Cutting Edge vs. Hammer bullets

[prm]

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 faster burning powder, and the opposite if you are compressing loads without pressure. It’s really not as complicated as some guys will make it.

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.

I meant to compare the CE to the Hammer. The hammer has such a unique bearing surface I didn’t know if it would act differently than the CE. Hammer seemed normal when working up a load so probably no major difference. One way to find out!

 

[35WhelenAI]

willfrye027,

Part of your post: "If you end up finding pressure with room to spare in the case, try a faster burning powder, and the opposite if you are compressing loads without pressure. It’s really not as complicated as some guys will make it."

This would make it much "more complicated" for guys not in the know that you probably got crossed up making the post.

I believe you meant to say that if you find pressure with room to spare, try a slower powder and if you are compressed without pressure try a faster powder.

Surprised that hasn't been noticed yet. Could be a recipe for a bad outcome if someone sees that and isn't knowledgeable in reloading.

 

[doverpack12]

Hammers generally generate less pressure for a given charge due to the bearing surface which in turn allows faster velocity

 

[zrodwyo]

I shot a deer a few years ago with a hammer hunter out of a 6.5 creedmoor. Hit him twice and never recovered him. First shot was behind the shoulder. He turned and faced me and I put another round square in the chest. I actually watched the hide ripple and hair fly through my scope. He trotted into a coulie and despite my best efforts I could not find him. That is the one and only animal I never recovered.

 

[willfrye027]

willfrye027,

Part of your post: "If you end up finding pressure with room to spare in the case, try a faster burning powder, and the opposite if you are compressing loads without pressure. It’s really not as complicated as some guys will make it."

This would make it much "more complicated" for guys not in the know that you probably got crossed up making the post.

I believe you meant to say that if you find pressure with room to spare, try a slower powder and if you are compressed without pressure try a faster powder.

Surprised that hasn't been noticed yet. Could be a recipe for a bad outcome if someone sees that and isn't knowledgeable in reloading.

Good lord, yes I definitely switched that thanks for catching it.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I figured you meant it the other way, definitely good advice with respect to dialing in a powder especially if you're working with bullets that don't have specific load info.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I believe the cutting edge website says they’ll get expansion down to 1200fps.

 

[cbuck516]

I don't have any experience with cutting edge yet, but I have been loading hammer bullets in four different rifles, and three different calibers over the last year and have been incredibly happy with how easy the load development process has been with those bullets.
I took an elk with the 199 grain hammer hunter last fall with an impact velocity of around 2900 ft./s. It was a broadside heart shot that resulted in very minimal meat, loss and very quick kill. I was very happy with the performance compared to lead core.

 

[PurpleDriver]

I shot a caribou with a 338 cal 225gr MTH. Bullet performed exactly as CE describes. 4 petals never found but you could see the wound channels.

the bore rider design did allow me to get much more speed than expected. In my 338 WM, my notes show the 225gr at 2992fps avg.