By Layne Simpson
The .35 Remington has never been all that popular among handloaders for a number of reasons, but its versatility can be increased a bit through handloading. The use of relatively light handgun bullets for practice shooting and varminting is a good example. With a nominal diameter of .357 inch, they are slightly undersized in a .35 Remington barrel with its .358-inch groove diameter, but accuracy is usually adequate for bumping off a called-in coyote or reaching 100 yards or so across the Back Forty to end the clover-munching career of a wily old groundhog. Due to the higher velocities of lightweight bullets, a rifle with iron sights may run out of adjustment before reaching the desired zero, but those wearing scopes usually have a broad enough adjustment range to compensate.
The .35 Rem. is more deer cartridge than target cartridge, but it can carve out some tiny groups when chambered in an accurate rifle. Through the years I have shot a variety of rifles in this caliber, and the most accurate by a considerable margin was a Remington Model 600 that I still kick myself daily for trading away. In a very close second place in accuracy is a Remington Model 760 that I was wise enough to hang onto. A few Winchester Model 70 rifles were built in this caliber, and while I have never owned one, a friend who did claimed his to be capable of shooting tiny groups.
Some rifles in .35 Rem. will also shoot cast bullets quite accurately, and while not as good as jacketed bullets for game shooting, they are great for punching paper. A number of cast bullet styles and weights are available, with the Lyman No. 358430 being one of the best.
Layne's Favorite .35 Remington Handloads Bullet Powder (Type)/ (Grs.) Velocity (fps) Comments Speer 125-gr. JHP Reloder 7/ 42.0 2679 Great varmint load Speer 158-gr. JHP Reloder 7/ 37.0 2410 Great varmint load Speer 180-gr. FN H335/ 38.0 2247 Most accurate in Marlin 336 Lyman No.358430 195-gr. RN Reloder 7/ 26.0 1711 Accurate cast-bullet load Hornady 200-gr. SSP* H335/ 30.0 2054 See important note below Hornady 200-gr. FTX** VV N135/ 37.0 2062 Unable to reach Hornady factory load velocity Sierra 200-gr. RN IMR-4895/ 38.0 2029 Deadly whitetail load Speer 220-gr. FN Reloder 12/ 38.0 1977 Works on black bear * With the exceptions of the Remington Models 14 and 141, this bullet should not be used in rifles with tubular magazines due to its pointed shape. It is an excellent choice for the Winchester Model 70; Remington Models 30, 600, 760, 8, 81, and XP-100; and the T/C Contender pistol and carbine. ** Pulled from Hornady factory ammo and reloaded. This bullet was not available for handloading at the time of this writing. Notes: Velocity is the average of five or more rounds measured 12 feet from the muzzle of a Remington Model 14 with 22-inch barrel. Remington cases and 9 1.2 primers were used in all loads. With the exception of the cast-bullet load, all powder charges are maximum and should be reduced by 10% for starting loads.
