MutantNinjaTJ
New member
Working up loads for a .35 Whelen. Do I chase speed or accuracy first?
35 Whelen what comes first
- Thread starter MutantNinjaTJ
- Start date
William Suter
Well-known member
A guy told me once all speed does is make you miss faster.
MutantNinjaTJ
New member
I'm wanting to carry the freight out to 300 yards, with about 1500 ft lbs, that's gonna take about 2600FPS or faster, I would mind 2750FPS with a 200 gr SP, and I only need MOE (minute of Elk) accuracy
cropdamage
Active member
Both
I pick a realistic speed and go till I find pressure. Back off a bit and look for accuracy .
I pick a realistic speed and go till I find pressure. Back off a bit and look for accuracy .
Last edited:
I think that finding the right load for a rifle is a balance. When starting with a known cartridge i look.through a handful of manuals and find the powder that gives the fastest velocities and then try and work up an accurate load. It doesn't have to be the fastest load that powder will produce.
I believe I'm shooting RL-15 and 4320 in my 35 W under a Hornady 250gr RN
. It's been awhile since it has been used though.
I believe I'm shooting RL-15 and 4320 in my 35 W under a Hornady 250gr RN
. It's been awhile since it has been used though.
Yes but rarely used it, bought it 20 years ago when I was developing the 22-204, 6mm-204 and 25-204 that had no know data so I could know where they were doing and keep records of the work.
With known cartridges I have data already and have a rough estimate of the end product. Range time will then tell whether it is working for me.
With known cartridges I have data already and have a rough estimate of the end product. Range time will then tell whether it is working for me.
William Suter
Well-known member
What difference does speed make if its not accurate and consistent? A consistently accurate load to me is more important than blazing speed. That's why they put knobs that adjust on scopes. Don't get me wrong, I like speed but only if its accurate too.
cropdamage
Active member
What's so difficult about getting both ?
I have a 6 x 47L hunting rifle that is on it's upper speed limit and is a starlings worse nightmare if they land on the ground inside of 200 yards. I was checking zero last summer on it and had multiples land while I was at the range. Stupid birds !
I have a 6 x 47L hunting rifle that is on it's upper speed limit and is a starlings worse nightmare if they land on the ground inside of 200 yards. I was checking zero last summer on it and had multiples land while I was at the range. Stupid birds !
Last edited:
cropdamage
Active member
Intended use varies .
*Point and shoot hunting rig.
*Range, dial and shoot hunting rigs
*Short range target/ bench rest.
*Light and fast bullets.
*Slow and heavy bullets.
Shooting 25 yards or 400 ?
1/2 minute of ground squirrel .
1 MOA for deer .
What's your idea of accurate ?
*Point and shoot hunting rig.
*Range, dial and shoot hunting rigs
*Short range target/ bench rest.
*Light and fast bullets.
*Slow and heavy bullets.
Shooting 25 yards or 400 ?
1/2 minute of ground squirrel .
1 MOA for deer .
What's your idea of accurate ?
cropdamage
Active member
What's the platform ? Is it a known accurate rifle ?
Any big game rifle needs to shoot 1.5 MOA or less for a good confidence factor .
No such thing as “rough estimate of the end product”. You either know what velocity you are running or you don’t. No in between.
You start out working up a powder charge to obtain a safe load. Part of that is knowing velocity to compare with load data that was done by professionals with pressure testing abilities. You are either matching their data within reason or you aren’t and need to rethink things. Once a powder charge is decided on it can be put on paper. The load can be tweaked from there to acceptable accuracy.
You start out working up a powder charge to obtain a safe load. Part of that is knowing velocity to compare with load data that was done by professionals with pressure testing abilities. You are either matching their data within reason or you aren’t and need to rethink things. Once a powder charge is decided on it can be put on paper. The load can be tweaked from there to acceptable accuracy.
No need to know the actual velocity, load data from numerous sources give you a "rough estimate" of velocity for the load. Range time will give me accuracy and drop over various distance that I plan to use it. No need for actual velocity. It's been working for me for 60 years, I kill stuff and win things, what more can I ask.
I started reloading 30+ years before chronographs became available to the average Joe, we got along just fine.
I started reloading 30+ years before chronographs became available to the average Joe, we got along just fine.
Last edited:
cropdamage
Active member
Who are you talking to here ?
The OP hasn't been on since the day he posted,which was Thursday .
MutantNinjaTJ
New member
So, I loaded H4895, Varget, and IMR 4064 over a 200gn Hornady interlock SP. I did get to 2853 with the Varget, mid 2700's with the others, no signs of pressure and all were 1" MOA, or very close. I really didn't answer my question as to which powder to use while tuning it up a bit, they all worked well for me. I'm going to go a bit more now that I see what it's doing. I did chrono a factory load, a Hornady 200gn interlock with Superformance powder and it zipped out at 2923, no pressure signs. The rifle is very accurate to start with and the $400 price tag is very cost effective, it's a single shot Traditions, and only weighs about 5.5lbs with a 2.5 x 7 power scope on it. My new Elk rig for sure. You guys can drag me through the mud if you think you need to, but I know what I'm doing, been handloading for quite some time now, but I do ask basic questions on new to me loads.