Anyone tried Hammer bullets

[RichCoyle]

They are all I use. I used them since they were introduced in 2016. So far in 6.5mm, 7mm, .308, and 8mm for deer. The vast majority dropped at the shot. In fact of the 18 deer only two didn't. One went about 10 yards. The other about 30 yards.

 

[OG-danimal]

Very effective, very fast, and very accurate. 125HHT in my 6.5 prc has killed multiple mule deer and black bear. Going to use that combo on elk 2025

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I can understand your concern looking only at the cost in relative terms. However, what are the real economics in dollars?

When you run that equation be sure to factor all the tribal knowledge with Hammers in developing loads. I often buy 2 sample packs (30 bullets) and with the knowledge out there, and due to a lack of need to tune for seating depth, it isn't uncommon to have a sub 3/4 moa load identified and 6 or 8 hunting rounds loaded inside of that 30 rounds.
Then I buy a pack of 50, load them up, and put them away for hunting. Assuming each year has 5 rounds expended checking zero, and 3 rounds (3 animals) expended in the field, that.is 3 or 4 years of bullets, in my mind. So, even if they are double, the real economics are minimal.. Pretty cost efficient in my mind, for the performance, and product support you get. I better stop, I'm deep.into fan boy territory now.

I shoot my hunting rifles way more than that. They are expensive if you shoot a lot.

 

[HARPERC]

I can't say across the board one sees a major velocity increase in side by side comparisons. Generally I think some increase will be seen. Somewhat related to how comfortable one is working at the upper end of things.

Then I have a .30-06 to do .30-06 things, and a .300 RUM for .300 RUM things. I've never been one to try making a standard cartridge into a magnum, by chasing a few more FPS. So there is that.

I will say they can be driven faster, and twisted harder, and still see excellent results than others I've used. Accuracy easier to achieve, with terminal results consistently better than others I have used. Across the board.

 

[Philward]

Seems to me they require a faster twist barrel to shoot well unless you shoot lighter bullets, which would result in faster velocities for the most part. I like the bullets but so far haven't had great luck at getting them to shoot well, probably my improper choice in bullets for the rifles I have.

 

[birddog 68]

Are they really that much faster and how do they work on deer.

You can find all the information you need at the hammer time forum.
Of course the members are slightly biased towards hammer's but most are good people and are more than willing to help you with bullet and powder choice.
I have only one rifle shooting hammer's and have only shot paper.
223 Remington with 44 grain hammer's = about 3700 fps.
Barrel life is a legitimate concern.

 

[unclecroc]

I've been using hammers since 2021 and in a lot of different rifle combos and I have yet to be disappointed in accuracy, ease of load development, velocity achievable and terminal performance.
Absolute hammers with proper powders you'll see a velocity increase on average of 150 fps or so
Hammer hunters you may gain 50 fps on average in certain cartridge/powder combos
Hhts I don't have as much experience with but they seem to line up closer to conventional bullets if similar weights to me for velocity and load data. Don't be afraid to ask questions on loading or bullet/powder selection, there are alot of nice helpful folks on here and the hammertime forum.
Give 'em a try I'm sure you'll be happy you did.

 

[Allen Kitts]

For a hunting bullet I feel they are hard to beat. For practice, yes they are expensive, but so is beer, women, coffee, cars, trucks, kids, gold and just about everything else that's good or fun in today's world and i am sure everyone on hear partakes in something that is considered expensive to someone else. Hammer's shoot great in most everything I have tried them in, and they flat out get the job done. I don't push the envelope when it comes to hunting distances. 500-600 yards is about the max for me personally, and for those ranges I do not think there is a better bullet on the market. JMO. Hammer Bullets are local to Montana so I guess maybe I am a little biased, but the guys that work there are just good people, they are hunters themselves and they are willing to share any and all knowledge they have to help you get your loads set up and your rifle shooting tight groups. In today's world that means something to me and its sure worth the extra few dollars I spend. Give them a try, I don't think you will be dissapointed.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I like Hammer bullets and they have worked well for me. However, shot placement is 99% of the game when it comes to killing whitetails and almost any bullet will kill them reliably. I shoot every week and that kind of volume necessitates using bullets within my budget. While I still use Hammers for some hunting, I've invested more money in Bergers which shoot great, kill reliably and come boxed by the 100 or 250.

