I'm brand new to this forum, but my friend DJ told me about the 300 HAM'R thread so I figured I should participate in case anyone have specific technical type questions. I'd also like to mention that there is a very good and lengthy thread here on the Texas Hunting Forum with lots of good information. https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7506626/1
There was a Grendel thread that was semi-responsible for spinning up this thread - but mostly it was DJones fault for posting the Ham’r-ing the hogs videos.
Hard to argue anything more than the cartridge is named for what it does ...
After reading through, I share some sentiments on how similar numbers/stats can show up visible differences in the field and on game....whether some would call it anecdotal or not. I haven’t shot nearly the numbers of hogs to get into the hog lung shooting debate on the HAMR vs 6.8 or others, but my less numerous hog/deer/coyote shooting and results led md to personally like the 6.8 over the Grendel , even though the numbers didn’t show much difference.....stuff died faster with the 6.8 than similar combos in the Grendel....for ME. Not saying it’s any how definitive, just a case in point that maybe even slightly more bore size does something differently on game. Could be we imagine it, too.... but sometimes your results and expectations are all that matter, in that regard. I’m tempted by the HAMR, but not sure I need it......but it could be the step up in emphasis from my 6.8 that’s seems to be getting harder to feed good factory fodder, without loading.....which is a trigger....as I’m just ‘meh’ on the blackout for hunting, and had rather not step to the ppc/Grendel case head size on an AR, again.
After reading through, I share some sentiments on how similar numbers/stats can show up visible differences in the field and on game....whether some would call it anecdotal or not. I haven’t shot nearly the numbers of hogs to get into the hog lung shooting debate on the HAMR vs 6.8 or others, but my less numerous hog/deer/coyote shooting and results led md to personally like the 6.8 over the Grendel , even though the numbers didn’t show much difference.....stuff died faster with the 6.8 than similar combos in the Grendel....for ME. Not saying it’s any how definitive, just a case in point that maybe even slightly more bore size does something differently on game. Could be we imagine it, too.... but sometimes your results and expectations are all that matter, in that regard. I’m tempted by the HAMR, but not sure I need it......but it could be the step up in emphasis from my 6.8 that’s seems to be getting harder to feed good factory fodder, without loading.....which is a trigger....as I’m just ‘meh’ on the blackout for hunting, and had rather not step to the ppc/Grendel case head size on an AR, again.
You sound like a perfect candidate for the 300 HAM'R! I agree with you 100 %, there are times when things just seem to die quicker. I still have a mental picture of a black bear ingrained in my mind. It just crumbled! Plus, the first time I took a 300 HAM'R out after hogs the first shot downed two. I repeated the process with the second shot and had four hogs in two shots. (I told Bill Wilson he was going to have to listen to me talk about it for years!) If anyone has looked at the "numbers" for this cartridge, I have. Yet, It's hard to explain what my eyes have seen.
Now you can throw in the fact that surplus once fired 5.56 cases are everywhere and are easy to form, one of the best performing hunting bullets for the 300 HAM'R, the 130 gr. Speer HotCore, is as cheap as they come, and all you have to do is change a barrel. What is not to like.
I picked up a couple boxes of bullets, Speer 130gr hollow points and 130gr FN Hot Cors, as well as some CFE-BLK yesterday. The barrel, dies and magazine should here on Tuesday, so it looks like I'm all set!
Is there anything out-of-the-ordinary for loading the .300 Ham'r, like a particular seating depth or crimp technique, or is it pretty straight forward? I have read that maximum powder charges might need a little coaxing to fit in the case, but otherwise I haven't seen anyone raise concerns about seating depth or crimping. With a full case of powder, I can't see bullet setback being much of an issue.
Not sure who else, but I don’t see them offered by ARP, and since Wilson has them under $200 on sale, I’m not sure I’d look at much elsewhere.
I will have to ensure I keep any HAMR loads well segregated from the wife’s 300 BLK stuff....I’d imagine there could be some bad potential for one getting into the other.
I picked up a couple boxes of bullets, Speer 130gr hollow points and 130gr FN Hot Cors, as well as some CFE-BLK yesterday. The barrel, dies and magazine should here on Tuesday, so it looks like I'm all set!
Is there anything out-of-the-ordinary for loading the .300 Ham'r, like a particular seating depth or crimp technique, or is it pretty straight forward? I have read that maximum powder charges might need a little coaxing to fit in the case, but otherwise I haven't seen anyone raise concerns about seating depth or crimping. With a full case of powder, I can't see bullet setback being much of an issue.
