Introduction
The satisfying thud of a successful hunt, the crack of the rifle, the adrenaline coursing through your veins – these are moments etched in the memories of hunters. For generations, the thirty-five Remington has delivered those moments, and at the heart of its legacy lies the potent combination of the cartridge itself, and the classic performance of the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt bullet. This isn’t just about a caliber; it’s about a tradition, a proven track record, and a steadfast commitment to bringing home the game. This guide delves deep into why the thirty-five Remington loaded with the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt remains a favorite for hunters.
The Thirty-Five Remington Cartridge
From its humble beginnings, the thirty-five Remington has carved a significant niche in the world of hunting cartridges. Born in an era of lever-action rifles, it quickly gained a reputation for its effective combination of power, accuracy, and manageable recoil. While other cartridges have risen and fallen in popularity, the thirty-five Remington has consistently maintained its presence, a testament to its inherent effectiveness and the dedicated hunters who continue to champion it. The design philosophy behind the cartridge was simple: deliver substantial knockdown power in a compact, easy-to-handle package, ideal for close-to-medium range hunting, particularly in wooded environments.
For many, the lever-action rifle, such as the iconic Marlin Model 336, is synonymous with the thirty-five Remington. This rifle, known for its rugged reliability and smooth action, has become a natural partner to the cartridge. Countless other rifles, bolt-action and single-shot, have also been chambered for this versatile round, expanding the options for hunters and providing the choice to fit individual needs. The combination of rifle and cartridge creates a perfect partnership; a fast handling, reliable weapon that will always perform.
When we talk about cartridge performance, a description quickly emerges. The thirty-five Remington typically fires a bullet at a velocity that translates to a good balance of energy and trajectory. Compared to other cartridges of the era, it stood out for its capability to deliver more substantial power in a relatively compact package. This made it particularly well-suited for taking down medium-sized game at ranges generally within two hundred yards.
The thirty-five Remington has found its most appropriate usage in the timber, brush, and dense cover. This is where its power and compact range really get to shine. This range profile, with its ability to deliver a strong punch at shorter distances, and its ability to handle a variety of shot angles are ideal for the hunting of medium-sized game like whitetail deer, black bear, and wild hog. Its moderate recoil also enhances shooting confidence, allowing for follow-up shots if necessary.
The Remington Core-Lokt Bullet
Now, let’s turn our attention to the bullet at the heart of this discussion: the Remington Core-Lokt. Remington Core-Lokt bullets have a legendary status in the hunting world. This has led to countless hunting stories and successes with these bullets. These stories speak volumes about the consistent reliability and performance that hunters can expect from the Core-Lokt.
The Core-Lokt’s success lies in its simple yet effective design. It’s a copper-jacketed bullet with a lead core that’s mechanically locked to the jacket. This mechanical interlock is the key to its performance, holding the jacket and core together during impact, ensuring controlled expansion and deep penetration. The construction of the Core-Lokt allows the bullet to retain a high percentage of its original weight, thus maintaining momentum and transferring energy effectively.
How it works is this: Upon impact, the bullet expands, creating a wider wound channel and delivering its energy into the target. The expanding bullet also slows the process of penetration. This controlled expansion is critical for efficient kills, as it creates a balance between expanding to cause sufficient damage and retaining enough mass for adequate penetration to reach vital organs.
Why choose a Core-Lokt? Hunters appreciate the consistency, reliability, and affordability of these bullets. They are known for their controlled expansion, deep penetration, and ability to retain weight. This combination makes the Core-Lokt an ideal choice for hunters seeking a bullet that will consistently deliver effective results on a variety of game animals. It’s a no-nonsense bullet that gets the job done.
Thirty-Five Remington Two Hundred Grain Core-Lokt: Ballistics and Performance
Focusing on the specific configuration, the thirty-five Remington loaded with the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt is a formidable combination. Let’s examine the critical factors that define its performance:
We will examine the speed and path of the bullet as it travels downrange. When fired from a thirty-five Remington rifle, the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt typically leaves the muzzle with a muzzle velocity that falls around two thousand one hundred feet per second. The bullet then begins to slow due to air resistance, and it has a more gradual drop when compared to a faster and flatter shooting cartridge. For example, at one hundred yards, a bullet will typically drop around two to three inches. This drop increases to eight to ten inches at two hundred yards, and it increases to more than twenty inches at three hundred yards. Therefore, it is best to know your ballistics before hunting.
The design of the bullet also contributes to its sectional density and ballistic coefficient. Sectional density is a measure of the bullet’s weight relative to its diameter, which influences its ability to penetrate and retain energy. The ballistic coefficient, which is a measure of how efficiently a bullet flies through the air, will determine the effects of wind and long-range performance.
