4 of 8 .35 Whelen factory loads carry 1,500 ft·lb and expansion velocity for elk; the best reach 350 yd (Barnes VOR-TX 200 gr TTSX BT). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX 200 gr TTSX BT | 200 | 350 | 2,700 | 1,157 | yes |
| Federal 200 gr Fusion | 200 | 350 | 2,800 | 1,161 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 180 gr TTSX FB | 180 | 300 | 2,900 | 937 | yes |
| Norma 250 gr Oryx | 250 | 300 | 2,428 | 1,024 | yes |
| Hornady Superformance 200 gr SP InterLock | 200 | wrong bullet | 2,910 | 984 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington High Performance Rifle 250 gr Pointed Soft Point | 250 | wrong bullet | 2,400 | 1,222 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 200 gr Power-Point | 200 | wrong bullet | 2,800 | 895 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 200 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 200 | wrong bullet | 2,675 | 851 | behind the shoulder only |
1,500 ft·lb is the number most repeated (Guns & Ammo, Backfire); Hawks says 1,200, Boddington floats 2,000. Avoid quick-opening and match bullets. Legal: SD: ≥ .243 and 1,700 ft·lb at muzzle · CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.gunsandammo.com, www.chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com, regulations.justia.com.