Reloading and testing 35 whelen (Pics)

[OttoVonBismarck]

Hi

2 week ago I bought a remington 750 woodmaster in 35 whelen and on FRiday i went to the range to test the rifle and some reload ammo.







Some info some the reload:

Bullet:Remington 200 grains SP

Powder: Vectan Tubal 3000 (french powder) 52 grains.

Tomorow I will put some pictures of the rifle.

 

[nitesite]

Thank You for posting that.

I like .35-cal bullets very much. I would like to see pics of your rifle, and maybe some outdoor pics of where you go to shoot. Are there shooting ranges near you?

 

[OttoVonBismarck]

Hi nitesite

Tomorrow I promise you that I will put some pics of my rifle and some targets. I dont have pics of my range right now but give mde a couple of days and i will put some

Bye

 

[dcloco]

Curious.....why are you NOT seating the bullet to the cannelure AND crimping in an autoloader rifle?

 

[OttoVonBismarck]

why are you NOT seating the bullet to the cannelure AND crimping in an autoloader rifle

This was the first load that i did and I would to try differents lengths to know which give me the best accuracy and the lower pressure.

I didn´t crimp because I don´t have the crimp die and for the moment I didn´t have problems with the bullet or with the autoloader system.

Bye

 

[OttoVonBismarck]

This is the rifle

 

[OttoVonBismarck]

And those are the targets

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

I'm with dcloco.....seat the bullet farther back and crimp to the cannelure, especially in a semi-auto

 

[Macchina]

I would seat that bullet out as far as I needed, no crimp. You are feeding from a vertical magazine, so tip impact on the bullets is going to be minimal. I never crimp unless the bullets are going in a tubular magazine.

Nice rifle. I've alway been curious with that round, looks like a cool setup. Good luck with the reloads, keep us updated.

 

[OttoVonBismarck]

Thanks for your tips!

I forgot to say that i did all the shots without rests.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I couldn't find much data on the Vectan powders, but I can suggest some better component matches.

The Hornady 200gr PtSpt will be much more accurate, as well as the Sierra's. Nosler only makes 225gr and 250 Partitons which will be superlative hunting bullets but a bit pricey for range work.

Try Hodgdon's BL-C2 if you have access to it. Win.748 is VERY-VERY simular and will give substantially higher velocities than what I've found with the Vectan data I've seen. About 2,800fps with a 200gr bullet at max load of 63.0gr (Hodgdon's data).

I usually start by seating the bullets one diameter depth for most sporting rifles. This usually givs better accuracy than seating to the grooves. This gives the bullets better support and maintains concentricity which is MUCH more important than the jump to the throat distance. For instance, My Weathby Vanguard in .257wby prefers it's bullet seated to "published" depths. IE: 3.170" for a 100gr bullet, and 3.250" for 117-120gr bullets. Accuracy actually goes down as they get "longer", and the throat is so long, a 100gr bullet can't be seated to "touch". Also, my .300RemUltMag MUCH prefers most bullets to be seated to 3.560-3.565", especially the 180gr Nosler B.T.'s. Don't ask me why, as this gun has a rather short throat. A Sierra 180gr ProHunter touches the grooves at 3.595" ! And shoots best at 3.555". Go figure???

I've gotten very similar results to the expanded bullets you show from the very few 200gr Remington RNSP's I've recovered.(MOST KNOCK THE STUFFINGS OUT OF DEER AND EXIT!) I use them in a Marlin M336 in a .35Rem at about 2,250fps (H4895). I had a Remington 760 in .35Rem back in the mid '80's. It was Very-Very accurate with H322 and either the Sierra 200gr RN or Hornady 200gr PtSpt. My Marlin .35 shoots near MOA and has given under 2" groups at 200yds on occasion.

When I finally got around to building my ".35Whelen", I ended up making it a .338/06. Great rifle, but, I still don't have my long dreamed about .35Whelen. With the cost of bullets going up-up-up, I probably will just be content with the .35Rem..........
Thanks for the report and pic's. Let us know how things progress. Plan on using that thing on some Aoudad ???? (only game animal I'm familar with in Spain, besides Roebuck, and possibly stag). Whelen should do well on anything you use it on......

 

[dcloco]

I would seat that bullet out as far as I needed, no crimp. You are feeding from a vertical magazine, so tip impact on the bullets is going to be minimal. I never crimp unless the bullets are going in a tubular magazine.

The crimp is used to secure the bullet in the case...in semi auto (or full auto for that matter), regardless of the clip/feed arrangement. Also used for heavy recoil or severe duty weapons.

Why is 223/5.56 rounds crimped then?

I would put a light crimp on the bullet/case.

Your dies should be able to provided a light to heavy taper crimp. Check the instructions.

VERY nice rifle!!

 

[OttoVonBismarck]

I can´t find other powders in Spain and the Vectan powders are very expensive ( 1 pound cost 43 US dollars). We have the most restrictive gun law in Europe

This rifle will be using with will boards in Spain. I think is a very good choice for this animal.

Im sure that I dont have the crimp die because in the die´s box only are 2 pieces: One to resized the brass and the other to seat the bullet.


Thanks for all guys!

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Don't worry about crimping in the crimping grove. I loaded for 2 742's and three Garrands and never had to crimp in the grove or do anything special. The only thing I go by pushing a loaded round against the edge of my reloading table, if the bullet stays put don't worry.

 

[Bacchus]

I know that you mentioned that you weren't using the rifle rest to shoot those groups--but have you ever used it while shooting or do you use it only on your bench? I've been interested in picking one up for maintainance and/or shooting.

 

[OttoVonBismarck]

have you ever used it while shooting or do you use it only on your bench? I've been interested in picking one up for maintainance and/or shooting.

Hi Bacchus

I usually use this bench with other rifles (Mossberg ATR 100 in 243, Norinco JW 15 )and shotguns. Is not heavy but you can shoot without problems. Sometimes I use this bench to clean my firearms because is very very stable.

The bench has 3 adjustable "legs" and a small empty cushion ( I put lentils and work perfectly)

If you need more pics about the bench tell me.

Bye

 

[trueblue1776]

Otto-
Your loaded round is like a smokin' hot girl, with only one leg. You gotta give a little taper crimp on that bad boy.

 

[dcloco]

The only thing I go by pushing a loaded round against the edge of my reloading table, if the bullet stays put don't worry.

...and this would be applying...15 or 20 pounds of pressure??

Recoil on that 35 wheelen is in the "above 100 pound" category.


The roll crimp is built into most seating dies. Check your instructions again.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Not if you leave the nickle thickness space for the RCBS seating die. I do read all instructions. Sorry I wasn't complete on my statement about leaving the nickle space to avoid crimp.