Hammer vs Barnes question???

[Addicting]

I have tried hammers in ten rifles now. There is zero reason at all to try Barnes. None.

Cost?

 

[rtraverdavis]

I’ve been impressed with the on-game performance of Absolute Hammers in my manbun. Very quick deaths.

Has anyone got any experience with the HBCs they’d share? I can’t decide between ordering a box of those or HHTs for my new rifle.

 

[Dsnow9]

I was under the impression this was a 'dont ask dont tell' forum

It’s to late for that!

 

[WapitiBob]

Hammers went into the crapper when they took the oil out of the tips, allegedly. Can't say myself, I've never shot one without oil.

 

[Hammsolo]

I’ve used both. I have had great experience with both. I haven’t lost any game with either. I like the velocity and accuracy of the hammer, and supporting a smaller business.

 

[Elktrack]

I’ve used both. I have had great experience with both. I haven’t lost any game with either. I like the velocity and accuracy of the hammer, and supporting a smaller business.

I like the idea of supporting them too, seeing that they're just a few hours up the road makes em feel almost local. I have to say that I met Randy and Connie Brooks when I was a kid at a NRA convention and they went out of their way to talk with me and answer all my questions. Gave me a hat too. I’ve been happy to support them.

 

[Jnasa]

I’ve hunted and killed many animals with Barnes bullets. I’ve never had any issues with them. Internal damage has been good. I’ve never tried hammers but imagine they’d perform well.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I found a barnes bullet that didn't expand in a hog one time. The bullet was stretched out kind of like a banana and the tip was caked up with dirt and mud

Was it a TSX or TTSX?? What caliber and weight??

 

[mtmuley]

but yet you still use accubonds.

In one rifle. Soon to change. mtmuley

 

[Dougfirtree]

The price has kept me from taking the plunge, but I'm thinking pretty hard about trying Hammers in my 7mm-08 this winter. I'm coming around to the idea that the petals would branch out a bit and do more damage, especially if you end up hitting a bit off from where you intended. Accuracy is always appreciated as well... I was thinking of ordering some of the 132 grain tipped Hunters.

My brother is also wanting to try them. He asked me to work up a load for his .30-06 with 124 grain HH's. That will be a fun experiment.

 

[sclancy27]

I've shot both and seen quite a few animals killed with both (I have not used LRX, so can't comment there). The Hammers, to me, are the perfect balance of tissue damage and minimal meat damage. They are also really accurate, for whatever reason.

 

[D4570]

All my hunting chamberings use Hammer. I still use some Barnes in some of my varmint guns.
BUT the cost of the hammers stops me from using them on most of my HIGH volume because of the cost put there, well worth the price for the hunting chamberings. Funny thing, someone asked about finding Hammer petals. I shot a nice white tale buck this year. I was using my 358 Win 215 gr THH hammer. It was a 287-yard shot I hit dead center onside shoulder. I went through and crushed the offside shoulder. Dead right there, I didn't dig through the mess for a bullet. Later I was sking the head to boil it off, and I found what I think is a pettle just under the skin on its Nose??? Crazy.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

Was it a TSX or TTSX?? What caliber and weight??

It was a 22-250 tsx. I dont remember the weight

 

[Wolfshead]

Im using Barnes.
I’ve looked at hammers because everyone is talking about them, but I’m happy with what I’m using and they are less expensive.
I went from Accubonds to the ttsx’s and took a Buck this season with a 130 grain in my 308.
I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of damaged area around the wound channel.
Way less meat loss. The insides were a complete mess.
I don’t think I want pedals traveling inside everywhere.
Can’t comment on a blood trail as it was DRT, but everything else was pretty good.

 

[noharleyyet]

Still have a few legacied Barnes platforms/loads with euro testimonials...Hammer & Scenar also. No complaints re: Hammer performance & awesome customer service.

 

[BAKPAKR]

With Barnes bullets, my daughter and I have used the 62 gr TTSX .224 (223) on some deer and I have used the 127 gr LRX .264 (6.5 CM) on a deer, the 95 gr TTSX .277 (6.8 SPC) on a bear, and the 200 gr LRX .308 (300 RUM) on a moose. I am not a long range hunter and all of these have been under 250 yards.

With Hammer bullets, I have used the 124 Hammer Hunters and the 181 Hammer Hunter on a couple of deer (300 RUM).

All have performed well, and the bullets, other than the 200 gr LRX on a quartering to shot, have exited. The only animals that have dropped in their tracks were with the 62 gr TTSX and the 200gr LRX but I don’t use that as a gauge of bullet performance. However, I was surprised that the whitetail shot with the 124 Hammer Hunter @ over 3800 fps ran a short distance as I was halfway expecting the deer to wind up field dressed at the shot, if not also cut and wrapped. On both of my Hammer Hunter deer, a petal has veered off into the guts on broadside, behind the should shots.

For me, the Hammer bullets have been easier to work up an accurate load for. Also, the Barnes bullets seem to reach pressure at a lower velocity than an equal weight cup and core bullet while it is the opposite for Hammer bullets.

Edit - it just hit me that the bear with the 95 gr TTSX dropped in its tracks, too. Three of the “dropped in their tracks” shots with the Barnes bullets were not CNS shots.

 

[NoWiser]

I have no reason to try anything other than Barnes in my 270 WSM. It’s the only rifle I own, or plan to own. I’ve taken moose, elk, deer, antelope, wolves, grouse, and any number of other critters with the 140 tsx and 130 ttsx. They shoot very well and results are boringly consistent. Pencil sized entrance hole, quarter sized exit hole, dead critter after a short blood trail. Not to mention very minimal meat damage, which is important to me.

 

[Hammsolo]

All my hunting chamberings use Hammer. I still use some Barnes in some of my varmint guns.
BUT the cost of the hammers stops me from using them on most of my HIGH volume because of the cost put there, well worth the price for the hunting chamberings. Funny thing, someone asked about finding Hammer petals. I shot a nice white tale buck this year. I was using my 358 Win 215 gr THH hammer. It was a 287-yard shot I hit dead center onside shoulder. I went through and crushed the offside shoulder. Dead right there, I didn't dig through the mess for a bullet. Later I was sking the head to boil it off, and I found what I think is a pettle just under the skin on its Nose??? Crazy.

Huge bullet huge text!

 

[Schutzhund]

Does anyone know the difference between the Power hammer and the Hammer Hunter other than the PH has a 2.0mm HP vs 1.5mm HP in the HH. There's no description on the website about the PH.

Anyone have experience with the Power Hammer on critters larger than deer? Ive got them loaded in my 9.3x62 for coastal bear next spring but have never shot anything with them as the rifle is a new build I completed this summer.

 

[D4570]

Call them, they always answer the phone.