If your father in law likes the 35 Whelen, he can't be all bad... that's a good choice. I reload for my rebarrelled mauser, but I shot a box of factory Remington stuff which grouped ok... and I have just bought a box of Federal Premiums with the 225 Trophy Bonded bullet. I think I paid about 26 dollars for it thru Midway... can't wait to see how they shoot. If they group well, I just might use them on my upcoming cow elk hunt in Colorado... will be the first time I've used factory ammo when hunting...... oh, except for the pig I shot with my SKS and Federal Premium ammo...I didn't reload for it then...

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana