MagMan
Well-Known Member
I like that idea. Here are some 7mm's. From L to R 143 HH, 160 AB, 165 Game Changer, 168 Berger VLD Hunter and a 183 SMK.
Hammer bullets stabilization
- Thread starter Elkeater
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RockyMtnMT
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We use the Miller calculators out there like JBM or Berger. I use sea level at standard atmosphere. I think it is best not to use your altitude to calculate stability. Particularly as the bullets get longer for caliber.
Shane Lindsey
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I have shot them in a 10 twist 300 winmag and they shoot very well. As long as it is a true 10 twist, I would give it a go.
Shot them in a 1-10.25 308 win and they did not stabilize. That is in Virginia-close to sea level.
Wedgy
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Hammer will buy them back if they don't shoot
RockyMtnMT
Official LRH Sponsor
Yes 1-10" is a min twist for the 181g Hammer Hunter. Same with all of the listed min twist for Hammer Bullets. The listed twist is a min twist. If a hunter is going to be at low elevation and very cold temp there is definitely potential for problems. We have taken a lot of game with the 181g Hammer Hunter here in MT in bad weather, but we are always at 3000' elev or higher. When I set up my own rifles I choose bullets that give higher than min stability. Particularly if running heavy for caliber. The longer for caliber copper bullets get the relatively more stability is needed. The Miller formula does not take into account for material density. I think when it was developed it wasn't a thought since everything was lead. Nor were they making bullets so long for caliber as there are today. It will take someone much smarter than I am to make a new stability formula that lines up better with modern projectiles. The other thing that should be noted is that the stability is calculated for ballistic stability not terminal stability. Ballistic stability is what is needed to fly with correct orientation. Marginally stable bullets can fly very accurately. No matter what kind of bullet is being used, it will work better for terminal performance if the stability is higher. The higher stability will keep the nose point on after impact so the bullet can deform properly. Marginally stable bullets flying very accurately will have a much higher probability of not performing properly after impact. In my opinion many of the reports of bullet failures are due to marginal stability. I think the same bullet fired with higher stability would have had much better results.
I will wait until new barrel.
I know You guys will buy them back if they are not good in my barrel,but I am in EU and to me that is problem.
And I also hunting very low and very cold and I dont want suprises (on JBM they calculated stability of 1.2 with very high speed)
I think in very near future we would have better stability calculator.
I know You guys will buy them back if they are not good in my barrel,but I am in EU and to me that is problem.
And I also hunting very low and very cold and I dont want suprises (on JBM they calculated stability of 1.2 with very high speed)
I think in very near future we would have better stability calculator.
RockyMtnMT
Official LRH Sponsor
Very low and very cold is the toughest condition for stability. I would run a bullet that shows 2.0 sg.
Rich Coyle
Well-Known Member
Steve, thanks for that heads up.
Way old post I know. But I just built a custom 300 WSM with a 22" barrel. 1 in 8.5 twist. Will be hunting moose/elk. What hammer do you recommend? I was thinking 199 grain until you said you were shooting 124 grain bullet. Sounds crazy light to me.
178 AH would run good in a wsm.
I was pushing them hard and I feel sure it would have done fine on ELK, if your Leary jump up to the 152 HH or the 162 AH they will all do the job
shinbone
Well-Known Member
When people who have been shooting lead bullets transition over to all-copper bullets, they frequently bring the "lead mindset" with them, which is "heavier is better." I know I had that thinking when I made the change to copper bullets. Lead shooters have to think this way because a lead bullet will lose a substantial percentage of its weight on impact, and thus needs "extra mass in reserve" for good penetration.
However, "heavier is better" doesn't apply to copper bullets. This is because all-copper bullets lose either little-to-no mass, or, the mass they do lose is by design, and that lost mass still does tissue damage in the form of shrapnel. I.e., no mass goes to waste with a copper bullet. And, even when a copper bullet loses its front 40%, the remaining bullet shank is still going to fully penetrate. Not to mention that Hammer bullets (and other all-copper brands) frequently kill by hydrostatic shock, which, means, more bullet velocity is better.
In other words, not only is a heavy copper bullet not needed, but it, is counter-productive by reducing bullet velocity.
As for elk, boatloads have been killed with 130gn - 150gn lead bullets at 270 Win speeds. Drive a 137gn or 152gn Hammer Hunter at 300WSM speeds, and the elk will be dead before it hits the ground. The 124gn HH would be a real elk killer, too, and you would have a laser-like trajectory out of your 300WSM.
However, "heavier is better" doesn't apply to copper bullets. This is because all-copper bullets lose either little-to-no mass, or, the mass they do lose is by design, and that lost mass still does tissue damage in the form of shrapnel. I.e., no mass goes to waste with a copper bullet. And, even when a copper bullet loses its front 40%, the remaining bullet shank is still going to fully penetrate. Not to mention that Hammer bullets (and other all-copper brands) frequently kill by hydrostatic shock, which, means, more bullet velocity is better.
In other words, not only is a heavy copper bullet not needed, but it, is counter-productive by reducing bullet velocity.
As for elk, boatloads have been killed with 130gn - 150gn lead bullets at 270 Win speeds. Drive a 137gn or 152gn Hammer Hunter at 300WSM speeds, and the elk will be dead before it hits the ground. The 124gn HH would be a real elk killer, too, and you would have a laser-like trajectory out of your 300WSM.
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