35whelan AI and paper patch.

[robroy]

I just had my 17 Eddystone out to the range and with Sierra 225 gn pills it managed 2 in groups at 100 yds. Next step is to clean the heck out of it and get one of the 35/348 plinker moulds in the appropriate length and try twisting up some paper. I'm a bit concerned about the accuracy since most of my other rifles can shoot moa or better (jacketed) without any extreme measures at the loading bench.

So do I try to bring the holes closer together with jacketed or just go with it and develop loads for the PP.

[303Guy]

In my totally unbiased opinion, I think you should go with paper patched boolits.[smilie=1:

There is this to paper patching, it cleans your bore for you and polishes it to boot so it might well end up improving your j-word accuracy. I have a feeling the 35 Whellen would make a good paper patch cartridge. If I wasn't set on my 303 Brits, I would seriously consider the 35 - it's bigger and easier to handle and much easier to patch. I would suspect the AI would be less friendly on fillers but most folks it seems don't find a need for fillers anyway. (The filler I like so far serves the purpose of cleaning the bore more than anything else). Paper patching also adds a whole new dimension of challenges and fun!:Fire: Chances are you would teach the rest of us something new too.:drinks:

[303Guy]

I was hoping more folks would have come in with thoughts and suggestions! Where is everyone?

[Bullshop]

I have a 35 Whelen AI and I do shoot PP in it as well as grooved boolits so what would you like to know?
What do you plan on doing with it, hunting, target, or what?
Is this a quest for absolute accuracy?
If for hunting 2 MOA is good enough.
If for just because then have fun, the fun is in the search.
I didnt get in on that 348 combo group buy because I already have several molds for 348. I do patch some of them for the Whelen and they work well. The one I use the most is a 250gn from Rapine.
Dont know what else to tell you without digging into load books.
BIC/BS

[robroy]

Bullshop, If I ever get up your way again that's the rifle I'll bring, backed up by a 30-06. I know that 2 moa is adiquate for hunting. As you say the fun is in the search. This one will probably kill a white tail or two and punch lots of paper.

[Bullshop]

My son got a 49 1/2" moose last year with the 35 Whelen AI and our custom design 275gn LFN. One shot dropped him where he stood. Enough gun for sure!!!
BIC/BS

[robroy]

My whelen has a 16 twist. Maybe not enoutgh for a boolit that long. On the other hand my 06 has an 8 twist maybe too much for cast.

[robroy]

303 Guy, If I teach anybody anything about paper patch it'll be because I just found it out my self, likely by accident.

[303Guy]

Yup. That's how it works. Just posting your progress is likely to lead to something new (maybe not new but not known to some of us).

It would be interesting to learn whether groups could improved with paper patching.

[Bullshop]

I dont know the 275's shoot real good out of a pre micro Marlin 35 Rem. What twist would that be?

[robroy]

I don't know the twist. I think I'll just slug my barrel and order the boolit length to fit and see what happens. If the pill needs to be longer than the 216 gn (approx 0.95" llength) so be it.

[robroy]

OK I remembered wrong. I checked the cutoff from the barrel blank and my 06 is a 10 twist. The 280 Rem is the 8 twist.