This may belong in the reloading section but it seems specific to the 300 HAM'R (for me at least). I figure there are tons of reloads of 300 HAM'R lurking on this thread.

I have been reloading for a couple of years, mostly loading 45 ACP, 10 MM and 300 BLK. Never ran into much of a problem. Along comes the 300 HAM'R, which I love but.......I reload with a Dillon 550C and using RCBS dies. I have had no issues with the RCBS Sizing Die but the seating die is all over the place. Even using my Dillon like a single stage press, the COAL can be +- .008. I am using the WC (Starline) brass and loading the Hornady 125 FMJ. I will be loading the Lehigh CC once I get the new barrel broken in. I expect to see small variations in COAL simply because of consistency/inconsistency in the olgive on the bullet. I did not expect to see that much on a Hornady bullet. I have never used Lee dies but would like some feedback on which die sets might give the best results on a progressive machine.

Any input is greatly appreciated. I am about at wits end with the RCBS dies.

You will have accuracy and powder capacity issues with this bullet due to the nose being so long and pointed. When seated to mag length of 2.260" max the bullet has way too much jump to the rifling for decent accuracy and the base is seated so deep that you will use up too much of the powder capacity. The Lehigh 115gr TME would be a better choice since it's designed specifically for the HAM'R at 2.250" OAL.

Wilson Combat has compiled a reload data sheet for just about every bullet (95gr - 150gr) that works in the 300HAM'R. It is located on the Wilson Combat website. (see link below)

WILSON COMBAT - 300 HAM'R Load Data

Yeah, I've already been warned off on those. I'll try your suggestion.

Bill,

Can you share with us why you preferred to use the TCC vs the TME on your Africa hunt?

Thanks

I didn't take any TME loads, only 125gr TCC and TXC. I shot most animals with the TCC, but I did shoot the last Wildebeest with the TXC and the base fully penetrated. To be totally honest I can't decide which of these two bullet designs I like the best??? Overall I'm not a big fan of 100% weight retention bullets since they don't incapacitate game as fast or give as much margin for shot placement error, so I haven't shot much game with the TME. The base of both bullets actually penetrate deeper than the expanded TME and I like seeing exit holes in game.

Overall I think the TCC has a "slight" advantage in accuracy and the base penetrates deeper, but the larger petals and expanding base of the TXC is sure deadly on hogs. I've shot the last 30 or so hogs (killed 8 last night) with the CC3 (same bullet with no tip) or TCC, recovered every one and most were DRT so it gets the job done!

Killed this big guy with the 125gr CC3 last night.

Thanks for the reply!

So one more follow up question - why the 125 vs the lighter options moving faster? Is it just more retained weight and therefore better penetration with the 125?

More mass = deeper penetration. Most of these bullets only need 2400fps MV to perform reliably on impact out to 250yds and I'm getting 2475fps with these 125gr bullets

I'm even testing 130gr and 135gr for the NULA rifles and a Savage LW Storm we converted to HAM'R that allow for a 2.420" OAL and the 135gr TCC-SPB (Special Purpose Bullet) is performing great.

Are you going to market the Savage barrels?

Probably, currently we're building up 12 complete Lightweight Storm rifles for sale

SWEET! got me a "spare" Savage 223 lying around.

Are they just going to be posted on the site?

Yes, we only have two host rifles in so far and they are both sold. Savage told us 4-6 week delivery on the rest of them.

There is a good chance Savage will be offering the Trail Hunter Lite in HAM'R next year.

When will you have some more 11.3" Hamr barrels ready?

Does anyone on this forum have a barrel they would sell?

Picked up a hundred of those 95gr CCs before they disappear.


You guys that are forming cases from 223/556, are you fire forming with a light load before loading for effect? I expect the shoulders will crisp up on the first firing.(the pic above is factory brass btw...)

They should be back in stock within 2 weeks

Bill,

Are you seeing about a 100fps difference between AR and bolt loads and another 100fps if you go from 16" to 20"?

Just wondering what a 20" barreled Savage could do for us.

Thanks

I don't see much velocity difference between an AR or bolt gun of the same barrel length and I don't own a gun with a barrel longer than 18". I shoot suppressed 99% of the time so most of my guns are 16". Being able to load some bullets out longer in the bolt guns should reduce pressure and allow for more velocity.

Yes, that is what I am using for all my 300 HAM'R loads....the 125 gr Hornady FMJ for range ammo and the 125 gr Lehigh Total Chaos. Their ballistics are close enough not to have to make a big adjustment switching between the two loads. I finally found that using the Dillon progressive is not optimal with the RCBS dies but finally discovered that after running through all four stages, then rerunning through the seating and crimping stages, the consistency increases dramatically. As others have talked about, I found the accuracy not all that great in load development until I got above 2400 FPS....after that the groups tightened considerably. This was on the Hornady FMJ. Learning as I go!!!!!!

I have read on here many times that the 300 Hamr was not built to shoot subs... However..Ive never seen an answer as to what would happen if a sub was shot? Terrible accuracy? Hogs would reproduce more? the 300 blackout club would revolt?? What would happen with a designed sub bullet? I am only shooting 50 yards so a little inaccuracy wouldnt bother me ....

I'd think the bullet would tumble and keyhole when you take into account of the barrel twist rates that are available.

Correct

I'd like to know more about this. I have the RCBS dies but haven't purchase a press yet (well I do have a Lee Hand Press). I was fixin to pull the trigger on a 550. Is there a better choice?

My personal observation is the Dillon presses (I had a 550) was more of a source of frustration than anything else. There was a time I was making at least 300 rounds of 45 and or 9mm a week and I put up with the headaches to save tons of time. For resizing I use an RCBS Rock Chucker since it accurately puts the rifle case shoulders where I want. For everything else I use a turret press. I have been reloading for 54 years and like the lone voice calling out from the wilderness... I would not have a Dillon press if it was free. Lots of guys love theirs so YMMV.

Thanks for the feedback. I had an XL750 that I cranked out 9mm on. No problems but I really didn't have anything else to compare it to, other than the aforementioned Hand Press. Got rid of it when all the reloading components dried up.