Absolute Hammer load data

[JTH]

I received the 6.5 creedmoor Peterson brass I've had on order yesterday, and loaded up a few today to see if there was much of a difference to what I posted with the Hornady brass. Temp was 22 degrees today. 22" barrel, suppressed, 1:8 twist, 123 ah, CCI 200 primers, all other specs the same as previously posted. Loaded with 42.0 grains Varget, had similar results with velocity of 2917 and a slight ejector mark.

I switched the primers to CCI 250 (everything else the same), shot another group which seemed a little better

40.5 - 2911 FPS, no signs of pressure
41.0 - 2911 FPS, no signs of pressure
41.5 - 2943 FPS, no signs of pressure
42.0- 2976 FPS, stiff bolt, significant ejector mark

I'm guessing the shorter barrel is benefitting from the large magnum primer.

 

[BMF]

JTH,
Was there any reason why you stopped at 76 grains of H4350 in your 300 WM, using the 178 AH? I see you stated there's wasn't any pressure in yet....
Just curious.

 

[GLTaylor]

Hey all. Steve has posted a gift to us. 10% discount on bullets for all of us - not just military or emerg responders. Use code gb2020 (good bye 2020). Enter it in the code at the bottom of the order form for orders of $200.00 or more by end of year.
Thanks Steve! Just in time for new rifle!

 

[Mike Matteson]

Here is the latest data: 12-23-20

Thanks!! Got it saved.

 

[JTH]

JTH,
Was there any reason why you stopped at 76 grains of H4350 in your 300 WM, using the 178 AH? I see you stated there's wasn't any pressure in yet....
Just curious.

I'm new to reloading. I had a good conversation with Steve to get me started, I was thinking 181 Hunters, he suggested the 178 AH's but told me to stop either when I start seeing signs of pressure, or get to 76 grains, whichever comes first. My group at 74.5 grains is under 0.4 moa at 200 yards, as I added more powder the group opened up so I settled on 74.5. This was the first load development I ever did, and am thrilled with the results.

 

[RogerPA]

Just tried the 178 gr. AH in .300 PRC Temp: 25F
26" barrel (Christensen) Hornady Brass (2x) .003 neck tension, COAL 3.624, Powder RL23, Primer Fed.215M (book max w/178 gr. ELD-X & RL23 is 76.3 gr @ 3100.)
Today's test with RL23 & 178gr. Absolute Hammer:
75.0 gr 3092 FPS
75.5 gr. 3101 FPS
76.0 gr. 3127 FPS
76.5 gr. 3139 FPS
77.0 gr. 3163 FPS
77.5 gr. 3180 FPS
78.0 gr. 3198 FPS
No Pressure signs with any tested load. Accuracy was excellent! Each 1/2 grain increase printed about 1/2" higher than the previous weight. One noticeable difference was the reduced muzzle jump with these loads vs. my proven loads w/190 gr. Bergers. Still some room in case, so next time out I'll try 78.5+ and see where it goes. (Note: I really appreciate all the information I've gleaned from this thread, and for GLTaylor's constant updates of the spreadsheet!)

 

[RogerPA]

Related to last post (#202) and .300 PRC: Twist is 1/8".

 

[BMF]

I'm new to reloading. I had a good conversation with Steve to get me started, I was thinking 181 Hunters, he suggested the 178 AH's but told me to stop either when I start seeing signs of pressure, or get to 76 grains, whichever comes first. My group at 74.5 grains is under 0.4 moa at 200 yards, as I added more powder the group opened up so I settled on 74.5. This was the first load development I ever did, and am thrilled with the results.

Thanks JTH, that's solid info.
I also have a Sako 7mag I'm considering trying the 140 AH with some h4350....if it's not too slow of a burn.

 

[JTH]

Thanks JTH, that's solid info.
I also have a Sako 7mag I'm considering trying the 140 AH with some h4350....if it's not too slow of a burn.

DEmerson posted a 7mm Rem mag load with the 140's, but with a different powder. I'd suggest giving Steve at Hammer a call, he'll get you pointed in the right direction. Please post what you learn, I see a 7mm in my future.

