300AX 181gr Hammer Hunter

[TXAoudadKlr]

Received my order of the 181gr Hammer Hunters this evening! I'm going to be trying them out this season in my 300AX (300-338LM improved). I'm hoping to see some better performance characteristics with this new bullet over my current load.

My current load is a 200gr accubond sitting on top of a healthy dose of RL33 which nets me 3380FPS and nearly 5,100ftlbs with sub 1/2 moa accuracy. (Kirby builds a fantastic rifle BTW)

Anyways. I'm hoping to be in the 3550fps range with this bullet, which looks very achievable just visually looking at the differences in weight and bearing surface between some of the bullets I have on hand.

Here's a picture of the dummy round I made with the 181 seated to mag length 3.7" and my current load seated to 3.570" along with the 200gr accubond, 181HH and 200gr LRX.

 

[dougduey]

You'll really enjoy these bullets. They are devastating on game. I load them in 5 of my 6 calibers, and just haven't gotten around to loading up the Hammer for my factory barrel twist in my 243, or all 6 of my calibers would be Hammer Bullet shooters. You will get plenty of velocity. I just took a mountain goat in Alaska last month with my 338 Lapua shooting the 213 gr Hammer hunter. Made very short work of a very strong animal. Steve is super helpful with load development, too, so don't be afraid to reach out to him. I always get a suggestion on 1 or 2 powders to use from him, and he'll give you the velocity he thinks you should end up near.
That cartridge of yours looks like one bad mutha!!

 

[HARPERC]

I've had good experiences with the 200 Accubonds, not nearly that fast though. The 181 Hammer may replace it in my .30's.
Look forward to your results.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Nothing but positive experiences with the 200gr accubond. I've taken 3 aoudad, 2 whitetail and an antelope with it. Were either DRT or less than 10 yards. Just want to try a nonconventional designed bullets.

 

[Elkeater]

That looks like one bad a@& round! I'm considering the 181 hammer hunter for my .300 win mag. Let us know how things go.

 

[yorke-1]

That looks like one bad a@& round! I'm considering the 181 hammer hunter for my .300 win mag. Let us know how things go.

You'll need to be able to seat them to at least 3.500" in your 300 Win Mag. I had some that I was going to use in a Ruger M77 but the mag length was too short and the bullet ogive was below the case mouth. I just ended up using them in a 300 RUM and they work great so far at 3.620".

Just thought I'd possibly save you some trouble if you have to use a short OAL. I think their new 174gr bullet was designed to solve the OAL problem and fit in 3.400" magazines.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

That looks like one bad a@& round! I'm considering the 181 hammer hunter for my .300 win mag. Let us know how things go.

5,000ftlbs out of a 30cal has been difficult to argue with.

Will do, have brass primed and ready for powder. As mentioned hoping for 3550fps.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

That looks like one bad a@& round! I'm considering the 181 hammer hunter for my .300 win mag. Let us know how things go.

I'd give Steve a call. Great dude, spent 30 minutes on the phone with me going over the design and performance characteristics in addition to any concerns I had before we finally selected the 181.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Going hunting in the morning, then moving a few head of cattle. Then I'm going to start throwing powder and seating bullets.

Going to continue with RL33.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

So ran a quick ladder this evening.
Running fed-215's, RL33 and the 181's loaded .010's off the lands for an OAL of 3.700"

104-3272fps
105-3376fps
106-3426fps
107-3424-not sure what's up with that
107.5-3445fps
108-3476fps

I am seeing the primers flatten but no other signs of pressure.

Accuracy should be easily had. I took the NSX off my 338LM and remounted 2 days ago. Anyways I only shot at 25 yards but all the rounds landed and made one ragged hole that had a little vertical in it but I reckon thats to be expected with a 200fps swing.

 

[dougduey]

You're hitting a velocity node, that's why the velocity dropped 2 fps at 107gr even though it was an increase in charge. I bet you'll find a really great load with low ES somewhere between 105.5-107.5 gr.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Loaded up 109-110

109.5 hit 3540fps
110-3486

That's a full 200fps faster than my accubond load

 

[Elkeater]

How's the accuracy looking at those upper end velocities? In my experience it has always seemed like the big magnums seem to like a good full case of powder. Sometimes not, but both my .300 win mags like upper end power charges.

 

[snox801]

I'm digging the hammers also. Got them for my 6.5 creed and Grendel.
Gonna do the 180gr sledge hammer I'm my .338 lapua improved. May even do them in my 300 win mag.