[tcbowhunter]

I recently bought a remington model 7600 in a .35 whelen to use on an upcoming hunt to maine for black bear . I bought some federal trophy bonded bear claw factory ammo 225 grain has anyone had any experience with this caliber and bullet combo Just wondering if this is a good bullet for black bear I was also looking at the barnes tsx bullet in 200 grain.
Any info appreciated thanks

 

[gunchamp]

I have the same gun. Great shooter and devastating on game performance. The tbbc round is a good choice for black bear. It would be hard to find a load in this caliber that would not work. Most of my hunting experience with the whelen has been with remington loads. They also work great. I'll be interested to here if your gun is a shooter. Most are and mine is definetly a shooter. Give us a update when you get it to the range.

 

[Tnhunter]

I recently bought a remington model 7600 in a .35 whelen to use on an upcoming hunt to maine for black bear . I bought some federal trophy bonded bear claw factory ammo 225 grain has anyone had any experience with this caliber and bullet combo Just wondering if this is a good bullet for black bear I was also looking at the barnes tsx bullet in 200 grain.
Any info appreciated thanks

Congrats on getting yourself a fine new rifle! I've not owned a 7600 in .35W, but have owned a 7400 and now own a 750 Carbine in .35W and think it a good platform for the caliber. The bullets you chose will certainly do the job you're asking of them, no doubt about that. I've not used that loading, but have seen the excellent performance that bullet (now called the TBT) does in other calibers on heavy game.

I have shot several animals with the .35W, but no bears. The factory 200gr CL load has been a hammer on deer for me and no bullet has ever been recovered from what typically is a bang/flop harvest. I've never had a deer move more than 10-15 yds after being hit and most, 80% or more, simply literally fell on their legs. I've had excellent sucess with the 200gr TSX you mentioned as well. It's a very accurate load out of my T/C Encore with 24" barrel at a claimed 2874 FPS (Stars & Stripes load). At approximently 225 yds the Tn 8 pnt that was the first deer I shot with this load simply dropped in place, shot behind the shoulder.

As far as a black bear load, I'd say that the 250gr Rem load would also work just fine. I will likely simply use it on my September Maine bear hunt. I happen to have a box laying around and have no doubt of it's capabilities on pretty much anything. Craig Boddington tells an interesting story about the .35 Whelen and that 250gr factory loading used on a moose hunt. Interestingly enough, bang/flop on a large bull moose.

Hope this helped some and best of luck with that new rifle.

 

[tcbowhunter]

thanks for the info I have had the gun to the range once using remington core lokts 200 gr and they were very accurate I used these to sight in ( slightly cheaper ammo) I didnt have the TBBC at that time and havent had the chance to try those yet hopefully they shoot as well I am plannning on using the remingtons for deer and as long as they shoot well the TBBC for bear I am still thinking about ordering some of the tsx bullets but they are about 2X more than the TBBC so I havent yet I figure I will try the TBBC bullets first and see how they shoot Thanks again and more info appreciated

 

[Hair smoker]

I have only used 200 gr. TBBClaws in a .300 Win mag. Shot a bull moose at 25 yd. The 1st bullet hit the right shoulder quartering at me. It broke the ball and socket or should I say shattered it then passed through the center of the heart making a quarter size hole, broke a rib and laid under the hide on the opposite side. That bullet cleaned weighed 187 gr. The moose ran in front of me and quartered away so I shot again hitting him in the spine behind the scull. Found that one in the brain cavity above the eye socket. It smashed up through 3 vert. and broke the scull around the eye socket. That one weighed 175 gr. I feel the 225 gr. would be plenty of bullet for even moose in the 35. They shot 1 1/4 3 shot groups in my 77 stainless. They were Fed. Premium loads.

 

[leverite]

A conventional cup & core bullet like the Remington core-lokt or a Hornady would really work fine on a black bear. That big 35 caliber bullet will make a nice hole.

The 200 grainer would be fine, but the 35W will throw a 250 grain bullet to great effect. Higher BC and even better penetration. It's good to have an exit wound with a black bear in case you need to track it.

 

[oneoldsap]

I like the Sierra 225 Gameking , Best BC and good heft , they shoot clover leafs for me ! Black Bear are no harder to kill than a Deer . Cup and core bullets work fine especially .35 Cal.