 

[RogerPA]

Just tried the 178 gr. AH in .300 PRC Temp: 25F
26" barrel (Christensen) Hornady Brass (2x) .003 neck tension, COAL 3.624, Powder RL23, Primer Fed.215M (book max w/178 gr. ELD-X & RL23 is 76.3 gr @ 3100.)
Today's test with RL23 & 178gr. Absolute Hammer:
75.0 gr 3092 FPS
75.5 gr. 3101 FPS
76.0 gr. 3127 FPS
76.5 gr. 3139 FPS
77.0 gr. 3163 FPS
77.5 gr. 3180 FPS
78.0 gr. 3198 FPS
No Pressure signs with any tested load. Accuracy was excellent! Each 1/2 grain increase printed about 1/2" higher than the previous weight. One noticeable difference was the reduced muzzle jump with these loads vs. my proven loads w/190 gr. Bergers. Still some room in case, so next time out I'll try 78.5+ and see where it goes. (Note: I really appreciate all the information I've gleaned from this thread, and for GLTaylor's constant updates of the spreadsheet!)

To further the above testing with .300 PRC, 178AH, and RL23: 26" ( 1/8"):

78.5 gr. 3221 FPS
79.0 gr. 3252 FPS
79.5 gr 3261 FPS
80.0 gr. 3295 FPS very slight flattening of primer

(With 15mph head-wind and 26F degrees, 80 gr. 3-shot group was 3/4" @ 200 yds. ((With Magnetospeed removed.))
I'm stopping with the 80 gr. load. Next I'll take it out to 600 yards, but based on what I've seen so far, I think this will become this rifle's #1 load, at least for the deer-sized game I normally pursue.

 

[retumbo]

Made it to the range today to try another combo for the 308 Win 151gr AH. Didn't have any H322 on hand to go faster than Benchmark but did have N120. More chronograph gremlins for me so no velocities. Ran into pressure at 37.0gr N120 (ejector mark but no swipe), lots of case capacity left so H322 will probably be the ticket for this one. I'll retest when my chronograph decides to work again.

15F Sunny
308 Win
23" Bartlein 1-10" twist
151gr AH
Win case
Federal 210 primer
1/8 turn LFCD

 

[timberelk]

Made it to the range today to try another combo for the 308 Win 151gr AH. Didn't have any H322 on hand to go faster than Benchmark but did have N120. More chronograph gremlins for me so no velocities. Ran into pressure at 37.0gr N120 (ejector mark but no swipe), lots of case capacity left so H322 will probably be the ticket for this one. I'll retest when my chronograph decides to work again.

15F Sunny
308 Win
23" Bartlein 1-10" twist
151gr AH
Win case
Federal 210 primer
1/8 turn LFCD

Thanks for the info. I have a CA 308 that's been difficult to find a load that will shoot under 1.5" at 100 yards with conventional cup and core bullets. Some guys on rokslide told me to look into hammer hunters.

Have you by chance used H4895 or IMR 4064? Looking for some starting charge loads and when I should expect high pressure. Also, do these bullet require next tension? I typically shoot for around .002-.003 tension.

If I can push a 151 at 2900 FPS with my 20" barrel, I'd be happy

 

[jebel]

.284 140 gr AH
7mm-08
22" barrel, 1:8 twist
Lapua cases
Primer CCI BR-2
COAL 2.875
Varget 45.5 gr
2,975 fps
Took up to 46.0 gr of Varget. Capacity was the limiting factor, rather than pressure.

 

[retumbo]

Have you by chance used H4895 or IMR 4064? Looking for some starting charge loads and when I should expect high pressure. Also, do these bullet require next tension? I typically shoot for around .002-.003 tension

Have you read the rest of this thread by chance? It addresses several different powder choices for this combo and the neck tension issue.

Yes the absolute hammers require significant neck tension or a light crimp.

Folks have tested several powders for this combo and at the moment Benchmark is getting the best velocity at over 3000fps in a 22" barrel. H4895 and IMR4064 will both be too slow with this bullet.