Hammer 169 & 170 Starting Points

1

1980nano

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2022
Messages
93
Location
Michigan
I am looking for recommended starting points for 169 hunters and 170 HHT's. I also have some Barnes 168 LRX's to play with. I have a 7RM fierce carbon rival with a 24" barrel that shoots the heavy Bergers very well. Just looking for a solid copper round too. I have some H1000, N570, N568, N560, Retumbo, H4350, H4831, IMR4350, and IMR7828 SSC to choose from for powder.

Looking for any recommendations on powder, starting charge, and jump for each bullet.

TIA - Nate
 
Hey Nate. We have not yet done the 169gr HH and the 170gr HHT in our data. If you look at Nosler data for 168gr bullet and use their start load to work up from you will be in great shape. Not sure what brass you are using but if you are using Peterson or ADG brass you can expect to see higher velocity before seeing pressure signs.

7mm Remington Magnum Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.
www.nosler.com www.nosler.com
 
RockyMtnMT said:
Hey Nate. We have not yet done the 169gr HH and the 170gr HHT in our data. If you look at Nosler data for 168gr bullet and use their start load to work up from you will be in great shape. Not sure what brass you are using but if you are using Peterson or ADG brass you can expect to see higher velocity before seeing pressure signs.

7mm Remington Magnum Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.
www.nosler.com www.nosler.com
Click to expand...
Thanks. And I am using ADG brass.
 
I used the 177gr Hammer Hunter under 68gr N570 in a 26" barrel for 2948 FPS. This was in a long throated 7RM. I would think you would only get better.

67gr RL26 did 3071 FPS.
 
I am actually just ready to shoot a ladder using the newer Ramshot Grand which is cheap and easy to find right now. If it performs like it did in the 6.5PRC with 124 Hammers it should be great with the 7mag and 169s. I am currently running the 169 with RL26 and in Norma Brass I settled at 3005FPS that shoots tiny groups. It will run well over 3100 in my Seekins 26" but not as accurately and added wear on the softer Norma Brass. If I ever get a chance to get out and shoot I will try and post results.
 
I did get out to shoot today and started my ladder just about right at the top. 69.0 grains ran 3044 to 70 grains ran 3077 with a bit of a heavier bolt lift. 70.5 grains ran 3096 and a noticeably heavier bolt lift. loads 71gr to 73.5 will get pulled and I am going to run 5 rounds each at 68.5 and 69.2 grains and see where we sit. Temps today were upper 70s and humid.
 
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I finally got out last weekend and shot the 170 HHT's. The only thing I varied between groups was powder by 1 grain at a time. If you look at my pics, it looks like the bullets are tumbling. Any thoughts?? I started at 66g of N570 and worked down as I was getting a little bolt stick and primers were starting to flatten out. Using the Berger stability equation, I get SG = 1.24. I have never seen bullets tumble like this before. Is there anything I should try before moving on to a different bullet??

I have some 169 hunters to try yet. SG = 1.48. Am I wasting my time with these??

7 rem mag
24" barrel
1:8.5 twist
ADG brass
170 HHT's
BTO = 2.730, 0.020 off lands
215 primers
N570
 
Hammer list a 1-8" twist for the 170 HHT which is likely the reason you're seeing tumbling. FYI the 169 is listed as needing a 1-8.5" twist so you likely don't have enough twist for it either.
 
1980nano said:
View attachment 607054View attachment 607055View attachment 607056View attachment 607057View attachment 607058View attachment 607059View attachment 607060I finally got out last weekend and shot the 170 HHT's. The only thing I varied between groups was powder by 1 grain at a time. If you look at my pics, it looks like the bullets are tumbling. Any thoughts?? I started at 66g of N570 and worked down as I was getting a little bolt stick and primers were starting to flatten out. Using the Berger stability equation, I get SG = 1.24. I have never seen bullets tumble like this before. Is there anything I should try before moving on to a different bullet??

I have some 169 hunters to try yet. SG = 1.48. Am I wasting my time with these??

7 rem mag
24" barrel
1:8.5 twist
ADG brass
170 HHT's
BTO = 2.730, 0.020 off lands
215 primers
N570
Click to expand...
Your bullets are tumbling. You have a 1-8.5" twist barrel. The minimum required twist for the 170gr HHT is 1-8". You should run the 153gr HHT.
 
RockyMtnMT said:
Your bullets are tumbling. You have a 1-8.5" twist barrel. The minimum required twist for the 170gr HHT is 1-8". You should run the 153gr HHT.
Click to expand...
169 hunters have a minimum twist of 8.5 which is what I have. The only reason I gave the 170's a try was the box said 8.5. I figured they would be borderline and I would see how they would do.
 

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