Hammer Bullets

I'm about to start doing more LD for my youngest son's 308, looking at going with 156 gr Hammer Hunters, I think I'm going to try 2000MR for those since I have about 9# of it and am down to about 3.5 or 4 lbs of CFE223. Looks like i should be able to get to 2800 or a little faster with either of them.
Hammers are generally viewed as one of the easiest projectiles to work up. Lots of threads on rockslide and hanmertime discussing it.

Michael558 here has killed 100 buffalo with raptor bullets that are similar to hammers and they are nothing short of devastating.
 
Reviving an old thread, looking at the folks who loaded some of these up for DG rifles. How'd they work out?
Took Hammers exclusively this year. 375 Ruger in 300 and 270 gr Shock hammers. 7mag in 160gr shockhammers. Excellent performance on Buff, eland, sable, gemsbok, zebra..

I’ve got a 416 325gr load worked up but have yet to hunt with it. I’m going to take it out on pig testing soon.
 
Took Hammers exclusively this year. 375 Ruger in 300 and 270 gr Shock hammers. 7mag in 160gr shockhammers. Excellent performance on Buff, eland, sable, gemsbok, zebra..

I’ve got a 416 325gr load worked up but have yet to hunt with it. I’m going to take it out on pig testing soon.
Cool. I have 375 and 416 ruger. Will be using raptors, Maximus, and hammers this year.
 
I'm about to start doing more LD for my youngest son's 308, looking at going with 156 gr Hammer Hunters, I think I'm going to try 2000MR for those since I have about 9# of it and am down to about 3.5 or 4 lbs of CFE223. Looks like i should be able to get to 2800 or a little faster with either of them.
@ sgt_zim
I get 2,900fps out of my son's 22 inch barrel 308 with 150gr accubonds and 59gn of CFE223.
Bob
 
@ sgt_zim
I get 2,900fps out of my son's 22 inch barrel 308 with 150gr accubonds and 59gn of CFE223.
Bob
49 gr maybe? I'm getting just under 2900 with 168 gr Gold Dots with 47.2 gr CFE223
 
I checked his YT channel, don't see anything about the buff hunt. I know he's becoming a pretty big advocate for Hammer.
I shot my buff with a 404 gr Hammer and thru the shoulder and heart and is still going, insurance shot between shoulders went thru and lost in the ground, I can't complain I will use the same bullet in 2 years for elephant if all goes well
 
49 gr maybe? I'm getting just under 2900 with 168 gr Gold Dots with 47.2 gr CFE223
@sgt_zim
Should have read 50gn CFE223 with a 150gn accubonds. NOT 59gn.
59gn wouldn't fit in the case.
Bob
 
I'm about to start doing more LD for my youngest son's 308, looking at going with 156 gr Hammer Hunters, I think I'm going to try 2000MR for those since I have about 9# of it and am down to about 3.5 or 4 lbs of CFE223. Looks like i should be able to get to 2800 or a little faster with either of them.
the 150 Powder Hammer will work great it is what I use inmy 30.06 at 2849fps, 11 plains game animals all one shot kills and only 2 recovered bullets
 
Hammer loads showing their promise and terminal effects…

.416 B&M 325gr Shock Hammer RL15 ~2600fps

.300wsm 124gr Hammer Hunter H4350 ~3500fps

6.5cm 80gr HHT Varget ~3500fps

7mm RM 160 shock Hammer N560 ~3200fps

22-250 44gr Hammer Hunter Varget ~3900fps

All one shot. All full pass through. All DRT. From 20 to 300 yards

IMG_6617.jpeg
IMG_6622.jpeg
IMG_6631.jpeg
IMG_6630.jpeg
IMG_1556.jpeg
 
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I loaded the 258 shockhammer in 9.3x62 with cfe223 and it dropped plains game with authority. I know this isn’t dangerous game but I was impressed.
I am currently loading the 258s with Varget. I do have some CFE223 and would like to give it a try. Where did you find your starting data for 9.3 with the cfe223? Thanks!
 
