New .358 Cal-215gr Hammer HHT

RockyMtnMT

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Mar 25, 2007
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Montana
You guys running the 35 Whelen as well as other 358's are gonna like this one. Should run about 2700 fps in the standard Whelen and be plenty of bullet for any North American big game as well as any of the African plains game.
 
You guys running the 35 Whelen as well as other 358's are gonna like this one. Should run about 2700 fps in the standard Whelen and be plenty of bullet for any North American big game as well as any of the African plains game.
Oh hell yea!
 
Already ordered some to try out. I've been waiting for this day for so long.

Realistically I think I can get to at least 2850 fps in my 35 Whelen AI. I launch the 254 HHs @ 2700fps so I figure it's an attainable goal
What barrel length and propellant are you running? If you don't mind me asking…
 
What barrel length and propellant are you running? If you don't mind me asking…
I run a 24" barrel with 1:12 twist.

IMR 8208 XBR got me to 2900 fps when I started seeing pressure signs.

Varget produced 2925 fps safely and will probably be my hunting load.

I used Hornady brass and CCI 250s for both loads, but I think I could gain 25 fps with comparable pressure by switching to CCI 200 and upping the charge by a half a grain or so. I think 8208 especially would benefit from the cooler primer because of how fast it burns.

I'll probably just switch to CCI 200 primers, load my max charge of Varget, confirm velocity and accuracy, and call it good for this deer season. I'll continue load development next year if I get frisky.

I realize this is somewhat overkill for whitetail, but Iowa demands 35 cal or bigger, so I built it out of malicious compliance. Recoil is the only downside, it'll put one on you shooting from a bench in a t-shirt.
 
I run a 24" barrel with 1:12 twist.

IMR 8208 XBR got me to 2900 fps when I started seeing pressure signs.

Varget produced 2925 fps safely and will probably be my hunting load.

I used Hornady brass and CCI 250s for both loads, but I think I could gain 25 fps with comparable pressure by switching to CCI 200 and upping the charge by a half a grain or so. I think 8208 especially would benefit from the cooler primer because of how fast it burns.

I'll probably just switch to CCI 200 primers, load my max charge of Varget, confirm velocity and accuracy, and call it good for this deer season. I'll continue load development next year if I get frisky.

I realize this is somewhat overkill for whitetail, but Iowa demands 35 cal or bigger, so I built it out of malicious compliance. Recoil is the only downside, it'll put one on you shooting from a bench in a t-shirt.
Yeah I get ya man, some wildlife management rules just don't make sense. I've got a similar build hopefully starting soon at Long Rifles Inc in Sturgis; Pre-64 model 70 with a 25" stainless 12 twist Bartlein 4 groove barrel. I'm looking forward to poking a big Rosevelt with it when it's finished. Grateful for the heads up on the propellant, I was wondering if it was IMR 8208XBR. Wouldn't mind staying connected to compare notes once I get started with load development with some 215 and 220 hammers. She's gonna be a beast!!!
 
Yeah I get ya man, some wildlife management rules just don't make sense. I've got a similar build hopefully starting soon at Long Rifles Inc in Sturgis; Pre-64 model 70 with a 25" stainless 12 twist Bartlein 4 groove barrel. I'm looking forward to poking a big Rosevelt with it when it's finished. Grateful for the heads up on the propellant, I was wondering if it was IMR 8208XBR. Wouldn't mind staying connected to compare notes once I get started with load development with some 215 and 220 hammers. She's gonna be a beast!!!
Yeah, let me know how load development goes for you. I think Varget may be a better option for the 215+ grain bullets, but XBR still had some good velocity.
 
You guys running the 35 Whelen as well as other 358's are gonna like this one. Should run about 2700 fps in the standard Whelen and be plenty of bullet for any North American big game as well as any of the African plains game.
Any chance we could see an absolute Hammer offering sometime in the future?
 
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