Hammer Hunter 85 gr. Charge Weight Data in a 6.5 Creedmoor

[Doug Herold]

A number of weeks ago I was researching available information regarding the 85 gr Hammer Hunter. I could find VERY LITTLE data on this bullet in a 6.5 CM. so I worked up the following pretty much from scratch. It closely parallels some of the data which just_john has posted. ButterNut responded to my request for his opinion. However, it was uninterpretable.
This data is based on the following:
6.5 Creedmoor; not Creedmore
85 gr. Hammer Hunter bullet
Weatherby Vanguard//24" barrel
8.0 RH Twist
1X Lapua Brass trimmed to 1.93"
2.670" C.O.A.L. (30k jump)
Fed LMR 215 primer

H-4350 Powder:
44.0 gr. MV. 3129
44.5. 3172
45.0. 3214
45.5. 3278
46.0. 3288
46.5. 3340
47.0. 3357
47.5. 3417

VARGET Powder:
44.1. 3410
44.6. 3461
44.9. 3482
45.2. 3506
45.5. 3541
45.8. 3542
46.1. 3585
46.4. 3606***
46.7. 3611
47.0. 3650

This data was all collected at 35°F. I selected a charge weight of 46.4 gr of the Varget as this is a "dedicated coyote rifle" and 3600 fps will keep me in the kill zone out to 300 yds. It only will be used at night with a Pulsar Thermion2 XP50 thermal scope. This round is giving me a 0.5MOA group. At 30° I am not getting any pressure signs from any of the above charge weights and powders. As warm weather approaches, I will continue to monitor for any pressure. As a disclaimer, this load is what I am getting in THIS rifle. Yours will be different. Work up slow and monitor pressure.
Very happy with this Speed Demon. It is NOT fur protective. Hope this information adds to the data on this excellent bullet.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I hate it when you guys put up posts like this. I've got several very good loads for my Creedmoor. Some with Bergers and others with (heavier) Hammers. I've been thinking about ordering some 85gr ers for a while even though I don't know what I'd use them for. Your post has pushed me over the edge.

My wife just can't understand why I keep ordering bullets when the shelves look so full.

 

[GLTaylor]

Look up the Hammer Hunter Load Data thread. There are several loads listed.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Look up the Hammer Hunter Load Data thread. There are several loads listed.

GLT - as an aside, thanks for regularly updating the data that you have complied for our reference. I'm constantly downloading the newest version. It's a great resource for Hammer bullet shooters.

 

[Doug Herold]

Thank you . I was not able to find anything on the 85 gr. which pushed the mv into the "Junior 22-250" category….. but I knew it probably could be safely and accurately done.

 

[sndmn11]

I couldn't really find anything before either. Here is mine from within the last few weeks.

Hornady well used brass @ 1.910", Winchester large rifle, BTO 2.132" (.16ish jump), 2.583" COAL

20" Vanguard
Staball
49.0gr = 3226fps
49.6 = 3213
50.0 = 3261
50.3 = 3265
50.6 = 3258
50.9 = 3293
51.2 = 3331
51.7 = 3353
52.2 = 3410 ~slight stiff and sticky slight ejector
52.7 = 3429 ~slight stiff and sticky slight ejector
53.0 = 3439 stiff sticky and ejector mark
53.2 = 3449 stiff sticky and ejector mark

20" Vanguard
IMR4166
42.5gr = 3119fps
43.1gr = 3170
43.6gr = 3192
44.1gr = 3244
44.6gr = 3276
45.6 = 3346
46.1 = 3391
46.6 = 3413
47.1 = 3456 ~tiny bit stiff no sticky no mark
47.6 = 3499 ~slightly stiff and sticky but very clear ejector mark

Final load at 46.1 grains with Lee Factory Crimp in the 20" is averaging 3430fps over 20+shots now, in 24" Vanguard three shots are 3523, 3548, 3502.

 

[still huntin]

anyone tried these 85 grainers on deer here ?

 

[still huntin]

I watched zenarchery shoot a hog with one and the necropsy was impressive. I ordered 50 each of the 85hh and 92ph, but mostly interested in the 85hh.

 

[GLTaylor]

Yes. I hunt on depredation permits, so have access to large numbers of deer each year. The 85gr Hammer Hunter is absolutely devastating on whitetails. Broadside, hard angles, head on doesn't matter. The faster you shoot them, the better they work!

 

[Just cut]

My son shot this buck at 85 yards. 260 18 inch barrel 44 grains of varget 3300 fps.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I am building a creed because of this bullet. I was never interested in the creed until we saw 3500 fps from a 20" barrel Sako. I am now building a 20" that will be run suppressed and intend to carry it in Africa in Sept and here in MT for 400y and in elk on down.

Turns the Creed into a diff animal.

 

[GLTaylor]

Come on Steve!
Put some horsepower behind it!
The creedmoor is wonderful. 4k is even better

 

[still huntin]

Thanks guys, thats what I wanted to hear and see.

 

[Doug Herold]

A number of weeks ago I was researching available information regarding the 85 gr Hammer Hunter. I could find VERY LITTLE data on this bullet in a 6.5 CM. so I worked up the following pretty much from scratch. It closely parallels some of the data which just_john has posted. ButterNut responded to my request for his opinion. However, it was uninterpretable.
This data is based on the following:
6.5 Creedmoor; not Creedmore
85 gr. Hammer Hunter bullet
Weatherby Vanguard//24" barrel
8.0 RH Twist
1X Lapua Brass trimmed to 1.93"
2.670" C.O.A.L. (30k jump)
Fed LMR 215 primer

H-4350 Powder:
44.0 gr. MV. 3129
44.5. 3172
45.0. 3214
45.5. 3278
46.0. 3288
46.5. 3340
47.0. 3357
47.5. 3417

VARGET Powder:
44.1. 3410
44.6. 3461
44.9. 3482
45.2. 3506
45.5. 3541
45.8. 3542
46.1. 3585
46.4. 3606***
46.7. 3611
47.0. 3650

This data was all collected at 35°F. I selected a charge weight of 46.4 gr of the Varget as this is a "dedicated coyote rifle" and 3600 fps will keep me in the kill zone out to 300 yds. It only will be used at night with a Pulsar Thermion2 XP50 thermal scope. This round is giving me a 0.5MOA group. At 30° I am not getting any pressure signs from any of the above charge weights and powders. As warm weather approaches, I will continue to monitor for any pressure. As a disclaimer, this load is what I am getting in THIS rifle. Yours will be different. Work up slow and monitor pressure.
Very happy with this Speed Demon. It is NOT fur protective. Hope this information adds to the data on this excellent bullet.