Share Your Hammer Loads

225SH
338 RUM
Remington brass, new
26” Bartlein barrel
215M federal
1-9.3 twist
3.582 oal 1/4 turn crimp- fits in magazine very well!
RL22
90 gr. 3262
91 gr 3271 going with this load-2 shots almost same hole
92 gr 3365 slight cratering on primer
93 gr 3397 heavy bolt lift shiny brass…too HOT!
91 grains was max in Nosler book for 225 grain looks like it’s pretty close in this rifle.
Going to shoot a couple more three shot groups today. Rifle has 60 rounds thru it.
This should be a real “ Hammer “ on any large game that receives one of these! Am looking at loading some IMR 7828 ssc also but it’s going to be tough to beat RL22 so far.



Went and shot two three shot groups with 91 grains @ 100 yards, on a clean barrel the 1st group went 3325-3333-3300–average 3319 fps
2nd group went 3309-3275-3311–average 3298 fps— best group 7/16” center to center. Was 54 degrees. 3.582 oal, 1/4 crimp.

213H
338RUM
Remington brass, once fired
26” Bartlein
215M
1-9.3 twist
Single feed as too long for magazine
RL22
92 gr s. 3306
93 gr s. 3309
94 gr s. 3332
IMR 7828 ssc
94 gr s. 3314
95 gr s. 3348
96 gr s. 3393. Two shots touching, 3rd 3/4” away
96.5 gr s. 3441-3426-3459=3442 average two shots 3/8” third shot 3/4” away
Brass lightly shiny, real faint ejector button on 2, bolt lifts easy, max load😬
IMR 4350
88 gr s. 3286
89 gr s. 3322
90 gr s. 3356
I may try H4350
I look at the HH load data and no one is getting these lighter bullets faster as you would guess we should and I believe it is because of powder that is chosen.

235HH — easy 3200 fps
225SH —- easy 3300 fps
213HH —- easy 3400 fps

This is in my rifle but others should be similar. IMR7828ssc looks most promising so far.
Looking forward with attisipation to a 200 HHT and 210-220HHT 🎉🎉🎉👍😉🍺🍺🤝👍 remember Hammers idea was to drive lighter bullets faster than conventional cup/core. Mindset changes when using these projectiles, get away from heavy for caliber bullets. 😳🤔😉
213HH-338 RUM
H4350
86 grains— 3265
87 grains — 3304
88 grains — 3361-3343-3362=3355 average 2 in jagged hole one 3/4” away, operator error, I am sure. H4350 doesn’t quite get the speed of 7828ssc but both are accurate. Looking forward to a 210-220 HHT!😉👍👍🍺🇺🇸🍺🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
 
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Reemtyj said:
225SH
338 RUM
Remington brass, new
26” Bartlein barrel
215M federal
1-9.3 twist
3.582 oal 1/4 turn crimp- fits in magazine very well!
RL22
90 gr. 3262
91 gr 3271 going with this load-2 shots almost same hole
92 gr 3365 slight cratering on primer
93 gr 3397 heavy bolt lift shiny brass…too HOT!
91 grains was max in Nosler book for 225 grain looks like it’s pretty close in this rifle.
Going to shoot a couple more three shot groups today. Rifle has 60 rounds thru it.
This should be a real “ Hammer “ on any large game that receives one of these! Am looking at loading some IMR 7828 ssc also but it’s going to be tough to beat RL22 so far.



Went and shot two three shot groups with 91 grains @ 100 yards, on a clean barrel the 1st group went 3325-3333-3300–average 3319 fps
2nd group went 3309-3275-3311–average 3298 fps— best group 7/16” center to center. Was 54 degrees. 3.582 oal, 1/4 crimp.

