Ammo for Whelen
#11
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 373
RE: Ammo for Whelen
I had two loads worked up for my whelen. One a 250 Hornady RN @ 2450fps and the other a 225 sierra SBT @ 2650. They would work with the same zero with the 225 hitting exactly 3" higher than the 250gr load. Varget and H322 were my perfered powders, along with rem cases and WLR primers. The 250 hornady load was extremely accurate. The only problem with the Nosler BT was that it seemed to generate exsessive pressures compared to the Sierra SBT. The barnes 225gr TSX is another bullet worth a good look. My loads always worked better with a crimp so I had a Lee "factory crimp" die custom made for the whelen, works great. The whelen is super easy to load for and a great old cartridge. Its spectacularly good at killing game without a lot of whizzbang and fanfair.
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Garfield NJ USA
Posts: 3,067
RE: Ammo for Whelen
4" grps were the average out ot my 7600 with those factory loads. Now I handload the 200 gr corlokt and interlok with average 1 1/2" grps. Like I said and you've probably already figured out that there aren't many available from the factory. Suggestion: You're on a budget, buy a few boxes of shells, shoot them, if the gun shoots them well enough all's well. Otherwise I'd say buy a Lee anniversary kit for around $70, BUY A BETTER SCALE, the Lyman 500 is probably the best in it's price range. Lee dies for $25. You have some brass to start with, bullets, primers and powder will run about $35 so for around a $150 your reloading. While the Lee isn't the highest quality press I persoanally find the dies alot easier to use than most and the case trimmer and pilots are a great approach.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
RE: Ammo for Whelen
The TBBC loads are fairly accurate in my rifle (Remington CDL). I just installed a Bell & Carlson stock with the aluminum bedding plate. I've seen improvement in accuracy with some of my other Remington's using this set-up. Also plan to lighten the trigger a little. To keep things in perspective, the Whelen puts a large hole in an animal no matter what load your shooting. I don't see MOA groups as being a priority but am looking more for consistency. Would still like some feed back on the Conley ammo if anybody has any.