New NOE 360-310 FN "The 35 Thumper"

yodogsandman

Well-Known Member
New NOE 360-310 FN "The 35 Thumper"
Here's my first range report for the new NOE 360-310 FN "35 Thumper" from the recent group buy. These groups were shot in my VZ-24 Mauser, 35 Whelen with a 22" barrel, 1 in 12 twist at 100 yards. The scope used was an old, heavily scarred Bushnel Banner 3x9x40. Shot 5 rounds then waited for the barrel to cool down and shot 5 more for each group. Conditions were 55*F sunny and breezy with 15 MPH gusts. I thought heft of this bullet would buck the wind good.

Bullets were cast from COWW's and about 2% Sn, oven heat treated at 430*F for an hour and quenched in ice cold water (with ice). As cast weight was 308gr. The bands measured .360" and the nose tapered from .349" to .352" per the NOE drawing. They were sized at .360" dry to seat Hornady GC's and then were coated with three coats of Ben's Liquid Lube. I waited five days for them to age harden after HT before shooting.

I did no special case preparation, just full length resized. Used Win 30-06 brass resized to 35 Whelen. Case lengths ran from 2.465" to 2.477", didn't bother to even trim them to even them up. They were shot 22 times prior without annealing and had been trimmed back once just to even them up. It really is time to do it again.

Starting load was 48.0gr IMR4831 over WLR primers at an O.A.L. of 3.380".

Then went to 49.0gr IMR4831.

Future loads will increase in one grain increments. I plan to try three different powders, IMR4831, IMR4350 and H414 (using magnum primers).

One major mistake in my calculations, though. My magazine box will only allow a C.O.A.L. of 3.200", I loaded these to 3.380" with no regard to that and had to load them one at a time. I found out they were too long at the range! Will try a length that will fit next time.
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Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Any idea of the velocity?
Those look like some nice groups for a 35 cal thumper.
 

yodogsandman

Well-Known Member
Thanks, sorry, I hate setting up my chronograph on the weekends. Especially this close to hunting season! Best guess would be somewhere about 1800-1900 FPS. The IMR 4831 gave nice round groups with the Lyman 358009 up to 56.0gr but, the band size for that was only .358".

Just 1 grain more powder tightened it up over a half inch, hoping more powder will do even better. I won't change my sights right away either, the groups are going in the right direction.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Understand on setting up chronographs when the masses are involved.
Going the right direction is an understatement.
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
yodogsandman

Really glad that BLL is working well for you.
Those groups look good , considering it is early
and the mold and bullet are still new to you.

Ben
 

35 shooter

Well-Known Member
Very nice start! The 49 gr. load is really looking good.Adjusting the oal to your mag length may do even better with that load....hope so anyway.

Looks like it's gonna be a good design on the bullet and shooting right off on a windy day is a definite good sign. Looks like you've got a winner in that bullet...congrats!!
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
The fact you used BLL tells me the lube is quite capable as more than an overcoat.
Keep the groups coming.
 

yodogsandman

Well-Known Member
I have confidence in just BLL up to about 2500 FPS or so. I did a mini torture test with the 7.62x51 (.308) up to about 2500 FPS this summer. Now have to try it at lower temps. Don't think the FPS will reach that with this bullet but, I'm hoping to get about 2300 FPS in my rifle.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Greetings
Those heavy for caliber bullets are "Thumpers" . Keep on going no matter what gets in the way. Those are the powders I would use.
I shoot those slow powders in my 375 Whelen with a 340 grainer gc. Found mag primers tended to open groups a bit. The 06 case when the neck is opened up reduces the over bore tendency and seems to work well with no mag primers. Least that is what my 375 Whelen does.
Mike in Peru
 

yodogsandman

Well-Known Member
Mag primers might be needed at lower temps to consistently ignite large amounts of ball powder. With my 7.62x51, mag primers solved vertical stringing using H414.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Greetings
So far when we are up north it is during warmer weather. Coldest I have shot the 375 Whelen was about 50 degrees with 4350 at that time.
But there is that possibility in some BRRRR cold temps mag primers would help. I generally start with regular primers and go to mag if needed. The heavy cast I load for caliber seems to offer plenty of inertial resistance to get things cooking.
Mike in Peru
 

yodogsandman

Well-Known Member
This is my second range report. Trimmed the cases to 2.466" just to square them off and make them all the same length. Changed the C.O.A.L. to fit my magazine. I was able to seat them to 3.250". Powder charges were increased to 50.0gr and 51.0gr of IMR4831. The barrel was not cleaned before shooting these or the last groups. Unburned kernels of powder were left there with no attempt to even use a dry patch between range trips or groups.
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Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Adjust a hint left, a hint up and go find a deer.
I would say your new bullet is shooting very well.
 

yodogsandman

Well-Known Member
Looking good! Kills on one end, maims on the other!
This is a very comfortable rifle to shoot. It weighs 9 1/2 lbs and has a 1" Decelerator pad installed. I can shoot it all day! Feels about like a regular 30-06 with 180's at this velocity.
 

yodogsandman

Well-Known Member
I gotta ask, what more do you need?

That load should be awesome on anything that needs shooting.

Brad, it's not a need, just a desire to do better. I need the trigger time and bench practice.

I would certainly take it hunting tomorrow if I had a moose permit! The season starts Saturday but, no permit.