Faster Powder For Hammers?

[Sheltowee]

If I could, would like to pick the brains of y'all that have had success loading Hammers.

My deer load for my .257 Ackley last year was a 100gr. Barnes over AA4350 doing 3050fps from a 21inch barrel. I was really hoping to be in the 3200fps range. This year, I'm going to experiment with the Hammer 95gr. HHT. I still have a good bit of the AA4350 but also have a pound of two of H4831sc, which seems to be the recommended powder for most .257 Ackley loads. That said, I've seen a few mentions of Hammers doing better with a faster burning powder than typical for a given cartridge/weight range. I have a decent stockpile of Varget and an considering loading a ladder test with that, thinking I'll maximize Hammers' apparent preference for faster powders and getting the most out of a shorter barrel. So which would y'all suggest-- H4831sc or Varget?

What say ye, wise men (and women) of the internet?

 

[MThuntr]

Their data suggests (for 257+P which may be slow for 257AI but a good starting place) either would get you to where you want to be with either powder with a slight advantage to 4831. With a shorter barrel you may see them be basically equal so the Varget may be a good place to start.

Load Data - Hammer Bullets

Hammer Bullets® Load Data Shooting firearms can be dangerous. Firearms and reloading equipment not taken care of can lead to catastrophic failure, danger, and death. Environmental conditions can drastically impact firearms, powders, and primers. Companies may update components such as powders...

hammerbullets.com

 

[mtmuley]

If I could, would like to pick the brains of y'all that have had success loading Hammers.

My deer load for my .257 Ackley last year was a 100gr. Barnes over AA4350 doing 3050fps from a 21inch barrel. I was really hoping to be in the 3200fps range. This year, I'm going to experiment with the Hammer 95gr. HHT. I still have a good bit of the AA4350 but also have a pound of two of H4831sc, which seems to be the recommended powder for most .257 Ackley loads. That said, I've seen a few mentions of Hammers doing better with a faster burning powder than typical for a given cartridge/weight range. I have a decent stockpile of Varget and an considering loading a ladder test with that, thinking I'll maximize Hammers' apparent preference for faster powders and getting the most out of a shorter barrel. So which would y'all suggest-- H4831sc or Varget?

What say ye, wise men (and women) of the internet?

Steve picks up the phone when you call Hammer. mtmuley

 

[williaada]

Steve, answers and will give you the info you need. He helped me with a load for my .280ai

 

[antelopedundee]

My recollection is that powder burn rate may not be the same for say the Hammer Hunters vs the Absolute Hammers. Seems I recall for the AH is that you want the fastest powder that nearly fills the case. For my 6.5-06 and 123 AH and using Enduron powders that would likely put it as IMR 4451 being as fast as I would use.

 

[yakimanoob]

+1 for just calling Steve and talking to him. I don't know how long he can keep that up as his products get more popular, but best to take advantage while you can!

 

[Sheltowee]

Talked with Steve and he was super helpful. He suggested something in the H4350 range, starting around 47.0gr. and working up. Stay tuned.

 

[Sheltowee]

Update: loaded a ladder test using a modified version of Steve’s suggested method of loading to pressure signs, then backing off slightly. Loaded 2 rounds each of Varget at .3gr intervals from 43.9 to 45.1gr., H4350 from 47.5 to 48.7gr and H4831sc from 53.2 to 54.4gr. The Varget rounds are a good bit below case capacity, the H4350 slightly below case capacity and the H4831sc full to compressed.

I’ll shoot each of these ladders, find pressure and back down .3gr. Then I’ll load 10x each of the two most promising powders and test for ES/SD. I’d like an ES below 20 but Steve says he is more than comfortable hunting with anything below 30.

[insert standard disclaimer about doing your own research and not relying on this data, don’t blow your face off, etc etc]

 

[Elkmagnet]

H4350 is a great powder.

 

[mevertsen]

You're burning a lot of powder over a very narrow charge window. I would do .5 and up to what max to .5 over max for the cartridge with that weight bullet is. You're just shooting and wasting a lot of components.

 

[Sheltowee]

You're burning a lot of powder over a very narrow charge window. I would do .5 and up to what max to .5 over max for the cartridge with that weight bullet is. You're just shooting and wasting a lot of components.

Yeah, not going to argue with you there. This is the first time I've gone off-book with reloading data and I'm already pushing toward the high end, though. Just trying not to put a CZ bolt through my forehead.

 

[Sheltowee]

Update: loaded a ladder test using a modified version of Steve’s suggested method of loading to pressure signs, then backing off slightly. Loaded 2 rounds each of Varget at .3gr intervals from 43.9 to 45.1gr., H4350 from 47.5 to 48.7gr and H4831sc from 53.2 to 54.4gr. The Varget rounds are a good bit below case capacity, the H4350 slightly below case capacity and the H4831sc full to compressed.

I’ll shoot each of these ladders, find pressure and back down .3gr. Then I’ll load 10x each of the two most promising powders and test for ES/SD. I’d like an ES below 20 but Steve says he is more than comfortable hunting with anything below 30.

[insert standard disclaimer about doing your own research and not relying on this data, don’t blow your face off, etc etc]

Ran my ladder test for pressure today. Really think I’m going to have to lean toward the faster powders with this 21inch barrel. H4831sc was a little disappointing, topping out at 3126fps. H4350 maxed out at 3158fps. Varget was encouraging at 3191fps but I’d really like to hit 3200fps (will a 90lb whitetail doe be able to tell the difference in 9 fps? Absolutely not. Will not attaining my goal velocity gnaw at my psyche? Indubitably). I was pleasantly surprised by how steadily the Varget speeds increased given I’m leaving some case capacity on the table.

I didn’t encounter serious pressure signs with any of the max loads. I think my next step is to load 10x of Varget at 45.1 and 10x at 45.4 to test for ES and accuracy.

 

[mtmuley]

Ran my ladder test for pressure today. Really think I’m going to have to lean toward the faster powders with this 21inch barrel. H4831sc was a little disappointing, topping out at 3126fps. H4350 maxed out at 3158fps. Varget was encouraging at 3191fps but I’d really like to hit 3200fps (will a 90lb whitetail doe be able to tell the difference in 9 fps? Absolutely not. Will not attaining my goal velocity gnaw at my psyche? Indubitably). I was pleasantly surprised by how steadily the Varget speeds increased given I’m leaving some case capacity on the table.

I didn’t encounter serious pressure signs with any of the max loads. I think my next step is to load 10x of Varget at 45.1 and 10x at 45.4 to test for ES and accuracy.

If you haven't hit pressure, keep feeding it. Then shoot for groups. mtmuley

 

[Sheltowee]

Think I’ve finished my load development for now. 45.1gr. of Varget averaged 3199fps with an SD of 6.9 and ES of 23. 45.4 averaged 3218fps with an SD of 15.3 and ES of 49 but shot remarkably accurately— 5-shot groups of .768 and .921 inches, 3-shot groups of .441 and .176 (!!!) inches. The Hammers seem to like being pushed fast.

Was only seeing the faintest pressure signs at 45.4gr. I think I could scare 3250fps but I’m pretty content with this load for this deer season.

As always, verify data yourself and work up your own loads for your own rifle.

 

[Dsnow9]

Huge fan of hammers so far. Retrieved this from my bull last week. Neither my bull or antelope took a step.

 

[mtmuley]

View attachment 343478
Huge fan of hammers so far. Retrieved this from my bull last week. Neither my bull or antelope took a step.

That's exactly what they are supposed to look like. Pink tip helps though. Congrats on the hunt. mtmuley