Absolute Hammer Load Data

[JLS]

So I tried to duplicate the group at 55.0 grains. These three on top of the last three gave me a group size of 1.3”. Not good.

I called Steve and we had a great chat. He also suspected twist rate issues. I was able to check it tonight. Six checks yielded consistent results between 1:9.5 and 1:10. I thought it was 1:9.25, which would explain the struggles I’ve had getting this rifle to shoot with longer mono bullets.

Some 131 Hammer Hunters should be here Tuesday.

 

[antelopedundee]

Has anyone measured the length of any of these? I thought it might be on the website, but I don't see it. Interested in the 123 grain .264 Abs Hammers.

 

[JLS]

Length is on the website

 

[rtraverdavis]

Made it out for some more testing today. Feeling like I’m starting to figure these out. Maybe. Here’s what I got:

6.5 Creedmoor
22” Bergara bbl, 1:8
123 Absolute Hammers
Varget
Fed 215M
2x fired Nosler Brass trimmed to 1.905
2.810 COAL

38.5— 2818
39— 2821
39.5— 2891
40— 2905
40.5— 2933 slight ejector
41— 2957 ” primer starting to flatten
41.5— 2994 ”
42— 3019 ” stiff bolt lift, stopped

This ^ is right around the velocity I reached when I hit serious pressure with RL15 using Fed 215s in my last test session. But check this out, today I shot the same ladder I shot last time with RL15, but switched to Fed 210s:

All components the same as above, except using RL15 & Fed 210M primers.

40— 2798
41— 2886
41.3— 2917
41.6— 2951
41.9— 2970
42.2— 2985 (this is where I reached serious pressure with the 215s, no pressure signs at this charge with 210s)
42.5— 3020
42.8— 3028
43.1— 3054 slight ejector
43.4— 3063 ”

Varget, 215s:


RL15, 210s:


I’m going to circle back with the Varget and try 210s. I’ve got a ton of Varget and not much RL15, so hopefully I’ll be able to get similar results by switching to the lighter primers like I did with the RL15. I think the magnum primers might just be too hot for this cartridge. Creedmoors are delicate. Ha.

 

[Tradewind]

123g bumping 3000fps is gonna hit hard. Nice group. Should be a pleasure to shoot.

Sooo, kinda like a Creedmoor magnum...today's oxymoron

 

[grizzly63]

Got the 90 gr A hammers delivered. Loaded up some Imr 4350 and some Norma 204. Used Stevejfarm's post for a helpful guide as there just isnt a lot out there.
Anyhow here is what I got:

Wby 257Mag vanguard 24"
Norma fired multiple times brass
Fed 215M primers
3.280 coal

Norma 204
Started low, probably too low as first four were leaving residue on side of case. Not enough pressure is my guess.
67 3244
68 3389
69 3397
70 3451
71 3536 cases were sealing better, I should probably anneal
71.5 3546
72 3588
72.5 3661
73 Chrono problems
73.4 same
73.7 3680
74 3754

I should probably push these just a little more and see if accuracy improves, the low range were kind of scattered, they did seem to tighten up when pushed. Concentrated on the IMR 4350 as ir seemed to be putting more into the same area.

IMR4350
65.5 3241
66 3397
66.5 3469
67 3440
67.5 3479
68 3529
68.5 3588
69 3618
69.5 3678
69.8 3654
70.1 3719
70.4 3740
70.7 3773
71 3801
71.3 3807
71.6 3808
71.9 3828 ejector marks appearing
72.2 3856 ejector marks light
72.5 3905 End of the line, ejector marks heavy, bolt lift very stiff, no more safely.

This was all on a new to me Magnettospeed Sporter Chrono and it takes a little learning but I feel most are pretty close. Have to reposition after every shot when things start sizzling as it moves it down the barrel a little each time. Tried to be consistent. I have always looked for the sweet spot by using ladders and shooting two or three shot groups and just going for accuracy. I think I'll load up a few groups around the 3800 range and see which does best. Any thoughts? It was around 50 degrees when I was shooting these today. Letting the barrel cool between shots.

 

[JLS]

I had time to screw around at the range for a bit today. I ran ten rounds of 123 Absolute Hammers through the Kimber.

Mean velocity of 2976 FPS. SD of 21. A little high. I’ll see what groups look like at distance. This is a 4-500 yard gun max for hunting.

The first eight rounds measured 0.83” @ 100. Last two walked a bit high and I’m not sure if it was me or a little barrel heat. Still 1.2” for a ten shot group, out of a 5.5 pound rifle.

I think if I had Lee Factory Crimp dies I could achieve a little better consistency, but in the the grand scheme of things, if I miss it wasn’t the rifle or the load.

Ran a tracking test and RTZ and it was pretty spot on.

Damn I like this little rifle. The more I shoot it, the harder it is to leave it home for hunting trips. I’m thinking there is a really high likelihood it’ll be making a spring bear trip here in about six weeks.

