Slow powders for 35 whelen

[Geppetto]

I've been doing some load development for the 35 whelen. Gun is a ruger hawkeye I rebarreled with a green mountain blank. Currently using the saeco 352, GC, powder coated.

I started some load work up aiming for the 1800-2100 FPS range using many different powders, including BLC2, 3031, 4198, 4320, and 4350. Best result were with 4350, had a 0.7" at 50 yards, worst was BLC2, which was 1.75" at 50. That load was probably too hot and had some thump when shooting.

Anyway, with the encouraging result of the 4350, I was thinking about trying slower powders, slowest I have are 4955 and 7977. Anyone have any experience using these or similar powders when heavies in the 35 whelen?

[waksupi]

Go to GIBRASS, and try some WC 860 or WC 872.

[Geppetto]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[RU shooter]

Not the whelen but inthe 06 I used some Accurate 8700with 220 gr bullets Accurate has loading data for it with cast bullets and jacketed . Their 3100 powder 57 grs and the Lyman 358009 makes 2073 fps , 60 gr of 8700 makes a not so zippy 1663 fps( only 28.7K psi ) Those both are their maxlisted loads in the manual I have

[dakota]

I like H4895

[MT Gianni]

One of the things Ken Waters mentioned in Pet Loads is the preference of medium speed powders in the 35 W. He was using jacketed bullets but as casters we do well with slow powders and heavy bullets, especially for target use. You can decide what you want to do.

[Yodogsandman]

When testing the NOE 360-310 FN (310gr 35 Thumper), I started loads with 48.0gr using IMR4064, IMR4350 and IMR4831. I worked these up to when I started to see any pressure signs like flattened primers or brass scraping on the base. Without looking, I believe that I could not fill the case with IMR4064, The IMR4350 just filled the case and the IMR4831 could fill and heavily compress the powder. Please, do your own testing to prevent disaster. Your bullet is only 250gr to compare with my 310gr.

I have a 35 Whelen Green Mountain 1-14 barrel for my next build so, will be following.

[Jeff Michel]

Imr 4064

[Chill Wills]

The heavy 250gr and 275 jacketed as well as cast 280 Lyman and LBT all responded well to Reloader R-15. In both accuracy and topping out near max velocity R-15 was the one powder that did it well in my Remington 700 classic.
your millage my vary.

[Loudenboomer]

Paco Kelly has some good info here
http://www.35cal.com/35whelen.htm

I've tried many of his loads. Some are pretty warm. Work up.
On slow powders of the OP. A case full of WC860 and a fed 215 primer under a 280 Gr cast is a good load. I duplexed with a little 4198 accuracy improved a little and burned very clean.
Best accuracy for me with the 280gr cast GC was obtained with a medium charge of AA2230.

[Norske]

if you spend enough time in reloading manuals, you'll find Alliant Reloader 15 is worth a try. A former neighbor swore by it in the Whelen. Rx 15 gives you a choice between higher velocity or lower pressures. But he was shooting mainly jacketed bullets.

[atr]

IMR 4064.....works great for any range of bullet weight
shooting in my 98 mauser action with a 1:14 green mountain barrel

[cwlongshot]

if you spend enough time in reloading manuals, you'll find Alliant Reloader 15 is worth a try. A former neighbor swore by it in the Whelen. Rx 15 gives you a choice between higher velocity or lower pressures. But he was shooting mainly jacketed bullets.

IMHO RL15 is THE Whelen powder for me! I was using 4320 & 2520. Still have a great 2520 load with a 200 Hornady. Shot near 3000 for from my 27” bbl!! Wow does it poleax a Deer!!! I always thought that same bullet @ 2500 was none better outta my ol BLR 358!!

I have been using 4198 & 4895 under a 358009 for years @ about 2000. But since I started with PC that bullet is just too fat thru its bore rider portion.

[Beerd]

cw, have you thought about nose sizing that 009 either before or after the PC treatment?
..

[Yodogsandman]

IMHO RL15 is THE Whelen powder for me! I was using 4320 & 2520. Still have a great 2520 load with a 200 Hornady. Shot near 3000 for from my 27” bbl!! Wow does it poleax a Deer!!! I always thought that same bullet @ 2500 was none better outta my ol BLR 358!!

I have been using 4198 & 4895 under a 358009 for years @ about 2000. But since I started with PC that bullet is just too fat thru its bore rider portion.

Place empty pistol cases over the bore riding portion and ESPC.

[cwlongshot]

cw, have you thought about nose sizing that 009 either before or after the PC treatment?
..
Bought a couple dies to try that... Never saw a bullet so stuck.

Nope didnt work.

Spoke with Al for a spell. We decided it was not a serious option.

CW

[Nrut]

I have good luck on sizing down the noses on my 358009 FN using the NOE nose sizing bushings..
Both before PC and after..
But I had to flair the entrance to the bushing with my dremel otherwise it would just peel the lead off the nose and make it a pita cut the ring of lead off at the nose body junction..
Odd that the regular NOE push thru dies had the proper flair and the nose size push thru dies didn't..

[Geppetto]

Turned into a great thread, lots to look at here. The 250 saeco bullet really seems to be a nice one, so far I've had good luck shooting it. Will be trying to test terminal performance. Wouldn't mind a little more meplat but if it's accurate, I won't complain. Looking forward to the opportunity to take it out for black bear next year.

[cwlongshot]

252686

This is my MOE 360-280

I cannot size its nose down. The NOE nose sizer won't do it.

CW

[Nrut]

252686

This is my MOE 360-280

I cannot size its nose down. The NOE nose sizer won't do it.

CW

What is the nose dia. when it comes out of your mold?
What is the bore dia. just ahead of your throat?

[afish4570]

Finally going to send out an old 77 tang safety rifle for a rebore. I will only be shooting 200 gr. RCBS cast and 220 FN speer boolits. I am thinking a 1-16 twist would get get me the high end velocities out the cast boolits with range mined lead (and alittle1990 WW added if needed). The 3 twist rifling should be adequate for what I plan. Any advice. I have Ramsboot Hunter powder,H4895 powders on hand now. afish4570

[Shuz]

I use AA 4064 and the Lyman 358009 @ 280g in my 1:12 twist Douglass bbl'd Rem 700 in .35 Whelen. I'm pushing the 280 grainer to 2150 fps. Boolits are heat treated to Bhn 22.