Anyone tried Alliant 2000-MR in .35 Whelen?

black mamba · September 29, 2011, 01:45 PM

It seems from the other cartridges which this 2000-MR works well in that it should be a natural in the 35 Whelen, 350 RM or 35 Ackley Whelen with 225-300 gr bullets.

Anyone tried it yet?

PawPaw · September 29, 2011, 01:54 PM

I don't see any data for the 2000MR powder and the .35 Whelen.

I"ve been playing with that powder in the .308 and it's really interesting some of the numbers I've been seeing.

But no, I don't see any data at all for that powder in .35 Whelen.

Slamfire · September 29, 2011, 03:16 PM

Never used that powder.

Based on my tests with the 35 Whelen you want a fast powder. I had hangfires with AA2520, a ball powder in cold weather. The powder that worked best, and in cold weather, was IMR 3031.

Based on my experience I would stay away from ball powder, use medium to fast powders.

I did have good luck with IMR 4064, that is slower than IMR 3031.

Next loads I try, I think I will use N-135. A stick powder and on the quick side.

black mamba · September 29, 2011, 03:28 PM

Slamfire, of the available powders for which there is loading data for the Whelen, Varget and RL-15 seem to be the two best for both accuracy and velocity. I shoot the Ackley Whelen, which has about 3 grs. more powder capacity. Since the 2000-MR is just barely slower (according to the charts) than RL-15, but provides more energy and increased loading density, I thought it might be awesome with medium and heavy bullets.

Looks like I might just have to be the guinea pig, myself!

Slamfire · September 29, 2011, 06:36 PM

I tried Varget. I tried IMR 4895. Faster was better.

My 35 Whelen experience was fraught with difficulty.

I got all sorts of hangfires even though the cases were exactly minimum chamber.

I believe that shallow slight shoulder cushions the firing pin blow. Cold weather was hard on the ignition.

I replaced the firing pin, the mainspring.

My best ignition results were with the powders I mentioned.

black mamba · September 29, 2011, 10:48 PM

It's why I went with the Ackley version in my custom Whelen. The wider, sharper shoulder both headspaces better and prevents brass flow. I hardly ever have to trim cases. The extra 50-75 fps is very secondary to the case considerations.

September 29, 2011, 01:45 PM	#1
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	Anyone tried Alliant 2000-MR in .35 Whelen? It seems from the other cartridges which this 2000-MR works well in that it should be a natural in the 35 Whelen, 350 RM or 35 Ackley Whelen with 225-300 gr bullets. Anyone tried it yet?

September 29, 2011, 01:54 PM	#2
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	I don't see any data for the 2000MR powder and the .35 Whelen. I"ve been playing with that powder in the .308 and it's really interesting some of the numbers I've been seeing. But no, I don't see any data at all for that powder in .35 Whelen. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

September 29, 2011, 03:16 PM	#3
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Never used that powder. Based on my tests with the 35 Whelen you want a fast powder. I had hangfires with AA2520, a ball powder in cold weather. The powder that worked best, and in cold weather, was IMR 3031. Based on my experience I would stay away from ball powder, use medium to fast powders. I did have good luck with IMR 4064, that is slower than IMR 3031. Next loads I try, I think I will use N-135. A stick powder and on the quick side. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

September 29, 2011, 06:36 PM	#5
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I tried Varget. I tried IMR 4895. Faster was better. My 35 Whelen experience was fraught with difficulty. I got all sorts of hangfires even though the cases were exactly minimum chamber. I believe that shallow slight shoulder cushions the firing pin blow. Cold weather was hard on the ignition. I replaced the firing pin, the mainspring. My best ignition results were with the powders I mentioned. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

September 29, 2011, 03:28 PM	#4
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	Slamfire, of the available powders for which there is loading data for the Whelen, Varget and RL-15 seem to be the two best for both accuracy and velocity. I shoot the Ackley Whelen, which has about 3 grs. more powder capacity. Since the 2000-MR is just barely slower (according to the charts) than RL-15, but provides more energy and increased loading density, I thought it might be awesome with medium and heavy bullets. Looks like I might just have to be the guinea pig, myself!

September 29, 2011, 10:48 PM	#6
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	It's why I went with the Ackley version in my custom Whelen. The wider, sharper shoulder both headspaces better and prevents brass flow. I hardly ever have to trim cases. The extra 50-75 fps is very secondary to the case considerations.