300 HAM'R
- Thread starter DDRanch
- Start date
What are you shooting it in? What bullets do you want to use? What are you shooting at?
Edit: sorry misread OP’s question. Revising my post to provide relevant response.
Have you reviewed the 300HAMR thread on Texas Hunting Forum (172 pages)? Wilson Combat has a comprehensive list of all load data for 300HAMR on their website that you can download. It is easy to load.
The HAMR utilizes a wide variety of bullets that are readily available. There are only a few bullets that are too long to fit within AR mag length. CFE Black is the powder of choice, and in this cartridge it works nicely. I like bullets in the 110gr - 135gr class, but others swear by 150gr class. Your barrel twist will be main determinant in max bullet weight your rifle can handle.
Wilson Combat sells reloading dies, case gage, specialty bullets and factor cases. You can also buy brass directly from Starline. I bought a set of RCBS die’s and use a 300BO Tapered Crimp die.
The HAMR is accurate, economic, and for comparable bullet weights it is as faster or slightly more than 6.5 Grendel.
Have you reviewed the 300HAMR thread on Texas Hunting Forum (172 pages)? Wilson Combat has a comprehensive list of all load data for 300HAMR on their website that you can download. It is easy to load.
The HAMR utilizes a wide variety of bullets that are readily available. There are only a few bullets that are too long to fit within AR mag length. CFE Black is the powder of choice, and in this cartridge it works nicely. I like bullets in the 110gr - 135gr class, but others swear by 150gr class. Your barrel twist will be main determinant in max bullet weight your rifle can handle.
Wilson Combat sells reloading dies, case gage, specialty bullets and factor cases. You can also buy brass directly from Starline. I bought a set of RCBS die’s and use a 300BO Tapered Crimp die.
The HAMR is accurate, economic, and for comparable bullet weights it is as faster or slightly more than 6.5 Grendel.
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The 300HAMR is no different than loading 223. If you are loading for use in AR15 then you have a preset max length of 2.26” (mag length). Since you are using a Wilson barrel then buy Wilson Combat’s case gage that has the chamber cutaway, which is cut with same reamer as used for your barrel’s chamber. Reloading gets easier when you can visually see at what seating depth that the ogee of different bullets makes contact with lands.
Most of commercial cases are trimmed to 1.595”-1.600”, which is well short of SAAMI. In my rifle anything case under 1.618” will never be an issue. Check your rifle…
The biggest difference compared to loading .223 for AR15 is that most of bullets used in 300HAMR are flat based… wide and stubby. You’ll want a nice chamfer on the case mouth to help ease these into the neck. If you are using a progressive reloading press then another option is to lightly “flare” the case mouth using either a NOE plug (.310”) or M series expander. After seating the bullet a gentle touch with 300BO tapered crimp die removes any residual “flare”.
The most complicated aspect of loading 300HAMR is if you decide to make your own cases by converting .223/5.56 brass. The process is similar to making 300BO cases… Or make it easy for yourself and just go buy some factory brass.
Most of commercial cases are trimmed to 1.595”-1.600”, which is well short of SAAMI. In my rifle anything case under 1.618” will never be an issue. Check your rifle…
The biggest difference compared to loading .223 for AR15 is that most of bullets used in 300HAMR are flat based… wide and stubby. You’ll want a nice chamfer on the case mouth to help ease these into the neck. If you are using a progressive reloading press then another option is to lightly “flare” the case mouth using either a NOE plug (.310”) or M series expander. After seating the bullet a gentle touch with 300BO tapered crimp die removes any residual “flare”.
The most complicated aspect of loading 300HAMR is if you decide to make your own cases by converting .223/5.56 brass. The process is similar to making 300BO cases… Or make it easy for yourself and just go buy some factory brass.
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gle3105
Silver $$ Contributor
IHMO your best information is from Wilson Combat and no other than Bill Wilson (BW) himself.
