Absolute Hammer load data

[seekoutside]

Seeing some funny stuff with the Absolute hammers in my 7 sherman max.

Below picture shows the charge weight and fps where I see signs of pressure. Interesting side note is that the 143 Hammer hunter reaches pressure at the exact same charge weight of rl 26 as the 154 AH (69.5 gr) while reaching a vel of 3300 fps. The 145 BD2 also reached pressure at 69.5 gr.

To me the 154 is showing to be a little more pressure tolerant but not much. The 140 is the opposite. Neither seem to be wanting faster powders.

 

[JTH]

Seeing some funny stuff with the Absolute hammers in my 7 sherman max.

Below picture shows the charge weight and fps where I see signs of pressure. Interesting side note is that the 143 Hammer hunter reaches pressure at the exact same charge weight of rl 26 as the 154 AH (69.5 gr) while reaching a vel of 3300 fps. The 145 BD2 also reached pressure at 69.5 gr.

To me the 154 is showing to be a little more pressure tolerant but not much. The 140 is the opposite. Neither seem to be wanting faster powders.

I just ordered components to build a 7 Max, interested to learn what you're finding. What's your barrel length? Primers? Cartridge overall length?

 

[seekoutside]

I just ordered components to build a 7 Max, interested to learn what you're finding. What's your barrel length? Primers? Cartridge overall length?

22"
Cci 250
154 AH coal =3.080
140 = 3.001

 

[cooperjd]

22"
Cci 250
154 AH coal =3.080
140 = 3.001

Do you have any plans to test the 172gr absolutes? I am considering a 7max build for the 172gr AH's; and trying to decide if i should just do the 7max on a long action rem700 or go for the 7ss on a short action 700 and drop down to the 155s.

 

[seekoutside]

Do you have any plans to test the 172gr absolutes? I am considering a 7max build for the 172gr AH's; and trying to decide if i should just do the 7max on a long action rem700 or go for the 7ss on a short action 700 and drop down to the 155s.

No. I haven't run the numbers myself but I would assume the 172s will give marginal improvements in this case. If I got 3100 fps out of the 172 it would probably be worth it. It would proabably give me an extra 100 yards before reaching 2000 fps (self imposed rule with copper). But since these AH's aren't giving me the speed I thought they would, I'm not sure I'll try a third. We'll see.

 

[JTH]

Do you have any plans to test the 172gr absolutes? I am considering a 7max build for the 172gr AH's; and trying to decide if i should just do the 7max on a long action rem700 or go for the 7ss on a short action 700 and drop down to the 155s.

I'm planning to try the 172's when everything is put together. Like above, hoping to see velocity greater than 3000 FPS out of a 22" barrel. I went with the Defiance AntiX action in XM length to accomodate longer coal without having to go long action. Saved a couple ounces and 1/2" in rifle length. Hoping to see more data from folks using the Absolute Hammers in 7 Max.

 

[cooperjd]

I'm planning to try the 172's when everything is put together. Like above, hoping to see velocity greater than 3000 FPS out of a 22" barrel. I went with the Defiance AntiX action in XM length to accomodate longer coal without having to go long action. Saved a couple ounces and 1/2" in rifle length. Hoping to see more data from folks using the Absolute Hammers in 7 Max.

awesome. my build will probably start in a month or so, probably be a while before i actually get it. hopefully i can find some info before i get him to set the freebore to those bullets. fondling the kimber i have to sell tonight made me sad i have to sell a couple in order to go custom.

 

[GLTaylor]

OK folks, Steve has posted two more new Absolutes in 6MM. Go for it! (and keep us posted)
They're on the spreadsheet: 69 and 87 gr

George

 

[dougduey]

Got to the range today to verify my 7 STW load with the 172 gr Absolute. From my earlier post, I hit pressure at 79.0 gr of RL26 (3283 fps). I dropped down to 78.0 gr (3248 fps) to see how it grouped. Got a 0.55 moa, probably would have been better if I used a front bag and not the bipod. Here's all the particulars
7 STW
3.700" COAL
Nosler brass, 4-6x fired and freshly annealed, body die shoulder bump and neck sizer die used
CCI250 primer
0.002 neck tension set by mandrel
Lee FCD used per manufacturers instructions
78.0 gr RL 26
3248 fps average
ES 21

 

[JMW67]

Very nice you have me convinced to pull my stw out of retirement thanks for the info

 

[dougduey]

Very nice you have me convinced to pull my stw out of retirement thanks for the info

Glad I could be of service.
PM me if you have any questions. I'm on my second barrel, so I've pretty much shot everything out of it.