213H
338RUM
Remington brass, once fired
26” Bartlein
215M
1-9.3 twist
Single feed as too long for magazine
RL22
92 gr s. 3306
93 gr s. 3309
94 gr s. 3332
IMR 7828 ssc
94 gr s. 3314
95 gr s. 3348
96 gr s. 3393. Two shots touching, 3rd 3/4” away
96.5 gr s. 3441-3426-3459=3442 average two shots 3/8” third shot 3/4” away
Brass lightly shiny, real faint ejecto button on 2, bolt lifts easy, max load😬
IMR 4350
88 gr s. 3286
89 gr s. 3322
90 gr s. 3356
I may try H4350
I look at the HH load data and no one is getting these lighter bullets faster as you would guess we should and I believe it is because of powder that is chosen.
235HH — easy 3200 fps
225SH —- easy 3300 fps
213HH —- easy 3400 fps
This is in my rifle but others should be similar. IMR7828ssc looks most promising so far.
Looking forward with attisipation to a 200 HHT and 210-220HHT 🎉🎉🎉👍😉🍺🍺🤝👍 remember Hammers idea was to drive lighter bullets faster than conventional cup/core. Mindset changes when using these projectiles, get away from heavy for caliber bullets. 😳🤔😉
Click to expand...
Nice
 
Just a comparison of hand loaded Hammers compared to factory 338 RUM 250 gr Corelock ammunition cronographed at 2850 fps

235HH—- 3200 fps. +350 fps
225SH—— 3300 fps +450 fps
213HH—— 3400 fps + 550 fps

250 factory corelock —— 2850 fps—- advertised on box 2950 fps
All done on same chronograph 3’ away from muzzle. When we find loads for these Hammers, the energy level is hands down better than factory ammo, not including the damage/penetration trumps it also would be my belief. Quite a difference, a real eye opener!
 
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This is the first load that gave me a nice ES:

Savage 110 Ultralite in 7mm PRC with a 22" Proof Research barrel
Once-fired Hornady brass, 0.002" neck tension
Fed 215 primers
Temp: 34 degrees
0.284" 162gr Hammer HHT
Vihtavouri N165 @ 66.2gr
2.6295" BTO (65 thou off lands)
3027fps
3032fps
3028fps
3/4" group outside to outside
 
Savage 110 Ultralite 7 PRC, 22" Proof Research barrel.
0.284" 162gr Hammer HHT
Ladder test with IMR 7828ssc. Temp was 42 degrees, minimal wind at my back.
2x-fired Hornady brass, Fed 215 primers
Seated 75 thou off the lands for a COAL of 3.2770".
62gr - 2842 fps
62.5 - 2881
63 - 2881
63.5 - 2926
64 - 2954
64.5 - 2968
65 - 2995
65.5 - 3035
66 - 3049
66.5 - 3060
67 - 3095 - ejector swipe
67.5 - 3127 - blew out the primer! IIRC, that one felt a bit loose when seating the primer.
1000001741 - Copy.jpg


1000001743 - Copy.jpg
 
45-70
250 SH
AA1680

Marlin 1895 Guide Gun Stainless 18.5" barrel
New Starline Brass
Fed215
RCBS seating die roll crimp (LFC die had no effect on shortened brass, trimmed to 2.04")
2.54" COAL

57 gr. 2483
58 gr. 2512
59 gr. 2524

57.5gr 3 shot @50 yds .75" group open sights, AVG 2485 fps, ES 6, SD 1.5

This load is listed as max by Barnes for their 250 TSX. There is room for more powder in the case, as opposed to IMR4198, which presented similar velocities (compressed) but a wide group in the pressure ladder.
 
284 Winchester
Rem 700 LA blueprinted

CALIBER: .______________284 Win
BULLET:________________132 HHT
POWDER:______________ N540
CHARGE:_______________ 50.5 grains
PRIMER: _______________ 210
BRASS: _________________Petersen
COAL: __________________3.032
CRIMP _________________1/4
BARREL LENGTH: ______20" Carbon 6
TWIST: _________________9
VELOCITY:______________3000 with ES of 9
GROUP:________________ One ragged hole
STABILITY FACTOR:_________2.055
 
Weatherby Mark V SBGM
CALIBER: .______________270 Winchester
BULLET:________________124 Hammer Hunter
POWDER:______________ RL26 (Pixie Dust)
PRIMER: _______________Federal 210M
BRASS _________________W-W 2X Light Crimp Lee Factory Crimp
COAL: _________________3.242
BARREL LENGTH: ______24"
TWIST: ________________1-10
______________________GRAINS_____FPS
START CHARGE: ______57.0________3021
FINISH CHARGE: ______61.5________3353 Primers still crowned, no Ejector mark, easy bolt lift
Finished load:_________61.3_______Ave over 10 Shots 3294 SD 7 Grp Size .70"
 
