So, I got a 35 Whelen.

The newest Sierra manual lists some pretty astonishing data (to me) for a 225 grain Gameking bullet using CFE223. Max load is 2900 fps with that 225gr bullet. That's well into 358 Norma territory. Anyone ever load to these levels? Seems like a potentially devastating round to tote around in the deer woods. Might also be devastating on my shoulder from the bench. Hopefully that's good data from Sierra. My understanding is that some of these new powders just happen to really hit the spot with certain cartridges, and apparently the 35 Whelen and CFE223 is one of them from what I read.

Thoughts?

I do. Let me go check my notebook and get you the info.
The load I worked up is for a 250gr Speer Hot Core. I loaded 64grs of CFE223 with an overall length of 3.28. This is a 5 shot group at 100yds. Yes I pulled 1 shot. Unfortunately at the time I didn’t have a chronograph. And yes it will beat the daylights out of you when you squeeze the trigger.

Looks good to me. Long as you use 225s and nor 250s your shoulder won't complain bad. Push 250s hard and your shoulder will get an account and post bad things about you on the internet. 4064 and h335 are considered the best in the Whelen but this cfe stuff shows promise.

Marsh and Dave, thank you.

Marsh, good looking group. No one can pick at you for the pulled shot!

I’ll report back if I end up loading some up

Have you shot anything with that 250gr hot core?

I have not yet. I’m planning on trying to this season.

I load 250 sgr bullets in my 35 Whelen AI and it's brutal on the shoulder. That steel butt plate isn't very forgiving.