 

[stevejfarms]

I had time to screw around at the range for a bit today. I ran ten rounds of 123 Absolute Hammers through the Kimber.

Mean velocity of 2976 FPS. SD of 21. A little high. I’ll see what groups look like at distance. This is a 4-500 yard gun max for hunting.

The first eight rounds measured 0.83” @ 100. Last two walked a bit high and I’m not sure if it was me or a little barrel heat. Still 1.2” for a ten shot group, out of a 5.5 pound rifle.

I think if I had Lee Factory Crimp dies I could achieve a little better consistency, but in the the grand scheme of things, if I miss it wasn’t the rifle or the load.

Ran a tracking test and RTZ and it was pretty spot on.

Damn I like this little rifle. The more I shoot it, the harder it is to leave it home for hunting trips. I’m thinking there is a really high likelihood it’ll be making a spring bear trip here in about six weeks.

Mid south shooters supply had all things lee in stock last week. What cal? I double ordered crimp dies last time .

 

[JLS]

Mid south shooters supply had all things lee in stock last week. What cal? I double ordered crimp dies last time .

.280 Rem and 6.5 CM.

 

[BackofBeyond]

Once the powder situation stabilizes a little I want to do some testing with the 199 HH or 214 HH with my .300 PRC.

Guessing I’ll need more H1000, Retumbo, or R26 but could be damn fun…

 

[stevejfarms]

.280 Rem and 6.5 CM.

Let me look when I get home, I think I may have a 7mm express crimp die.

 

[JLS]

Let me look when I get home, I think I may have a 7mm express crimp die.

Awesome, thank you!

 

[grizzly63]

Shot some 100 gr absolute Hammers out of the 30/30 today. 20" barrel 2.502 coal 38.5 LVR 2588 FPS. Not bad for the old thirty thirty. Might get tempted to shoot a deer with one of them.
MOA by the way. I should try a little faster powder but I keep hearing this clucking sound!

 

[Bigjay73]

Anyone have info on 6.5 grendel loads? I plan on starting with something in the 99 to 117 gr range

 

[mtmuley]

Anyone have info on 6.5 grendel loads? I plan on starting with something in the 99 to 117 gr range

Check the Hammer site or send Steve an email. mtmuley

 

[JLS]

Anyone have info on 6.5 grendel loads? I plan on starting with something in the 99 to 117 gr range

Are you loading Hammer Hunters or Absolute Hammers? Two completely different cats. If I were you I’d stay in the 100ish grain range for your Grendel. Nosler data is always a very reliable place to start looking at powders.

 

[MThuntr]

Anyone have info on 6.5 grendel loads? I plan on starting with something in the 99 to 117 gr range

8208 seems to be THE powder for 99s. The 99gr bullets seems to be ideal for the Grendel. The bigger bullets suffer due to lower velocity and lower doesn't seem to produce a noticeable velocity performance. The new 92gr Power Hammers have a design change from the other Hammers with some data I've seen is AA2460 27-30 grains (28 grains produced the most accurate load for the example I saw from the Hammer Bullets videos)

I'm waiting for repairs to my el cheapo BCA upper (yes I got a shitty upper from them and I'm reserving my review of the upper until I give them a chance to make it right) but I'm going to us 99gr hammers and 4198.

Tac may be another option for powder.

 

[Bigjay73]

8208 seems to be THE powder for 99s. The 99gr bullets seems to be ideal for the Grendel. The bigger bullets suffer due to lower velocity and lower doesn't seem to produce a noticeable velocity performance. The new 92gr Power Hammers have a design change from the other Hammers with some data I've seen is AA2460 27-30 grains (28 grains produced the most accurate load for the example I saw from the Hammer Bullets videos)

I'm waiting for repairs to my el cheapo BCA upper (yes I got a shitty upper from them and I'm reserving my review of the upper until I give them a chance to make it right) but I'm going to us 99gr hammers and 4198.

Tac may be another option for powder.

Thanks! With ballistic tips I've had good success with 8208 and 100gr bullets, as well as Tac and 120 gr bullets so I'm not surprised by your suggestions. Think I'll order some 99grs today.

 

[VikingsGuy]

I have used 134gn Hammer Hunters to great success out of 7mm08 with Varget (44.5gn @2940fps). I am now developing a load for an 18" barrel (1:9" twist) + suppressor in 7x57AI and 140gn Absolute (fixed) Hammer bullets- any thoughts on powder? I have Varget, H4350, H4831SC, H4895 and RL16 on hand. I want as much speed as I can out of the short barrel while avoiding blowing a bunch of unburned powder into the suppressor.

 

[mtmuley]

I am now developing a load for an 18" barrel (1:9" twist) + suppressor in 7x57AI and 140gn Ultimate Hammer bullets- any thoughts on powder?

Ain't no such thing as an Ultimate Hammer. mtmuley