The .35 Remington, a venerable cartridge with a rich history, continues to hold its own in the modern hunting world. While not as ubiquitous as some of its more popular cousins, its potent performance, particularly with rounds like the 200-grain Core-Lokt, makes it a compelling choice for a range of applications. This deep dive explores the .35 Remington 200-grain Core-Lokt, examining its ballistics, applications, and overall suitability for different hunting scenarios.
Understanding the .35 Remington Cartridge
The .35 Remington, introduced in 1907, was designed as a powerful round for deer hunting at moderate ranges. Its larger diameter bullet delivers substantial knockdown power, making it effective on medium-sized game. While it may not have the flat trajectory of some modern cartridges, its energy retention at longer ranges is respectable, especially with heavier bullets. Its relatively low recoil also makes it a pleasant round to shoot, even for novice hunters.
The 200-Grain Core-Lokt: A Detailed Look
The Remington Core-Lokt 200-grain bullet is a popular choice for the .35 Remington. This bullet features a jacketed design with a soft lead core. The "Core-Lokt" design incorporates a special bonding system that allows the bullet to expand reliably upon impact, delivering significant energy transfer to the target. This expansion is crucial for both ethical hunting practices and ensuring quick, clean kills.
Ballistic Performance
The exact ballistic performance of the 200-grain Core-Lokt will vary slightly depending on the firearm used and environmental conditions. However, you can generally expect the following characteristics:
- High Knockdown Power: The heavier bullet offers significant stopping power, making it effective on deer, hogs, and other medium-sized game animals.
- Moderate Recoil: As mentioned previously, the .35 Remington's recoil is manageable, making it suitable for hunters of all experience levels.
- Sufficient Range: While not ideal for extremely long shots, the .35 Remington offers sufficient range for most hunting situations, especially when using the 200-grain bullet. Accuracy remains consistently good within reasonable ranges (under 200 yards).
Hunting Applications
The .35 Remington 200-grain Core-Lokt excels in several hunting scenarios:
- Deer Hunting: This is the cartridge's most common application. Its substantial stopping power ensures ethical and humane kills on whitetail and mule deer.
- Hog Hunting: The heavy bullet's penetration and expansion are ideal for effectively taking down feral hogs.
- Brush Hunting: The .35 Remington's trajectory characteristics make it a viable option in dense brush country where shots may be closer and less precise.
Considerations and Alternatives
While the .35 Remington 200-grain Core-Lokt is a robust and effective cartridge, it's crucial to consider some factors:
- Trajectory: Compared to modern cartridges, its trajectory is less flat. Accurate shot placement becomes increasingly important at longer ranges.
- Availability: While still available, the .35 Remington is not as widely available as some more popular calibers, potentially impacting ammunition accessibility in certain regions.
- Recoil Sensitivity: Although generally manageable, some shooters, especially those with less experience, might find the recoil slightly more noticeable compared to lighter-recoiling cartridges.
Alternatives to consider might include the .30-30 Winchester or the .44 Magnum, depending on your specific hunting needs and preferences.
Conclusion
The .35 Remington 200-grain Core-Lokt remains a powerful and reliable cartridge for hunters seeking a balance between stopping power, manageable recoil, and accuracy within reasonable ranges. While not a universally popular choice, its proven performance in the field, coupled with the dependable Core-Lokt bullet, continues to make it a strong contender for medium-sized game hunting. Careful consideration of your hunting style, target game, and shooting skills is crucial in determining if the .35 Remington is the right fit for you.