Punching paper with any mono-metal bullet just seems a little silly to me. But I know that milage will vary on the topic.

 

[memtb]

Are they really that much faster and how do they work on deer.

There speed is generally derived from their being substantially lighter than a typical cup & core bullet.

On thin skinned, deer sized animals they are very effective. With their design being to have the "petals" separate early in the penetration process…..achieving lots of tissue damage very quickly after impact. Then the remaining "shank" continues through the animal providing deep tissue/bone damage! memtb

 

[memtb]

There speed is generally derived from their being substantially lighter than a typical cup & core bullet.

On thin skinned, deer sized animals they are very effective. With their design being to have the "petals" separate early in the penetration process…..achieving lots of tissue damage very quickly after impact. Then the remaining "shank" continues through the animal providing deep tissue/bone damage! memtb

While I like the concept, and by all accounts, they are very effective. I have some reservations pertaining to their functionality on raking shots, particularly those taken from behind…..whereby, the initial impact point is not vital tissue for a rapid kill. You are now relying upon the "shank", which is roughly the same diameter as when unfired, to penetrate into the vitals.


For a shot where the vitals are in close proximity to the impact point….I think that they are very lethal!

They have also proven to be extremely accurate in a high majority of rifles! memtb

 

[Varmint Hunter]

While I like the concept, and by all accounts, they are very effective. I have some reservations pertaining to their functionality on raking shots, particularly those taken from behind…..whereby, the initial impact point is not vital tissue for a rapid kill. You are now relying upon the "shank", which is roughly the same diameter as when unfired, to penetrate into the vitals.


For a shot where the vitals are in close proximity to the impact point….I think that they are very lethal!

They have also proven to be extremely accurate in a high majority of rifles! memtb

That could be said of most bullets which shed a lot of weight after initial upset. I've shot a fair number of Partition bullets and wasn't too impressed to see them shed their entire front core on most instances. They still seemed to get the job done on almost any angle.

 

[GWBowen]

Are they really that much faster and how do they work on deer.

I discovered Hammer bullets during the pandemic when I was having trouble finding bullets, brass, powder and primers. Over the last few years I tried pretty much all of their 7mm offerings from 119 gr to 150 gr looking for the best combination of velocity and accuracy. (They sell lots of 15 which is handy for load development.) I've settled on the 140 gr and 130 gr Absolute Hammers.

I have a Ruger M77R 7mm-08 that I bought in 1983. It has a deep throat and is a little picky to load for. Two weekends ago we got our chance on something other than paper. My teenage son dropped a cow elk at 258 yds. Hit right through the middle of the shoulder blade, went through front part of both lungs, blew up one or more arteries, and either nicked a vertebra or the hydrostatic shock paralyzed her.

With the 140 gr Absolute Hammer, I get around 2770 fps with Alpha brass pushed by 41.9 gr of Varget and a COAL of 2.825. I get 2.5 inch groups zeroed at 200 yds with a bullet drop of around 8-9 inches at 300 yds. The rifle has a 1:10 inch twist but I target practice and hunt at altitude so stability is not a problem. I find the 140 gr AH to be about 100 fps faster than a flat based lead counterpart and about 150 fps than a boat tailed counterpart.

At 2945 fps, the 130 gr AH may be even harder hitting but I haven't shot it enough to determine its accuracy and consistency. The 130 AH should be stable at any altitude. For a heavier bullet, I like the 150 gr Shock Hammer but I'm focused on the Absolute Hammers for now.

Cheers

 

[memtb]

That could be said of most bullets which shed a lot of weight after initial upset. I've shot a fair number of Partition bullets and wasn't too impressed to see them shed their entire front core on most instances. They still seemed to get the job done on almost any angle.

I've shot a fair number of Partition bullets and wasn't too impressed to see them shed their entire front core on most instances

This ^^^^^^^ that is the reason that Partition's have not been brought into our home since the early '90's…..when I was introduced to Barrnes mono's.


I found that with a high velocity impact, the forward jacket folds tightly against the remaining "shank/base", only marginally larger than the original bullet diameter……with the forward lead portion of the bullet vanishing into small fragments of lead! Plus, while OK, I could rarelyget the accuracy I wanted from the Partitions!

And "like a fine wine"…..the Barnes monos have gotten better with age! Our (wife andI) only "hunting" bullets since the early'90's! memtb