35 Whelen Max Effective Range

[35WhelenAI]

200 TTSX is carrying over 2150 FPS at 350 yds when started at 3000 FPS which is safe with modern powders based on using Sierra and Speer data extrapolated and worked up safely using case head expansion. The Sierra 225 gr boattail can be pushed 2,900 FPS with modern powders using published data from Sierra. How much further reach is needed when talking 350 to 400 yards with this cartridge?

 

[EmperorMA]

Email Barnes. I’m pretty sure the 225 tsx was 1600 and the 200 was 1800 when I emailed them but can’t find it now. But that doesn’t mean it is actually good expansion. For the whelen I think that the partition is the best bet for down range expansion. Accuracy wise my jes rebore really liked 225 sierra gmk. Bad bc though and was at 1800 fps (stated minimum from sierra) around 400 yards.
Need a .35 cal eldm or tmk

You don't build a .35 Whelen if you're worried about bad BC. Pretty much all .358cal bullets have bad BC.

You build one to knock the hell outta stuff under 300 yards. It does that quite well!

 

[35WhelenAI]

I'll second that. Out to 350 yards with any Barnes first Gen 200, 225 or 250 X (elk and deer with each) along with the 200 TTSX (more elk and deer) expansion from experience is not an issue.

However even though I haven't used a 225 gr Partition in the field, I can't think of a better mix of expansion and penetration based on field performance I have seen from other hunters in camp over almost 30 seasons. I just don't care for the rapid initial expansion and damage if it hits anything hard, otherwise fine choice. That's why I've stayed with the Barnes since I started loading in the mid 90's.

 

[Balderdash]

I also am interested in using mine on Whitetail. Were any of your shots real close? Did you get a good exit wound and blood trail? Thanks!

Yes. I use a Whelen 7600 carbine for snow tracking. I've shot a couple at 20 yds or so. No troubles. Can't say how the blood trails would be; never had to track one shot close. I did have to track a buck I shot with a 200 hornady at 130 yds. Was in thick cover and was my only shooting lane. Deer went maybe 25 yds. Massive blood trail. Mid chest broadside shot.

The 200's are a lighter constructed bullet that upsets rapidly; I dont always get pass throughs with them. If you are after pass throughs but still want good expansion on WT, Id try some Sierra 225.

 

[Balderdash]

I'll second that. Out to 350 yards with any Barnes first Gen 200, 225 or 250 X (elk and deer with each) along with the 200 TTSX (more elk and deer) expansion from experience is not an issue.

However even though I haven't used a 225 gr Partition in the field, I can't think of a better mix of expansion and penetration based on field performance I have seen from other hunters in camp over almost 30 seasons. I just don't care for the rapid initial expansion and damage if it hits anything hard, otherwise fine choice. That's why I've stayed with the Barnes since I started loading in the mid 90's.

Ive had only so-so luck with NPT's. I no longer have any. Final straw was maybe 10 years ago. I shot a nice 6x6 bull about 80 yds broadside with a 338 WM and 250 NPT. Bull took off like nothing happened. I kept shooting. Hit him 3 times. Very minimal expansion on any of the bullets. Had similar experiences with 175's out of a 7mm WBY. Have also had good performances with NPT's, but Ill just pass along that Ive gone pretty much all cup and core, and I haven't looked back. I watched several young hunters drop elk through the years with 6.5 CM and 143 ELD-X's.

 

[Sizzler]

Love my whelens. My rem 700 cdl shoots the 180 ttsx at around 3100 with varget, 200 hornady sp at 2900 with accurate 2015, 225 accubond at 2700 with accurate 2015, and Hornady 350 gr sp at 2650 with accurate 2015.

 

[35WhelenAI]

200 TTSX, 225 Sierra have essentially an identical BC. The velocity difference gives the 200 TTSX a slight advantage in trajectory which also plays to expansion of the TTSX. My Whelen is an AI, gives a bit more velocity all else equal but it's splitting hairs now that modern powders have elevated the Whelen a notch or two in velocity potential.

 

[Eric Bailey]

Picked up some Barnes 180 TTSX Vortex factory 35 Whelen ammo from Midway this past week. Just checked, they upped the price $4 a box since I placed my order less than a week ago, kinda BS IMO, but still available. Also have the 200 TTSX Vortex ammo available.

Granted, mine is a 35 AI, but factory standard Whelen ammo shoots just fine with only a small velocity loss from advertised and I get a fire formed case for reloading every time.

What I've wanted to do for a number of years, is get a standard Whelen in a single shot and hunt deer/elk with it. Thoughts on which single shot to consider (other than a Ruger #1) but I don't want a brake up front and most seem to have one.

Did you ever end up getting a single shot Whelen?

Any thoughts on the Traditions Outfitter G3? It should be quick to the shoulder (only 37.5" long even with the brake) and easy to carry (5lbs 13 oz).

 

[35WhelenAI]

I sure thought about it however that rifle with that light of a weight is more recoil than I want to deal with, and I already have the Whelen AI.