 

[tcbowhunter]

are tbbc considered cup/core bullets or arent bonded bullets in this category

 

[GBertolet]

I have a 35 Whelen Imp. It's a shame there are not more bullet choices made for this caliber. I like the Speer 250 gr Hot Cor. I feel the 35 caliber bullets are stoppers above and beyond whatever the paper ballistics are. I have taken moose and caribou with this caliber, which dropped in their tracks with complete penetration. The 7600 is a great rifle, being capable of quick follow up shots if needed. I have it's predecessor the 760 in 308 win, the flat thin receiver is a pleasure to carry, far more so than a bolt gun, at least for me.

 

[broom_jm]

are tbbc considered cup/core bullets or arent bonded bullets in this category

TBBC bullets are not traditional "cup n' core" construction. Anything that has the word "bonded" in it does not fit the description. To answer your original question, any 35 caliber bullet that is designed to expand, and not meant for a pistol/revolver, will meet your objectives. You really don't need to go with a premium bullet, but if it makes you feel better, go for it. The bear is not going to complain one way or the other, unless your shot placement is off.

 

[TMan]

I recently bought a remington model 7600 in a .35 whelen to use on an upcoming hunt to maine for black bear .

My first Whelen was a 7600, I still have it. It's one of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned.

On a Maine BB hunt, I'd go with a 220gr Speer, or 225gr Sierra over a good dose of W748, or H/IMR 4895. Ranges are usually short, and black bears are not hard to kill. Trophy bonded Bear Claws? Maine black bear? .

 

[naumann]

Had a Whelen for years and taken deer, antelope, elk, mtn. lion with it. Speer and Hdy. 250s work fine. Rem. factory ammo in 200 kill deer right now. Federal ammo with 225 TBBC worked equally well on antelope doe and spike elk -- pretty impressive performance given the big difference in anatomy/toughness of the two animals. I also have had good luck with Speer 220 gr. FN. Except for the one box of TBBC ammo I have not used anything but basic, cup and core bullets and do not see the need up to and including moose.

 

[tcbowhunter]

anyone use the barnes tsx in the whelen I know I dont need a premium bullet but I have had good results with these in other calibers and I am thinking about trying them

 

[tcbowhunter]

tnhunter where are you going in maine

 

[leverite]

anyone use the barnes tsx in the whelen I know I dont need a premium bullet but I have had good results with these in other calibers and I am thinking about trying them

I have some 225'ers loaded up for hunting. Haven't shot anything with them yet.

The same bullet's my "go to" in my 350 Rem mag. I have full faith in it in both 35's.

 

[leverite]

anyone use the barnes tsx in the whelen I know I dont need a premium bullet but I have had good results with these in other calibers and I am thinking about trying them

I have some 225'ers loaded up for hunting. Haven't shot anything with them yet.

The same bullet's my "go to" in my 350 Rem mag. I have full faith in it in both 35's.

 

[Tnhunter]

tnhunter where are you going in maine

I'm headed to west central Maine, near the town of Bethel. Last year's hunt was an enjoyable one, so we'll give it another "go"! I have used the 200gr TSXs in my Encore Whelen (not in my .350, however). They are claimed to be 2874 FPS and were plenty accurate enough in the Encore w/24" barrel. I managed to drop a nice Tn buck at 225 yds with that load (he simply fell straight down, shot behind the shoulder), one of two bucks I've harvested with it from the same stand. Certainly not a bullet one needs for deer in the Whelen, but it certainly did the job X2

Whereabouts in Maine are you headed for your bear hunt?

 

[tcbowhunter]

I am goingo to north western maine First time on a bear hunt I hear it is addicting

 

[Barstool]

Have hunted with the 35 Whelen since 1966. You do not need "premium" bullets in this caliber for deer to moose or black bear.

Best all-around bullet IMHO is the 250gr Speer loaded to 2500 fps.

Barstool

 

[2Bits]

TCbowHunter..........You really don't need to use anything other than what you have already! The TBBC is an excellent bullet for blackbear and will give you the best of both worlds, just like a Nosler Partiton but more so really. You get that football type wound channel and that bullet called the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw will in fact stay together and also give you the classic mushroom shape, along with very deep penetration too. I used them on elk, moose, Kudu, Eland and they work great.

Now I have spent a lot of money on trying to get Barnes bullets to shoot well eenough in my rifles over the years, not much luck there for a fact. Why even when I found a rifle that would give me 2 inch MOA at 100 yards, often those X-Bullets and Blue X Bullets would not open up in stock tank tests using water etc.

So my advice is to stick with what you already know works just great! I also have tried some of those TBS bullets in a long range 7mm mag rifle I have and once again, getting them to shoot tight groups and open up 100% of the time was not the case. So I tell shooters and hunters that Nosler's Partition is a very good bullet, along with TBBC, Woodleigh and Swift A Frames if your looking for deep penetration and a premium bullet.