35 Whelen

[Paul B.]

"I have 35 Whelen AI build on Rem action with 23" Kreiger barrel @ total 9.4 lbs. If I decide to take it for elk, I'll shoot 225gr AB."

You might want to try thr 225 gr. Barnes TSX. That bullet has smacked down six elk so far, each a one shot kill. The TTSX may work as well or maybe better but I haven't tried then. I would imagine the Accubond would work as well but the time I tried the 225 gr. AB none of my .35 Whelens liked the bullet.
Paul B.

[MarkCO]

The only issue with the TSX and TTSX is they NEED velocity to be over about 2200 fps to expand. That is, therefore limiting them in range.

[jetinteriorguy]

Originally Posted by Paul B.

"Game rules are exactly that, GAME rules. Sport hunting times, places and allowable equipment are created by State Fish & Game depts for exactly that, a sporting game. What makes sense or doesn't is up to the Game dept, and you can have input. Doesn't mean they'll change anything right away, because its about what they consider best for the game animals, and the majority of hunters not about what makes things easy for you or I."

I can agree with you for the most part but do so when they discriminate against one style of rifle because it do not have an external hammer. A single shot rifle in just that. One shell in the chamber and one has to reach for a source of another round and chamber it to fire another shot. It take just about the same amount of time depending on ones dexterity to reload a Browning B78 or the Ruger Number One. I have both style rifles and I can load them rather quickly and see no noticeable difference in the speed of reloading for another shot. In fact, on a good day I can chamber another round about as fast as the average hunter can using a bolt action should I need to do so. I just fail to see their logic.
Paul B.

I’m just taking a wild guess, but possibly the rule for an external hammer is a safety issue? The unexposed rifle would depend on a manual safety which may accidentally get disengaged unknowingly creating a dangerous situation, where an external hammer needs to be manually cocked which may be construed as being safer. Of course carelessness or user error can defeat either of these arguments.

[taylorce1]

Originally Posted by MarkCO

The only issue with the TSX and TTSX is they NEED velocity to be over about 2200 fps to expand. That is, therefore limiting them in range

While the Barnes X and possibly the TSX bullets might have required a 2200 fps velocity to provide reliable expansion. I'd say your off on what they require currently in the TTSX and LRX lineups. Here is what Barnes has to say about some commonly used .308 bullets.

The 0.308" 165gr TTSX is a shorter ogive than the 0.308" 168gr TTSX. We offer both for different cartridges to work within SAAMI COAL limits. The 308 168gr works well in the 308 WIN and 30-06 which allow more exposed bullet to be seated out further. The 165gr was designed for cartridges more like the 300 WIN MAG which require a shorter ogive to work within SAAMI limits.

When handloading, you can use either in a 300 WIN MAG just realize with the 168/175gr that you will need to seat it out a little further that the SAAMI max COAL and check proper fit and function in your particular firearm.

They all function to similar velocities. The 168gr and 175gr LRX will open up at a lower velocity (around 1600 ft/s) than the 165gr (around 1800 ft/s). For best performance we recommend keeping impact velocity a few hundred feet above this minimum.

Thanks
Greggory Sloan | Ballistics Lab Supervisor
Barnes Bullets, LLC

So the best way to find out what kind of wiggle room you have is to contact Barnes directly. However, I'll agree the more velocity the better as a general rule with all mono metal bullets.

[Paul B.]

"Originally Posted by MarkCO
The only issue with the TSX and TTSX is they NEED velocity to be over about 2200 fps to expand. That is, therefore limiting them in range."

I have taken elk as distances from about 75 yards (twice) to 350 yards as laser measured by my guide. Cartridge is the .35 Whelen, 225 gr. TSX ay 27710 FPS MV. Trajectory is about the as a 30-06 with 180 gr. spitzer flat base bullet.
Paul B.

[taylorce1]

27710 is smoking! I'm sure there is an extra 7 in there.

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by Paul B.

"

they discriminate against one style of rifle because it do not have an external hammer.

It's the spirit of the game. I understand that. What I don't understand is why they even bother with a primitive weapons season when they only use it for public lands and the first primitive weapons season on private lands.

[MarkCO]

Originally Posted by Paul B.

I have taken elk as distances from about 75 yards (twice) to 350 yards as laser measured by my guide. Cartridge is the .35 Whelen, 225 gr. TSX ay 27710 FPS MV. Trajectory is about the as a 30-06 with 180 gr. spitzer flat base bullet.
Paul B.

Good placement, or fast enough.

I put a good shot on an Elk at 405y, penciled straight through, unlucky to hit no bone on the way in. Laid down, but was not dead. When I got to about 50 yards, it got up and I anchored it with very close to the same shot, just a little higher. Two Very different internal ballistic profiles. My call to Barnes was enlightening, and when I stopped using them on Elk.

[MarkCO]

Originally Posted by taylorce1

So the best way to find out what kind of wiggle room you have is to contact Barnes directly. However, I'll agree the more velocity the better as a general rule with all mono metal bullets.

I did call Barnes, and the .33 caliber bullets just need more, and that was confirmed to me. I still use them in the .22 to .284 calibers, and they work great and don't need to be going as fast.

[Jack O'Conner]

I bought a slightly used Winchester model 670 and had it re-barreled to 9.3 X 62 for an elk hunt is Wyoming. A medium sized 5 X 5 bull was downed with two shots at a distance of about 200 yards. I'm certain that a 35 Whelen would be just as effective. - Jack