124 Hammer Hunter Loading Success

[Tullis94]

Just wanted to jump on here and share my successful loading with 6.5, 124 hammer hunters. I recently have done load development for 2 tikka 6.5 creedmoore rifles. The first rifle is shooting 2980 fps with RL 16 and shot a 2.5 group at 607 yards after 16 rounds of load development.
The second rifle is shooting H4350 at 3080 fps. It shot a 1.25" group at 392 yards after 5 rounds of pressure testing and a 3 shot group. I know it is only 2 shots which is not a great test but I only loaded 5 to test grouping. The 3 shot group was so good I decided to shoot the gong with the last 2.
Both rifles will be hunting deer and elk this fall with youth tags. I am excited to see the results of the bullet.

 

[Miflatlander91]

That's impressive numbers I need to load those in my creedmoor only have 4350 can't fi d the 16

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[Chanimal]

Nice work! Should be plenty for intended uses. How did the load development process go for you?

 

[TraderMike]

That is an impressive way to start. I will be looking forward to hearing from you after tags are notched and you can share some thoughts on terminal performance. Good luck on your hunts...

 

[Wetwork]

Funny I spent the whole day today doing the exact same thing for my GF's Creed with the 124 HH's. I had Varget on hand so went with that, Nice seeing the H4350 cranking out pretty much the same fps as I got. Did you crimp? I was surprised how much I could change the accuracy with deep seating and crimping with the Lee FCD. I used a lot more ammo tho...I did up a dope sheet for the GF, walking a cardboard box out every fifty yards..clear out to 600. Gonna be interesting to see what the do.-WW

 

[Tullis94]

Nice work! Should be plenty for intended uses. How did the load development process go for you?

Steve from Hammer bullets recommends finding pressure and then backing off a little for a starting point. I believe he generally recommends backing off 1 grain. All the shooting I did was between 85 and 90 degrees. For this reason I backed of only .5 grains since the hotter temps will show pressure earlier. Both times the load worked out. It could be luck, but I also think a lot of credit goes to the bullet being easy to work with.

 

[Tullis94]

Funny I spent the whole day today doing the exact same thing for my GF's Creed with the 124 HH's. I had Varget on hand so went with that, Nice seeing the H4350 cranking out pretty much the same fps as I got. Did you crimp? I was surprised how much I could change the accuracy with deep seating and crimping with the Lee FCD. I used a lot more ammo tho...I did up a dope sheet for the GF, walking a cardboard box out every fifty yards..clear out to 600. Gonna be interesting to see what the do.-WW

I do not crimp. All the bullets were loaded to a COAL of 2.90. I never adjusted seating depth either. This was way to easy!

 

[Wetwork]

I do not crimp. All the bullets were loaded to a COAL of 2.90. I never adjusted seating depth either. This was way to easy!

Lucky you, the GF's is a Christensen Mesa and it hates pretty everything, it was last ditch effort with the Hammers and lots an lots of tweeking. I made her buy the big box HH's he-he. Now I"m ordering my own box.-Was a Barnes guy til today.-WW

 

[waitforit]

I have Varget and H4350 and I've had great luck with both on various loads for 6.5 and other calibers. Seems like I can expect similar results for each based on these comments.