In my Ham’r I’m using a 16” WC 1/15 twist. Notice for AR rifles WC offers a 1/13 as well. I chose the 1/15 for my goal was 125 gr pills. ( The Lehigh Defense Max Expansion is awesome) . 1/13 for heavier pills like 150gr.
BTW, the Ham’r was not intended to be suppressed like a 300BO. Although one can still put a can on it . I do.
Being a well seasoned hog hunter Bill came up with the cartridge to being on par with a 30/30 but used in an AR platform.
From my research before buying I found BW pretty much did ALL the bullet and powder combinations to make this a great round. Being a reloader & tinkerer I still had to try some variables. Ended up spending $ I didn’t have to. Went back to BW’s loads. They work.
I use Starline cases. While 223 being abundant only economically natural to use. The 223 cases will work but their measured by water volume once sized to 300Ham’r dimensions is less than Starline’s 300 Ham’r.
I’ll stick with Starline for my money. Personal preference here.
CFE BLK is great for 300 Ham’r.
Accuracy wise it’s as easy to shoot small groups without difficulty just like a 204 Ruger, 222, 17HMR, 300 BO in my experience.
I found the barrel to be exceptionally well made. Inside and out. Bore scoped it before shooting.
I’ve only used it for night time hog hunting thus far. Largest kill was a 250 boar. 125 Max Exp dropped it dead in it’s track. 90 yds.
Oso #5 post offered good advice about if you reload. Buy the WC 300Ham’r case guage. A must IMO.
Just say’n.
In my Ham’r I’m using a 16” WC 1/15 twist. Notice for AR rifles WC offers a 1/13 as well. I chose the 1/15 for my goal was 125 gr pills. ( The Lehigh Defense Max Expansion is awesome) . 1/13 for heavier pills like 150gr.
BTW, the Ham’r was not intended to be suppressed like a 300BO. Although one can still put a can on it . I do.
Being a well seasoned hog hunter Bill came up with the cartridge to being on par with a 30/30 but used in an AR platform.
From my research before buying I found BW pretty much did ALL the bullet and powder combinations to make this a great round. Being a reloader & tinkerer I still had to try some variables. Ended up spending $ I didn’t have to. Went back to BW’s loads. They work.
I use Starline cases. While 223 being abundant only economically natural to use. The 223 cases will work but their measured by water volume once sized to 300Ham’r dimensions is less than Starline’s 300 Ham’r.
I’ll stick with Starline for my money. Personal preference here.
CFE BLK is great for 300 Ham’r.
Accuracy wise it’s as easy to shoot small groups without difficulty just like a 204 Ruger, 222, 17HMR, 300 BO in my experience.
I found the barrel to be exceptionally well made. Inside and out. Bore scoped it before shooting.
I’ve only used it for night time hog hunting thus far. Largest kill was a 250 boar. 125 Max Exp dropped it dead in it’s track. 90 yds.
Oso #5 post offered good advice about if you reload. Buy the WC 300Ham’r case guage. A must IMO.
Just say’n.
On the Texas Hunting Forum “300HAM’R” thread there was a good summary of Bill Wilson’s observations on Bullets that are suitable for use in AR15 (2.260" max OAL). The following list and commentary is as per Bill… I just pasted for reader ease instead of a link.
