Absolute Hammer Load Data

[El Jason]

Disclaimer: this data exceeds maximum loads. Don’t assume this will work in YOUR rifle. If you do you ARE likely to hurt yourself or others. Please consult with Steve Davis for load recommendations. The Absolute Hammers like a fast for cartridge powder. For reference, H4895 is slightly faster than Varget

Rifle: Kimber Hunter 6.5 CM
Barrel: 22”, 1/8 twist
Bullet: 123 grain 0.264 Absolute Hammer
Brass: Hornady
Powder: H4895
Primer: CCI 250

I used load data from Sierra to start. They showed a max load of 40 grains with a 123 SMK. I cut 10% for a starting load and did a charge ladder from 36 to 42 grains.


Top left casing is 42 grains, definite pressure. The loads in the 40-41.5 grain range will get a closer look for accuracy. For comparison, my current load with 124 Hammer Hunters and Hogdgon SuperPerformance clocks in at 2890 FPS.

For ballistic reference, using the estimated g7 BC of .229, and using 3000 FPS muzzle velocity and a 250 yard zero this is what my Hornady app shows for drops. It's also showing 2196 fps at 400 yards and 2018 at 500 yards. Plenty of velocity for expansion for any ranges I'll use this gun.

Corrected, the shot angle did not reset to zero from last time I used it.


After talking with Steve about the data, I'm going to re-shoot the upper loads with a CCI 200 and check results. I may also use a slower powder, he feels the H4895 may be a little too fast for this combination.

@mtmuley

 

[MThuntr]

Nice I still haven't decided it I want to go with either the 123 AH or the 124HH...of course they now have a 97 and 109 in 6.5 and say they can get the 97gr to 3500 with RL15 or Ramshot Tac in a Creedmoor. Not sure it has much value for my need but it may be a valuable bullet for 6.5 Grendel shooters.

 

[El Jason]

Nice I still haven't decided it I want to go with either the 123 AH or the 124HH

I point blank asked Steve if there was any advantage of using a Hammer Hunter vs. an Absolute Hammer, and he's not sure what it would be? Maybe a better BC but I haven't compared them across bullets. I'll be switching from the 136 Sledge Hammer to the 140 Absolute when I run low in the .280 Remington.

 

[stevejfarms]

Nice...just got my first hammer bullets today, 92gr. ah in .257, and 140 gr. ah in .284. Gonna load some tomorrow and see what I’ve got. They have a thread over on long range hunting on the absolutes with a spreadsheet for different folks loads with the absolutes since they are so outside the norm for pressure. Have you shot any groups yet?

 

[El Jason]

Have you shot any groups yet?

No groups yet. I just wanted to see what kind of pressure and velocity I would get with this powder. I'll test some loads for accuracy next week.

 

[winmag]

In my experience, the AH’s have a definite velocity advantage over the HH’s in cartridges that aren’t super overbore. Not much advantage in 28 Nosler, 7mm RUM, etc but big advantage in 280 AI, 6.5 CM, 308 Win.

I’ve seen no difference in accuracy or terminal performance.

 

[marksjeep]

I think your table is off or mislabeled, or something is off. There should be about 33" of drop (come up) at 500 yards, not 6. MOA?

I asked Steve same thing about AH vs HH. Ultimately, I just reordered some HH because I have a good load for them and don't feel like searching for/burning through different unobtanium powders right now.

Nice to see someone working them up here.

Thanks for posting it up.

ETA - 3K from a 22" barrel 6.5 has some serious chooch to it. Nice.

 

[El Jason]

@marksjeep and @madtom I found the issue. My shot angle on the app was set to 40 degrees from last time I used it. I was also looking at it and couldn't put my finger on what seemed off LOL. This 'splains it.

 

[rtraverdavis]

Thanks for starting this, @JLS. I should have some data to post in the next couple weeks. It’ll be interesting to see what different powders do for similar cartridge/platform combinations.

 

[El Jason]

Testing with CCI 200 primers today, same bullet and powder. Looks like 40.5-41 is the sweet spot to test further.


Bottom case is 39 grains, top 41.5. Slight pressure at 41.5.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Call me a contrarian, but I’d say that the 40-40.5 range may be better. Regardless, it looks good

 

[blueridge]

What's your next step? Shoot groups in that range with both the 200 & 250 or pick one and start dialing in with seating depth? Following!

 

[blueridge]

Strategy question: if you reach a velocity goal without pressure signs would you call it good, or would you keep slowly increasing your charge until you do?

 

[El Jason]

What's your next step? Shoot groups in that range with both the 200 & 250 or pick one and start dialing in with seating depth? Following!

Steve didn't like the velocity stall with the 250 primers, hence the test loads with the 200s. I'll test accuracy for three different charges with the CCI 200. Probably 40.4, 40.7, and 41.0. I haven't ever screwed with seating depth with the Hammers.

 

[El Jason]

Strategy question: if reach a velocity goal without pressure signs would you call it good, or would you keep slowly increasing your charge until you do?

Personally, I've found the best accuracy with these on the upper end of charge weight. Both times I've run up to pressure, backed off a little, and had a really accurate load. Honestly, given this is a 22" barreled CM, I'm flat happy with any of the velocities in this last load test.

 

[rtraverdavis]

Steve didn't like the velocity stall with the 250 primers, hence the test loads with the 200s.

Do you know the reason why the larger primers would cause a velocity stall?

 

[El Jason]

Do you know the reason why the larger primers would cause a velocity stall?

He thought it might have been a function of the hotter primer and a powder that was on the verge of being too fast.

 

[rtraverdavis]

He thought it might have been a function of the hotter primer and a powder that was on the verge of being too fast.

Interesting. Thanks. Got my rifle back this afternoon. Hopefully I’ll be able to run my ladder with RL15 next weekend.

 

[El Jason]

Interesting. Thanks. Got my rifle back this afternoon. Hopefully I’ll be able to run my ladder with RL15 next weekend.

Looking forward to your results!

 

[blueridge]

That feedback from Steve on the stall is food for thought. One problem that comes to my mind with trying to locate velocity stalls on one shot/weight ladders is you don't know which side of a potential ES that particular shot would fall. If you have two back to back, one on the upper and the other on the lower, it could potentially deceive. Just thinking out loud.

Not to hijack your thread, but here were mine. And only posting in light of the velocity stall.
(7mm-08, Lapua, WLRM, SW Precision powder, 131HH)
42: 2726
43: 2754
44: 2824
45: 2879
45.5: 2989
46: 2996
46.2: 2978
46.4: 3008, 3016, 3016, 3030, 3018

Your 40, 40.5, & 41 with the 250's looks kinda like my 45.5, 46, 46.2. ??

I never saw any pressure signs, and was sure pleased with the ES on the last 5 that I shot for that purpose. It was snowing, so didn't get to shoot groups, just over the chrono out the back.

Now wondering if I should both keep inching up to find top end with this combination, as well as do a few with standard primers.