9.3mm Hammer 242 HHT

[Rimshot]

New interesting offering from Hammer bullets for 9.3mm fans. IMO this one is especially suited to single shots, double rifles, and drillings. I guess it could work in your 9.3x62/64 if you have a magnum length or custom action - the ogive is insanely long. The maker states he designed this bullet for his custom wildcat 36 Nosler cartridge. G1 BC is a claimed 0.500 so if you appreciate the ability to reach out with your 9.3 for elk and long range this could be a good option.

I'm loading to the front PDR band and it gives a 4.07" OAL in 9.3x74R in my Blaser S2, with a 0.030" jump to the lands. In another thread I posted two consecutive, 4-shot L+R groups at 110 yards and 200 yards that are sub-moa with this bullet - in the S2 double rifle.

I haven't used any Hammer bullets on game yet. The hollowpoint under the plastic tip measures about 0.70" deep and looks wide enough to open quickly even at 9.3x74R velocity. I'll probably take my trusty 250 Accubonds with me on the trip to RSA along with the Hammers for situations where I don't want overpenetration.

 

[AZDAVE]

I will be interested to read your review of the bullet once you have shot it on game. 9.3's are my favorite below 40 cal mid bores.

 

[odonata]

I have a penchant for single-shot falling-blocks which is why I own eight of them (four No. 1's & four 1885's). For some reason that's hard to explain, I have an extreme fondness for my Ruger No. 1S chambered in 9.3x74r with a Minox ZA5 1.5-8x32 scope on it. It's just one of my favorite rifles to shoot.

Right now I have it setup to shoot RWS 184gr Evolution Green bullets. But I've got 232gr Vulkans, 250gr Barnes TSX, 250gr RWS HIT & 258gr RWS T-Mantel bullets queued up try out. I'm always interested to see how other rounds in this chambering work out.

 

[RLL]

I would just take the Hammers. You won’t be disappointed.. it’s about all I shoot on game anymore. The terminals are incredible. Especially on less than ideal shots…

 

[Desaad]

I have a tikka in 9.3x62mm so just a tad faster than the 9.3x74r. It is my favourite caliber ever!
Doesn't kick hard but drops everything it hits like the hammer of Thor. More like a long shove than a kick and it shoots around an inch at 100+yards.

 

[450 Rigby]

New interesting offering from Hammer bullets for 9.3mm fans. IMO this one is especially suited to single shots, double rifles, and drillings. I guess it could work in your 9.3x62/64 if you have a magnum length or custom action - the ogive is insanely long. The maker states he designed this bullet for his custom wildcat 36 Nosler cartridge. G1 BC is a claimed 0.500 so if you appreciate the ability to reach out with your 9.3 for elk and long range this could be a good option.

I'm loading to the front PDR band and it gives a 4.07" OAL in 9.3x74R in my Blaser S2, with a 0.030" jump to the lands. In another thread I posted two consecutive, 4-shot L+R groups at 110 yards and 200 yards that are sub-moa with this bullet - in the S2 double rifle.

I haven't used any Hammer bullets on game yet. The hollowpoint under the plastic tip measures about 0.70" deep and looks wide enough to open quickly even at 9.3x74R velocity. I'll probably take my trusty 250 Accubonds with me on the trip to RSA along with the Hammers for situations where I don't want overpenetration.View attachment 660747View attachment 660746View attachment 660748

I may have to give those a try in my SSK Win 70 CRF 9.3x338 Win Mag. I'm not sure if the COAL will be too long for the magazine. May have to load them without the tip.

What powder are you using in 9.3x74

 

[Rimshot]

I may have to give those a try in my SSK Win 70 CRF 9.3x338 Win Mag. I'm not sure if the COAL will be too long for the magazine. May have to load them without the tip.

What powder are you using in 9.3x74

I worked up to 67gr of RL-17, which with a moderate crimp in my 23" barrel is a little over 2600 fps in the GA winter here. I figure warmer temps will be around 2650 and max pressure in the 74R. Unfortunately RL-17 seems unobtanium for the last couple years. I've got a jug of RL-16 coming today to try. Supposedly 16 is more temp stable but slightly bulkier, but most importantly it is available so I have hope! I have enough 17 to get me by, but I'd like to shoot more of course.

I've been heavily reliant on QuickLoad for stuff like this. Starting low, carefully watching velocities and inspecting cases. 9.3x338 has a similar case capacity to the x74R, but much higher MAP. Something a bit denser like Ramshot Big Game or CFE223 might work well for you.

 

[450 Rigby]

I worked up to 67gr of RL-17, which with a moderate crimp in my 23" barrel is a little over 2600 fps in the GA winter here. I figure warmer temps will be around 2650 and max pressure in the 74R. Unfortunately RL-17 seems unobtanium for the last couple years. I've got a jug of RL-16 coming today to try. Supposedly 16 is more temp stable but slightly bulkier, but most importantly it is available so I have hope! I have enough 17 to get me by, but I'd like to shoot more of course.

I've been heavily reliant on QuickLoad for stuff like this. Starting low, carefully watching velocities and inspecting cases. 9.3x338 has a similar case capacity to the x74R, but much higher MAP. Something a bit denser like Ramshot Big Game or CFE223 might work well for you.

I may give CFE223 & Norma MRP a try. I dont believe I've got any BigGame on hand. My rifle is having some work done & it will be a few months before I get to it.

Quickloads I've meant to buy....procrastination kills.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have found that Ramshot big game is almost as good as RL-17 in my 9.3x62 bolt guns. RS Hunter has been my go to powder in the 286-300gr bullets in my double.

Do the 242 hammer's regulate in your S2 at those speeds?

 

[Rimshot]

I have found that Ramshot big game is almost as good as RL-17 in my 9.3x62 bolt guns. RS Hunter has been my go to powder in the 286-300gr bullets in my double.

Do the 242 hammer's regulate in your S2 at those speeds?

Here's my regulation at 200 yards with it. Shoots better than many of my bolt rifles!

The adjustment is almost maxed out at the muzzle. I'd guess if you got an even lighter bullet going 2700-2800+ such as the CEB 200 Raptor you may run into the limits of regulation.

On the other end of the spectrum, the heaviest bullet available (325 Norma Oryx) also regulates within the available adjustment range. The versatility of this double is my favorite feature, along with the precision.

 

[AZDAVE]

I forgot that the S@ had the ability to adjust regulation. Now that makes sense.