 

[RogerPA]

116 gr. /.277 & 119 gr. /.284 Absolute Hammer's arrived yesterday, so today I took my first experiments with these 2 bullets to the range. Just picking powders I have on-hand, and that show considerable room remaining in case with comparably bullet weights at book max. Results follows:

.270 Win. Ruger 20" barrel, 1/10", Powder: IMR 4166, Fed 215M, Hdy brass 2x, .003 neck tension, no crimp. COAL 3.298. Book max w/120 gr. Barnes XFB 48 gr. @ 3140 FPS. (Note: this 20" barrel has alway been about 200 FPS slower than a 24" barrel with the same load.)
.270 Win. (20") & IMR 4166 with 116 A.H.
48 gr. 2889 FPS
48.5 gr. 2927 FPS
49 gr. 2947 FPS
49.5 gr. 3022 FPS
50 gr. 3016 FPS
50.5 gr. 3120 FPS
51 gr. 3128 FPS
Accuracy was excellent with all weights, and showed no pressure signs at all. Still room for approximately 8 more grains to case neck. Next time we'll see where it goes.

.280 AI. Christensen 24", 1/9", Powder: Hodg. BLC-2, Fed 215M, Nosler brass 2x, .003 neck tension, no crimp. COAL 3.325, Book max w/120 gr. Nosler BT w/ 53.5 gr @ 3242 FPS
.280AI (24") & Hodg. BLC-2 w/ 119 gr. A.H.
53 gr. 3028 FPS
54 gr. 3037 FPS
55 gr. 3113 FPS
55.5 gr. 3116 FPS
56 gr. 3142 FPS
56.5 gr. 3158 FPS
57 gr. 3185 FPS
57.5 gr. 3227 FPS
58 gr. 3331 FPS
Consistent accuracy with all weights, and again, no pressure signs with any load tested. Considerable room reminds in case, so next time out I'll push it.

 

[jb1023]

My 6.5 123g AH projectiles should be delivered tomorrow. I will be working up loads for a 6.5CM w/25" 1x8 barrel with a mag length COAL of 2.86. Also a 6.5 SS w/24" 1x8 barrel. Mag length is not reachable but my current load of 147 eld-m has a COAL of 2.932. For this I'll have to measure the lands and go from there. All loads for both rifles will be shot suppressed over a Labradar.

I have IMR 4166, Ramshot X-Term, Ramshot Tac and Shooters World Precision to test. My thinking is, largely influenced by the spreadsheet and Quickload (used 120g Eld-m as my projectile just cause), to start with the charge weight QL states is Near Max. Any thoughts that might steer me towards or away from anything? Never used the Shooters World before but their site says it mirrors Varget, still available on Powder Valley if anyone is interested.

 

[cooperjd]

My 6.5 123g AH projectiles should be delivered tomorrow. I will be working up loads for a 6.5CM w/25" 1x8 barrel with a mag length COAL of 2.86. Also a 6.5 SS w/24" 1x8 barrel. Mag length is not reachable but my current load of 147 eld-m has a COAL of 2.932. For this I'll have to measure the lands and go from there. All loads for both rifles will be shot suppressed over a Labradar.

I have IMR 4166, Ramshot X-Term, Ramshot Tac and Shooters World Precision to test. My thinking is, largely influenced by the spreadsheet and Quickload (used 120g Eld-m as my projectile just cause), to start with the charge weight QL states is Near Max. Any thoughts that might steer me towards or away from anything? Never used the Shooters World before but their site says it mirrors Varget, still available on Powder Valley if anyone is interested.

YMMV of course, but with the 4166 in my rifle (Tikka T3X) 42.5gr is where I am going to consider my max. I got an ever so slightly tight bolt at 42.8, ejector mark and heavy bolt at 43, and blew a primer at 43.3. somewhere in the 42.0-42.5gr range is where I'm going to play next. Should give me a comfortable ~3,130ish fps.
I am seeing that Tikka's are generally considered slow rifles, so with an extra inch of barrel and possibly a faster barrel I'm really interested to see your results. I was hoping for a safe 3,200 but it doesn't look like I"ll get there with the powders i have on hand. I could try H4350 but I think I may run out of case room before I reach the same velocity as the 4166.