Cutting Edge vs. Hammer bullets

[prm]

Anyone shot both of these on game? I’ve read good reports on the Hammer bullets terminal performance. My particular application would be the .338 175gn at a MV of 2800ish.

 

[92xj]

that MV seems slow.
I shoot 180hh in my 300wm at 3140fps.
I would think a 338 shooting 175s would be greater than that.
But, I also don't know much and have no useful info for your original questions as I have never shot the CEs.

 

[prm]

338 Federal. Necked up .308 Win.

Not a long range rifle, but it really works well at the ranges I shoot. I’ve used 185 TTSX (2700s) and 160 TTSX (3020fps) quite a bit and been very happy.

 

[92xj]

Roger that.

 

[amassi]

Yep.
I've yet to have a ce lazer fail to open. Had a couple hammers fail.
When the Hammers work the wounds look identical from the lazer and the hammer. BUT... the lazer so far has fragmented 100% of the time, and creates wounds with impact velocities 400fps slower than the Hammer and has the bc of a vld and not a parachute.
No need to crimp the lazer or use some ridiculous powder choice. Drop it over a full case(95%+) of powder for the same size lead bullet, seat the bullet with the seal tite band outside the neck and go shoot.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Yep.
I've yet to have a ce lazer fail to open. Had a couple hammers fail.
When the Hammers work the wounds look identical from the lazer and the hammer. BUT... the lazer so far has fragmented 100% of the time, and creates wounds with impact velocities 400fps slower than the Hammer and has the bc of a vld and not a parachute.
No need to crimp the lazer or use some ridiculous powder choice. Drop it over a full case(95%+) of powder for the same size lead bullet, seat the bullet with the seal tite band outside the neck and go shoot.

Them are fighting words over on LRH!!!

 

[amassi]

Them are fighting words over on LRH!!!

Hahahha or a c&d letter

 

[prm]

Yep.
I've yet to have a ce lazer fail to open. Had a couple hammers fail.
When the Hammers work the wounds look identical from the lazer and the hammer. BUT... the lazer so far has fragmented 100% of the time, and creates wounds with impact velocities 400fps slower than the Hammer and has the bc of a vld and not a parachute.
No need to crimp the lazer or use some ridiculous powder choice. Drop it over a full case(95%+) of powder for the same size lead bullet, seat the bullet with the seal tite band outside the neck and go shoot.

I‘d be using the Hammer Hunter or the CE MTH. The front opening looks identical. Very different bearing surface. The Hammers had a tendency to stick in the seater and pull out which was odd.

edit: just saw the CE Maximus. Perhaps open a little easier?

 

[Yovi1991]

Anyone shot both of these on game? I’ve read good reports on the Hammer bullets terminal performance. My particular application would be the .338 175gn at a MV of 2800ish.

I’ve used the 180gr CE Mth this year and took a bull and a mule deer. The bull was at 600 yards 2 shots both pass throughs and the bull never took a step

The mule deer was at 200 1 shot and dropped on the spot.

So far been very impressed with the CE MTH

 

[amassi]

Gotcha
Can't comment on the mth but if I had to guess damage probably like a hammer if bc or bearing surface is better and Getz you some more range than that's good
Yeah the Hammers reccomend polishing your seater stem

 

[Brendan]

I'm curious about the CE maximus. Pretty tempted to buy some 125 gr for my Creed and PRC, but haven't heard any reports on game....

 

[Yovi1991]

I'm curious about the CE maximus. Pretty tempted to buy some 125 gr for my Creed and PRC, but haven't heard any reports on game....

My sister in law shot a whitetail last year out of a 7rm at about 50 yards with a Maximus and dropped it on the spot

We recovered the bullet in the dirt and it preformed as advertised

Take it for what it’s worth

 

[bhylton]

I've killed 4 elk and I think 6 deer (all under 400yds) with hammers from a 300wsm and 270win.. great performance each time. Not sure about the seating issue or the special powder comment? I just load to mag length, no crimp and ended up with normal powders at near 100% fill... I used the same powder I used with lead core bullets. H4350 with both rifles, 124gr .277 and 166gr .308. The bc's are lower for sure, but inside 500yds I don't care... those CE offering look good too but I have no experience

Edit: I don't want to sound like a leg humper... I've been happy so far but thats my only experience. Ymmv

 

[jhm2023]

I've used both and prefer the Hammers due to the bearing surface. Both work about the same on game as does the Lehigh controlled chaos copper.

 

[JakeSCH]

I have more experience with hammers but between the two bullets the CE would give you an extra 100y of range due to the 200 fps lower expansion velocity. If you do not plan on shooting past 400y I might lean toward hammers since the are on sale right now for Christmas.

 

[prm]

Any comparison of pressure for a given amount of powder? I have a few CE to use to find pressure. I’m guessing the grooves on the Hammer have a bit of a negative impact on BC, but I’m less sure how they impact pressure or loading.

 

[willfrye027]

I think if you are comfortable reading pressure signs you can use comparable load data for similar weight Barnes or lead bullet. If you end up finding pressure with room to spare in the case, try a SLOWER burning powder, and the opposite if you are compressing loads without pressure.

The absolute hammers do require more “tinkering” with faster powders, hammer hunters have been incredibly easy to load for. Have not needed to crimp any. Terminal performance on hammers has been good in about 30 animals between myself and buddies I load them for. No experience with cutting edge, but if I want long range performance I’m using a lead cup and core. The only “magic” in hammers for me has been ease of finding an accurate load. They work well on animals but so do most lead bullets IMO.

 

[SDHNTR]

My son shot a large boar hog yesterday at 220 yds with my .300 wsm and a 180 Hammer Hunter. Worked as designed. Massive internal damage. The lungs were total soup, hardly recognizable, just a spongy, bloody mess. The shank passed through.

I think when people say hammers pencil through leaving small exit holes they don’t understand how hammers are supposed to work. Especially those doing gutless quartering.

 

[MuleyFever]

I've used both and prefer the Hammers due to the bearing surface. Both work about the same on game as does the Lehigh controlled chaos copper.

I killed a buck a couple of years ago with the Lehigh and it destroyed the internals and he was DRT. I was using a 280ai and the shot was about 250 yards. Accuracy was good. They are way less expensive too.

 

[S.Clancy]

I've shot hammer on game out to ~2100 fps velocity. Performance has been excellent. I wouldn't really go much below that, even tho Hammer says you can take them out to 1800fps.