199gr Hammer Hunter Question

82Cadi

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2022
Messages
10
Location
Vancouver, WA
I have lots of reloading experience but not really for precision.

I bought a 24" Fierce Carbon Rival in 300PRC. I've been working on loads for 220gr ELD-X, 220gr SMK and now 199gr Hammer Hunters.

I got very good velocity nodes just shy of 3000fps.

However, I was super surprised to see that my rifle is pushing the 220 ELDX 15fps faster than a 199 Hammer Hunter. Is this odd? Someone on Facebook suggested it might not be developing as much pressure because of the rings or something like that.

I'm wondering if my powder is too slow and if I may need to step up to something quicker for the lighter bullet.

Load:
199gr Hammer Hunter
81.5gr Retumbo
New Lapua brass
Fed 215 Magnum primers

Any thoughts?
 
I have lots of reloading experience but not really for precision.

I bought a 24" Fierce Carbon Rival in 300PRC. I've been working on loads for 220gr ELD-X, 220gr SMK and now 199gr Hammer Hunters.

I got very good velocity nodes just shy of 3000fps.

However, I was super surprised to see that my rifle is pushing the 220 ELDX 15fps faster than a 199 Hammer Hunter. Is this odd? Someone on Facebook suggested it might not be developing as much pressure because of the rings or something like that.

I'm wondering if my powder is too slow and if I may need to step up to something quicker for the lighter bullet.

Load:
199gr Hammer Hunter
81.5gr Retumbo
New Lapua brass
Fed 215 Magnum primers

Any thoughts?
Retumbo is way too slow for the 199
 
More Rel 26 data is in the same ballpark. 24'' barrel with under 100 rounds on it.
Accuracy for me was at 79, 79.5,80. About half MOA for those so I went in the middle at 79.5.
I did push above that but group started going up and over...
 
Remember accuracy is key, not just speed. We have the ability to use drop charts. Find the bullet and powder that allows you to hit your target species in the proper kill zone and dont get hung up on speed. A 4000 fps bullet in the butt does not kill. A 2700 fps bullet through the heart and lungs does the job. If H1000 is the powder to give you the best groups and ES, then by all means shoot 2900 fps and be ethical and accurate. I find H1000 to be my go to powder for several calibers.
 
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