Hammer 131's are legit

[Newtosavage]

It's not hype if it's true I guess. Easiest load workup I've ever had. 15 bullets was enough. Worked up my finicky-as-hell 7mm-08 Howa Alpine in 0.3 grain increments from 42 to 45 grains, and then loaded the last 5 at 45 grains of Varget. According to every book, that's over max but at 45 grains I was just barely seeing pressure signs.

Last 5 shots produced a 3-shot group at 100 yards of 0.8" and two rounds at 300 yards that were 1.1" apart. That's as good as I can shoot a 6 3/4 lb. rig with a 2-7x scope. And at 2920 fps, that's plenty good enough for me.

I've gone through a lot of bullets and a lot of powder searching for a sub-MOA hunting load for this rifle. If I had just started with the Hammers, it would have saved he a lot of time, money and frustration.

I'll be ordering 100 bullets next.

 

[Sykes]

Ive had the same results in three rifles, a Cooper 280AI, Kimber 308 wsm and a Tikka 308. They kill as good as they shoot too!

 

[Newtosavage]

Ive had the same results in three rifles, a Cooper 280AI, Kimber 308 wsm and a Tikka 308. They kill as good as they shoot too!

I'm looking forward to seeing how they perform on game. With any luck, I'll be sending one through a cow elk in late October. In my mind, that's a tall order for a 131(4) grain bullet, but I know plenty of elk have been killed with 120 NBT's and TTSX's and countless 130 grain .270 bullets too.

 

[willfrye027]

I’ve got some 131gr hammers just waiting for the new build to be ready! They’re of the .25 cal variety though..

 

[Tahoe1305]

I’m going to give them a try in my 7WSM build if my barrel ever shows up. Excited of the velocities I may get (I’m a speed chaser...sorry).

Should be flat shooting killers!

 

[OXN939]

In my mind, that's a tall order for a 131(4) grain bullet, but I know plenty of elk have been killed with 120 NBT's and TTSX's and countless 130 grain .270 bullets too.

Man with a carefully tuned handload using high quality components like this, you've got more than enough horsepower to do elk of either sex I'm sure. Loading up a ladder of .284 hammers for my 7mm-08 next week

 

[Newtosavage]

Man with a carefully tuned handload using high quality components like this, you've got more than enough horsepower to do elk of either sex I'm sure. Loading up a ladder of .284 hammers for my 7mm-08 next week

I'm sure you're right. But I've always been a slow, heavy bullet guy. Hard to break old habits I guess.

I did like the 2920 fps. and the fact that they seemed to show no pressure signs all the way up to 45 grains of Varget. That's a pretty full case. These are very forgiving bullets. The most forgiving I've ever used.

 

[Newtosavage]

This young spike got hammered today at 225 yards. Textbook shot placement (sharp quartering away - bullet entered at last rib and exited at the base of the neck). Bang flop performance and not much meat damage at all.

Sample size of one so far, but I'm happy with what I saw today.