:

[Shuz]

Yep. :cool:
Yep +1

[35Whelen]

Did up twenty rounds tonight with IMR 4831. Starting at 49-50-51-52 grains....slight crimp. RP cases with CCI BR-2 primers Had a heck of a time until I figured out I had too much flare with the M die. The flare was causing the neck to jam on the bullet guiding sleeve. Had to neck size them again to take the flare off and just open the neck up to accept the round just past the Gas check. Then things went the way they should. Hoping they will get me in the 2000 to 2100 fps range. Will try to get out this week as I have a trip planned for the end of Oct. Used straight wheel weights with 2% tin, heat treated for an hour at 425 then ice water quenched. Dry sized .359 before the heat treat, lubed and gas checked and then two coats of Bens Liq lube.


What do you think Ray ( SHUZ ) ......will this get me in the ballpark of 2000-2100 in a 1 in 12 twist barrel at 24" long?

[Yodogsandman]

The one time I ran mine over the chronograph, got 2041 FPS using 56.0 gr IMR 4831 with the 35 Thumper at 308 gr in my 22" 35 Whelen.

[peachhead]

My thoughts exactly! I live in GA and its really too much power for a whitetail deer or feral hog.

Thanks for the input on twist rates, etc.!

I'm in GA too- and that may very well be the case, but I'm gonna do it once anyway just to find out...:)

[TXGunNut]

I'm in GA too- and that may very well be the case, but I'm gonna do it once anyway just to find out...:)

I'm hard-headed, had to use it on two deer from one rifle and a big hog from another rifle for confirmation. Looking forward to more testing, one can't be too thorough in matters as serious as this. ;-)

[taco650]

I'm hard-headed, had to use it on two deer from one rifle and a big hog from another rifle for confirmation. Looking forward to more testing, one can't be too thorough in matters as serious as this. ;-)

Test away my friend but please share the results!

[TXGunNut]

Test away my friend but please share the results!

Might be awhile, I think my Whelens are staying home this year. Hunting with old Winchesters this year. If it helps I think at least one of them has the Whelen-designed stock comb. ;-)

[35 shooter]

Lol i can't let a season get by anymore without at least 1 deer to the whelen.