Reliable 35 Remington load data can be sourced directly from established powder manufacturers and bullet makers, including Hodgdon, Hornady, Speer, Lyman, and Sierra. Published load data for this classic woods cartridge normally includes the tested bullet weight, bullet profile, powder type, starting powder charge, maximum powder charge, expected muzzle velocity, and laboratory tested pressure levels. The most common bullet weights represented in published .35 Remington reloading data range from lightweight 150 grain projectiles to heavy 220 grain hunting bullets, with the 200 grain round nose being the absolute standard. Powder manufacturers publish this data specifically for the standard .35 Remington chamber, and using these precise component combinations is critical because the cartridge operates at a relatively low maximum pressure limit of 35,000 PSI or 33,500 CUP.
35 Remington Load Data
| Bullet | Bullet Weight | Powder | Published Starting Load | Published Maximum Load | Published Velocity (Max) | Pressure (Max) | Test Barrel / Firearm | Source |
| Speer FN | 180 gr | Hodgdon Varget | 37.0 gr | 40.5 gr | 1,998 fps | 32,500 CUP | 14″ Barrel | Hodgdon Data |
| Speer FN | 180 gr | Hodgdon H4895 | 35.0 gr | 39.0 gr | 2,031 fps | 33,100 CUP | 14″ Barrel | Hodgdon Data |
| Speer FN | 180 gr | Hodgdon BL-C(2) | 39.0 gr | 43.0 gr | 1,954 fps | 32,300 CUP | 14″ Barrel | Hodgdon Data |
| Hornady FTX | 200 gr | Hodgdon LEVERevolution | Not published | 41.4 gr (approx) | 2,116 fps | 34,700 CUP | 24″ Barrel | Hodgdon Data |
| Hornady RN | 200 gr | Hodgdon LEVERevolution | Not published | 42.5 gr (approx) | 2,235 fps | 31,200 CUP | 24″ Barrel | Hodgdon Data |
| Sierra RN | 200 gr | IMR 4895 | Not published | 38.0 gr | 2,029 fps | Not published | 22″ Barrel | Shooting Times |
| Speer FN | 220 gr | Alliant Reloder 12 | Not published | 38.0 gr | 1,977 fps | Not published | 22″ Barrel | Shooting Times |
Understanding The .35 Remington Load Data
Reloading manuals provide data that has been strictly pressure tested in controlled laboratory environments using specialized universal receivers.
- Starting load: The safest baseline powder charge recommended by the publisher. It generates enough pressure for consistent ignition while maintaining a wide margin of safety during your initial .35 Remington load development.
- Maximum published load:The highest powder charge tested that remains within the SAAMI pressure limit for the .35 Remington, which is set at 35,000 PSI or 33,500 CUP.
- Velocity: The expected speed of the projectile as recorded by laboratory chronographs during testing.
- Pressure: The internal chamber pressure measured in CUP (Copper Units of Pressure) or PSI.
- Bullet weight: The physical mass of the projectile in grains.
- Powder: The specific brand and burn rate of the propellant used.
- Barrel length: The length of the test barrel used by the laboratory. Standard test barrels for the .35 Remington are commonly 20 to 24 inches for rifles, though 14 inch data is widely published for specialized hunting pistols.
- Test conditions:Laboratories use specifically sized testing equipment, specific brass cases, and specific primers, usually standard Large Rifle primers, to gather their data.
Reputable sources publish varying numerical figures because they utilize different brass brands, distinct primer batches, and testing barrels with slightly different internal tolerances.
.35 Remington Bullet Weight Load Data
The .35 Remington was designed as a medium range woods cartridge. Reloaders can find published load data for several bullet weights tailored for deer and black bear hunting.
- 150 grain: Typically used for lightweight, low recoil loads. These lightweight bullets achieve the highest velocities in the caliber, frequently exceeding 2,300 fps, but they shed velocity very rapidly past 100 yards.
- 180 grain: An excellent mid weight option favored for its balance of velocity and penetration. Published .35 Remington load data for 180 grain flat nose bullets routinely shows velocities breaking the 2,000 fps mark, making it highly effective on deer.
- 200 grain: This is the absolute classic bullet weight for the .35 Remington. Published data is incredibly abundant for 200 grain round nose and polymer tipped bullets. This weight offers spectacular terminal performance on medium game in heavy brush.
- 220 grain: The heaviest practical weight heavily supported by published reloading data. These heavy projectiles are typically loaded with medium burning powders and are favored for deep penetration on heavy game at close ranges. Maximum velocities commonly range from 1,900 to 2,000 fps.
