[density1]

I would like to develop a light plinking load for my .35 Whelen. I am looking at using .357 158gr pistol bullets for this. Has anyone here done this?

I have found a few recipes for this. Two from Speer's #13 reloading manual that I have powder for: 42grs of Reloader 7 and 45grs of IMR4895 (both not to be reduced)

Another is from here: http://www.reloadammo.com/35whelenload.htm 31grs of 2400 (a pistol powder)

I have also been looking at C.E. Harris's "The Load" http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/TheLoad.html 13 grs of Red Dot (shotshell powder)

I have also looked at using a Trail Boss load based upon this article: http://www.surplusrifle.com/articles2008/trailbosskiss/index.asp

Any opinons, experince, or new ideas welcome.

 

[Rocky Raab]

The Ed Harris load will work fine. I'd begin there.

I've loaded up some 158 JHPs for a friend's 358 Win using 21.0 4198. He loves them; calls them his "punkin busters." But I haven't loaded anything like that for 35 Whelen. If you chose to experiment, three or four grains more sounds about right to me for a light load.

For more or less accurate data, consider that the 350 Rem Mag duplicates the case volume of the 35 Whelen. My old copy of Speer #9 gives data for the 350 RemMag using 158 JSP bullets. With IMR3031, they begin at 50 grains (2460 fps) and go to 58.0 (2865 fps) but I'd think those speeds are way beyond the working parameters for a pistol bullet.

I'll stick with ED Harris's beauty or my pure guess of about 25.0 4198 for a workable mild load.

 

[density1]

Thanks Rocky.

Now, would that be H4198 or IMR4198?

I will also look into the 350 Rem mag data.

 

[Rocky Raab]

Either. At that load level, there's no difference. The old-style IMR long-kernel would be harder to measure out, but would bulk up a bit better. Sixes again, IMO.

 

[leverite]

I have used 47.5 gr IMR 3031...great fun!