Hammer hunter vs 215 berger

[Saracen]

Most mono's are not ideal long range hunting bullets. If you are going out to 800 yards I would stick with bergers...its not just the lower BC's of the monos, but their ability to expand and perform at lower velocities.

 

[Ron Milby]

The 199 would work well for you I bet. mtmuley

any negative experiences with the 215 running faster than 3100?

i am running 3150 with 215s with my 300 Norma and there haven't been any problems. I took a nice Buffalo @ 500 yards last year in New Mexico. The bullet performed excellent.

 

[Quicksilver338]

I've been playing with the 214 Hammers in my .300 win mag. I have an 8 twist barrel and I've got to keep them up around 3000fps for best accuracy. I would think higher velocity would be great with them out to 800 yards. I can make hits easy out to 700 yards with them even in 10-16 mph winds. I know the 215 Berger has an excellent reputation but I had issues and decided that the hammers were a better fit for me. There was a thread on here not to long ago about a young lady taking a cow elk with a hammer bullet at well over 1000 yards.

What issues did you experience with the 215's?

 

[WYO300RUM]

I think I would maybe drop down to the 181 Hammer and run it hard and keep impact speed up. I'll be setting up a 30 Sherman Mag on the 181 and 230 Berger, I'm a huge fan of both Berger and Hammer!!

I like your thinking .

 

[WYO300RUM]

Anybody compare these 2 yet in a big 30 cal magnum? More specifically the 214 hammer hunter but open to any comparison next to a 215 berger. Got a norma improved and wondering if I'm crazy for wanting to try something other than the 215 berger. Ranges will be out to 800 yards as well. Thanks!

What s your twist rate ? 181 for 1 in 10.

 

[Rebellare]

Anybody compare these 2 yet in a big 30 cal magnum? More specifically the 214 hammer hunter but open to any comparison next to a 215 berger. Got a norma improved and wondering if I'm crazy for wanting to try something other than the 215 berger. Ranges will be out to 800 yards as well. Thanks!

I just asked this question to Allan Rovig at McWhorter Rifles. He said they have shot the Hammers into 20% ballistic gel at Barbour Creek at distance and they do not open and create near the hyrdostatic shock cavity that the Bergers do.

 

[Quicksilver338]

What s your twist rate ? 181 for 1 in 10.

posted 1:9 earlier

 

[MThead]

I just asked this question to Allan Rovig at McWhorter Rifles. He said they have shot the Hammers into 20% ballistic gel at Barbour Creek at distance and they do not open and create near the hyrdostatic shock cavity that the Bergers do.

 

[MThead]

Oh boy here we go

 

[shooter7]

What issues did you experience with the 215's?

I believe Elkeater is out trying to fill an early cow tag today so I'll chime in. On our antelope hunt last October, he shot a doe at 200 yards. The 215 Berger did not penetrate the chest cavity and instead just blew a large hole in the animal. It required a second shot to put it down. I know he has a post somewhere on here with a picture or two about the problem. Shot placement was just behind the shoulder.

 

[Canadian Bushman]

Between the two you gave, 215 berger all the way.

I run a 1:9 for the 215 because I had apparent bc deviations in the winter months at 70ft asl.

I would think if you do run the hammer a 1:8 would be better unless you are a good ways above sea level.

 

[freddiej]

Anybody compare these 2 yet in a big 30 cal magnum? More specifically the 214 hammer hunter but open to any comparison next to a 215 berger. Got a norma improved and wondering if I'm crazy for wanting to try something other than the 215 berger. Ranges will be out to 800 yards as well. Thanks!

I have a few very good pieces of advice from my 1,000 yard shooting days.
#1, no matter what anyone else has told you; shooting any slug over 185 grain long distances in a 1:10" twist is not good. I shot 190 grain Sierra matchkings regularly. I found that out when I shot an experimental load with 200 grain slug (sierra MK's) at 1,000 yards; I missed the mountain the target was attached to. I also learned that 1:10" should never be used for a slug over 190 grains. Now with these new VLD's I have come to realize that any slug over 180 grains should be shot through a 1:8" twist. I personally would go with 1:7" if they were made.
#2, shooting longer ranges such as 600 yards; just use a 1:8" twist barrel for any slug. I put together a good hunting rifle for a friend and he did not specify a 1:10" twist, I ordered a 1:8" twist and his gun out shoots my 1:10" with the same slugs/loads. my 300 win is getting a new barrel; this time with a 1:8" twist.
#3, opinions vary from person to person. I accept that. my personal preference is to use a twist that does not have the words "Marginal stabilization" after the ballistic calculator works out how stable the slug is at 600 yards and 3/4" muzzle velocity.
just my opinion, do with it what you wish.

 

[bigbulls]

I believe Elkeater is out trying to fill an early cow tag so I'll chime in. On our antelope hunt last October, he shot a doe at 200 yards. The 215 Berger did not penetrate the chest cavity and instead just blew a large hole in the animal. It required a second shot to put it down. I know he has a post somewhere on here with a picture or two about the problem. Shot placement was just behind the shoulder.

Do you happen to know how fast he was pushing the 215 on that antelope hit?

 

[coyotezapper]

My issues with Bergers has been them penciling through the animal and not expanding / fragmenting. Anyone who has read any of Broz's threads on the Bergers he specifically states that he takes a pin drill to the tips of every bullet before loading them. I take this a step further and trim the meplats first and then pin drill the hollow points and problem fixed. I won't use them on game unless I do this.