The amount of energy a bullet carries is directly related to its effectiveness at bringing down game. A bullet that strikes a game animal with more energy creates a greater shock and significantly damages tissue and organs. At the muzzle, the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt generates around two thousand foot-pounds of energy. This energy decreases as the bullet flies further down range, but it maintains substantial striking power. At one hundred yards, it still carries close to fifteen hundred foot-pounds of energy, which is more than enough for the intended game, such as whitetail deer. The two hundred yard mark will have around one thousand one hundred foot pounds, which still provides a great amount of stopping power.
Terminal performance is a critical element in effective hunting. The Core-Lokt bullet is designed to deliver controlled expansion and deep penetration. Upon impact with the game animal, the bullet expands to a greater size as the lead core mushrooms out into a wider diameter. The expanded bullet, still retaining a significant amount of its original weight, creates a significant wound channel. This wound channel disrupts the animal’s organs and disrupts the nervous system. The amount of disruption to the organs depends on the angle and the amount of force the bullet hits the animal with.
Hunting Applications
The thirty-five Remington, when loaded with the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt bullet, is an excellent cartridge for medium-sized game. It is commonly used for whitetail deer, with great success. The cartridge provides ample power to bring down deer humanely. This also applies for Black Bear, and this cartridge is great for close shots in dense cover.
The effectiveness of the thirty-five Remington with the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt is found in the recommended range of roughly two hundred yards or less. At this distance, the bullet retains enough energy and has a predictable trajectory to effectively strike the target in a vital area. The use of a scope, combined with the knowledge of your rifle’s ballistics, will enhance the accuracy and the effectiveness of the thirty-five Remington.
Ethical hunting is about more than just putting down an animal. It is about responsible shooting. Proper shot placement is vital to ensuring a clean, humane kill. The aim is to target vital organs, such as the heart and lungs. This is where the power and effectiveness of the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt truly shines. The bullet’s controlled expansion and deep penetration ensure that it reaches these organs, even through some obstacles.
There are countless stories that celebrate the success of this combination. Hunters across the country have spoken of the thirty-five Remington and the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt. The stories include clean, efficient kills, with minimal tracking required. These accounts highlight the reliability of the bullet. The hunters’ experience with this bullet creates confidence in the field, and contributes to the cartridge’s lasting appeal.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Like any cartridge and bullet combination, there are factors to consider, but the advantages of using this cartridge and bullet for hunting truly shine:
A major strength of the thirty-five Remington with the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt is its effectiveness on a diverse amount of animals. The cartridge will deliver the energy needed to harvest medium-sized game, like whitetail deer, effectively. It’s a great choice for brush, or wooded areas. Another advantage is the low recoil, making it easier to shoot. The thirty-five Remington cartridge also has great availability for ammunition.
The biggest disadvantage of the thirty-five Remington and the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt is the drop in trajectory at longer distances. This can make it less effective on extended ranges. Therefore, it is best to learn your rifle’s ballistics.
Comparisons
Let’s discuss this thirty-five Remington and two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt combination. There are many other cartridges out there, all with their own characteristics. This is for hunters to explore the available options and to make the choice of the best cartridge for their individual hunting needs.
The two-hundred-grain bullet weight provides a great balance of energy and trajectory. Heavier bullets offer a greater sectional density, and greater penetration, while lighter bullets tend to have a flatter trajectory.
Conclusion
In a hunting environment, the thirty-five Remington and two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt bullet is a great choice. It has provided the power, accuracy, and reliability that can be depended upon.
While not required to use this combination, re-loading can give the opportunity for the hunter to customize their cartridges. This allows the hunter to experiment with different powders, bullets, and to optimize the performance for the hunter’s rifle. This also helps with costs, and this allows hunters to maintain their preferred loads.
The bullet selection will allow the hunter to experiment with different weights and styles of bullets, and therefore to tailor it to their hunting situations. There are flat-nosed bullets for lever-action rifles, and spire point bullets, all that offer a variety of performance characteristics.
Understanding your ballistics and the performance of each load is a must, whether you are buying factory-made ammo, or if you are making your own. This knowledge is essential for taking ethical shots, and for understanding the limitations of your chosen loads.
In conclusion, the thirty-five Remington and two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt combination remains a powerful and reliable choice for hunters. It blends classic performance with modern effectiveness, creating a cartridge-bullet combination that can be depended upon to deliver results. The thirty-five Remington, with its blend of power, moderate recoil, and excellent performance, makes it a good option for hunting in various conditions.
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a new hunter, it is recommended to explore this proven cartridge. The thirty-five Remington with the two-hundred-grain Core-Lokt is more than just a tool. It is a testament to the traditions of hunting. Share your experiences, and continue to explore.