.35 Remington Powder Load Data
Because of its modest case capacity and relatively low operating pressure, the .35 Remington performs best with medium to fast burning rifle powders.
| Powder | Bullet | Bullet Weight | Published Starting Load | Published Maximum Load | Published Velocity | Source |
| Hodgdon Varget | Speer FN | 180 gr | 37.0 gr | 40.5 gr | 1,998 fps | Hodgdon Data |
| Hodgdon H4895 | Speer FN | 180 gr | 35.0 gr | 39.0 gr | 2,031 fps | Hodgdon Data |
| IMR 4895 | Sierra RN | 200 gr | Not published | 38.0 gr | 2,029 fps | Shooting Times |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | Hornady FTX | 200 gr | Not published | 41.4 gr (approx) | 2,116 fps | Hodgdon Data |
Load data published for a specific 200 grain round nose bullet cannot automatically be used for a 200 grain polymer tipped bullet. Bearing surface differences and seating depths create distinct friction levels inside the barrel.
.35 Remington Bullet And Powder Combinations
The exact component combination dictates the internal pressure of the cartridge. The .35 Remington case features a very small shoulder, which requires reloaders to pay strict attention to how they resize their brass.
Bullet construction matters heavily.Most .35 Remington rifles, such as the Marlin 336, utilize tubular magazines. Reloaders must explicitly use flat nose or round nose bullets to prevent the tip of one bullet from detonating the primer of the cartridge in front of it under recoil. The only exception is the Hornady FTX, which features a pliable polymer tip specifically designed to be safe in tubular magazines. Because the FTX is longer than a standard round nose bullet, it seats deeper into the case, reducing internal volume and requiring specific, adjusted load data.
Furthermore, brass brands can vary significantly in case weight and internal volume. Winchester cases are often heavier with less capacity than Hornady or Remington cases. Reloaders must match the published load data to the exact tested components used by the publisher to avoid dangerous pressure spikes.
.35 Remington Velocity From Published Data
Velocities provided in published manuals serve as a laboratory baseline rather than a universal guarantee.
- Manufacturer published velocity: Generated in heavily controlled test environments using precise universal receivers, typically with 20 or 24 inch barrels.
- Independent chronograph testing: Measured by reloaders using production hunting rifles. It is common for a load rated at 2,100 fps in a manual to yield slightly lower numbers out of a standard lever action hunting rifle due to bore wear or a looser chamber tolerance.
- Ballistic calculator estimates: Software predictions based on bullet weight, powder charge, and barrel length. These are strictly mathematical estimates and do not replace physical chronograph data.
Do not present a software calculated velocity as a verified or measured velocity.
.35 Remington Load Data By Barrel Length
Barrel characteristics radically affect .35 Remington velocity.
- 24 inch barrels: Used in laboratory testing and traditional bolt action or pump rifles. These barrels extract the maximum possible velocity and ensure a full powder burn.
- 20 inch barrels: The absolute standard length found on the vast majority of Marlin lever action rifles. Shooters utilizing a 20 inch barrel will experience a moderate velocity loss compared to 24 inch laboratory figures.
- 14 inch barrels: The .35 Remington is extremely popular in single shot hunting handguns like the Thompson/Center Contender. Hodgdon publishes extensive data specifically for 14 inch barrels, where velocities are understandably lower due to the shortened powder burn time.
Always identify the test barrel length associated with any published velocity figure.
.35 Remington Energy And Ballistics
When loaded to its potential, the .35 Remington delivers devastating kinetic energy at close ranges, offering a broader wound channel than the .30-30 Winchester.
Using published Hodgdon data for a 200 grain FTX bullet leaving a 24 inch barrel at 2,116 fps, the cartridge produces roughly 1,988 foot pounds of muzzle energy. Due to the low ballistic coefficients of flat nose and round nose .358 caliber bullets, the projectile loses velocity very rapidly. By 150 to 200 yards, the energy drops significantly, making the .35 Remington a dedicated short to medium range cartridge. The modern polymer tipped FTX bullet improves the ballistic coefficient slightly, offering better retained energy and a flatter trajectory out to 200 yards. Clearly identify the exact bullet and load associated with every ballistic figure.
Standard .35 Remington vs +P Data
It is vital to understand the pressure categories of rifle cartridges. There is no official SAAMI specification for .35 Remington +P load data.
- Standard pressure data:The .35 Remington operates at a very low maximum pressure limit of 35,000 PSI (33,500 CUP). All published .35 Remington load data operates strictly within this limit to ensure safety in vintage semi automatic rifles (like the Remington Model 8) and pump actions.
- The +P myth: The .35 Remington does not have a designated +P category. Any secondary source claiming to offer .35 Remington +P load data is publishing overpressure, unsafe, and undocumented recipes.
- Safety warning:Reloaders must never attempt to create +P data for the standard .35 Remington by exceeding published maximum charges.The thin brass case and minimal shoulder mean that exceeding standard pressures will quickly lead to case head separation, destroyed brass, and potential injury to the shooter.