Edit: Traditions Outfitter G3 has a muzzle brake, would not buy due to noise regardless of weight.

 

[Eric Bailey]

I sure thought about it however that rifle with that light of a weight is more recoil than I want to deal with, and I already have the Whelen AI.

Edit: Traditions Outfitter G3 has a muzzle brake, would not buy due to noise regardless of weight.

Yeah, I hate brakes. Drives me crazy if the guy next to me at the range has one. Thinking maybe I could take it off and just screw on a thread protector.

I already have almost the same rifle from traditions in .50 cal muzzleloader (pursuit g4 - 5.7 lbs) Doubt the Whelen is going to kick more than a 350 grain bullet pushed by 120 grains of BH209. Don’t need the brake. Just won’t shoot it from the bench except for sight in and to check zero.

 

[dwizum]

Speaking of single shots, I recently bought a CVA Scout TD in 35 Whelen. I really like the rifle. It's heavier than the Traditions. I appreciate that it's a nice simple durable weatherproof gun. I find the recoil totally manageable and it's easy to carry and easy to shoot. It's really short and handles well.

So far I've been working on a load with a Sierra 225 gr gameking and cfe 223. I've got about 80 rounds shot and am still hoping to tune a little more. I'm in the 2700 ballpark for velocity and can usually manage a 1" - 1.5" group no sweat at 100 yards. It won't hunt until next fall. Whitetail deer and maybe a chance at black bear. I may work on a load with the 200 gr ttsx depending on how the Sierra does.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I never took game with the 225 gr Sierra. However it should be a great bullet based on my experience with other cup and core bullets in my Whelen. You will find more velocity with the 200 TTSX, probably a couple hundred feet per second more. As well, the 180 TTSX would be a great choice for more velocity however ballistic coefficient suffers and won't make up the difference at longer range compared to the 200 TTSX. Haven't taken game with the 180 TTSX.

At 2700 FPS, and I'm guessing you're not shooting out past a couple hundred yards, if that, that Sierra could be a lifetime bullet choice for your CVA.

I've noticed the CVA has a muzzle brake. Can you comment on the extra noise?

 

[dwizum]

I have the 200 gr ttsx in mind as a backup choice because I would like the option to stretch beyond 200-300 yards if I need to. The Scout only has a 22" barrel so I won't see the velocities you guys are getting.

I haven't shot this rifle without the brake so I can't really compare, but it's not at all unbearable. Under the roof at my local range you do feel a little concussion, but I wear foam ear plugs inside electronic muffs whenever I'm shooting a centerfire rifle there and this one doesn't feel significantly different than any other similar rifle in terms of noise.

 

[eyeguy]

The most devastating exit wounds I have ever viewed were from the exact case and bullet combos described as not great by balderdash. My dad shot a meat sized bull with his 338 win mag with 250 nosl part and i shot a whitetail on the same trip with my 7mm bee and 175 nos part. Both baseball sized exits almost too devastating. Interesting how we have different observations. Distances were close for both shots.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Good deal. Keep posting up as you have new info. I've hit the end of load development for my 35 AI I don't see an option that beats the 200 grain TTSX for anything I'll ever hunt even to longer distances. Granted, I'm using IMR 4064 and leave 100 ft per second on the table compared to Alliant Power Pro Varmint. The load shoots very well and it has deer of multiple species and elk under its well. It is as much of posterity thing as it is practical to make that the go-to load.

I haven't taken game with the Nosler partition however the game I've seen taken in the field all have major damage upon entry, the vitals are liquefied and tore up pretty good. However the exits were always small, considering the front half of the partition is designed to expand and come off the bullet while the petals fold around the shank. Most of those shots were between 100 and 150 yards so bullets had good velocity.

 

[dwizum]

I don't know that I've seen any published load data for the Alliant Power Pro Varmint in 35 Whelen. Did you have a published source to start from?

 

[eyeguy]

tac with mag primers and varget have been good as well.

 

[35WhelenAI]

The Sierra loading data for the 35 Whelen is the source I used. I extrapolated data based on that to come up with starting loads for the 200 Hornady Spire point and worked up from there with that bullet.

Then based on how the 200 grain Spire point related to the 200 TTSX with other powders I have worked with in the Whelen swapped over to the 200 TTSX and worked up loads from there. Used case head expansion developing the loads along with traditional pressure signs.

It's a small difference but I have a 35 Whelen AI. I typically use a bit more powder, not by much, compared to the standard Whelen when all is said and done.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Varget back in the day, was a bit slower than was needed/optimal for the 200 TTSX. Varget did a great job shoving those 250 grain Hornady Spire points and old school 250 grain barnes X bullets out the barrel though. Truth be told, Winchester 748 gave incredible velocities however it was a really dirty burning powder and it took quite a bit to fill the case with the load I worked up to with the 225 Sierra. Didn't like the powder compression either, as I felt the bullet would continually try to work its way out lol.