7mm PRC Bergara B-14 24 in carbon barrel. 1:8
162 HHT
New ADG brass. Ran through FL die with .312 bushing. Put neck tension at 0.003 in
Used Fed 215 primer.
N560 powder
3.320 COAL ( 22 thousand off jam)
62.0 gr. 2868 fps
63.0 2926 fps
64.0 2984 fps
65.0 3024 fps
66.0 3100 fps
67.0 3143 fps
68.0 3201 fps Slight ejector mark

Ran 3 more at 68 gr. 3218, 3215, 3212
Un able to see ejector mark on these 3.
.75 moa (1.5 in group at 200 yds)
Lowered to 66 grain @ 3100 fps
.50 moa (1 inch group at 200 yds)
Stability factor 1.48 sea level
I’m at 3700 ft- SF 1.68
 
6.5 CM
Bartlein 1/8 26" Pain Killer Brake, at least for a while (kid's rifle)
Ruger American Action
Brass Lapua SRP
Primer CCI 400
Bullet 125 gr HHT
Powder 39.0 gr Varget (Scheels actually has it in stock!)
OAL 2.820"
Temp 59 F
RH 50%
Altitude 3400'
Pressure 26.5 HG
Velocity, avg 2900 fps

I didn't develop this load; my smith did. Well known guy. <1/2' MOA at 400 yards with this load.
 
First 30-06 load I have worked up with my newly acquired Ted Williams mod 73 30-06. Its a Winchester Mod 70 made by Winchester for Sears in the 1970's. 22 inch Barrel, I believe the twist rate on these rifles was 1/10. Its in great condition, some dings on the wood but no signs its ever been shot.

20240422_190747.jpg

135gr Hammer Power Hammer
59.0 gr CFE223
New Lapua 30-06 Brass
WLRM Primers
COL 3.235
Elevation 1800 feet
Average temp 70F

3 shot groups averaged 3336 fps with a average deviation of 17fps
3 shot 100yd groups averaged 1.2 inches.

I suspect I can tighten up the groups with a little work on the stock, it needs some sanding and bedding. I might also slightly reduce this load and check accuracy again.
 
Seekins PH 2
CALIBER: .______________7MM Rem Mag
BULLET:________________169 Hammer Hunter
POWDER:______________ RL26
PRIMER: _______________Federal 215M
BRASS _________________Norma 2X Light Crimp Lee Factory Crimp
COAL: _________________3.345
BARREL LENGTH: ______26"
TWIST: ________________1-8
______________________GRAINS_____FPS
START CHARGE: ______61.0________2862
FINISH CHARGE: ______65.5________3010 Primers still crowned, no Ejector mark, easy bolt lift
Finished load:_________65.3_______Ave over 8 Shots 3001 SD 8.7 Grp Size 1.4" @210 yards.

I suspect this load could be pushed a bit harder, but this met my velocity goal and should be pretty easy on the primer pockets.
 
Ought 6 said:
First 30-06 load I have worked up with my newly acquired Ted Williams mod 73 30-06. Its a Winchester Mod 70 made by Winchester for Sears in the 1970's. 22 inch Barrel, I believe the twist rate on these rifles was 1/10. Its in great condition, some dings on the wood but no signs its ever been shot.

View attachment 6830

135gr Hammer Power Hammer
59.0 gr CFE223
New Lapua 30-06 Brass
WLRM Primers
COL 3.235
Elevation 1800 feet
Average temp 70F

3 shot groups averaged 3336 fps with a average deviation of 17fps
3 shot 100yd groups averaged 1.2 inches.

I suspect I can tighten up the groups with a little work on the stock, it needs some sanding and bedding. I might also slightly reduce this load and check accuracy again.
Click to expand...
Nice rifle.
 
