.35 Whelen Bullet for Africa

ScottB · Sunday at 4:25 PM

I’m going back to Africa, and this time I’m taking my .35 Whelen. Last time my .375 with Barnes 270 grn TSX bullets performed flawlessly. I really like the TSX, but I’d like to go with a 250 grn bullet for the Whelen, but the TSX isn’t available in that weight. If I want that bullet, it’s going to have be a 225 grain. Other options are Swift A-Frame in 250 grains, but right now, they’re unobtanium. Nosler Partition is another option, but I prefer Swift’s bonded version.

Rifle is a Ruger Hawkeye African, and when I bought the rifle, I bought a couple of boxes of Speer Hot Core 250 grainers. Main reason is that they are a cheap option for sighting in a scope, and practice. My very first load, first group at 100 yards, was ½ moa. The gun just shoots lights out with that bullet. But I don’t really trust a cup and core bullet on larger, tough plains game (Eland, Kudu, Wildebeast, etc.).

So I’m looking for recommendations. My preference, in order, is Swift A-Frame 250 grn (if I can get it), Barnes TSX 225 grain, and lastly Nosler partition 250 grain.

Any assistance or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

Hedge774 · Sunday at 4:29 PM

Hey Buddy! What do you plan on hunting on this trip?

meigsbucks · Sunday at 4:33 PM

Look into NorthFork. Their monometals only go to 225gr, but their semi-spitzer is available in 250gr.

Zinz · Sunday at 4:33 PM

Took my No.1 in .35 Whelen last June and used factory Barnes 200gr TTSX ammo. Two large Sable, Impala, Steenbok, and Springbok were one and done. Sable were taken at 140 yds and 50 yds. Bullets performed perfectly.

Ed Z

ScottB · Sunday at 4:34 PM

Hedge774 said:
Hey Buddy! What do you plan on hunting on this trip?

Primary are Eland, Kudu, and Blue Wildebest. Sable is a possibility, and then some other, smaller plains game.

ScottB · Sunday at 4:37 PM

meigsbucks said:
Look into NorthFork. Their monometals only go to 225gr, but their semi-spitzer is available in 250gr.

Is their semi-spritzer bonded? The website doesn’t say.

ScottB · Sunday at 4:39 PM

Zinz said:
Took my No.1 in .35 Whelen last June and used factory Barnes 200gr TTSX ammo. Two large Sable, Impala, Steenbok, and Springbok were one and done. Sable were taken at 140 yds and 50 yds. Bullets performed perfectly.

View attachment 806470 View attachment 806472 View attachment 806471

Ed Z

I do like the Barnes bullets.

Your experience mirrors mine with my .375 in Africa, and my 7mm here in the states. If the 225 TSX shoots well in my rifle, I’ll strongly consider it.

Hedge774 · Sunday at 4:40 PM

Copy that. I took a 1500 lb Eland with a 300 TSX in .375. It did the job in one. That being said, I would use the toughest and heaviest bullet I could find on those tanks of nature. @meigsbucks is on to something with the 250 gr NF. Keep us posted! I envy your safari!

DocHolliday · Sunday at 4:43 PM

The NF SS is a solid copper shank like a Barnes and the top has a lead core, Not sure if bonded. Good luck finding them.

ScottB · Sunday at 4:47 PM

DocHolliday said:
The NF SS is a solid shank like a Barnes and the top has a lead core, Not sure if bonded. Good luck finding them.

Yeah, that’s a common problem with the more boutique bullet makers.

Both Swift and North Fork will be at the DSC convention in Atlanta. I’ll check them both out and see if they have what I need.

Hedge774 · Sunday at 4:48 PM

I have seen some negative reviews on Partitions, which is odd to me. I was brought up on the "Load a partition and go hunt." logic. Unless production quality has dropped, I'm not sure why they would kill things less dead than they did in the 90's. Have you considered Federal Fusion? I've had great success with them. What about TBBC??

ScottB · Sunday at 4:54 PM

Hedge774 said:
I have seen some negative reviews on Partitions, which is odd to me. I was brought up on the "Load a partition and go hunt." logic. Unless production quality has dropped, I'm not sure why they would kill things less dead than they did in the 90's. Have you considered Federal Fusion? I've had great success with them. What about TBBC??

I’ve read about quite a few Partition failures, and spoken with a number of hunters that have experienced the same. The Partition was great when it first came out, and for quite a few years afterwards, because there wasn’t really anything better. But now, there are some really good options.

I’m surprised that Nosler hasn’t updated the Partition to be a bonded bullet. They have the technology, and if they did it, they’d almost assuredly take market share away from the Swift A-Frame.

Hedge774 · Sunday at 4:56 PM

Man. I like your idea!

ScottB · Sunday at 4:59 PM

Hedge774 said:
Man. I like your idea!

I wish Nosler liked it.

It looks like the TBBC is only available in .375, .416, and .474.

BAY · Sunday at 5:09 PM

Norma Oryx has a 250gr and is very accurate in my Ruger African.

Hedge774 · Sunday at 5:16 PM

@BAY Yessir! Totally forgot about the Oryx. Proven itself on every Continent. The .30 Cal are very accurate for me.

Hedge774 · Sunday at 5:16 PM

Where's @Bob Nelson 35Whelen when you need him??

ScottB · Sunday at 5:20 PM

BAY said:
Norma Oryx has a 250gr and is very accurate in my Ruger African.

Thanks!

TnKen · Sunday at 7:19 PM

I used the 225 accubonds out of my 35 Whelen in July and was very impressed. Most dropped at the shot or didn’t go very far. Farthest shot was 505 yards and got complete penetration on a hartabeest.

Hedge774 · Sunday at 7:22 PM

TnKen said:
I used the 225 accubonds out of my 35 Whelen in July and was very impressed. Most dropped at the shot or didn’t go very far. Farthest shot was 505 yards and got complete penetration on a hartabeest.

Greetings from TYS! What all did you hunt? I know a red hartabeest is a tough win!

.35 Whelen Bullet for Africa

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