fireform 35 Whelen Imp w 357 bullets

laogai

i have a 35 whelen improved rifle and need to fireform more from standard 35 whelen cases.

can i use 38 pistol bullets (357 diameter)?
any safe reduced load info, as all i am doing is fireforming and want minimal pressures?

anyone tried the Cream of Wheat method, and does it dirty the barrel?

Riomouse911

Yes you can use .357 mag bullets, I use them in .35 Rem cases for plinking all the time. As for reduced loads, {Elsewhere} had a forum where a guy used 12 gr Unique with a handgun bullet, but I didn't see where that was a fireforming load. Shooters furum had this posting for fireforming 35 Ack impr.: "I have been having a lot of fun fire forming cases using 42 gr. Of rl 7 behind a berry 158 gr. .357 bullet."

Again, check your reloading manuals, or call powder companies and inquire with their tech experts before loading or firing any to make sure you're ok.

charliemeyer007

Cream of wheat will work better in a more bottle necked case. Any good cast bullet and load data for your 35 Whelen / Improved will be just fine. Unique is a good choice and you could use cast bullet data from a 35 Remington.

navc130

15 gr. of Unique, Cream of Wheat and toilet paper wad worked for me to form a German 8mm-360 case from 30-30 cases. Why not just load the standard case and fireform it at full power. The headspacing should be the same.