Manufacturer Data vs Independent Testing
When researching .35 Remington reloading data, you must prioritize official manufacturer data over user submitted load reports.
Manufacturer data is rigorously pressure tested using advanced copper crushers or piezoelectric transducers to measure exactly what is happening inside the chamber. Independent testing done by consumers generally only measures velocity via a chronograph. A chronograph cannot detect a dangerous pressure spike. An independent tester might achieve extreme velocities and claim a load recipe is safe simply because their specific rifle did not blow up, but that does not make it a verified or safe standard.
.35 Remington Pressure And Safety
The .35 Remington requires explicit attention to detail during the reloading process due to its unique case geometry.
Because the cartridge features a very slight shoulder, it headspaces poorly compared to modern bottleneck cartridges. Reloaders must be incredibly careful not to push the shoulder back too far during full length resizing. Pushing the shoulder back creates excessive headspace, which allows the firing pin to push the cartridge forward rather than igniting the primer, causing misfires. It also leads to rapid case stretching and failure upon firing. Furthermore, a firm crimp, often utilizing a Lee Factory Crimp Die, is highly recommended to prevent bullets from being pushed deep into the case while resting in a tubular magazine. Always begin your .35 Remington load development at the published starting load and work up carefully in small increments.
Best Sources For .35 Remington Load Data
The most reliable sources for verified reloading data include:
- Hodgdon Reloading Data Center:Excellent for online, pressure tested data covering a massive variety of Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders like LEVERevolution, Varget, and IMR 4064.
- Hornady Handbook: The best source if you are loading their proprietary FTX bullets, offering highly detailed velocity and powder charge charts specifically adjusted for the deeper seating depth of the polymer tip.
- Speer Reloading Manual: Offers excellent data sets for their traditional flat nose hunting projectiles.
- Lyman Reloading Manual:A fantastic resource for standard jacketed loads as well as extensive data for cast lead bullets.
Common .35 Remington Load Data Questions
Where can I find .35 Remington load data?
Authoritative data is available in the Hornady Handbook, the Speer manual, and the online Hodgdon Reloading Data Center.
What powders are used in published .35 Remington data?
Medium to fast burning rifle powders are standard, including Hodgdon LEVERevolution, Varget, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, BL-C(2), and Reloder 7.
What bullet weights have .35 Remington load data?
Published data exists primarily for 150, 180, 200, and 220 grain bullets.
What is the best source for .35 Remington reloading data?
The physical manuals from Hornady and Speer, along with the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center, are the most verified and comprehensive sources.
Why does .35 Remington load data vary between sources?
Laboratories use different test barrel lengths, varying brass capacities, distinct primer types, and distinct bullet bearing surfaces.
What is the difference between standard and .35 Remington +P load data?
There is no officially recognized .35 Remington +P load data. The standard cartridge operates at a maximum limit of 35,000 PSI (33,500 CUP), and attempting to load past this is strictly unsafe due to the thin brass construction.
Does barrel length affect .35 Remington velocity?
Yes. A 24 inch test barrel will yield significantly higher velocities and a more complete powder burn than a 14 inch pistol barrel.
Can the same powder charge be used with a different bullet?
No. Different bullets of the exact same weight have different lengths and seating depths, requiring specific standard pressure load data. The Hornady FTX, for example, seats deeper than a standard round nose and requires adjusted charges.
What is the difference between starting and maximum published load data?
The starting load is a safe baseline for load development, while the maximum load is the absolute highest charge tested that remains within the safe pressure limit.
Does Hodgdon publish .35 Remington load data?
Yes, the online Hodgdon Reloading Data Center provides extensive pressure tested data utilizing LEVERevolution, Varget, and other medium burning powders.
Does Hornady publish .35 Remington load data?
Yes, Hornady includes this cartridge in their current reloading handbooks, providing exact data for their FTX and traditional round nose bullet lines.
Does Speer publish .35 Remington load data?
Yes, Speer provides extensive load data for the .35 Remington in their manual, heavily featuring their 180 grain and 220 grain flat nose bullets.
Does Lyman publish .35 Remington load data?
Yes, the Lyman reloading manual includes comprehensive data sets for the cartridge across various bullet and powder brands, including cast lead data.
Final Verdict
For accurate and safe .35 Remington load data, reloaders must pull recipes directly from authoritative sources like Hodgdon, Hornady, Speer, and Lyman. It is imperative to compare the exact bullet profile, powder type, and component list before beginning your load development. Because the .35 Remington operates at a low pressure limit and features a tiny shoulder for headspacing, reloaders must explicitly avoid undocumented recipes, ensure careful resizing to prevent misfires, and adhere strictly to published maximum charges. By utilizing verified, laboratory tested load data, reloaders can safely maximize the fantastic brush hunting capabilities and classic performance of the .35 Remington.