101 b.o. hammers. AR-15, 300 b.o., 8.5” barrel , 1:7 twist, suppressed.
90F already here in Texas, bullets left in sun.
New Hornady brass
Cci 450 primers
Lee Crimped 1/4 turn, last pdr groove
Labradar- at muzzle

Lil gun
18.5gr-1851fps
19.5-1945
20.5-2005
21.5-2050
22.5-2092, compressed. No pressure observed on all rounds, from case or primers. Not impressed with lil gun in sbr

W296
19gr-2195fps
20-2232
21-2302- will hunt here…amazing
21.5gr-2320- pressure. Flat primer and case head bulging

Mag powder seems to work better in shorter barrel 300s.
 
9.3x62
258 gr Shock Hammer
2000MR
CCI LR
COAL 3.30" - I have room to play with this. Measured OAL with Hornady tool and the old-fashioned way with a wooden dowel, both showed 3.38"
Norma twice fired brass and annealed.
Case H2O capacity avg 73.6 gr
MagnetoSpeed

58.0 gr - 2382
58.5 gr - 2375
59 - 2396
59.5 - 2408
60 -2422
60.5 - 2429
61 - 2450
61.5 - 2475
62 - 2467
62.5 - 2503

GRT seems to be particularly awful at predicting pressure/MV for Hammers. at 62.5 gr, predicted MV was 2694 fps, at 58 gr prediction was 2476; so anywhere from 100 to nearly 200 fps faster prediction than actual measured.

At no point in this ladder were there any sticky extractions or deformed primers

Note that at 3.30" COAL and 62.5 gr of 2000MR, I was right at the edge of having a compressed load. I have never been able to roll/taper crimp with a seating die without crushing the shoulder, so I always use LFCD and avoid compressed loads.

I think I'm going to shoot another 10 shot string and set the COAL to 3.34". I don't see any reason why I can't get 2600 fps out of this bullet with this rifle.

I did have a little drama with this yesterday. I had Gordy & Sons in Houston do some work on my 9.3, picked it up from them about a month ago and yesterday was my first trip to the range with it. I got everything set up, pull the trigger, and got nothing but a click. "OK," says I, "bad primer." Pull that one out, put in a new one. "Click" again, and again, and again on new cartridges.

While this is a Mauser action, Zastava has their own unique flavor of bolt design. Long story short, when the smith put the bolt back together, he stopped one full turn short of seating the primer all the way down, so when I pulled the trigger, it just barely came out of the hole, far enough to dent the primers, but not far enough to ignite them.

So I go back home and start looking at everything, and in disassembling/reassembling, I left the firing pin in the fired position and finally happened to notice what was going on. Unlike regular Mauser 98/96, which are easy to disassemble/reassemble, Zastavas have a LOT of spring tension once the first couple of threads of the bolt shroud are engaged in the bolt. It's easy to turn the shroud/firing pin down and think you're all the way down and still be one full turn short. So I loaded up an empty brass with a primer, went in my garage, and BANG. That was the issue. Every click this morning was followed by a loud bang.

Any other Zastava owners here who've never disassembled the bolt assembly and want to know how, ping me. It isn't THAT hard, but there is a little trick to it, and I can walk you through.
 
DanielOwenLynch said:
9.3x62
258 gr Shock Hammer
2000MR
CCI LR
COAL 3.30" - I have room to play with this. Measured OAL with Hornady tool and the old-fashioned way with a wooden dowel, both showed 3.38"
Norma twice fired brass and annealed.
Case H2O capacity avg 73.6 gr
MagnetoSpeed

58.0 gr - 2382
58.5 gr - 2375
59 - 2396
59.5 - 2408
60 -2422
60.5 - 2429
61 - 2450
61.5 - 2475
62 - 2467
62.5 - 2503

GRT seems to be particularly awful at predicting pressure/MV for Hammers. at 62.5 gr, predicted MV was 2694 fps, at 58 gr prediction was 2476; so anywhere from 100 to nearly 200 fps faster prediction than actual measured.

At no point in this ladder were there any sticky extractions or deformed primers

Note that at 3.30" COAL and 62.5 gr of 2000MR, I was right at the edge of having a compressed load. I have never been able to roll/taper crimp with a seating die without crushing the shoulder, so I always use LFCD and avoid compressed loads.

I think I'm going to shoot another 10 shot string and set the COAL to 3.34". I don't see any reason why I can't get 2600 fps out of this bullet with this rifle.

