Anyone using or heard of Hammer Bullets?

Mike 338

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Not going to lie, I’ve not messed with mono bullets, probably because other then hammer they are just a lighter weight bullet then I want.

Plenty of good bullets out there and most are very lethal. I've downed a couple animals with mono's (Barnes). Both times, their eyes bugged out like they went into complete shock on their feet. Just stood there like they were waiting for a bus, then tipped over. Quarter sized exit holes and zero blood from exit. I'd like to see a better blood trail. We'll see about the Hammer's.
 

pods8 (Rugged Stitching)

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Yeap
Thanks, looks like I won’t be trying it, Berger even says marginal stability of 1.16 and recommends 1:7 twist.

What I meant by having the 170, 175 and 180gr bullets that will stabilize is they will kill stuff and all have a higher BC then the hammer but require the 1:8 twist, would have been nice to have another heavier .277 option and I would have liked to try the 168 as length is not an issue for my mag box but is for barrel twist. To me the other bullets are fine hunting bullets as well but not getting into that argument, lol.

Not going to lie, I’ve not messed with mono bullets, probably because other then hammer they are just a lighter weight bullet then I want.

Sounds like a prime excuse to put a custom barrel on your rig and run heavies all round! ;)

On the mono front other than going heavier to gain BC (heavier is longer, longer is usually better BC...) you don't need nearly as much weight, they retain it well. Don't think of them in the same way as a lead core bullet, they're different on their density and also terminal performance. As an example I run a Barnes 145LRX in my 280AI, that one is about as long as most 168gr lead core bullets, I push it fast and it has been very effective. I could chase BC a bit more but at the time the 168LRX was heavier than what I'd want to pursue in mono bullet for that cartridge.
 

tdhanses

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Yeap


Sounds like a prime excuse to put a custom barrel on your rig and run heavies all round! ;)

On the mono front other than going heavier to gain BC (heavier is longer, longer is usually better BC...) you don't need nearly as much weight, they retain it well. Don't think of them in the same way as a lead core bullet, they're different on their density and also terminal performance. As an example I run a Barnes 145LRX in my 280AI, that one is about as long as most 168gr lead core bullets, I push it fast and it has been very effective. I could chase BC a bit more but at the time the 168LRX was heavier than what I'd want to pursue in mono bullet for that cartridge.

Yeah I’ll stick with the proof.
 

pods8 (Rugged Stitching)

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Yeah I’ll stick with the proof.

Proof barrel in regards to my custom joke or proof of bullets? If the latter there is plenty of proof you don't need to run heavy monos out there, they're not the same as lead core. But by no means do ya gotta use them, just answering questions on them and pointing out don't think of them like a lead core bullet, that's where folks run into trouble (twist rates, too slow on impact, etc.)
 

tdhanses

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Proof barrel in regards to my custom joke or proof of bullets? If the latter there is plenty of proof you don't need to run heavy monos out there, they're not the same as lead core. But by no means do ya gotta use them, just answering questions on them and pointing out don't think of them like a lead core bullet, that's where folks run into trouble (twist rates, too slow on impact, etc.)

Haha, Proof barrel I currently have.
 

TauPhi111

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Who said it was too expensive? It is expensive don’t you agree? Truthfully the fast twist required is a bigger negative. But yes if it will not stabilize in anything but a 1:7 twist barrel then it’s wasted money spent for 99% of the people owning a .277 cal rifle, the 168gr bullet is all that interests me personally.

Maybe you can get your buddy Steve to send me a box and test if they’ll stabilize in a 1:8 twist barrel like a Berger 170 will. But since he does say the 1:7 is required he has probably already found it will not.
Definitely heed those twist warnings. I have tried to get by with a slightly slower twist a couple times and it never works out. They list those stats for a weekend. And only a huge increase in linear velocity (muzzle velocity) will translate into enough rotational momentum to stabilize the bullet at a slower twist, an increase usually not achievable by loading a hotter load.
 
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Yeap


Sounds like a prime excuse to put a custom barrel on your rig and run heavies all round! ;)

On the mono front other than going heavier to gain BC (heavier is longer, longer is usually better BC...) you don't need nearly as much weight, they retain it well. Don't think of them in the same way as a lead core bullet, they're different on their density and also terminal performance. As an example I run a Barnes 145LRX in my 280AI, that one is about as long as most 168gr lead core bullets, I push it fast and it has been very effective. I could chase BC a bit more but at the time the 168LRX was heavier than what I'd want to pursue in mono bullet for that cartridge.
What powder are you using behind the 145? Got a box for my 280 ackley that I haven’t got around to loading up.
 
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Curious why you went with the hammer hunter over the sledge hammer.
The sledge being their 400yards or less bullet and the hammer being greater.
I started load development on my 300wm with the sledge hammers. I have a good group with the 199grs at 3015fps. I went sledge route thinking that 98% of my shots will be 400 of less but every time I shoot I keep thinking about that 2% that will be in that 400-600 yard range and think I should have gone the hammer hunter route. But now, seeing your response of great success at short range with the hammer hunter and knowing you have the ability to have a high performing bullet at greater than 400 yards, I am thinking of picking up the hammer hunters and leaving the sledge behind.
I have yet to hunt or kill with the sledge hammers, but have confidence they will destroy at 400 yards. But those hammer hunters are always in the back of my mind and I keep asking if I make the right decision.

That rifle is very heavy and other than testing the bullets last year it’s more of my long range rifle when those opportunities are most likely. Has an SHV 5-20 on it. I wanted to run the 155 Hammer Hunter but Steve advised with my 9 twist to go 143. Actually never really considered the Sledgehammer in the STW because I want speed and flat shots so I don’t have to dial or think about where to aim until well beyond 300. My 30-06 I chose 152 hunters because I wanted to get over 3000 fps as I really like that threshold for monolithic bullets and I don’t think I could get there with 166 sledge. Now in my moms 7mm-08 I chose the 136 sledge because shots will always be inside 300 and likely 150 or less 99% of the time. Steve tells me the sledge just hits hard and puts them down quicker with the massive hollow point. And in 7mm-08 I won’t quite have the speed to aid expansion so a little more rapid expansion isn’t a bad thing.
 

bhylton

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nice thing about the hammers is they are designed to perform the same at 1800fps as they do at 3800fps
 
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I am going to be trying these out this year. As far as non lead goes these seem to be the best option for what I'm looking for.
 
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I know this is old but thought I’d revive it anyway! I tried Hammers for the first time last year in one of my 25-06s and liked the performance, accuracy, and ease of load development. I’ve since changed quite a few of my rifles over to Hammers:

6.5 CM......124 Hammer Hunter
25-06.........98 Sledge Hammer
257 Roberts....98 Sledge Hammer
280 AI........131 Hammer Hunter
280 Rem....143 Hammer Hunter
264 WM.....121 Heavy Hammer
300 Wby....181 Hammer Hunter

Will be hunting antelope, whitetail and elk with them this season. Attached are a few groups shot with Hammer Bullets.
 

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parshal

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I changed from Scirocco's to Hammer Hunters this year in my 65 SS. I'm shooting the 124's (actual weight 126) in an 8 twist Proof carbon. I tried the 137's in a 7 twist Proof carbon and had keyholing so went back to the 124.

They are a fast bullet. Nearly 100 fps gain over the Scirocco. I'm getting 3340 in my SS. And, they're very accurate and consistent.

Steve will talk to you forever if you call them. Anyone having questions about performance, design, etc. should call for more information.
 
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I have some 331gr sledge hammers loaded up waiting for testing in my 375 Weatherby. I am taking it to Afognak for brown bear.
 
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