Absolute Hammer load data

[nealm66]

I read with great interest this entire thread. I can't recall when I had such a quantum change in the way I think about reloading for big game. In every sense the Absolute Hammer bullets are revolutionary. Thanks to all of you who have generously shared time, experience, and knowledge into this thread on AH. I used some of the data on the spread sheet for 300 Weatherby to pick my powder and quantity.

Now for my initial experience:

30 Nosler (Build by Preece Precision, Ogden, UT)
LPA Fusion Ti
24" Proof Research CF 1:10
Suppressed - Silencerco Hybrid
Peterson new brass trimmed to uniform length, chamfered
Neck sized to 0.0250" smaller than bullet diameter. I have smaller bushings on the way.
178 gr AH
Fed 215M
No crimp. Also checking with Lee for a possible custom LFCD.
COAL adjusted so that the 2nd to the last drive band covered by case mouth. 3.350"

RL-16

74.0 gr 3018 fps
75.0 3099
76.0 3163
77.0 3187
78.0 3249

None of these loads show sticky bolt lift, brass, or primer findings. The primer and brass from 74.0 gr looks like 78.0 gr. A great source of encouragement was that the 4 loads from 75.0 thru 78.0 gr formed an aggregate group of 0.750" center to center.

Just out of curiosity, I loaded one round with 86.0 gr RL-26. Not sure where I got that hair-brained idea! 3386 fps! Sounded different, definite pressure findings on base of brass. Sticky bolt lift.

I am very happy with 78.0 gr RL-16. I have 8 lbs of the stuff. It is relatively temp insensitive. BUT because I am a major ballistics nerd I will likely fuss around to see what other combinations yield.
View attachment 352834View attachment 352835View attachment 352836View attachment 352837
-Green primer 74.0 gr RL-16
-Red primer 78.0 gr RL-16
-0.750" group for 75.0 thru 78.0 gr RL-16 (74.0 gr RL-16 is the lower white hole. I messed with the scope setting between 74.0 and 75.0 gr)
-Red and green primer was the monster! 86.0 gr RL-26. Like Lord Voldemort, this load "Shall Not be Named" in future loadings.

Since I have a wealth of inexperience with AH bullets, I would be interested in any feedback you can provide.

I'd say groups could easily be tighter from my experience with hammers. Definitely need to shoot at hunting distance when you're done to figure out adjustments.

 

[Hard rock]

What is the case capacity and the velocity your trying too achieve

A 8 gr jump from 74 too 78 grs too 86 grs doesn't sound like a goo idea , if your looking for pressure . You need too go back too 78 grs and work up a grain at a time until you find pressure then back off a gr or so . I would have too do a little research but Rl 16 sounds a little fast too me ,check with Steve of Hammer bullets and let him advise you , You will save yourself components and time. Be careful you can get yourself in trouble guick with that much powder capacity.

 

[vedauvoo]

What is the case capacity and the velocity your trying too achieve

Once fired case capacity is 99.10 gr in a case trimmed to 2.543". As for a velocity target, if I can reach 3300 fps with no signs of excessive pressure, I'd be happy. Since I never found evidence of pressure thru 78.0 gr, I will load a few more rounds upping each charge by 0.5 gr and see where I find early pressure signs.

That seem reasonable?

 

[vedauvoo]

A 8 gr jump from 74 too 78 grs too 86 grs doesn't sound like a goo idea , if your looking for pressure . You need too go back too 78 grs and work up a grain at a time until you find pressure then back off a gr or so . I would have too do a little research but Rl 16 sounds a little fast too me ,check with Steve of Hammer bullets and let him advise you , You will save yourself components and time. Be careful you can get yourself in trouble guick with that much powder capacity.

...and the 8 gr "jump" was not a jump. That was with RL-26, not RL-16.

 

[JMW67]

If you have not found pressure signs with the RL-16 why not creep it up some more and see where you end up velocity and accuracy wise, I have found the absolute hammers to be a little pickier than the other hammers as far as seating depth goes, if you can increase your neck tension till you get a crimp die, 4 or 5 thou. will not hurt you

 

[Hard rock]

What tremendous amount of info and knowledge on this forum, thank you in advance.
New here but not new to LR or reloading. Interested in a 97 gr AH load for the 6.5C and could not find any so here's my initial loadings.

24" bolt gun shooting suppressed, 1:8T, apx 630 rounds fired. Cleaned to metal.
Lapua brass (new) case trimmed to 1.912" factory neck tension appears at .002", CCI #450 primers.

Powder, I have most of what appears to be in the ball park CFE-223, BLC (2), IMR 4064, A 4064 and CFE Blk.

Worked up a load piggy backing off a 85 gr HH load with BLC (2).
70* temp, 8' above sea level.

44.0 gr 3225 fps
44.5 gr 3149
45.0 gr 3198 Slight bolt resistance
45.5 gr 3258 " "
46.0 gr 3270 " " Slight Ejector mark.
46.5 gr 3367 " "
47.0 gr 3355 Stiff bolt lift " "

Stopped at this point, no primer issues, compressed load from 46.0 gr and up.
Seated to the second band from tip, did not "BB" LFC, die is on the way.

Going forward I plan on loading the 46.5 load w/.003" nt and 1/8t "BB" crimp and shoot for groups.

Any comments or critique welcome.

SeaVeyor I just read your post , it looks like 44grs is going too be your load , what I would do is go too cci 400 primers and start load work up at 44 grs and see where that takes you I bet you will run out of powder space with a gain in velocity before you hit pressure. Keep us posted

 

[Hard rock]

...and the 8 gr "jump" was not a jump. That was with RL-26, not RL-16.

Sorry about that I missed that

 

[Hard rock]

Sorry about that I missed that

Looks like a little slower powder rl26 etc might work better for you

 

[nealm66]

It looked like primers were flat/flowing and cratered a bit?

 

[Hard rock]

Looks like a little slower powder rl26 etc might work better for you

What I do loading the absolute Hammers , is if I run out of powder space before I hit pressure , then I go too the next fastest powder . Personally I like a 100 percent case fill or slightly compressed. If you can read pressure, doing that ,you won't be leaving velocity on the table . It works for me.

 

[nealm66]

I think the freebore in the weatherby kind of limits the gains of the absolutes as well

 

[JMW67]

I think the freebore in the weatherby kind of limits the gains of the absolutes as well

That might be along with the larger case capacity, from what I have seen the larger cases dont benefit as much fps wise as the smaller cases do with the absolutes

 

[GLTaylor]

That might be along with the larger case capacity, from what I have seen the larger cases dont benefit as much fps wise as the smaller cases do with the absolutes

That is correct. In our tests, the Absolute velocity advantage diminishes at about 100 gr case capacity. You're right at that edge.

 

[SeaVeyor]

SeaVeyor I just read your post , it looks like 44grs is going too be your load , what I would do is go too cci 400 primers and start load work up at 44 grs and see where that takes you I bet you will run out of powder space with a gain in velocity before you hit pressure. Keep us posted

Thanks HR. will try to source some #400's and work them up.