Hammer Bullets

[Ruraldoc]

My PH specifically said 270 grain Barnes were the best bullet he had seen for Buffalo.

There are some risks with going with bullets of 250 grains or lighter.

I know that Hornady does not recommend their 250 grain CX for buffalo. I have seen reports where the 250 really flattened out and gave only moderate penetration.

But I do have a friend who has killed a dozen cape buffalo bulls with a 250 grain TSX from a 9.3x62. The 250 grain from the 9.3 has a better sectional density and a lower muzzle velocity than a 250 from a 375, so it may be a better choice.

I can say that I have used the 235 grain TSX in my 375, loaded to a mild velocity of 2700 fps. I tested it against trapped wild hogs of all sizes. It will expand and kill quickly on broadside lung shots. It will also go lengthwise through the big boars with ease.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I have also used the 300 grain TSX in a 375 on trapped wild hogs as well. It is like hitting them with a lightning bolt and creates a massive exit. I had one go through both shoulders of a big boar and then continue on through the heavy steel 4 inch pipe of the trap. It may still be going for all I know.

I do know it has a reputation for exits on cape buffalo bulls.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

My PH specifically said 270 grain Barnes were the best bullet he had seen for Buffalo.

There are some risks with going with bullets of 250 grains or lighter.

I know that Hornady does not recommend their 250 grain CX for buffalo. I have seen reports where the 250 really flattened out and gave only moderate penetration.

But I do have a friend who has killed a dozen cape buffalo bulls with a 250 grain TSX from a 9.3x62. The 250 grain from the 9.3 has a better sectional density and a lower muzzle velocity than a 250 from a 375, so it may be a better choice.

I can say that I have used the 235 grain TSX in my 375, loaded to a mild velocity of 2700 fps. I tested it against trapped wild hogs of all sizes. It will expand and kill quickly on broadside lung shots. It will also go lengthwise through the big boars with ease.

Do you or your PH have any experience with mono-metals that shed petals like the CEB Raptors, Hammer Hunter, Lehigh Defense? I'm curious how those would perform in 270gr out of a 375 RUM on cape buffalo?

 

[RLL]

Cutting Edge Bullets (CEB) does not make a 270gr in 375, but they offer these in 375 below...

Raptor 235gr
Maximus 250gr
Maximus 300gr

Is it ok to use a 235gr or 250gr mono-metal on cape buffalo or should it be at least 270gr ?

Pardon my fat finger. CEB does make the 275 Raptor which was used on a buff last year. Hammer bullets makes the 270 and 300 gr bullets which I prefer for longer range work. Especially the 300, took that one last year as well and ran that exclusively out of a 375 for the whole hunt

Buff have been killed with less but I wouldn’t attempt it. 375 is on the smaller side for buff already but doable with proper bullets and a solid first shot.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

Pardon my fat finger. CEB does make the 275 Raptor which was used on a buff last year. Hammer bullets makes the 270 and 300 gr bullets which I prefer for longer range work. Especially the 300, took that one last year as well and ran that exclusively out of a 375 for the whole hunt

Buff have been killed with less but I wouldn’t attempt it. 375 is on the smaller side for buff already but doable with proper bullets and a solid first shot.

How did you like the performance of the 375 using the CEB Raptor and Hammer bullets on the buffalo?

 

[towserthemouser]

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 Noblin that's a mighty fine looking Rigby you got there, with the sable on the floor plate, and the tiger stripe fancy wood! I'm guessing it's a CA Rigby as it looks similar in several respects to my 375 that they built for me. Mine has a kudu on the floor plate, but the wood on mine, although very nice, would not lay a glove on yours! Congratulations on some great trophies.

 

[RLL]

How did you like the performance of the 375 using the CEB Raptor and Hammer bullets on the buffalo?

Terminal performance was as designed. Both single shots in the pump room. Hydrostatic shock and cavitation creates a ton of damage as well as the petals/blades radiating through the vitals. Neither shank passed through on both occasions, both shots at 50 yards or under. Not saying that wont happen depending on shot angle or other variables.

Our PH loves TSX bullets but after showing them the results of the Raptors and Hammers over the last few years, they have no reservations about using them on DG. Neither do I and I don’t shoot anything else these days.

Id think you could easily achieve 2800-3000fps out the RUM and the shock effect would be even more prounounced. We were shoooting 375 Rugers at 2650ish fps, one version suppressed with 18” barrel was as tame as they come. Would definitely attempt the same with RUM expecting 2800fps or so depending on bullet choice. The Hammers will go faster than the raptors with less pressure signs before maxing out and they tend to like faster powders for any given bullet weight.

 

[Llano Estacado]

Terminal performance was as designed. Both single shots in the pump room. Hydrostatic shock and cavitation creates a ton of damage as well as the petals/blades radiating through the vitals. Neither shank passed through on both occasions, both shots at 50 yards or under. Not saying that wont happen depending on shot angle or other variables.

Our PH loves TSX bullets but after showing them the results of the Raptors and Hammers over the last few years, they have no reservations about using them on DG. Neither do I and I don’t shoot anything else these days.

Id think you could easily achieve 2800-3000fps out the RUM and the shock effect would be even more prounounced. We were shoooting 375 Rugers at 2650ish fps, one version suppressed with 18” barrel was as tame as they come. Would definitely attempt the same with RUM expecting 2800fps or so depending on bullet choice. The Hammers will go faster than the raptors with less pressure signs before maxing out and they tend to like faster powders for any given bullet weight.

My son and I used Hammers this year on cape buffalo- performance was fantastic. He used the tipped version in his 375 ruger at 2650, and I used the 270 Hunter in my H&H at 2800 fps! I had complete broadside penetration and he had about 30” through left shoulder, boiler room and lodged in last right side rib. Also used on plains game with great success. Also used the 300 solid, hit buffalo in left rear ham and it lodged in hide on right side shoulder.

 

[jwp475]

The Hammer bullet are very good