As many readers know, the proposed IDNR rule to allow most “high-power” rifles for deer hunting failed to get NRC approval. Therefore, now may be time to “dust off” some old threads about Indiana-legal wildcats and shortened cartridges. For example, here is the link to a popular thread in 2014 (10 pages of replies with quite a bit of data and pictures) about the .35 Remington Short: https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/ammunition-reloading/333903-35-remington-short-1-80-a.html
As noted last year I found the .35 Remington Short to be very accurate in my Marlin 336. I even bagged a spike buck with it. It was a classic double lung shot at 150 yards. The 200 gr Hornady FTX bullet was a complete pass through, with the deer only running about 25 yards before piling up.
This year I obtained another rifle to try out with the same cartridge, an H & R Handi-Rifle with a very attractive camo finish on the synthetic stock. A few days ago I loaded some of the 200 gr Hornady FTX bullets that had shot so well from my Marlin 336. However, this time I decided to reduce my supply of a seldom used powder and loaded them with Accurate LT-32. I worked up to a respectable velocity that did not show any excessive pressure signs. That turned out to be 34 gr of LT-32 and it pushed the 200 gr FTX bullet at 2125 ft/sec muzzle velocity. Below is a picture of the first 5-shot group at 100 yards with this load. Counting the “flyer” the group was 2.25 inches center to center of the widest shots. Four of the five shots went into 1.10 inches. It looks promising, so I will load some more. Assuming the rifle continues to perform well on paper I plan to take it deer hunting in November.
Anyone else have questions or news to share on this wildcat/shortened cartridge?
As noted last year I found the .35 Remington Short to be very accurate in my Marlin 336. I even bagged a spike buck with it. It was a classic double lung shot at 150 yards. The 200 gr Hornady FTX bullet was a complete pass through, with the deer only running about 25 yards before piling up.
This year I obtained another rifle to try out with the same cartridge, an H & R Handi-Rifle with a very attractive camo finish on the synthetic stock. A few days ago I loaded some of the 200 gr Hornady FTX bullets that had shot so well from my Marlin 336. However, this time I decided to reduce my supply of a seldom used powder and loaded them with Accurate LT-32. I worked up to a respectable velocity that did not show any excessive pressure signs. That turned out to be 34 gr of LT-32 and it pushed the 200 gr FTX bullet at 2125 ft/sec muzzle velocity. Below is a picture of the first 5-shot group at 100 yards with this load. Counting the “flyer” the group was 2.25 inches center to center of the widest shots. Four of the five shots went into 1.10 inches. It looks promising, so I will load some more. Assuming the rifle continues to perform well on paper I plan to take it deer hunting in November.
Anyone else have questions or news to share on this wildcat/shortened cartridge?