Hammer loads showing their promise and terminal effects…

.416 B&M 325gr Shock Hammer RL15 ~2600fps

.300wsm 124gr Hammer Hunter H4350 ~3500fps

6.5cm 80gr HHT Varget ~3500fps

7mm RM 160 shock Hammer N560 ~3200fps

22-250 44gr Hammer Hunter Varget ~3900fps

All one shot. All full pass through. All DRT. From 20 to 300 yards

View attachment 577011View attachment 577012View attachment 577013View attachment 577014View attachment 577022
7mm RM 160 shock Hammer N560 ~3200fps
Would you mind sharing some info about that load? That's a screamer.
 
Jerry Noblin used Hammers this year in Africa in his 275 Rigby. Had great success on plains game including a 60 inch kudu.

He is now a big fan of Hammer Bullets.
 
I am currently loading the 258s with Varget. I do have some CFE223 and would like to give it a try. Where did you find your starting data for 9.3 with the cfe223? Thanks!
I found the loads by using data for 35 whelen in speer’s online data for 250gr bullets. I started low and used a chronograph to check speed changes. I was the first person to ever load the 258’s, so I had to extrapolate data from known sources and experiences. It ended up working quite nicely. I think there is some more room for velocity with the 258, but if you want me velocity it would be easier to go to the 240.
 
Hammer loads showing their promise and terminal effects…

.416 B&M 325gr Shock Hammer RL15 ~2600fps

.300wsm 124gr Hammer Hunter H4350 ~3500fps

6.5cm 80gr HHT Varget ~3500fps

7mm RM 160 shock Hammer N560 ~3200fps

22-250 44gr Hammer Hunter Varget ~3900fps

All one shot. All full pass through. All DRT. From 20 to 300 yards

View attachment 577011View attachment 577012View attachment 577013View attachment 577014View attachment 577022
The 416 B&M with the 325 Shock Hammer at 2600 fps, should make an impact.
 
I developed a load for my Rigby Highland Stalker 275 Rigby using 130gr Absolute Hammers..average velocity was 3148fps out of a 22” barrel and shot 3/4MOA at 100 yards.

All the plains game harvested, from Springbok to Sable, dropped to the shot. The only exception was my 62" Kudu that I had to make a snap-shot and mis-judged the angle and speed of his walking through the bush. The Hammer saved me from losing this once-in-a-lifetime Kudu. I hit him in the right flank as he was quartering hard away from me.....after a few inches of gut the petals sheared off as designed but the solid shank kept penetrating through the gut and ultimately hit one lung....over 2.5ft of penetration. I doubt if most other bullets would have reached the lung.
F85B6916-D431-4BA7-9E44-CF4EE49031AB_1_105_c.jpeg
E075A39E-4882-455C-B4B9-3C81C306A739_1_105_c.jpeg
1F690D20-C717-4AC6-B7C7-BD50C76285F1_1_105_c.jpeg
 
I developed a load for my Rigby Highland Stalker 275 Rigby using 130gr Absolute Hammers..average velocity was 3148fps out of a 22” barrel and shot 3/4MOA at 100 yards.

All the plains game harvested, from Springbok to Sable, dropped to the shot. The only exception was my 62" Kudu that I had to make a snap-shot and mis-judged the angle and speed of his walking through the bush. The Hammer saved me from losing this once-in-a-lifetime Kudu. I hit him in the right flank as he was quartering hard away from me.....after a few inches of gut the petals sheared off as designed but the solid shank kept penetrating through the gut and ultimately hit one lung....over 2.5ft of penetration. I doubt if most other bullets would have reached the lung. View attachment 585337View attachment 585338View attachment 585339
JD is a fine gentleman. I held that gun and it’s a fine piece of equipment.
 
I've been reading a lot on Hammers lately.

Getting mixed results on accuracy but that's probably my part on my rushed load development.

I found a winner in my .308. View attachment 454159
That’s interesting because they are pretty universally considered the easiest bullet to work up anyone has tried.
 
That’s interesting because they are pretty universally considered the easiest bullet to work up anyone has tried.
Yes, I hear that a lot and I chat with a number of members of the Hammer Forum
My post is nearly 2 yo, I've shot pigs with that .308 and Fallow with my .280a.i.
I like hammers and other bullets to.
Are they easier to load for, I'm leaving that alone others may have more experience. I shoot what I shoot and I've used a few different things and have others to try.

Nothing negative to say about Hammers and I know the .308 load worked out.
 

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