T_McD
01-31-2019, 11:54 PM
OK the 35 Whelen is what got into this hobby within a hobby, and my plan has been to shoot powder coated gas checked wheel weight bullets fast enough to detonate tannerite, but otherwise as slow as possible.
I am beyond ignorant when it comes to loading cast rifle bullets, and really really don't like cleaning, so I want to avoid making stupid mistakes. Unfortunately, what I read here and virtually anywhere cast lead is discussed varies quite a bit. Some say X velocity, some say Y alloy, Z burn rate, etc. I understand there are always exceptions, but given the following parameters of
1) wheel weight lead (don't know hardness and won't be finding out before loading some up.)
2) Smoke's powder coat
3) gas checks
4) 35 Whelen
5) Lee 200 gr .358 mold
6) BL-C2 or H335 powder (cheapest, not married to them)
What would be a good starting load?
Cast bullet manual has zilch for those powders, and about 5 loads total, not counting pistol powders or discontinued powders. They do however show loads going into the 2500-2600 fps. This is where the jacketed data starts. Is that doable or is it best left for later? I should say that I am not one who chases accuracy and experiments to find "the" load in my guns. I am tickled to death if it shoots with the same "oomph" and reasonably close POI as factory offerings.
I am beyond ignorant when it comes to loading cast rifle bullets, and really really don't like cleaning, so I want to avoid making stupid mistakes. Unfortunately, what I read here and virtually anywhere cast lead is discussed varies quite a bit. Some say X velocity, some say Y alloy, Z burn rate, etc. I understand there are always exceptions, but given the following parameters of
1) wheel weight lead (don't know hardness and won't be finding out before loading some up.)
2) Smoke's powder coat
3) gas checks
4) 35 Whelen
5) Lee 200 gr .358 mold
6) BL-C2 or H335 powder (cheapest, not married to them)
What would be a good starting load?
Cast bullet manual has zilch for those powders, and about 5 loads total, not counting pistol powders or discontinued powders. They do however show loads going into the 2500-2600 fps. This is where the jacketed data starts. Is that doable or is it best left for later? I should say that I am not one who chases accuracy and experiments to find "the" load in my guns. I am tickled to death if it shoots with the same "oomph" and reasonably close POI as factory offerings.