35 Whelen - Anyone have experience with

[mikeinct]

Mine look about the same

 

[TTE]

Range trip today.

All loads were with AA2520 powder and 250 gr. Hornady
Loads listed were safe in my rifle and are for information only.

Only loaded a few of each.

50.8 gns - used to zero scope - no pressure signs

51.1 grns - no pressure
51.4 grns shot to the same POI as the previous load - no pressure

51.7 grns - only loaded 1 to see if there would be any signs of excessive pressure at this load. 1/4" from previous loads - no pressure signs.

I was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy of these loads. And reminded that launching a 250 grn bullet gets your attention.

Now need to check and refine. Will take a few more loads and my chronograph next trip.

Summer is here in Florida, which means heat and rain., so will have to wait for a day to get it all done.

 

[Webster]

Accurate 2520 powder

I have a 35 Whelen (built 30+ years ago) that I got in a trade a long time ago.

Shot Remington 250 gain factory loads in it, when I wanted to shoot it. Accuracy was pretty darn good. However, accuracy all over with 200 grain bullets.

Now factory loadings are difficult to come by, so I decided to reload for it (have primers. cases and I have a supply of 250 grain bullets so will be using only 250's.bullets).

I have not loaded for it previously ( have loaded for 30+ years) just not for this cartridge.

I am looking for a powder that will have good velocity with above average accuracy. I have seen Accurate 2520 in some of the reloading data and 2520 is available (unlike many other powders unless you want to spend $90 a pound).

Just wondered if some here has had some experience with 2520 and 250 grain bullets in the 35 Whelen.

Thanks for your comments

Three powders in my Sierra reloading manual give fps over AA-2230. 6 listed powders 2600 fps max. Only 3 powders over 2600 fps. Data for a 225 gr SBT bullet only. If it's safe in a 225 it should be safe in a 250gr. Start low. My Berger manual doesn't list 35 Whelen. Hogden may have data online.

Sierra 225 gr SBT bullet data:
AA-2230 47.4 gr 2450 fps max 51.9 gr 2600 fps
IMR-4895 50.0 gr 2400 fps max 55.5 gr 2650 fps
IMR-4064 50.5 gr 2400 fps max 55.5 gr 2650 fps
Viht N140 51.3 gr 2450 fps max 57.8 gr 2700 fps

 

[Bronsin]

There's a thread on another site where a shooter was trying some different powders and got some outstanding velocities out of CFE223 as well as PowerPro varmint.

 

[Jack Master]

Any updates here? I'm just starting my Whelen loading.

 

[TTE]

Any updates here? I'm just starting my Whelen loading.

Got some stuff loaded up waiting for range time.

 

[David Milisock]

Accurate 2520 powder

I have a 35 Whelen (built 30+ years ago) that I got in a trade a long time ago.

Shot Remington 250 gain factory loads in it, when I wanted to shoot it. Accuracy was pretty darn good. However, accuracy all over with 200 grain bullets.

Now factory loadings are difficult to come by, so I decided to reload for it (have primers. cases and I have a supply of 250 grain bullets so will be using only 250's.bullets).

I have not loaded for it previously ( have loaded for 30+ years) just not for this cartridge.

I am looking for a powder that will have good velocity with above average accuracy. I have seen Accurate 2520 in some of the reloading data and 2520 is available (unlike many other powders unless you want to spend $90 a pound).

Just wondered if some here has had some experience with 2520 and 250 grain bullets in the 35 Whelen.

Thanks for your comments

What length barrel?

 

[TTE]

What length barrel?

24"

 

[Cbashooter]

I've owned two for 30 plus years. Speer 250g sp and 4064 to 2400 fps.All you will need .

 

[SeabeeKen]

Seems odd/strange that these powders would give good performance, since they are quite a bit different in burn rate

When i test its with a wide range of powders. 3031 shoots great in a number of cartridges ive tested over the decades. The 9.3 is an accurate round ime

 

[Ken]

I had one 30+ years ago. No info on loads, I used cast. I just remember it kicked the poop out of me.

 

[Jack Master]

I finally got to send my first rounds down the 35 whelen a couple days ago. I got some interesting results. These powered chares are large jumps. I was wanting to put a couple down the barrel to break it in as well as try to get a feel for powder charge (max charge) and velocity. Most of these were one shot test "group", I know it needs more, this was just to set a baseline. I will do more rounds at the same charge when I start the real load workup.

Note - Your Results WILL Very. Your mileages might not be the same!

Bullet - 200gr SP Hornady.
Magneto Speed Chronograph
Savage Action with 24" Shilen barrel - 1/12 twist - 0.358 in MDT Oryx Chassis
shot prone with bipod and rear bag
________________________________________________________________________________
H4895
55.0 gr 2770fps
55.5 gr 2804
56.0 gr 2875
56.5 gr 2883 Hornady max 2650fps
57.0 gr 2880 Hodgdon max 2689fps
57.5 gr 2896 (no pressure signs yet)

Data sources
Hodgdon on line source 54gr/2544 to 57gr/2689
Hornady book - 42.8/2300 to 56.4/2650
________________________________________________________________________________

H335 (because I had some and thought I would try it
53 gr 2700
54 gr 2782
55 gr 2785 Hodgdon max 2684
56 gr 2841
57 gr 2866 Nosler Max 2798
58 gr 2866 (pressure started here - primer getting flat)
59 gr 2931 (same pressure signs here)

Data sources
Nosler Book - 52.5/2617 to 56.5/2798
Hodgdon Online - 52.0/2588 to 55.0/2684
Lyman book - 57.0/2674 to 65.3/2937 <-- why is this so much higher then the other sources

I found it very interesting that the Lyman values where way above the other resources. Their minimum charge starts above the other book's max charges.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

All in all I was pleasantly surprised to find my have a very fast barrel... I think. All of the loads were 100 to 180 fps faster then the book says they will be. With each round we were checking for sticky bolt, primer creator and flatness and ejector marks/swipes. We didn't have any of that until we got into the 2900 and above ranges. I think I want to load this in the 2800fps range so pressure won't be an issue.

