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Thread: Real world difference between 30-06 and 35 Whelen 180 -220 grain bullet performance?

  1. #1
    thomae
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    Real world difference between 30-06 and 35 Whelen 180 -220 grain bullet performance?


    Are there any forum members out there in interneck land who would be able to discuss real world experiences and differences they noticed when loading the same type and weight bullet (180 grain -220 grain range) in both 30-06 and 35 Whelen.

    I understand the differences in BC and SD.
    I understand that the 35 Whelen has slightly more powder capacity if you pack it full because of the wider neck.

    Does any of this translate into noticeable real world differences?

    Thanks in advance for your replies.

  2. #2
    Team Savage BobT's Avatar
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    I can't comment on the Whelen since I have never done any extensive work with it but the similar .338/06 I have done quite a bit with. I never noticed any substantial differences with the 180 and 200 grain bullets velocity wise but the .30/06 had a little better trajectory and I suspect real world penetration would be better. IMHO the only real advantage in the Whelen or .338/06 either one is with the heavier bullets, up to 200 grains the .30/06 will work as well realistically speaking.

    Bob
    It's better to shoot for the moon and hit the fencepost than to shoot for the fencepost and hit the ground!

  3. #3
    Grit #1
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    I have a US model 1917 Remington custom in 35 Whelen. It has a 22" heavy sporter barrel on it. With the 200gr Horn. spire point in front of 58.5 grains of 4895 Russian I am getting 2700fps with an extreme spread of 12fps. I can cover a five shot group at 125yds with a quarter. That is much more powerful than the 3006 with the 200 grain bullet. The best I have ever gotten with the 200 in the 06 is 2400fps My Whelen can push a 250grain bullet at that speed.
    Best regards,
    Grit

  4. #4
    thomae
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    Grit,
    Pardon my ignorance (and I really do appreciate the good data point!) but what is 4895 Russian?
    Is that a surplus powder from pulled cartridges? (Just guessing.)
    I have Hodgdon 4895 and I know IMR also makes a 4895.
    Thanks for your help.
    Thomae
    Last edited by thomae; 07-13-2012 at 01:51 PM. Reason: Meant to say Hodgdon, not Hornady powder.

  5. #5
    Grit #1
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    You have Hogdon H4895. 4895R is a Russian surplus powder that is new MFG. I bought 12 8lb caddies about 6 years ago when it was running 78.00 per 8lbs. Burn rate is between IMR 4895 and IMR 4064. You can still get it from Pat's Reloading or Jeff Bartlett.
    Best regards,
    Grit

  6. #6
    Basic Member JASmith's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by thomae View Post
    ...I understand the differences in BC and SD.
    I understand that the 35 Whelen has slightly more powder capacity if you pack it full because of the wider neck.

    Does any of this translate into noticeable real world differences...
    The .35 Whelen is an excellent cartridge with a fine reputation as a big game harvester.

    The 30-06 is no slouch, and we can analytically demonstrate why. I did a quick look up in the Remington Ballistics Calculator of the 200 gr .35 Whelen load, plus 30-06 loads in 180 and 220 grain bullets. I then used the 100 yard velocities in the Hornady HITS Calculator (http://www.hornady.com/hits/calculator) to see their relative performance. The HITS calculator gives a rough measure of relative penetration and wound channel potential for bullet weight, caliber, and velocity and links the score to various game classes by animal weight and tendency to go after the hunter.

    Here's what I found:

    .35 Whelen 200 gr 100 yd vel = 2375 ft/sec HITS Score = 1059 (good for large game)

    30-06 180 gr Scirocco 100 yd el = 2522 ft/sec HITS Score = 1230 (good for large game)
    30-06 180 CL Ultrabonded 100 yd vel = 2450 HITS Score = 1210 (good for large game)

    30-06 220 gr CL 100 yd vel = 2130 ft/sec HITS Score = 1551 (good for dangerous game -- things that will hunt you in return for you hunting them!)

    So, I would stay with my trusty '06 or my Whelen for most North American Game, but can do more with the 30-06!

  7. #7
    thomae
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    Quote Originally Posted by JASmith View Post
    The .35 Whelen is an excellent cartridge with a fine reputation as a big game harvester.

    The 30-06 is no slouch, and we can analytically demonstrate why. . . So, I would stay with my trusty '06 or my Whelen for most North American Game, but can do more with the 30-06!

    Good info, JASmith; Thanks. Please note, I am not trying to get into a "which is better" discussion. (...and I see that you steered clear of that as well.)

    Both cartridges are extremely effective on N. American game when loaded correctly.

    I own both, but my 35Whelen is newer (just finishing up the build - if I can ever get the Watco oil to ever harden and look decent) and I am just starting load development.
    I will certainly be shooting some heavy bullets, but am also trying to determine whether or not it makes sense (other than "I want to" ) to develop loads in the low bullet weight-range. Considering the price of bullets these days, load development with premium, heavier bullets get expensive.

    Cheers.
    Last edited by thomae; 07-11-2012 at 02:32 PM. Reason: fix grammatical errors

  8. #8
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    thomae...........I have both .30-06's and a .35 Whelen(standard). I have shot up to 220gn round nosed bullets in the .30-06 @ abt 2400fps. I have shot 225gn Sierra's @ abt 2600fps in my .35 Whelen. My preferred load is a 250gn Speer fbsp @ abt 2500fps. The .30-06 is a 22" 10" twist barrel & the .35 Whelen is a 24 1/2" 12 twist Douglas barrel on an old '03 Spgfld action. For close range(less than 200yds) or big game,I much prefer my .35 Whelen. The .30-06 w/ 180-200gn spitzers will shoot flatter although not appreciably @ less than 200yds,but the .35 will **** sure hit harder and make bigger holes. I love my Whelen.

  9. #9
    thomae
    Guest
    I just purchased a few boxes of the blemished Hornady 35 cal 250 grain bullets. Hopefully, I can find a load that shoots well.

    "hit harder and make bigger holes." Sounds good to me!

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