Some results with Shock Hammers (165gr, 180gr, and 220gr) in 375 Win TC Encore single shot and Winchester 94 Big Bore lever gun.
I’ve been working with 165gr, 180gr, and 220gr Shock Hammer’s looking for a 375 Win mag tube friendly lead-free hunting round. I have two 375 Win rifles, a T/C Encore single shot, 26” barrel, and a Win 94 top eject Big Bore. The 165gr, 180gr, and 220gr Hammers are nice because they have big hollow points and are lever gun mag tube friendly. Also, the slight boat tail on base of the 165, 180, and 220gr Hammers make them easier to seat in 375 Win case. The Hammers also work great in my single shot—so does the 175gr Cutting Edge Maximus, but the Maximus is pointed and not mag tube friendly. Here is a summary of some of the load development I've done with Shock Hammers in my 375 Win rifles.
1. The load data on the Hammer website is very helpful. When I first started working with the 220gr Shock Hammer’s a couple years ago, Hammer had yet to post load data. (Hammer folks: thanks for the load data!)
2. My goal is nice accuracy, velocity >1800fps (or more) at 125yds, and recoil on the lighter side. I’ve used 1680, 5744, H4198, and Lil’Gun for load development. For the 220gr and 180gr I used 375 Win Winchester brass. For the 165gr I've used 38-55 Starline brass (38-55 dies and keep brass at normal 38-55 length). I’ve yet to hunt with my 375 Win rifles since I’m still working on load development.
3. 220gr (and 200gr). When I got the 220gs bullets I used 5744 and H4198, loaded conservatively, and the groups were great. Accurate bullets. The 220gr is long for weight since it is copper and takes up powder capacity. (I never tried the 200gr Hammers.)
4. 165gr and 180gr. Last year Hammer introduced 165gr and 180gr Hammers. I like the 165gr and 180gr bullets for their higher velocities, lighter recoil, and good terminal performance out to 125+yds (if ya keep the fps up). My sense is these 165gr and 180gr bullets, pushed fast, can do anything a 200gr lead bullet can do in 375 Win. The 165gr and 180gr work in my Encore and Win94. I decided on the 165gr as my Win94 carbine cartridge. The 165gr, moving fast, has reasonable recoil, performs out past 125yds, and will get it done.
5. Best load so far: 165gr Hammer, 37.5gr 1680, 2580fps avg, 38-55 brass, Fed 201 primers. Nice groups at 100yds. Hammer’s website has other powders with higher fps. Pretty sure I have room to work up to 2600+fps and maintain accuracy or could try another powder.
Overall. The 165gr, 180gr, and 220gr Hammers work out great. The 3 weights provide nice options for 375 Win single shot rifle or lever gun. I’m very comfortable with my current 165gr load (37.5gr 1680, 2580fps) as a Win94 camp carbine load or a whitetail load. My plan is to refine my current 165gr Hammer load for my Win94 big bore.
I’ve been working with 165gr, 180gr, and 220gr Shock Hammer’s looking for a 375 Win mag tube friendly lead-free hunting round. I have two 375 Win rifles, a T/C Encore single shot, 26” barrel, and a Win 94 top eject Big Bore. The 165gr, 180gr, and 220gr Hammers are nice because they have big hollow points and are lever gun mag tube friendly. Also, the slight boat tail on base of the 165, 180, and 220gr Hammers make them easier to seat in 375 Win case. The Hammers also work great in my single shot—so does the 175gr Cutting Edge Maximus, but the Maximus is pointed and not mag tube friendly. Here is a summary of some of the load development I've done with Shock Hammers in my 375 Win rifles.
1. The load data on the Hammer website is very helpful. When I first started working with the 220gr Shock Hammer’s a couple years ago, Hammer had yet to post load data. (Hammer folks: thanks for the load data!)
2. My goal is nice accuracy, velocity >1800fps (or more) at 125yds, and recoil on the lighter side. I’ve used 1680, 5744, H4198, and Lil’Gun for load development. For the 220gr and 180gr I used 375 Win Winchester brass. For the 165gr I've used 38-55 Starline brass (38-55 dies and keep brass at normal 38-55 length). I’ve yet to hunt with my 375 Win rifles since I’m still working on load development.
3. 220gr (and 200gr). When I got the 220gs bullets I used 5744 and H4198, loaded conservatively, and the groups were great. Accurate bullets. The 220gr is long for weight since it is copper and takes up powder capacity. (I never tried the 200gr Hammers.)
4. 165gr and 180gr. Last year Hammer introduced 165gr and 180gr Hammers. I like the 165gr and 180gr bullets for their higher velocities, lighter recoil, and good terminal performance out to 125+yds (if ya keep the fps up). My sense is these 165gr and 180gr bullets, pushed fast, can do anything a 200gr lead bullet can do in 375 Win. The 165gr and 180gr work in my Encore and Win94. I decided on the 165gr as my Win94 carbine cartridge. The 165gr, moving fast, has reasonable recoil, performs out past 125yds, and will get it done.
5. Best load so far: 165gr Hammer, 37.5gr 1680, 2580fps avg, 38-55 brass, Fed 201 primers. Nice groups at 100yds. Hammer’s website has other powders with higher fps. Pretty sure I have room to work up to 2600+fps and maintain accuracy or could try another powder.
Overall. The 165gr, 180gr, and 220gr Hammers work out great. The 3 weights provide nice options for 375 Win single shot rifle or lever gun. I’m very comfortable with my current 165gr load (37.5gr 1680, 2580fps) as a Win94 camp carbine load or a whitetail load. My plan is to refine my current 165gr Hammer load for my Win94 big bore.
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