Barnes VOR-TX 35 Whelen 180gr TTSX FB – Ultimate Bear Load

Description

The Barnes VOR-TX 35 Whelen 180gr TTSX FB is factory hunting ammunition for a big bore cartridge that has quietly outlived most of its rivals. Barnes pushes an all copper Tipped TSX out of the muzzle at roughly 2900 fps, and the load carries about 3362 ft-lbs of energy. That is a lot of frontal area moving fast, which is exactly what makes the 35 Whelen so effective on heavy game at woods and timber distances. Each box holds 20 rounds.

• Barnes VOR-TX 35 Whelen 180gr TTSX FB Overview
• 180 Grain TTSX Flat Base Performance
• Why Hunters Choose 35 Whelen Hunting Ammo
• Specifications
• Range Notes For This Polymer Tipped Copper Bullet

Barnes VOR-TX 35 Whelen 180gr TTSX FB Overview

The projectile is turned from solid copper, so there is no lead core to shed and no jacket to peel away from a core. A polymer tip protects the hollow nose in the magazine and drives rearward on impact, starting expansion the instant the bullet meets hide and bone.

The nose then opens into four sharp copper petals that reach roughly double the original diameter and stay attached to the shank. On a 35 caliber bullet that is a very wide wound channel, and recovered bullets usually retain close to all of their original weight.

180 Grain TTSX Flat Base Performance

The 180 grain TTSX flat base is the lighter and faster option in the Whelen lineup, and it suits hunters who want a flatter trajectory without giving up penetration. A flat base design is a deliberate choice here, since most shots with this cartridge happen well inside 300 yards where the boat tail advantage never comes into play.

Barnes machines relief grooves into the bearing surface of the Barnes VOR-TX 35 Whelen 180gr TTSX projectile. The grooves reduce bore contact, lower pressure and cut copper fouling, which is a big part of why this load groups well out of the older rifles many Whelen shooters carry.

Why Hunters Choose 35 Whelen Hunting Ammo

The 35 Whelen is simply a 30-06 case necked up to 35 caliber, which means it runs in any standard long action and feeds from an ordinary magazine. You get magnum class frontal area and energy without a belted case, a long action magnum receiver or punishing recoil. For elk in dark timber, black bear over bait and big northern whitetails, it is hard to beat.

Factory support for the cartridge has always been thin, which is why a quality loading matters. This 35 Whelen hunting ammo gives Whelen owners a premium copper option straight off the shelf instead of a handload project.

Recoil sits between a 30-06 and a 338 Winchester Magnum. Most shooters handle it well from a rest and barely notice it in the field.

Specifications

Range Notes For This Polymer Tipped Copper Bullet

A polymer tipped copper bullet normally prints to a slightly different point of impact than lead core ammunition, so zero with the exact load you plan to carry. Foul a clean barrel with a round or two first, then shoot your group and leave the turrets alone.

Copper needs impact velocity to open, and at a 0.295 ballistic coefficient this bullet sheds speed faster than a sleek long range projectile. The Barnes VOR-TX 35 Whelen 180gr TTSX stays above reliable expansion velocity comfortably past 300 yards, which covers nearly every shot this cartridge is asked to take.

Barnes packs the load 20 rounds to a box, enough for a zero check and a season for most hunters. Buy two boxes from the same lot if you plan to practice, and store them somewhere cool and dry so your zero holds year to year.

Lead Free Bear And Elk Ammunition Availability

Elk, bear and moose hunters running a classic American big bore, and anyone hunting where non toxic projectiles are required, will get the most from this lead free bear and elk ammunition. Full factory ballistics for the Barnes VOR-TX 35 Whelen 180gr TTSX are published by Barnes Bullets.

Shop more rifle ammunition, compare it with our Barnes VOR-TX 300 Wby Mag 180gr TTSX load, or browse the full ammunition selection at MAG5 Firearms.