Groups were okay. I was warming up to the rifle (recoil) and the barrel was breaking in. Last 3 shots were less then an inch with differing powder charges.

Any one have any thoughts on this? Do you think I am Way over pressure? Since I have a higher velocity range what would be a good velocity to trend towards? (we'll have to see what the rifle likes of course)

 

[TTE]

I finally got to send my first rounds down the 35 whelen a couple days ago. I got some interesting results. These powered chares are large jumps. I was wanting to put a couple down the barrel to break it in as well as try to get a feel for powder charge (max charge) and velocity. Most of these were one shot test "group", I know it needs more, this was just to set a baseline. I will do more rounds at the same charge when I start the real load workup.

Note - Your Results WILL Very. Your mileages might not be the same!

Bullet - 200gr SP Hornady.
Magneto Speed Chronograph
Savage Action with 24" Shilen barrel - 1/12 twist - 0.358 in MDT Oryx Chassis
shot prone with bipod and rear bag
________________________________________________________________________________
H4895
55.0 gr 2770fps
55.5 gr 2804
56.0 gr 2875
56.5 gr 2883 Hornady max 2650fps
57.0 gr 2880 Hodgdon max 2689fps
57.5 gr 2896 (no pressure signs yet)

Data sources
Hodgdon on line source 54gr/2544 to 57gr/2689
Hornady book - 42.8/2300 to 56.4/2650
________________________________________________________________________________

H335 (because I had some and thought I would try it
53 gr 2700
54 gr 2782
55 gr 2785 Hodgdon max 2684
56 gr 2841
57 gr 2866 Nosler Max 2798
58 gr 2866 (pressure started here - primer getting flat)
59 gr 2931 (same pressure signs here)

Data sources
Nosler Book - 52.5/2617 to 56.5/2798
Hodgdon Online - 52.0/2588 to 55.0/2684
Lyman book - 57.0/2674 to 65.3/2937 <-- why is this so much higher then the other sources

I found it very interesting that the Lyman values where way above the other resources. Their minimum charge starts above the other book's max charges.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

All in all I was pleasantly surprised to find my have a very fast barrel... I think. All of the loads were 100 to 180 fps faster then the book says they will be. With each round we were checking for sticky bolt, primer creator and flatness and ejector marks/swipes. We didn't have any of that until we got into the 2900 and above ranges. I think I want to load this in the 2800fps range so pressure won't be an issue.

Groups were okay. I was warming up to the rifle (recoil) and the barrel was breaking in. Last 3 shots were less then an inch with differing powder charges.

Any one have any thoughts on this? Do you think I am Way over pressure? Since I have a higher velocity range what would be a good velocity to trend towards? (we'll have to see what the rifle likes of course)

Interesting ..... Thanks for your post.

Recovering from hand surgery just now, so it will be some time before I get to the range.

I will be shooting 250 grain bullets., so my data and findings will be different.

 

[FuzzT]

Around 40 years ago my father loaded up a ton of Whelen ammo with 250 grain Hornidays and 49 grains of 3031. They killed every thing they got aimed at. Recently I used up the last of them and did not have any 3031 so I tried something new. 53 grains of Varget with a 250 grain Horniday seems to shoot pretty well. I also tried some 225 Bairns triple shocks and 55 grains of IMR 4064. That shot well also. This was in my FN model 98. One thing I really like about the Whelen is you can shoot it and not get beat up.

 

[mikeinct]

I have to agree. Beats me up, No. gets my attention, you betcha. it is a real rifle. That 250-grain slug is good medicine. Accurate & potent. mikeinct

 

[Double Dropper]

Loaded up some fresh rounds this weekend, I have in the past used 4064, and Varget, as well as RL-15 but CFE223 is the bomb! 57.0 grains (in my rifle, 24 inch gain twist barrel) under a 225 grain Accubond is mid 2800 fps and stellar accuracy.

 

[DaveCo]

On another site a poster has been doing a lot with CFE-223. I have a bunch of it that I've been using in my .223, so I downloaded both the Speer and Sierra manuals. The velocities they show are up there.

I've been working up loads with the 250g Speer Hot Core, and am still well below the Speer max loads, getting 2580fps with no pressure signs at all. Pretty sure I could go higher, but don't really see the point, 250g at 2580 will do everything I want this gun to do.

Gun is an old 03-a3 sporterized in the 60s. 21.5 in barrel, rebored by JES.
8.2 lbs all up weight. (250g @ 2580 gets your attention)

Just really starting to get serious about it now, I'll keep an eye on this thread.

Dave

 

[Double Dropper]

Recoil really jumps when the velocity climbs LOL, how much is enough? 250's @ 2600 fps is a hammer.

 

[TTE]

how much is enough? 250's @ 2600 fps is a hammer.

I have no idea what the Remington factory 250 grain load's velocity is, .... but I do know it is darn effective.

 

[Double Dropper]

About 2400 fps if I remember