——————————
110gr Hornady SP: Accurate, consistent terminal performance, doesn't build pressure quickly so can be loaded pretty fast, overall a very good bullet
110gr Hornady V-MAX: Accurate, inconsistent terminal performance past 150yds, builds pressure faster than the 110gr SP
110gr Speer SP: Accurate, tougher than the Hornady 110gr SP, good deer bullet
110gr Lehigh CC: Accurate, explosive performance, great coyote bullet
110gr Lehigh TCC: Extremely accurate, explosive performance, great coyote or whitetail deer bullet
115gr Lehigh TME: Accurate, 100% weight retention
115gr Lehigh TXC: Accurate, outstanding terminal performance, one of the two best HAM'R bullets Lehigh makes
125gr Sierra SPB PH: Extremely accurate, original bullets killed well, new production (thicker copper jacket) won't expand under 2200fps impact velocity, target use ONLY
125gr Speer TNT: Accurate, inconsistent terminal performance past 150yds, can be loaded pretty fast at safe pressure
125gr Lehigh CC: Accurate, consistent terminal performance, solid all around performer (I've killed more hogs with this bullet than any other)
125gr Lehigh TCC: Extremely accurate, outstanding terminal performance, one of the two best HAM'R bullets Lehigh makes
130gr Speer Hot-Core: Accurate, consistent terminal performance, solid all around performer (prior to buying Lehigh I killed more hogs with this bullet than any other)
135gr Hornady FTX: Accurate, consistent terminal performance, would be my GO TO bullet if I didn't own Lehigh
135gr Sierra HP-V: Extremely accurate, explosive terminal performance but still kills well, builds pressure VERY quickly so can't load to high velocity
135 Ham'r Bonded: It's a great bullet, accurate and good high weight retention bullet that performs very consistently
150gr Speer Bonded: Accurate, 100% weight retention, excellent choice for larger game
150gr Speer Gold Dot (Blackout variant): Great high weight retention bullet and an excellent choice for larger game
150gr Speer BTHP: Accurate, 100% weight retention, doesn't expand reliably under 2000fps impact velocity
150gr Hornady SST (Savage variant): Accurate, consistent terminal performance, solid all around performer (I've killed Elk and several large African animals with this bullet)
———————————
My "GO TO" bullet for deer/hogs is the Lehigh 115gr TXC, it's really accurate and the terminal performance is great.
Basically what's new is the bullets designed for the long mag box bolt guns like the NULA and Savage that can accept ammo up to 2.410" OAL. This really allows for substantial increased performance of the cartridge. Lehigh has already developed the following for this application:
130gr TCC SPB (2.400" OAL)
130gr TXC SPB (2.400" OAL)
140gr CF SPB (2.380" OAL)
(SPB stands for Special Purpose Bullet
Excellent bullets that are a NO GO when limited to 2.260" that work great in the long mag box guns are:
Hornady 125gr SST
Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip
Nosler 125gr Accu Bond
——————————
110gr Hornady SP: Accurate, consistent terminal performance, doesn't build pressure quickly so can be loaded pretty fast, overall a very good bullet
110gr Hornady V-MAX: Accurate, inconsistent terminal performance past 150yds, builds pressure faster than the 110gr SP
110gr Speer SP: Accurate, tougher than the Hornady 110gr SP, good deer bullet
110gr Lehigh CC: Accurate, explosive performance, great coyote bullet
110gr Lehigh TCC: Extremely accurate, explosive performance, great coyote or whitetail deer bullet
115gr Lehigh TME: Accurate, 100% weight retention
115gr Lehigh TXC: Accurate, outstanding terminal performance, one of the two best HAM'R bullets Lehigh makes
125gr Sierra SPB PH: Extremely accurate, original bullets killed well, new production (thicker copper jacket) won't expand under 2200fps impact velocity, target use ONLY
125gr Speer TNT: Accurate, inconsistent terminal performance past 150yds, can be loaded pretty fast at safe pressure
125gr Lehigh CC: Accurate, consistent terminal performance, solid all around performer (I've killed more hogs with this bullet than any other)
125gr Lehigh TCC: Extremely accurate, outstanding terminal performance, one of the two best HAM'R bullets Lehigh makes
130gr Speer Hot-Core: Accurate, consistent terminal performance, solid all around performer (prior to buying Lehigh I killed more hogs with this bullet than any other)
135gr Hornady FTX: Accurate, consistent terminal performance, would be my GO TO bullet if I didn't own Lehigh
135gr Sierra HP-V: Extremely accurate, explosive terminal performance but still kills well, builds pressure VERY quickly so can't load to high velocity
135 Ham'r Bonded: It's a great bullet, accurate and good high weight retention bullet that performs very consistently
150gr Speer Bonded: Accurate, 100% weight retention, excellent choice for larger game
150gr Speer Gold Dot (Blackout variant): Great high weight retention bullet and an excellent choice for larger game
150gr Speer BTHP: Accurate, 100% weight retention, doesn't expand reliably under 2000fps impact velocity
150gr Hornady SST (Savage variant): Accurate, consistent terminal performance, solid all around performer (I've killed Elk and several large African animals with this bullet)
———————————
My "GO TO" bullet for deer/hogs is the Lehigh 115gr TXC, it's really accurate and the terminal performance is great.