I did have a little drama with this yesterday. I had Gordy & Sons in Houston do some work on my 9.3, picked it up from them about a month ago and yesterday was my first trip to the range with it. I got everything set up, pull the trigger, and got nothing but a click. "OK," says I, "bad primer." Pull that one out, put in a new one. "Click" again, and again, and again on new cartridges.

While this is a Mauser action, Zastava has their own unique flavor of bolt design. Long story short, when the smith put the bolt back together, he stopped one full turn short of seating the primer all the way down, so when I pulled the trigger, it just barely came out of the hole, far enough to dent the primers, but not far enough to ignite them.

So I go back home and start looking at everything, and in disassembling/reassembling, I left the firing pin in the fired position and finally happened to notice what was going on. Unlike regular Mauser 98/96, which are easy to disassemble/reassemble, Zastavas have a LOT of spring tension once the first couple of threads of the bolt shroud are engaged in the bolt. It's easy to turn the shroud/firing pin down and think you're all the way down and still be one full turn short. So I loaded up an empty brass with a primer, went in my garage, and BANG. That was the issue. Every click this morning was followed by a loud bang.

Any other Zastava owners here who've never disassembled the bolt assembly and want to know how, ping me. It isn't THAT hard, but there is a little trick to it, and I can walk you through.
Click to expand...
My son has a CZ in 9.3x62 and shoots 250gr TTSX with 61.0grs of 2000MR and gets 2550fps. 2000MR is a good powder for the 9.3x62. Maybe it’s just the weight difference.
I did a ladder a little while back with the 258gr Shock Hammer. It looks promising but it wasn’t as fast as I was anticipating. I used IMR3031 from 52.0 at 2362fps - 56.0gr’s at 2483fps. I had no pressure signs but it was a little compressed at 56.0. I normally use CFE223 in mine but I have a bunch of IMR3031 and wanted to give a try. I just finished loading for a OCW using the IMR3031 and hope to shoot it this week sometime. After I finish with the IMR3031 I plan to start again with CFE223 or Big Game to see if I can get some gain in speed.
 
dchamp said:
My son has a CZ in 9.3x62 and shoots 250gr TTSX with 61.0grs of 2000MR and gets 2550fps. 2000MR is a good powder for the 9.3x62. Maybe it’s just the weight difference.
I did a ladder a little while back with the 258gr Shock Hammer. It looks promising but it wasn’t as fast as I was anticipating. I used IMR3031 from 52.0 at 2362fps - 56.0gr’s at 2483fps. I had no pressure signs but it was a little compressed at 56.0. I normally use CFE223 in mine but I have a bunch of IMR3031 and wanted to give a try. I just finished loading for a OCW using the IMR3031 and hope to shoot it this week sometime. After I finish with the IMR3031 I plan to start again with CFE223 or Big Game to see if I can get some gain in speed.
Click to expand...
Based on what Steve says, I'd guess the difference between TTSX and Shock Hammer here is the lighter engraving and lower pressure with Hammer.

I gave up on extruded powders and 9.3x62. Unless you use a drop tube (I don't), you're just always going to run out of case capacity. I tried Varget, I got good accuracy, but it's extruded, so...

I've used Big Game in mine, and I don't really see any difference between it and 2000MR. Grain for grain, at least in 9.3x62, they appear to be so close to each other in burn rate that they might just as well be the same powder, even if they aren't.

I also did the same ladder with SAF 286 gr, COAL 3.32 (the book says 3.28 COAL), I got to 2475 with no pressure signs on 62.5 gr of 2000MR. I'm going to RSA in August, PH says if I want to use my 9.3 for a cape buffalo cow, use SAF 286 or Barnes 286. Fair enough, it's his rodeo, after all.

If you can believe it, when I measured seating depth for SAF it was 3.45. No, that's not a type-o. 3.45" - that was using the Hornady tool and doing it the old fashioned way with a wooden dowel. So 3.32" and 2450 - 2475 with SAF 286 it will be.
 
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Just thinking out loud here 💩

I've been rediscovering H322 lately, don't currently have a 9.3x62, but I think it (or the unobtanium IMR4895) might perk nicely with the Hammers due to the lower engraving pressure 🤷‍♂️
 
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