35 Whelen accuracy problem

Bergtreffer

I have a Ruger M-77 in .35 Whelen. I do not like the accuracy of the 250 grain factory loads pushed thru the rifle. At the range, another guy was shooting a M-77 .35 Whelen, and he said that he had the same accuracy problem. He said that he handloaded 275 grain bullets from Midway and that the accuracy was good. I invite any and all advice about this problem. What is the rifling twist of this rifle, and how does one guesstimate which weight bullet to use with specific rifling twist rates? Why would a 275 grain bullet shoot more accurately than a 250 grain bullet? I hesitate to drop down to a 225 grain bullet, because (logically) that may make the accuracy problem even worse. I would like to use the Whelen for elk hunting (in Arizona) because it hits like a freight train. I zapped a wild boar with it one time (close range), and it killed that hog yesterday. But I believe that the accuracy problem needs be corrected before going after elk.

ern98

The reasons as to why one barrel likes or dislikes any given bullet can be many or just because it does. An easy way to determine what the twist rate is to use a full length cleaning rod with a snug fitting brush or patch on the end installed in the barrel and the brush just starting to engage the bore. Put a mark on the exposed shaft of the rod at the muzzel end. Also make a timing mark at top dead center. Pull the rod out until the timing mark makes one complete revolution. Measure between thw muzzel and the first muzzel mark. The distance will be the twist rate. When was your Ruger made? Some of Rugers early barrels, on some models, had a bad reputation. Do you reload your own? Factory ammo is somewhat limited and the solution to your problem may be just trying some different 250g bullets. Good luck.........

Bergtreffer

ern98, thank you for replying to me. MY Ruger M-77 was produced in January 1992, according to the Ruger company. I have three M-77 rifles, one in .300 Win mag, one in .458 Winchester mag, and this .35 Whelen. I bought a good supply of of factory loaded ammo, all in 250 grain bullet. I loaded ammo with my father back in the mid-1960s but I have not done it since. (Too much moving around the world in my working career. Now I am retired but I don't have much inclination to start doing it again. I have my dad's old press and a lot of dies, but my modern experience is decidedly lacking.)

My M-77 in .300 Win mag is a really terrific shooter. It was built in May 1985. It has been my main "meat cutter", and is heck on coyotes out here in Arizona. My M-77 in .458 Win mag was built in March 1980. I got a HECK of a good deal on it, probably because it is intimidating to shoot. I have only shot this .458 one time -- and it IS intimidating to shoot. Ha.

heliman

I have a 35 whelen in a Ruger #1. I don't handload for it yet. I first used Factory 225gr with about 1.5" to 2" accuracy. Since I have had good luck with Nosler accubond loads in other calibers, I purchased some Nosler Custom factory ammo with the 225gr accubond bullets. Accuracy went to less than 1"! Very satifactory for me. As far as I know they are available from Nosler or Midway USA only. They are spendy at over $40 a box. I look forward to hanloading this round in the future and will use the Accubond bullet. Incidently, my rifle did not like the 250's either.[:)]

1KYDSTR

There are often very different ogee angles on the same weight, different manufacturer bullets. sometimes this is a neccesity to give a higher ballistic co-efficient for long range work, sometimes a steeper angle that expands better at shorter distances etc... In essence, the shoulder angle on the bullet itself might be further forward or backward and contact the rifling at a different time during deflagration and launch into the throat. Sometimes the rifling has a lot of freebore (the Weatherby's are this way) and is more or less forgiving of ogee, but as noted, different guns behave differently and like different COL's and Ogee angles.

MIKE WISKEY

TRY SOME LIGHTER WEIGHT BULLETS, MY .35W'S (SEVERAL OVER THE YEARS) HAVE ALWAYS SHOT BETTER WITH 200/225 GN. BULLETS

laogai

My experience is with only one, a custom FN Mauser in 35 Whelen Improved. I've had the gun 10 years, and love both the rifle and the round. It is extremely accurate--consistently under 1"--but only with 250 grain ROUND NOSE bullets. Don't know the twist. Likes 3031 powder, not among the top usual choices.
I blew up an Alaskan moose's heart with one shot from it, but now for midwestern whitetails I'm playing with Reloader 15 and 225 grain Accubonds, sacrificing a little accuracy for trajectory.
As said above, individual rifles have individual tastes, sometimes traceable to things like twist or throat, but sometimes mysterious and inconsistent in terms of logic. I'd say experiment as much as you are able with as many combinations as possible, including 225 grainers, which is tough without reloading: especially on such a relatively uncommon round with limited factory offerings. Relaoding hasn't changed all that much, I encourage you to go back to it again!