"Allegedly the 35 Whelen will push 200 grain hammers up to 2900 fps, this would keep me above 1800 fps at 1000 ft altitude out past 450." Any truth to this statement? Found it on another forum. I purchased a 35 Whelan a couple decades ago and have finally decided to take it out of the safe. But need a bit more range than 200 yards. Looking for 300 at least. As this is basically a new cal for me any advice in regard to the above statement would be appreciated as would any information on appropriate optics. Thank you for any feedback.
Whelen questions
- Thread starter Mtns2hunt
- Start date
Please disregard post. Found info needed. Will share if pan's out.
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
I used a 1-5x for close range and 2 1/2-10 for longer. Don't try to make it into a long range 300 mag. BCand SD of a 200gr .358 are not that great
In my Whelen, I drive 250 Speers at 2500 even. I never saw it as a light bullet gun. It's a decent 300 yd rifle. My longest shot was on a mule deer at 370. Shortest on a coyote at 10.
One thing I really like about the Whelen is the ability to use 357 bullets at handgun velocity for small game. WH
One thing I really like about the Whelen is the ability to use 357 bullets at handgun velocity for small game. WH
Sierra VI & Speer #15 have max data that runs 180s @ 3100+, 200s @ 3000fps, 220/225s @ 2800+ & 250s @ 2700 using Power Pro 2000MR, PPVarmint, & CFE223. That from a 24" test barrel. As an experiment. my 22" 700 Classic has been able to reach those same speeds without wrecking brass with the PP powders, but it's right at the edge of pressure. It shoots smaller groups, ESs, & just seems all around happier about 50-75fps slower.
The 358 Norma used to run these velocities in older loading manuals. The PP powders have the same notable increases in the Norma case. Word is they are temp sensitive, but I've only shot them in cooler weather, so cant comment. Haven't tried CFE223 due to it's sudden spikey weirdness in the Whelen.
Re: Hammers... I haven't shot any 35 cal copper solids yet, but have read that certain types of Hammers can be pushed faster than "normal" due to their bearing bands having a radius & that a slightly quicker powder can be used optimally. Who knows? It was on the internet.
The 358 Norma used to run these velocities in older loading manuals. The PP powders have the same notable increases in the Norma case. Word is they are temp sensitive, but I've only shot them in cooler weather, so cant comment. Haven't tried CFE223 due to it's sudden spikey weirdness in the Whelen.
Re: Hammers... I haven't shot any 35 cal copper solids yet, but have read that certain types of Hammers can be pushed faster than "normal" due to their bearing bands having a radius & that a slightly quicker powder can be used optimally. Who knows? It was on the internet.
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
There is no magic in Hammers, pretty much like other mono bullets.
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
You won't get anywhere near 2900 with the Whelan at reasonable pressures. I shot a Whelan Ack. Imp for years and it was not even close.
Did you try any of the newer "wonder" powders like PP2000MR or CFE223?
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
I did not. Will they deliver those velocities? What about heavier 250-280 gr bullets?
When quoting my post I thought you would have read it.
I dont know about 280s, never tried them, but would imagine they can benefit from PP2000MR as well. I would also think PPVarmint will be too fast for the heavies, but...
Before making absolute statements, you might want to read more about Hammers. The Absolute Hammer is supposedly the bullet with very little engraving/lower pressure etc. As stated I have no experience with any .358" solids to date.
About Our Bullets - Hammer Bullets
hammerbullets.com
Not sure they would claim this without it being a real advantage. I have seen others have posted elsewhere that it is in fact a real claim. Interesting stuff & I reserve judgement without trying them.
wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
As a matter of fact I did try some of those hammers and they are a real pain to load since the case mouth must be positioned on only certain places on the bullet shank. You can have them. A little increased velocity is not worth the trouble. Hammer's other lines are pretty similar to other monos. If you find otherwise share it with us. The newer powders would certainly be worth a try if they prove to be consistent, temp stable, and give good accuracy.When quoting my post I thought you would have read it.
I dont know about 280s, never tried them, but would imagine they can benefit from PP2000MR as well. I would also think PPVarmint will be too fast for the heavies, but...
Before making absolute statements, you might want to read more about Hammers. The Absolute Hammer is supposedly the bullet with very little engraving/lower pressure etc. As stated I have no experience with any .358" solids to date.
About Our Bullets - Hammer Bullets
Not sure they would claim this without it being a real advantage. I have seen others have posted elsewhere that it is in fact a real claim. Interesting stuff & I reserve judgement without trying them.
Not sure I'll ever get around to trying Hammers or Barnes in 358. Too much buck for the bang & plans to hunt bigger critters are long gone.
I'm very happy with the PP powders in the big 35s. I've gotten some reasonably good (esp. for ball powder) ES & SDs in small samples & they quite often group into an inch or less @100yds with a 5x scope & old eyes. Reports say they can be a wee bit funky in hot weather. All of my loads were worked up in cooler weather & aren't shot much, if at all, in warmer weather so the temp thing isn't really a thing here. YMMV.
I'm very happy with the PP powders in the big 35s. I've gotten some reasonably good (esp. for ball powder) ES & SDs in small samples & they quite often group into an inch or less @100yds with a 5x scope & old eyes. Reports say they can be a wee bit funky in hot weather. All of my loads were worked up in cooler weather & aren't shot much, if at all, in warmer weather so the temp thing isn't really a thing here. YMMV.
Edd
Gold $$ Contributor
Does Hammer have some 200 gr 35 caliber Absolutes?
XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
This is where having a pressure trace can prove useful.When quoting my post I thought you would have read it.
I dont know about 280s, never tried them, but would imagine they can benefit from PP2000MR as well. I would also think PPVarmint will be too fast for the heavies, but...
Before making absolute statements, you might want to read more about Hammers. The Absolute Hammer is supposedly the bullet with very little engraving/lower pressure etc. As stated I have no experience with any .358" solids to date.
About Our Bullets - Hammer Bullets
Not sure they would claim this without it being a real advantage. I have seen others have posted elsewhere that it is in fact a real claim. Interesting stuff & I reserve judgement without trying them.
about 8 yrs ago people were saying that monolithic 30s could be pushed faster because they had grooves and didn’t have as much surface. My testing with pressure measurements showed otherwise. I saw similar results with other theories and practices (coatings) that purported higher velocity with the same pressures. The only one I know for sure works is getting the bullet out of the case with a longer freebore. (Functionall increasing combustion chamber size)
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