Dan
The 300 HAM'R is a really easy cartridge to load. Your right the case fill pretty much assures there is no bullet push back into the case on feeding. I just run a light taper crimp using a Redding .300 BLK die. As to seating dept, this info should help:
31 Bullets That Are Suitable for the 300 HAM’R and Recommended OAL
95gr Lehigh CC 2.255” OAL * 110gr Hornady SP #3010, 2.220” OAL, BC .256 ** 110gr Hornady V-MAX #23010, 2.255” OAL, BC .290 * 110gr Lehigh CC #05-308-110-CUSP, 2.255” OAL, BC .253 * 110gr Barnes TSX #30341 or TAC-X #30336, 2.255” OAL 110gr Nosler Varmageddon #34057, 2.255” OAL, BC .293 * 110gr Sierra HP-V #2110, 2.175” OAL, BC .177 * 125gr Sierra SBT PH #2120, 2.250” OAL, BC .279 ** 125gr Speer TNT #1986/#4725, 2.255” OAL, BC .341 ** 125gr Sierra FNHP #2020, 2.110”OAL, BC .119 130gr Speer HP #2005, 2.170” OAL, BC .244 * 130gr Speer FNHC #2007, 1.170” OAL, BC .248 * 130gr Speer HAM’R RNHC #20041125, 2.175” OAL, BC .248 ** (WC exclusive bullet) 130gr Hornady SP #3020, 2.215” OAL, BC .295 135gr Speer HAM’R Bonded, 2.255” OAL (New WC exclusive bullet, no BC info available yet) ** 135gr Sierra HP-V #2124, 2.230” OAL, BC .275 150gr Hornady SST #30303, 2.255” OAL, BC .370 ** 150gr Speer FNHC #2011, 2.155” OAL, BC .255 150gr Speer SPHC #2023, 2.255” OAL, BC .377 150gr Speer HAM’R Bonded 2.255” OAL BC 387 ** (WC exclusive bullet) 150gr Speer Gold Dot #308150GDB, 2.255” OAL, BC .503 150gr Speer Gold Dot (Blackout) #308150BLKGDB 2.255” OAL, BC .463 ** 150gr Speer Grand Slam #2026, 2.255” OAL, BC .295 * 150gr Nosler Partition #16329, 2.255” OAL, BC .387 150gr Federal Fusion BSP #FB308F1, 2.255” OAL, BC .387 ** 150gr Sierra FNPH #2000, 2.155” OAL, BC .185 150gr Sierra RNPH #2135, 2.175” OAL, BC .200 150gr Remington RN CoreLokt, 2.175” OAL 150gr Berry FMJ #70631, 2.250” OAL 150gr Speer TMJ #308150TMJ, 2.250” OAL 150gr Winchester PP #WB30PP150, 2.255” OAL
* denotes a very good bullet choice, ** denotes my personal GO TO bullets
BWilson, that's a great list of bullets and OAL. I know it's advertising for you, but good info regardless for the rest of us.
Does the 300 Hamr use the same dies as the 7.62x40, just backed off a bit, or did you have new dies made just for that cartridge? Have you done any testing of the 130gr Mk319 SOST bullet in either the 300 Hamr or 7.62x40? Nose length is similar to the 125 TNT so it looks like it'd fit, and I'd guess it should be pretty effective on pigs.
Also - will the 7.62x40 accomodate the 125gr NBT in normal AR mags (2.260" max)? I'm sorta interested in the x40 just for that bullet, if it fits.
Not that I need another of these, but I'm always interested in building wildcats like this and do it because I want to rather than any particular need for hunting or whatever. I appreciate whatever info you have time to share.
I tired, a 300 BO round is too short to head space correctly in a HAM'R and won't fire. I don't think a 300 HAM'R will even close the bolt in a BO.
Right now, Wilson Combat is your choice for barrels, but a lot of people are looking at this cartridge and that could change at any time. Personally, I choose WC barrels for all of my AR projects. They are reasonably priced even when they aren't on sale.
Yes, a 125 gr. Nosler BT will work well in the 7.62x40WT. I have used that bullet in one of mine for years. I have been a fan of the 7.62x40 ever since WC brought it out. I will always keep one for sentimental reasons but it sees little use since I've started shooting the 300 HAM'R.
BWilson, that's a great list of bullets and OAL. I know it's advertising for you, but good info regardless for the rest of us.
Does the 300 Hamr use the same dies as the 7.62x40, just backed off a bit, or did you have new dies made just for that cartridge? Have you done any testing of the 130gr Mk319 SOST bullet in either the 300 Hamr or 7.62x40? Nose length is similar to the 125 TNT so it looks like it'd fit, and I'd guess it should be pretty effective on pigs.
Also - will the 7.62x40 accomodate the 125gr NBT in normal AR mags (2.260" max)? I'm sorta interested in the x40 just for that bullet, if it fits.
Not that I need another of these, but I'm always interested in building wildcats like this and do it because I want to rather than any particular need for hunting or whatever. I appreciate whatever info you have time to share.
You can load new 300 HAM'R cases with 7.62x40 dies, but they won't size the base fully on fired cases. We offer both Lee and RCBS 300 HAM'R dies along with case gages, etc...
No I haven't tried the 130gr MK319 SOST bullet.
There is quite a bit of info on the 300 HAM'R gun pg of wilsoncombat.com
