Hammer Bullet question

[Bigeclipse]

All,
Im thinking of loading up some hammer bullets in my wife's rifles. I will likely be using the sledge hammers since our max hunting range is about 300 yards. The 2 rifles in questions are a 7mm08 and a 6.5CM. For the 7mm08 I was thinking of using the 113 or maybe the 136grain sledgehammer and for the 6.5CM the 117grain sledgehammers. I want to keep bullet weights on the lighter side for lower recoil. Here are my questions:

1) How do you feel these will perform on deer out to 300 yards?
2) What powders do you recommend and because they have odd weights, how do I know where to start out with powder charges? For example, I usually look at a nosler manual and take a middle road charge and start there and load up till pressure OR until I reach max book load.
3) any other considerations?

 

[twister]

Barnes data is a good starting point.
the 136 in the 7mm-08 will probably scoot right along.

 

[Wedgy]

Barnes are as complete opposite from the Hammers as you can get, and their data has historically been horrible. Hammers have less engraving pressure and will have lower pressure for a given bullet weight so it will take more powder, or a faster powder than a Barnes and will give more velocity. Ask Steve at Hammer for data

 

[HARPERC]

your Nosler manual should be fine, I think that's what Hammer recommends.

Make sure to look at the bullet descriptions for minimum twist rates

 

[snox801]

I can only help with the creedmore. I shoot the 124 hh out of mine but have used the sledge hammer in another rifle. They work great. The sledge hammer is perfect for you purpose.
Start with varget i have yet to find a charge in mine that won't shoot under .5" at 100.
For starting charge I find a like weight bullet and start with that. The hammer will have less pressure usually. So that is a safe starting point.

 

[snox801]

Every deer I have taken the bullets have been flawless. I also took a nice audad this year and it took out the shoulder and top of leg bone. Went about 15 yards.
FYI I started at 38gr in mine and worked up.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I think the guys got you in the right direction. You bullet choice sounds great and well work well for what you are doing, as well as larger game.

If having trouble shoot me an email and I'll look up some start loads for you.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I think the guys got you in the right direction. You bullet choice sounds great and well work well for what you are doing, as well as larger game.

If having trouble shoot me an email and I'll look up some start loads for you.

Really the only question is the bullet weight choice for the 7mm08. The goal is keeping recoil down. Right now she has been shooting the nosler ballistic 120s which have put down every deer she has shot at. I was hoping to use a similar weight but I see the sledge hammers only come in 113 or 136. I could load the 113s on the hotter side keeping speeds up and a nice trajectory out to 300 yards OR I could load the 136s with a mid-range loading (to keep a similar recoil) but trajectory would suffer a little. Again we only shoot whitetails.

 

[LVJ76]

Really the only question is the bullet weight choice for the 7mm08. The goal is keeping recoil down. Right now she has been shooting the nosler ballistic 120s which have put down every deer she has shot at. I was hoping to use a similar weight but I see the sledge hammers only come in 113 or 136. I could load the 113s on the hotter side keeping speeds up and a nice trajectory out to 300 yards OR I could load the 136s with a mid-range loading (to keep a similar recoil) but trajectory would suffer a little. Again we only shoot whitetails.

I would recomment to go with the 113gr, to keep the higher velocity with the low recoil. Also this bullet will retain more weight than the ballistic tip so you'll get better penetration. You'll lose velocity with the 136 and also add some recoil.

 

[MarkA]

I would recomment to go with the 113gr, to keep the higher velocity with the low recoil. Also this bullet will retain more weight than the ballistic tip so you'll get better penetration. You'll lose velocity with the 136 and also add some recoil.

Yep and they all kill the same!!

 

[HARPERC]

Another 113 recommend. Under 200, or bigger game I might go the other way.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

The 113g Sledge Hammer will do very well. Load them up and let them eat. The Sledge Hammer design his hard with the large hollow point and the apx 90% weight retention well handle animals larger than white tail. Don't worry about needing a shoulder shot or the accidental shoulder shot. They will handle it fine. Recoil will be very nice.

 

[LongestShot]

The 113 grain bullet should be fine for the 7mm-08. As far as powders I've had great luck with both the H4350 and RL17. My Preference is the RL17, I'm getting 50-100fps more using RL17. Sight it in for 200yards and you'll be good out to 300.

RL17 is a bit tempiture sensitive so I back off the loads a grain or so for the summer months. Accuracy has been excellent. For load data for the 113 grain bullet, I would ask Steve for a starting point. For both of my rifles which I'm using hammer bullets, I've got the bullet touching the lands and am getting great accuracy. I suggest you start on the lands and work your way out. With both of my rifles the best accuracy I obtained was touching the lands.

 

[Roscoehd]

All,
Im thinking of loading up some hammer bullets in my wife's rifles. I will likely be using the sledge hammers since our max hunting range is about 300 yards. The 2 rifles in questions are a 7mm08 and a 6.5CM. For the 7mm08 I was thinking of using the 113 or maybe the 136grain sledgehammer and for the 6.5CM the 117grain sledgehammers. I want to keep bullet weights on the lighter side for lower recoil. Here are my questions:

1) How do you feel these will perform on deer out to 300 yards?
2) What powders do you recommend and because they have odd weights, how do I know where to start out with powder charges? For example, I usually look at a nosler manual and take a middle road charge and start there and load up till pressure OR until I reach max book load.
3) any other considerations?

I had never heard of them, look impressive on their website, give us feedback on how this works out for you.