The “Hammer” Copper Hunter bullet is the new kid on the block. Like other copper hollow points, one version called the Hammer Hunter, opens with propeller like blades and folds back under high velocity to release the petals into five bullets. The base unit and the four petals still continue penetration.

What makes Hammer Bullets different?  They are US patented and made on a CNC lath with tight tolerances.

The bullets are designed for hand-loaders and the loader needs to have experience with loading rifle cartridge’s  cartridge load data and work up loads in a safe manner.

The first 6.5mm bullet I velocity tested in my Weatherby Vanguard Weatherguard 6.5 Creedmoor was the 124 grain Hammer Hunter (HH) because it lookes like a great deer hunting weight.

Bullet    Powder    Grain   Seat depth    Muz-Vel

124     H4350       42         2.805            2620

124     H4350      42.5       ” ”                 2653

124     H4350      43           ” ”                2665

I realized that this H4350 powder was slow. Next I had some Superformance Powder, so I loaded and chronographed these HH  below

124     Superf     47.5      2.795             2840

124    “”              48         “”                   2873

124    “”              48.5     “”                    2922

Next  I loaded 110 grain HH using Varget Powder

Bullet    Powder    Grain Seat Depth    Muz-Vel

110      Varget      40         <2.800         2946

110        “”           40.5         “”               2947

110       “”            41           “”                2956

110       ”              41.5       “”                 3010

Next the 85 grain HH

85        “”           43             “”                3200

Heavier HH bullets have not been test fired yet.

Cleaning the barrel with Hoppes #9, I produced 8 very dirty swabs and a quick bronze brushing, followed by a solvent swab that was satisfactorily clean. I am going to purchase some Boretech Cu+2 cleaner and some nylon brushes. The Boretech adds say it does not stink and says will not harm barrel. So we will give it a try.

I have learned to prep my hunting barrel with a fast evaporating solvent degreaser like KG Industries 3, because it removes lubricant and appears to make cold shots group with later shots in a warming barrel.

Note: I observed an on-line ballistics gel test at slower velocities, like from a long range hit, traveling 1700 to 1800 fps and the petals opened but remained attached. The test observer suggests lower than that speed, the petals did not open. Higher velocities and the petals do reliably detach aka at 2600 fps as mini bullets, and create a much larger wound channel.

We will do some ballistic gel tests at some point soon. 

So far I give the tests a big thumbs up.

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