Last year my wife drew for Oryx in NM. We had both hunted them before an knew they are very tough animals. She used a .308 shooting Barnes TTSX bullets. Her Oryx sucked up 5 of those bullets and still took 10 minutes to die. Completely expecting not to draw another tag anytime soon, I said "If any of us ever draw an Oryx tag again, I'm buying another 338 Lapua." (I've owned 2 before and in fact dropped my Oryx with one shot from a 338 Lapua in about 2012.) So when my son got a successful notice, I bought a Savage 110 Precision in 338 Lapua. I've been trying to work up a load that will reliably hit an animal in the vitals at 1000 yards. Nosler ABLRs didn't work. 1 MOA is all they'd shoot. I've read good things about Hammer bullets so I ordered a box of Hammer Hunters, 213gr. Started at 92 grains of H1000 and loaded in 1 grain increments, loaded to magazine length minus about 0.010. I got to 102 grains which is where the load started compressing. No signs of pressure, so I loaded a few of those and shot 3 shot groups on 2 different days at 600 yards. Both groups were 3.5". I had 2 bullets left so I shot those at 1000. I know it was just luck but attached is the pic of that group. Not bad for a factory rifle. Extrapolating from B.C. and bullet drop, I get a velocity of 3230fps. I might play with seating depth after the hunt, and maybe powder charge next year to try to fine tune the load. I can't wait to see how they perform on a hunt, I just hope we actually get to go. I read that NM has shut down the entire state.
Hammer Hunter bullets
- Thread starter ktg
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dougduey
Well-Known Member
I load the 213 Hammer Hunters in my 338 Lapua. I use RL26 with a velocity of 3250 fps. Absolutely devastating on game. I took the mountain goat in my avatar with this combo. Shot was only 208 yards, but had to put in through his shoulders. Bullet went through both shoulders with about a 1.5-2'' exit wound. It was a one and done shot. We did the gutless method of dressing him out, so I never saw the internal damage, but everything was sloshing around on the inside, so I'd say it was significant. I've dressed dear and hogs out after taking them with different Hammer bullets and the internal damage was severe
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
Best wishes for your opportunity.
