7mm-08 Hammer Load

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Got a box of hundred 120gr hammers for my bro 7mm-08. Looking to use varget. Any advice on another powder selection? Thanks Brent
 

MattB

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The other powder that gets high marks for 7-08 and Hammer 120’s is Big Game.
 
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Got a box of hundred 120gr hammers for my bro 7mm-08. Looking to use varget. Any advice on another powder selection? Thanks Brent
Hey Brett- Did you call the folks at Hammer? Steve will walk you through the process he uses and I've yet to see their approach not make a shooter with about 8 rounds. It's uncanny. He'll probably have some powder ideas for you, but likely you'll be able to use whatever you have and get a shooter out of it.
 
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brentwinkey
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Hey Brett- Did you call the folks at Hammer? Steve will walk you through the process he uses and I've yet to see their approach not make a shooter with about 8 rounds. It's uncanny. He'll probably have some powder ideas for you, but likely you'll be able to use whatever you have and get a shooter out of it.
We chatted when i did my first 300wm load but thats when there wasnt much info out. I think varget will be my powder ill use since i got 14lbs i think of it but staball 6.5 is on my short list to try.
 

OXN939

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We chatted when i did my first 300wm load but thats when there wasnt much info out. I think varget will be my powder ill use since i got 14lbs i think of it but staball 6.5 is on my short list to try.

Truly no reason to try anything but Varget for this combo. I ended up at 42.5 grains. Use a Lee Factory Crimp die with a 90 degree turn on it and you'll almost certainly be sub-MOA.
 
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Truly no reason to try anything but Varget for this combo. I ended up at 42.5 grains. Use a Lee Factory Crimp die with a 90 degree turn on it and you'll almost certainly be sub-MOA.

Why crimp?

Varget is good, my experience suggests better velocity with Big Game but not with Hammers.




P
 
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OXN939

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Why crimp?

Varget is good, my experience suggests better velocity with Big Game but not with Hammers.




P

Copper monos like a longer dwell time than lead bullets- this is one reason you always see a "jump" between where you load a bullet and the lands recommended. Crimping effectively retains the bullet for a tiny period of time longer than without, I'm told.

I'm not a professional ballistician or anything, but I have observed 5/5 loads I've developed with Hammers become significantly more precise with a slight crimp.
 
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brentwinkey
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Copper monos like a longer dwell time than lead bullets- this is one reason you always see a "jump" between where you load a bullet and the lands recommended. Crimping effectively retains the bullet for a tiny period of time longer than without, I'm told.

I'm not a professional ballistician or anything, but I have observed 5/5 loads I've developed with Hammers become significantly more precise with a slight crimp.

Everything ive read and experinced with hammers is they like crimp as well...if nothing else its nice little extra "safety" with hunting ammo...
 

Rob5589

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Lets say your seater doesn't crimp. Would using a neck sizing mandrel to increase interference do the same thing? I've never crimped a rifle cartridge but am looking at trying some Hammers.
 
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