Basically what's new is the bullets designed for the long mag box bolt guns like the NULA and Savage that can accept ammo up to 2.410" OAL. This really allows for substantial increased performance of the cartridge. Lehigh has already developed the following for this application:
130gr TCC SPB (2.400" OAL)
130gr TXC SPB (2.400" OAL)
140gr CF SPB (2.380" OAL)
(SPB stands for Special Purpose Bullet
Excellent bullets that are a NO GO when limited to 2.260" that work great in the long mag box guns are:
Hornady 125gr SST
Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip
Nosler 125gr Accu Bond
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Yes. I converted a HomeDepot bucket of cases. 300HAM’R case is approx. 1/4” longer than 300BO. Instead of cutting the case at the case body / shoulder junction like 300BO, you are cutting at the shoulder / neck junction for the 300HAM’R. The big difference in this conversion is that you will be expanding out the shoulder on the donor cases material to form the neck on the 300 HAM’R.
You can use the same equipment used for converting cases into 300BO (Harbor freight mini-saw, cut-off jig, and 300HAM’R FL sizing die. To reduce the chance of splitting shoulders during the conversion process you need to anneal the cases before cutting off the .223 necks.. Before expanding the donor case, use a Qtip to add lube inside case neck/ shoulders as well as adding lube to exterior of case.
You can even do the 300 HAM’R conversion process using a progressive press. I used a Dillon 1050 and gradually expanded the necks and shoulder using incremental sizes of expander mandrel to more evenly spread the force across the shell plate. I used a Dillon RT1500 trimmer with a 300BO trim die (seated long to form shoulder at correct position for 300HAM’R). I had to modify the 300BO trim die (lowered the cutting floor on die by like 0.2”) to allow the RT1500 cutter to go deep enough to trim newly formed case at correct length. $20 charge by machinist.
Edit: I have included my old thread on converting .223 cases into 300HAM’R using Dillon 1050 with RT1500 Trimmer. Here is a link to that thread:
https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...-dillon-rt1500-who-makes-custom-dies.4065817/
You can use the same equipment used for converting cases into 300BO (Harbor freight mini-saw, cut-off jig, and 300HAM’R FL sizing die. To reduce the chance of splitting shoulders during the conversion process you need to anneal the cases before cutting off the .223 necks.. Before expanding the donor case, use a Qtip to add lube inside case neck/ shoulders as well as adding lube to exterior of case.
You can even do the 300 HAM’R conversion process using a progressive press. I used a Dillon 1050 and gradually expanded the necks and shoulder using incremental sizes of expander mandrel to more evenly spread the force across the shell plate. I used a Dillon RT1500 trimmer with a 300BO trim die (seated long to form shoulder at correct position for 300HAM’R). I had to modify the 300BO trim die (lowered the cutting floor on die by like 0.2”) to allow the RT1500 cutter to go deep enough to trim newly formed case at correct length. $20 charge by machinist.
Edit: I have included my old thread on converting .223 cases into 300HAM’R using Dillon 1050 with RT1500 Trimmer. Here is a link to that thread:
https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...-dillon-rt1500-who-makes-custom-dies.4065817/
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