Bassnbow
Well-Known Member
Really looking for some information from people hunting with Cutting Edge bullets. I have a new rifle I'm trying to develop a load for. I live in California and do hunt here, although most of my hunting is spent in other western states. I'm planning on developing a load with mono's , so I don't need a "California" load and an everything else load. I know there a lot of Hammer users on this site and I am really wanting to be one of them, but I'm just not getting the accuracy from them that I want. I will admit I have not given them a fair shake yet, but living in this state I am running out of time to develop a load prior to elk season. I know it sounds early, but because of our fires and fire danger, the forests close to shooting and won't reopen until significant rains come (i.e. December). Unfortunately it's a long drive to get to any range where I can shoot at a decent distance. Forest currently still open, but I'm sure not for long.
My rifle is a 280 AI with a 26" barrel. I have tried 140 absolute hammers and 143 hammer hunters, but really haven't got the accuracy I was hoping for (3/4"- 1"). I will likely continue trying to develop a load, because I've seen Butter Beans posts regarding improved accuracy with crimping. I would like to experiment with it, but until just recently I was not about to get his recommended crimping tool (backordered). I have also had decent luck with Barnes in the past and am getting about the same group size (3/4") with 145 LRX. I just recently tried Cutting Edge 152 Maximus and they are grouping great in this rifle (3/8"-1/2") with 3 different loads. I know all rifles are different and prefer certain bullets over others, but I really like what I've seen posted about performance of the Hammers on game.
For info I'm getting right around 2950-3,000 fps with the Cutting edge (about 100-125 slower than the Hammer's).
What I'm hoping to find are some hunters using Cutting Edge on game that can give me first hand knowledge of their performance. I'm sure they are fine on deer and antelope size game, but how about elk?
Any info will be greatly appreciated.
My rifle is a 280 AI with a 26" barrel. I have tried 140 absolute hammers and 143 hammer hunters, but really haven't got the accuracy I was hoping for (3/4"- 1"). I will likely continue trying to develop a load, because I've seen Butter Beans posts regarding improved accuracy with crimping. I would like to experiment with it, but until just recently I was not about to get his recommended crimping tool (backordered). I have also had decent luck with Barnes in the past and am getting about the same group size (3/4") with 145 LRX. I just recently tried Cutting Edge 152 Maximus and they are grouping great in this rifle (3/8"-1/2") with 3 different loads. I know all rifles are different and prefer certain bullets over others, but I really like what I've seen posted about performance of the Hammers on game.
For info I'm getting right around 2950-3,000 fps with the Cutting edge (about 100-125 slower than the Hammer's).
What I'm hoping to find are some hunters using Cutting Edge on game that can give me first hand knowledge of their performance. I'm sure they are fine on deer and antelope size game, but how about elk?
Any info will be greatly appreciated.
