My Experiences with hammer bullets on game
- Thread starter Bigeclipse
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I agree Bean. I'm loading for more than I can count now with Hammers and countless kills. Twist rate is crucial and should never be overlooked and the the guy your referring to is setting Hammers up for failure from the beginning. Granted, keep the impact velocity range at recommendation and there's nothing better. There are bullets that will preform better at extended ranges at lower impact velocities but I'm not going to shoot an animal I plan on putting in the freezer at those ranges. A coyote or pig, is a different story.
RH300UM
Well-Known Member
9 kills so far with hammers.
Ranging from 20 yards on a Frontal stem to stern shot on a Alaskan moose to 6 elk
2 mule deer
Furthest shot at 860 yards on a bull elk
A mix of 3 different rifles
This doesn't include the small critters
The hammers flat out kill.
Ranging from 20 yards on a Frontal stem to stern shot on a Alaskan moose to 6 elk
2 mule deer
Furthest shot at 860 yards on a bull elk
A mix of 3 different rifles
This doesn't include the small critters
The hammers flat out kill.
Rick Richard
Well-Known Member
I have taken several whitetail and one antelope all from 200 to 500 yards. Let's just say they all took a ride in the pickup truck.
55 years of hunting experience, 40 years of reloading experience. I shot cup and core bullets of all types. Switched three of my rifles to hammers, and several friends as well. Not looking back.
BAKPAKR
Well-Known Member
I have shot two whitetail does with Hammer bullets out of a 300 RUM. One was with a 181 gr HH at about 3275 fps and the other was with a 124 gr HH at about 3800 fps. Both were around 200 yards, hit behind the shoulder, broadside. Neither dropped in its tracks, but neither went too far. The damage to the lungs on both was significant. I plan to keep using them. I hope to have a report on how the 199 gr HH works on elk out of a long-throated 30 Nosler next fall.
BTW - I think the 124 gr HH is going to be the MPBR bullet in my Remington 700 KS. It is +/- 2" out to just past 300 yards. I am pretty sure I could get over 4000 fps with Retumbo (last reading was 3956 and I went up from there) but my groups were much better at 3800 fps with H4831sc (not H1000, as I originally posted, so
edited to correct the powder).
BTW - I think the 124 gr HH is going to be the MPBR bullet in my Remington 700 KS. It is +/- 2" out to just past 300 yards. I am pretty sure I could get over 4000 fps with Retumbo (last reading was 3956 and I went up from there) but my groups were much better at 3800 fps with H4831sc (not H1000, as I originally posted, so
edited to correct the powder).
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QuietTexan
Well-Known Member
The second one looks like it was scared to death by the 300 RUM laser flashing past it.
What twist do you have? I ordered the 180 HHs because I have a 1-10", wasn't willing to risk the 181s even with the RUM speed.
What twist do you have? I ordered the 180 HHs because I have a 1-10", wasn't willing to risk the 181s even with the RUM speed.
Can you highlight or explain risking 181s? Why please so I can understand. A 300 RUM can shoot a much heavier bullet.
akmtnhnt
Well-Known Member
Stability has very little to do with weight. It's mostly length. A 180 lead is a lot shorter than a 180 copper. Secant or tangent ogvie will also matter quite a bit, as a tangent ogive will be shorter than a secant for the exact same weight. So you might be able to get away with a heavier tangent ogvie copper bullet in a slower twist barrel, at the sacrifice of some BC.
Similarly, a WFN cast lead bullet will stabilize in a very slow twist barrel, with the BC of a barn door. There's a reason you see things like 45-70 or 44-40 with a 32 twist.
You can pretty much know if a bullet will be stable before you load for it. And you don't really have to take the word of the manufacturer if you don't want to. Maybe you do all your hunting above 10k ft when it's 100F out. That's going to change things a good bit
Twist Rate Stability Calculator
Our newly updated Twist Rate Stability Calculator not only tells you what your SG is, but it also lets you know if you are reaching your optimized BC.
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redchinviking
Well-Known Member
Switched my 6.5 prc to 124 HH and shot a smaller bull elk at 525 yds this year. 1st shot broadside was a few inches too far back but perfect elevation exited about a golf ball size with some nice lung showing. He did not go down though, or run. 2nd shot was about 2" from the first and was hanging by a thread in the hide. Pencil exit. Shank remained intact. I heard both shots make contact, was set up very stable, and knew the shots were good. But still, the bull was dead standing for about 2 min, which felt like an eternity. He then took a step behind a tree which made me nervous so after he poked his head out the other side I neck shot him quartered to and he flopped. Retrieved that bullet intact out of his rear quarter. Wound channel was packed with clean grass he just ate
I am impressed other than the dead standing bit. A little more hydrostatic shock would be nice. Meat damage was almost none. Even the rear quarter where the bullet landed from neck shot was minimal blood shot. Dang they are tough.
Also shot a bear in the mouth at 10 yds this year with the same rifle…needless to say I did not retrieve that bullet
Overall I'm impressed, but I do feel like 600 is probably my max for the 124's on a larger bull. FWIW
I am impressed other than the dead standing bit. A little more hydrostatic shock would be nice. Meat damage was almost none. Even the rear quarter where the bullet landed from neck shot was minimal blood shot. Dang they are tough.Also shot a bear in the mouth at 10 yds this year with the same rifle…needless to say I did not retrieve that bullet
Overall I'm impressed, but I do feel like 600 is probably my max for the 124's on a larger bull. FWIW
We are running the 124's @ 4200 and some change with H4350
Bigeclipse
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2012
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- 1,967
No apologies needed. I'm liking these bullets a lot so far and welcome others results...positive or negative.
TRM: they are almost that expensive in the lower 48 too. I pay $115/100 for .264 cal, buying directly from Hammer.
So cost is the one drawback of the Hammers.
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Shane Lindsey
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- Jul 13, 2010
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- 3,740
What cartridge/bullet combos?
