I recently picked up a Model 700 in .35 Whelen. I'd like to develop a load for elk. I already have a .300 WSM that I use in more open country. What I would like is to develop a load for shorter range (<200 yards). I would prefer at least a 225 grain bullet but am open to the 250 grainer. I don't see a lot of choice on the market but would like some input from anyone with experience with the .35 Whelen.
.35 Whelen for Elk - Bullet Recommendations Solicited
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It would be hard to find a bad 225 to 250 grain bullet for use on elk in the .35 Whelen (or any .35 from the .358 Winchester on up). A standard cup and core bullet like the Hornady Interlock would work fine. I use the 250 gr. Hornady RN in my .358 and I would not hesitate for a second to use it on big stuff.
Since you are asking for something suitable for 200 yards, it would make sense to me to stick with a 250 grain bullet. If you want a premium bullet, the Nosler Partition is hard to beat. It not only penetrates very well, but it does a lot of damage along the way. Plus, at 2400 fps or so, it would work out to 300 yards if you needed it to.
Since you are asking for something suitable for 200 yards, it would make sense to me to stick with a 250 grain bullet. If you want a premium bullet, the Nosler Partition is hard to beat. It not only penetrates very well, but it does a lot of damage along the way. Plus, at 2400 fps or so, it would work out to 300 yards if you needed it to.
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Myt-bird,
have taken a couple of moose with a 225 Nosler partition out of my 35 whelen. Both young bull moose. On both bullet busted near shoulder and lodged just under the hide on the off side. Distance 135 yards and 75 yards to target. Total distance traveled, one dropped in its tracks the other made 10 yards, it was moving and momentum alone probably carriered it that far. No elk properly hit will walk away from that bullet. Buddy pumped four rounds into the boiler room of a bull moose with 180 grain core lokts, from 06, it walked away and tipped over about 50 yards later.
Then again the natives manage to kill them with 30-30's.
good luck
GF
have taken a couple of moose with a 225 Nosler partition out of my 35 whelen. Both young bull moose. On both bullet busted near shoulder and lodged just under the hide on the off side. Distance 135 yards and 75 yards to target. Total distance traveled, one dropped in its tracks the other made 10 yards, it was moving and momentum alone probably carriered it that far. No elk properly hit will walk away from that bullet. Buddy pumped four rounds into the boiler room of a bull moose with 180 grain core lokts, from 06, it walked away and tipped over about 50 yards later.
Then again the natives manage to kill them with 30-30's.
good luck
GF
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225 Nosler Accubond, 250 Hornady spire point, 250 Speer grand slam, 200 grain Barnes TSX's would be my choices.
I don't think you'll find a bad bullet in 35 caliber for elk as long as you pick something between 200 and 250 grains. Pick whichever one shoots best in your rifle.
I don't think you'll find a bad bullet in 35 caliber for elk as long as you pick something between 200 and 250 grains. Pick whichever one shoots best in your rifle.
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The Whelen isn't that hard on bullets.
I've shot three elk with the Whelen, two with Hornady 250gr SP's and one with 225gr Sierra's. There's little difference in my limited experience. Deer won't stop many of either, none as far as I can tell.
Sadly, neither of my two Whelen's shoot Nosler 225/250gr partitions for a hoot. (And I'd gladly swap the ones I have). Both shoot the Sierra's and Hornadys like a varmit rifle.
My longest shot was with a 250gr Hornady SP, 278 Nikon yds, the shortest of the three shots was 185 yds with a 225gr Sierra. The two bullets I recovered, one of each, could go in a catalog ad.
I've shot three elk with the Whelen, two with Hornady 250gr SP's and one with 225gr Sierra's. There's little difference in my limited experience. Deer won't stop many of either, none as far as I can tell.
Sadly, neither of my two Whelen's shoot Nosler 225/250gr partitions for a hoot. (And I'd gladly swap the ones I have). Both shoot the Sierra's and Hornadys like a varmit rifle.
