308 Loads with 150 Hammer Bullets?

[mtluckydan]

Looking for any proven loads with the new 150 Hammer bullets in 308? I have a 1 in 10 twist and have a good selection of proven powders that work in 308. This particular rifle has been difficult to get shooting 150's, but has shot well with several 165 grain loads. I am going to try CFE223, H4895 and several others if I don't find success. Sounds like 0.020 is a good starting point off the lands which will be 2.791 with this rifle. Thanks for any help.

 

[452b264]

Just use Barnes load data and their starting load and work up.

 

[deerhunter628]

I have a good load using Tac powder and the 151 grain absolute hammers.

 

[Bluumoon]

Same as above for me

 

[mtluckydan]

Finally got to the range with several loads to try with 3 different powders today. My tried and true H4895 load was ho hum. My proven load of 49.0 grains of CFE223 seated at 2.785 with the 150 hammers proved to be in the running and deserves some more attention. 50.0 grains and the group opened up like it has in the past. 47.0 grains of Varget looked good with 5 shots covered with a quarter. 47.5 grains in winchester cases is a compressed load in my case and opened up compared to the 47.0 load. Both of the best groups with CFE223 & Varget are better than any previous 150 grain bullet load with this rifle so feels like I made some progress. My chrono took a dump so working without data but not trying to shoot long distance so not as much of an issue for me. Will be stopping back to grab some more bullets as these 150 hammers have been the best grouping bullet I've tried so far and like to support the local businesses.

 

[mtluckydan]

As a side note, I do not have nor have I ever used Tac, but I'll be on the lookout for some to try. I have a number of good choices but sounds like that is good powder for 308 and like to have multiple options. Thanks for the reply's and I'll update as my loads progress.

 

[Sticshooter50]

I have a good load using Tac powder and the 151 grain absolute hammers.

Just ordered some TAC to try with my 151AH’s,had pretty good luck with Benchmark but can’t find any,got big hopes for the TAC because it’s pretty readily available around here,

 

[deerhunter628]

Just ordered some TAC to try with my 151AH’s,had pretty good luck with Benchmark but can’t find any,got big hopes for the TAC because it’s pretty readily available around here

A warning Tac is temp sensitive. I had a good load worked up for fall (about 30°). I just shot them at about 80° and had hard bolt lift and blew a primer.

 

[Sticshooter50]

A warning Tac is temp sensitive. I had a good load worked up for fall (about 30°). I just shot them at about 80° and had hard bolt lift and blew a primer.

Thanks for the heads up.I’d heard that it was pretty temp sensitive,I’m hoping to to get some loaded and get to the range while it’s in the 90’s here to find pressure when it’s hot.
if I can find a suitable load in the 90’s without pressure it should be good come deer season.
I was getting 3040fps with Benchmark out of a 20” Tikka CTR barrel with good accuracy but ran out of Benchmark and can’t find any.Hopefully TAC will get me close with descent groups,if not,I will probably go back to my 155 ELD M and 2000mr load for this season,I have zero faith in Hodgon getting powders out before season.

 

[Rieckman]

I used IMR 8208 XBR with 151 Absolute Hammer.

Got 2850 out of a 16" barrel in a 308. Ran out of room before pressure.

 

[Longhorn4life]

I have a good load using Tac powder and the 151 grain absolute hammers.

Tac and the 151 absolutes is the same load I am working up now. 308 tikka 22” barrel. What kind of velocity are you getting the best accuracy with?

 

[deerhunter628]

Tac and the 151 absolutes is the same load I am working up now. 308 tikka 22” barrel. What kind of velocity are you getting the best accuracy with?

The load i had worked up was too hot. Once it warmed up in the summer i was blowing primers. Way to hot. I pulled all of the bullets.

 

[Longhorn4life]

I’m at 47.6gr of tac and about 3050fps in 45* weather. Was also looking at a node at 49gr but accuracy fell off at same temps. Was your hot load similar or hotter? Wondering if the 47.6gr load that’s showing such promise is something I should avoid in warmer weather. I live in Texas and see over 80* pretty much 9-10 months a year.

 

[deerhunter628]

I’m at 47.6gr of tac and about 3050fps in 45* weather. Was also looking at a node at 49gr but accuracy fell off at same temps. Was your hot load similar or hotter? Wondering if the 47.6gr load that’s showing such promise is something I should avoid in warmer weather. I live in Texas and see over 80* pretty much 9-10 months a year.

Mine was 47.5. Im in Michigan so it does not get super hot. It was probably a 50° temp difference from load development to the blown primer. I was using Nosler brass 3X fired with cci lr primers.

 

[Longhorn4life]

I’m loading once fired lapua brass with fed210 primers. Hopefully the load will be ok in the higher temps. We’ll see… might have to be a cold weather only load.

 

[GoatPackr]

If you're not shooting them long range then no point in running the 150 grain. Look at the 137.
I'm currently running the 130 Shock Hammer in my .308 but planning to try the new 137.

I'm getting 3100 fps with TAC and the 130 SH. No issues with temps.

Lot of good info on the Hammer time forum.

Kris

 

[Longhorn4life]

Good point. I tried a few of the 137’s and liked them. Will probably go back to them for whitetails here in Tx since temps in Tx can vary so much during rifle season. The 151’s are going to be for an elk hunt in Idaho this coming September.

 

[GoatPackr]

If those 137s shoot good I wouldn't hesitate to run them for elk. Depending on expected shooting range. With hammers it's about impact velocity. The 150s will work to give you better impact speed at longer ranges but up closer might actually be slower and won't kill as well as a 137.

Kris

 

[Longhorn4life]

I’ve got time to get a good 137 load worked up before September, so I’ll order up some more and do some shooting!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

This is the o lot load for the 150 that hammer has on their load data sheet.