Absolute vs Hammer Hunter

nksmfamjp

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Jan 5, 2004
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Looking at 6.5 Creedmoor. It can be a bit velocity challenged. Is there any real world experience with 123gr Absolute vs 124gr regular? I'd like to see over 3100fps from a 22" barrel. Can Absolute's get there safely? What are you actually seeing?
 
It means that I feel optimal velocity for a hunting round is 3000-3200 fps. 6.5 Creedmoor in std 130-140gr bullets falls short of that range. Looking for Absolutes as a possible solution.
 
It means that I feel optimal velocity for a hunting round is 3000-3200 fps. 6.5 Creedmoor in std 130-140gr bullets falls short of that range. Looking for Absolutes as a possible solution.

Okay, I mean everyone has their own weird preferences. I think you have the wrong cartridge, if that's your goal. A 22" creed isn't a speed demon, I got 3100 with a 110 gr hunter from a 22" barrel, But I wasn't pushing hard. Buy a magnum like a prc if you want to push harder.
 
No, I know the cartridge range. I'm set on a std bolt face. I just want to know what people's experience with Absolute's is…..I'm struggling with the +300-400fps shown on the website. Just looking to hear actual experiences. I know we all try new stuff. I have not tried Absolute's yet.
 
I've easily obtained 3000 FPS with the 123 Absolutes with a very, very light load, so I think another 150 to 200 FPS is easily achievable. That said, I have chrono'd 2800+ with a barnes 127 LRX bullet and can attest to its effectiveness on mule deer. Last years buck dropped after 3 steps at 325 yds. The Absolutes at a starting velocity 300 to 400 FPS more from the CM will do an amazing job based on my experience with the 7MM Absolutes at 3200+ FPS on Cow elk.
 
From Hammer's load data page:

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1730744082683.png
 
My son is knocking the snot out of deer with his one with his 6.5 needmoor and grendel

 
My son's 6.5 CM is running a Hornady SST 123 gr at 2650 through an 18" barrel…dropped a whitetail doe in her tracks at 500 yds 2 yrs ago…I have a hard time believing she would have been any more dead if he'd have been running at 3000-3200 fps…unless his shot placement wasn't as good…
 
My son's 6.5 CM is running a Hornady SST 123 gr at 2650 through an 18" barrel…dropped a whitetail doe in her tracks at 500 yds 2 yrs ago…I have a hard time believing she would have been any more dead if he'd have been running at 3000-3200 fps…unless his shot placement wasn't as good…
Shot 123 SST's in my grendel prior to using Hammer Bullets. What I would go back to if they stop making them. Its a killer.
 
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Search Absolute Hammer load data and Hammer Hunter load data on this Forum. Member shared data is posted & was just updated yesterday. That will answer your questions and give you some load data.
Lots of real world experience on that spreadsheet. Mine's not on there but shows that the rule of start low and work applies as I didn't get the velocity at the powder charges that some are showing. My 6.5 Creed Christensen, 20 in bbl, 8 twist didn't get accuracy from the 124 Hunter, but gives 1/2 to 3/4 moa with the 123 gr Absolute over a 40+ gr charge of Varget. Virgin Nosler brass gave just under 2900 fps and once fired brass bumped up to just over 2900 but with light ejector swipes. It's seated a bit long with a 1/8 turn crimp into the second groove. OP is looking at a 22 in bbl so my load could shoot a bit faster but my guess is that a lot of powder would get burned looking to reliably meet the goal of 3100 fps.
 

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