New Hunting Bullet Design ?

[wedgy]

In a design change to get around BC changes with tight bores Hammer Bullets found the new design significantly boosted velocities over similar weight bullets, typically 300-400 fps. Their bullets are somewhat insensitive to seating depth, very easy to work up a load, non-lead, primarily designed for performance on game they sacrifice some BC value. I have found them fantastic inside ~600 yards on the 6.5 124 grain Hunters and 143 grain .284 from the 7 RUM at 3,600fps+
I just got some of the new Absolute Hammers in 6.5 123 grain for my 6.5x47 but will have to wait a while because the fire have closed most of my ranges here in CA and I can only take so much of the public range. They have a very small bearing surface giving low pressure which will need a faster burning powder than normal. They advise experienced reloaders only and are compiling load data specific for this bullet. Pretty interesting to me.
Ongoing thread on LRH, (lots of Hammer fan boys) but the testing seems to be legit.
https://hammerbullets.com/product/284-cal-155g-absolute-hammer/
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/introducing-the-absolute-hammer.248519/

 

[Adam in WI]

Whip me up some 85 grain .243 slugs. I've got a 6mm-284. 3900 should be doable

 

[ckaberna]

How is “terminal performance” ?

 

[Willie]

I haven't gone the route of shooting solids, but the early results show dramatic velocities. Though the B.C.s are on the low side, the extra speed should help control the wind interference for long range hunting. Hammers are pretty well received as hunting bullets and the extra speed is inviting.

Because of minimum contact with barrels, faster burn rate powders will be needed vs standard powders normally used per cartridge. Also, more neck tension will probably be needed.

Small case cartridges, that are now considered minimal for hunting, are going to be lethal game takers. The large cartridges will benefit with extra distance.

Because I've not used any solids, I'm not familiar with what velocity is necessary to expand the solids for fatal wounding.

Still, it's pretty interesting to watch the Absolute Hammer and see what results show up after this hunting season.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Looks like they re-created the bore rider bullet

 

[Canadian bushman]

Looks like they re-created the bore rider bullet

And lowered BC in the process

 

[wedgy]

Whip me up some 85 grain .243 slugs. I've got a 6mm-284. 3900 should be doable

I have a 6 twist to spin the 110 grain .243 in a 6-.284 HH, just need some time for load development

 

[wedgy]

How is “terminal performance” ?

I'm in CA and have been non lead for longer than I care to be. The Hammers are a much, much softer copper that anything I have used. I've even polished some VLD seating stems to reduce the marks on the soft bullets(they are turned, not j4), the front breaks off then the base/shank penetrates thru. I am a firm believer in spinning a long for caliber bullet fast to keep it going straight and expand after seeing the Berger 195's fold from a 9 twist(recent example, even thought they fly straight and print round holes at 1,000...they were not stable enough to perform when hitting game and tumbled).
Again, Hammers are not a high BC target bullet but they are by far the easiest bullet to work up a load for and have repeatable expansion on game. I've dealt with unpredictable pressure curves, poor expansion, etc. in non lead for a long time and these are by far the most forgiving bullets available. The new Absolute bullets really take monos to a new level at shorter range hunting. I will actually be hunting with the CEB 130 grain MTH from my 6.5x47 because my state is on fire and I don't have time or range access to work up loads(see the public range thread). I'm just saying to take a look at these, you might like them.

 

[Adam in WI]

Any updates? I was thinking of trying some out soon... 116 grain from a 270 WSM maybe?

 

[std7mag]

Any updates? I was thinking of trying some out soon... 116 grain from a 270 WSM maybe?

Adam,

You know Mtmuley on HT would tell you to go for it!
From what i'm hearing the Hammers perform well on game.
I'm trying some Cutting Edge bullets this year for hunting.

 

[wwbrown]

How is “terminal performance” ?

I have taken two black bears with my 375 Ruger using Hammers and both bears were suitably impressed with the bullets performance. Hopefully week after next I will be able to report on the performance on another black bear.

Granted most any hunting bullet would have worked shooting a black bear inside of 50 yards with a 375. I like two holes in general I like two big holes even better. The 375 has a rather soft recoil, kind of big push instead of a sharp impulse like the 338 win mag I shot a few times, so why not use it on bears.