35 whelen- Black Bear

Sooo took a few more bullets to the test box
200 grain TTSX and the 225 grain Sierra very impressed, penetration with the 200 grain TTSX was slightly more but the wound channel from the Sierra was incredible! Clearly if we are talking shock and damage it was the clear winner of the two. Either way both bullets performed exceptionally well.
 

Attachments

  • 20220204_101138.jpg
    20220204_101138.jpg
    315.6 KB · Views: 99
A bit late here, but since my wife drew a bear tag, I've been trying To decide the same thing.
I'm shooting a 350 Rem mag though in a model 7. My choices are the 220 Speer, the 250 Hornady SP and RN Which are both too long and The 225 Nosler AB is way too long. Can't find any Nosler 225 partition either. But as luck would have it, I was looking through scrap bullet box (catch all) and found 6 200 TSX Barnes bullets and eight 225 Sierra BTSP. Plenty to sight the rifle in with. When I bought this rifle back around 2006, at the time it was the most accurate factory rifle I've ever owned.
A pic of a group of four 100 yd off bench And rest. Two different powders and two different weight bullets. My wife uses it now to bear hunt. Since she can have two sub permittees, I'll be hunting too With the factory rifle that beat this one for accuracy. Though neither are factory anymore.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 62
.35 Whelen is a BEAR.

I like the .450Marlin, 325gr - Hornady Leverevolution. The Marlin operates at twice the pressure of the 45/70. Just saying.
 
I can't think of too many bullets that would not work out of a 35 Whelen at those ranges. I'd think a 225 to 250 grain cup and core would work fine with a preference towards the 250. I have Interlocks and Hot Cores on hand, and I'd feel comfortable with either. I sold my 35 caliber Partitions (my all-time favorite bullet) to a guy in Alaska who seemed quite desperate. Choosing a partition is never a wrong decision.
Mono's would work well too. I have not been able to get tiny groups. I've shot about 2 MOA with the 225 grain Barnes X, which is all I've tried so far - OK, tiny groups isn't need at those ranges.
 
Here's some loads I had for my 600 in 350 RM
cartridge, Bullet (SP, all), primer, grains of powder, powder, comments, MOA
350 RM
250
Hornady
9 1/2M
55
H4895
Good Load
0.62​
350 RM​
250​
Hornady​
9 1/2M​
55​
H4895​
Good Load​
0.36​
350 RM​
250​
Hornady​
9 1/2M​
55.5​
IMR4064​
1.22​
350 RM
250
Hornady
9 1/2M
56
IMR4320
3 shot
0.35​
350 RM
250
Speer
9 1/2M
56
IMR4320
Good Load
0.66​
 
Jes rebored 270 Mauser to 35 Whelen, cut down to 20". 225 accubonds. Bear rolled 50 yards down a ravine. 200-220 lbs. Massive trauma behind the shoulder and exit was golf sized with lungs and fat splattered within the first 10 yards. Perfect bear gun over bait. At this distance any bullet will do, but I think 225 is a sweet spot.
 

Attachments

  • CBB3B55F-361D-4D0A-831A-0E6923254FE6.jpeg
    CBB3B55F-361D-4D0A-831A-0E6923254FE6.jpeg
    2 MB · Views: 61
Top