My longest shot was with a 250gr Hornady SP, 278 Nikon yds, the shortest of the three shots was 185 yds with a 225gr Sierra. The two bullets I recovered, one of each, could go in a catalog ad.
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I've had my 700BDL in 35 Whelan for 20 years. It's killed several elk and a deer or two, all with 250 grain Hornady spire points. My powder of choice is H4350 (60.5 grains) with a muzzle velocity of 2480 fps. This is a very compressed load which my rifle seems to like. It'll shoot 1" groups at 100 yards easily. Pretty good for a big bore.
I did try 225 grain sierras and IMR4064, but could not get them to group for beans, hence the switch to the 250's
One elk kill was well over your 200 yard limit (apppx 350) with most in the 200 yard range.
Like others said, the 35 is not hard on bullets, but IMO some bullets might be too "tough" to mushroom properly and some, like the 225 grain Sierra might not be tough enough.
RJ
I did try 225 grain sierras and IMR4064, but could not get them to group for beans, hence the switch to the 250's
One elk kill was well over your 200 yard limit (apppx 350) with most in the 200 yard range.
Like others said, the 35 is not hard on bullets, but IMO some bullets might be too "tough" to mushroom properly and some, like the 225 grain Sierra might not be tough enough.
RJ
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I've always wondered why, but both of my Whelens show way more pressure with the Speer 250's than either of the Hornady 250's, with any powders I've tried. ?
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What scope are you guys using on your Whelen's?
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My load is from P.O. Ackley himself. A very large charge of 3031 gets those bullets moving. The Speer probably has more bearing surface than the Hornady hence the pressure issue.
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Weaver V9 and it's has never waivered or moved on me.
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Mine has an old Simmons 3X9 on it. I check it's zero every year but I don't recall having to move it.
RJ
RJ
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Both of my Whelen's, a CDL and a 7600 shoot, literally, like a varmit rifle. With "snappy" loads under a 225gr Sierra, the 7600 will hit 2600fps, the CDL close to 2700fps. Even with a 250gr Hornady, at 2550 it is a fairly flat shooting round that will reach ouit quite a ways. My longest shot with the Hornady was on a bull elk at 278 "Nikon" yards.
Whelens deserve a good scope, with enough power to place bullets out to 300yds. Mine wears a leupold VX-III 2 X 8, and it is perfect for close shots, and longer shots. I would likely pick a 2 X 7 over a 3 X 9 as I like the FOV for fast shots up close. If I can't see it at 7X, it's too far, or too small.
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Tman (msg sent)
I agree my 35's both wear Leupold VX III 1.75 - 6, I really like this scope and have never felt I was short of magnification. I had considered putting the same scope on one of my .280's but opted for the VX3 2.5 - 8. The quality of the optics are very similiar to the Bausch & Lomb 4200 elite that the other .280 wears but the Leupold is smaller and lighter. My only complaint or possible limitation is because of the short tube body on the 2.5 - 8 you don't have a lot of room to play with when mounting the scope unlike the 4200.
Those 35's will absoultely drive tacks.
good luck
GF
I agree my 35's both wear Leupold VX III 1.75 - 6, I really like this scope and have never felt I was short of magnification. I had considered putting the same scope on one of my .280's but opted for the VX3 2.5 - 8. The quality of the optics are very similiar to the Bausch & Lomb 4200 elite that the other .280 wears but the Leupold is smaller and lighter. My only complaint or possible limitation is because of the short tube body on the 2.5 - 8 you don't have a lot of room to play with when mounting the scope unlike the 4200.
Those 35's will absoultely drive tacks.
good luck
GF
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My current load for my M700 CDL Whelen is 59gr of RL15 under a 250gr Speer Hot Cor (2550). It shoots into about an inch at 100 and easily under 2 at 200. I have a Vari X II 3x9 on mine. My old stand by load is 60gr of RL15 and a Barnes 225gr TSX. That load shoots very well also and is a few FPS under 2800. I took an elk, black bear, and a bunch of deer with it and man, it is a great shooting load. Good luck, that Whelen is a terrific big game cartridge. Scotty
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