Mountainman
Hammer Time Executive member
If you want to make your chronograph smile stuff some 124's in front of a bunch of N540
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30-06 300 yards or less.
- Thread starter nomad
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300XCW
New member
My brother and I have had good results on the deer of the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. We have been using the 166 Hammer Hunter. In my Bergara B-14 and his Remington 700 both chambered in ‘ol ought 6. Both flirting with 3000 fps using RL-17.
I also have a very accurate load with the 152 grain Hammer Hunter, which I think is discontinued, using Varget. Also flirting with 3000 fps. I imagine the 152 Shock Hammer would be similar
I also have a very accurate load with the 152 grain Hammer Hunter, which I think is discontinued, using Varget. Also flirting with 3000 fps. I imagine the 152 Shock Hammer would be similar
les
Hammer Time Executive member
Nomad - as one who also loves to shoot a single shot, I would highly recommend the 135 Power Hammer as I have looked at your hunting perimeters. The Power Hammer opens a little quicker and should drop those whitetails in their tracks. I would use Varget loads. I'd start with 53 grains and build a ladder of loads by half a grain until you see pressure signs, and then back off a grain and shoot for groups. OR if you hit a velocity you like just stop there and check for groups. You should easily get 3300 fps.
A few years ago, was up on the U.P of MI and saw two does out feeding. Big as Jackasses! True "Swamp Donkeys"! My best friend who still lives in Texas is a major bow hunter. He goes every year to a big Private place up in Illinois. He has killed some Bucks that looked like Spike elk to me, ha. I think you will have "plenty of resistance" to open any mono, ha. Good luck to you sir!
nomad
Active member
What kind of velocities are you getting?If you want to make your chronograph smile stuff some 124's in front of a bunch of N540
Mountainman
Hammer Time Executive member
3610 out of a 26" barrel with a Serengeti chamber.
nomad
Active member
I DONT know about the chronograph, but it made me smile 
nomad
Active member
I really appreciate so many experienced reloaders and Hammer bullet users weighing in on this. I think my choices are down to the 124 HH, 135PH, and130SH. I liked what les had to say about the 135 PH so I might be leaning that way. Any last minute arguments as to why the others would be better?
DiscoSteve
Hammer Time Executive member
My vote: sample packs of the 130SH, 135PH and 137HH. How tough are the conditions where you hunt? Lots of scrambling over downed timber and banging against stuff? One thing the 130SH and 135PH have over the 137HH is a larger HP which might be less prone to meplat damage.
Only one of those that I have personal on game experience with is the 135 PH. Zero complaints.
@les and @Mountainman won't steer you wrong. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices.
Only one of those that I have personal on game experience with is the 135 PH. Zero complaints.
@les and @Mountainman won't steer you wrong. I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices.
Incorrect! They’ll all be accurate. Trust me. I’ve yet to find one that isn’t.
I don’t even test accuracy anymore.
Find pressure. Back off half a grain or grain depending on pressure. Sight in scope, go hunt.
nomad
Active member
Ed, anything that will save me time and money is good with me! I know you have completed a ton of testing with these bullets, as I have watched you do some of that testing. With that said I think I will split the difference between the 124 HH and the 135 PH , and go with the 130 SH. I like the larger hollow point and greater weight retention. I will do some ladder testing with Varget and see where I end up. The barrel just arrived Yesterday, so once a few other items including the bullets arrive, and when I have time of course, I will get testing. I also am excited to test the barrel out, it's a Mike Bellm reworked factory Bergera barrel, with what I know about Mike it should shoot great. Thanks to everyone who has helped me with my choice, and thank you all for being so welcoming with my first post! 
riceman
Hammer Time Executive member
@nomad
The 130sh will be a good choice.
My son used it his first year using hammers. 2019
We've only taken one with it but have great confidence in it. The reason only one deer is because I have had a thing seeing how many different cartridge/caliber combos I can take deer with(story for a different thread, someday).
He used the 130sh in my 308win, ruger mk2. Running a mv at 3100.
The deer are ca blacktails(140lbs), so not big Northern whitetails.
He shot it @245 yrds it made it about 30yrds. It left a very easy blood trail to follow. Bullet took 2 ribs out one in one out.
Take plenty of pictures for us, we like to see them.
good luck
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The 130sh will be a good choice.
My son used it his first year using hammers. 2019
We've only taken one with it but have great confidence in it. The reason only one deer is because I have had a thing seeing how many different cartridge/caliber combos I can take deer with(story for a different thread, someday).
He used the 130sh in my 308win, ruger mk2. Running a mv at 3100.
The deer are ca blacktails(140lbs), so not big Northern whitetails.
He shot it @245 yrds it made it about 30yrds. It left a very easy blood trail to follow. Bullet took 2 ribs out one in one out.
Take plenty of pictures for us, we like to see them.
good luck
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ButterBean
Hammer Time Executive member
137
nomad
Active member
Out of curiosity why t
Out of curiosity why the 137 HH over the 130 SH?
nomad
Active member
joe16
Hammer Time Executive member
The 130 pressures out faster than the 137.
For me, if I can push a heavier bullet the same speed or faster, I'm going to lean towards the heavier bullet. The 137 has had its hollow point and nose tweaked for Optimum performance. I can't say that about the 130 shock hammer.
IMO the 137s are the finest 30 caliber bullet on the planet for inside 500 yards.
jm2cw
For me, if I can push a heavier bullet the same speed or faster, I'm going to lean towards the heavier bullet. The 137 has had its hollow point and nose tweaked for Optimum performance. I can't say that about the 130 shock hammer.
IMO the 137s are the finest 30 caliber bullet on the planet for inside 500 yards.
jm2cw
nomad
Active member
That makes sense, it appears to have less bearing surface for sure. Looks like I've had another change of mind lolThe 130 pressures out faster than the 137.
View attachment 5925
For me, if I can push a heavier bullet the same speed or faster, I'm going to lean towards the heavier bullet. The 137 has had its hollow point and nose tweaked for Optimum performance. I can't say that about the 130 shock hammer.
IMO the 137s are the finest 30 caliber bullet on the planet for inside 500 yards.
jm2cw
. I do love getting the most performance possible from whatever I am working with.
joe16
Hammer Time Executive member
Nomad
If you shoot the 137s you can swap your data over to the 120 lever hammer and the 135 power hammer and now even the 138 hhts with no change at all. If you where to choose the 130s, to go to another like weight bullet, you would have to do load development.
If you shoot the 137s you can swap your data over to the 120 lever hammer and the 135 power hammer and now even the 138 hhts with no change at all. If you where to choose the 130s, to go to another like weight bullet, you would have to do load development.