HARPERC
Well-Known Member
I had the opportunity to spend Sunday with Steve, and Brian of Hammer Bullets (RockyMtnMT). I had a great time learned a bit, and re-thinking some of what I thought I knew.
The trip started as they were looking for a .375 H&H to test a couple of bullets in, specifically, 250, and a 395 grains.
We did establish a load for the 395, and the H&H will give somewhere 2100-2200 fps.
The surprise to me is it wouldn't stabilize in my rifle. I had it built 30+ years ago, and ordered a 1-10" twist, this is the first time I've had cause to question it was anything else. I'm kind of on the road right now, but first on my list is verifying it's actually what I've believed it to be.
The "varmint" bullet on the other hand, shot extremely well. I'm ordering some, and will gather more data.
The 250 chrono'd 2720 fps (I think), a velocity increase should be readily achievable based on past experience, but on short notice it's very usable at that velocity.
Once sighted in, my Rocket J Squirrel gong was placed at 274 yards. 4 shots fired, 2 by Steve, and 2 by my friend Cody. Steve's first shot was low, he dialed up, and basically 10 ringed it.
Squirrel flipped impressively, and had everybody laughing. Crazy thing did manage to land on it's feet, albeit a yard or 2 back, and concealed by rock. The great thing about a .375 varmint rifle is its ability to rearrange habitat. Cody's first shot cleared all the rock away, and with a clear view he nailed it also. It did flip the target out of view so that ended that.
The 2 shots measure 0.8". I believe that is representative of what the bullet will provide.
We shot their 80 grain 6mm a little, and once shooter and spotter were on the same steel, it worked as well. I had a little work done on the rifle, and the trigger was lighter than what I like the kids to use, so I had the 'smith adjust it up, and he overachieved. I have some of these in hand, and once I dial the trigger pull back to single single digits I expect good things.
The guys are really committed to getting us what we want from a bullet. I'll be buying and trying them in the various calibers in my safe.
I'll try to add pictures later.
The trip started as they were looking for a .375 H&H to test a couple of bullets in, specifically, 250, and a 395 grains.
We did establish a load for the 395, and the H&H will give somewhere 2100-2200 fps.
The surprise to me is it wouldn't stabilize in my rifle. I had it built 30+ years ago, and ordered a 1-10" twist, this is the first time I've had cause to question it was anything else. I'm kind of on the road right now, but first on my list is verifying it's actually what I've believed it to be.
The "varmint" bullet on the other hand, shot extremely well. I'm ordering some, and will gather more data.
The 250 chrono'd 2720 fps (I think), a velocity increase should be readily achievable based on past experience, but on short notice it's very usable at that velocity.
Once sighted in, my Rocket J Squirrel gong was placed at 274 yards. 4 shots fired, 2 by Steve, and 2 by my friend Cody. Steve's first shot was low, he dialed up, and basically 10 ringed it.
Squirrel flipped impressively, and had everybody laughing. Crazy thing did manage to land on it's feet, albeit a yard or 2 back, and concealed by rock. The great thing about a .375 varmint rifle is its ability to rearrange habitat. Cody's first shot cleared all the rock away, and with a clear view he nailed it also. It did flip the target out of view so that ended that.
The 2 shots measure 0.8". I believe that is representative of what the bullet will provide.
We shot their 80 grain 6mm a little, and once shooter and spotter were on the same steel, it worked as well. I had a little work done on the rifle, and the trigger was lighter than what I like the kids to use, so I had the 'smith adjust it up, and he overachieved. I have some of these in hand, and once I dial the trigger pull back to single single digits I expect good things.
The guys are really committed to getting us what we want from a bullet. I'll be buying and trying them in the various calibers in my safe.
I'll try to add pictures later.
Those of you who did not catch on to the varmint thing. This varmint bullet is made for 1000lb varmints with big teeth. It is a 250g .375 cal designed for the standard factory twist of 12 or 14 that most of the 375's have. We also had another 375 H&H there that was a factory Sako. We worked up a load in the Sako at 100 yards and felt good about it. Shot as good a group as I can with a rifle that was whacking me every time I pulled the trigger. About an inch maybe a bit better. This took us 8 or 10 shots I think. We then turned to the rifle that Harperc brought. We really wanted to shoot the 394g Hammer Hunter. This is a much sleeker design than the one that has been previously talked about. It is designed for 10 twist and needs all of the 10 twist. I knew that we would be a bit low on stability with the H&H due to the slow velocity. At under 2200fps the stability at the 3800ft elevation we were at showed 1.4 sg. Should have printed well but did not. Bullets were clearly unstable. This is why we suspect that the old custom barrel may not be 10 twist. I am "PATIENTLY" 
