Buffalo Bore and Double tap

[Zmax]

I bought a Remington 7600 in 35 whelen this spring. I have been shooting Remington green box 250 grain soft point RN. I think these are old stock and my local gun shop is running out. So i want to switch up cartridges. Now I am paying about 45-46$ a box for Remington ammo in 35 whelen locally. So I looked on line and noticed that "premium" ammo (double tap, buffalo bore ) are around the same price or cheaper. Is there a advantage to either of these in quality. I am looking for a round to use on deer, black bear and moose( eastern moose so under 900lbs mostly). I also read about 250 grain over penetrating on deer so was looking in 200 gr -225gr. I know i will have to try multiple loads to see what the gun likes. Also brass quality is important i plane on getting set up to reload next year so I am keeping the brass.

 

[Jimro]

For deer 200 grain is more than plenty. For bear or elk use the 250s.

I'm a fan of Buffalo Bore myself, but you shouldn't concern yourself with my opinion. Personally I would stop buying commercial ammo right now and get into reloading ASAP. 35 Whelen is a great cartridge for reloading. As far as deer go, you can use a quality 158 grain pistol bullet and knock a whitetail flat.

You can use any quality 30-06 brass necked up to 35 Caliber when you load your own. Unless you end up hunting somewhere that has a headstamp law you should really be scrounging for 30-06 either new or used. Heck, ask around, I sent off a few hundred rounds of 30-06 brass to a guy for his new Garand for plinking ammo. It was a mixed bunch but for "short line" work on a Garand it does fine.

So you have access to plentiful brass, cheap 9mm pistol bullets as well as a bevy of more "premium" bullets, and you are paying over two bucks a round for commercial? Get thee hence to the reloading press!

Jimro