300 WBY Loves Hammer Bullets! (My 7mm PRC still sucks)

In this video I go to the range with the 7mm PRC, 28 Nosler and 300 WBY with Hammer Bullets. I'm shooting the 170 gr HHT in 7mm PRC and 28 Nosler and the 181 gr HH in 300 WBY. Hope you enjoy the video!

[@408windrunner]

I love your 300 Wby content. I also appreciate your 7mm PRC content as well. I can admit I was getting sucked into the hype some and it just honestly depends on what folks are after. Thanks for your effort in what you do. Can’t wait for you to get your Wby Deluxe back too.

[@marcmoore4115]

I was also sucked into the hype, however, it's still high on my list for a future purchase. I only have a .308 and this week I shot a Gemsbok at 646m with it. Did well, but I'm looking for something with a bit more authority at that range and that can also do target shooting out much further... in a factory rifle (with an aftermarket chassis), firing reloaded ammo and all that without being massively powerful - I sometimes shoot 100+ rounds from my .308 in a week and my shoulder gets a little sore - so I don't see a better choice for me other than the 7 PRC.

[@WayneErickson-dg8lf]

Everything starts with Weatherby and finishes with Weatherby. Nothing more is needed 👍

[@deanroome5420]

Excellent video. Thanks for the update on the Hammer bullets. I just ordered a 300 Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 ti. Hope it shoots as well as yours.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Get some Hammer bullets, it's the easy button for accuracy

[@chrisholloman3710]

I have a Ruger American go wild in 7mm PRC and have been shooting the 170 grain Hammer HHT bullets in it. I took it out last weekend and went straight out to the 640 yard target first thing in the morning. First group was 4.75" second group was 4.2". I think your bullets are seated out a little long and if you tried an OAL of 3.125" which is the length that the guys at Hammer bullets recommended to me your groups might tighten up a little bit. Also if you have any RL 26 try working up to about 67 grains which is also the load they recommended.

[@SamuelBerryhill]

Awesome video I love me some hammer bullets be sides Barnes they are my favorite hunting bullets and hammers are the most accurate and easy bullets to load for and have very great terminal performance.thanks again man keep up the good work God bless you

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks!

[@ccfdmd]

How would you rate the terminal performance of the Hammers versus the barnes?

[@BigTimberLodge]

I love spicy content. Let me get my popcorn for the comment section.

[@TomL3grandsons]

Enjoyed this video. Seems like other channels are also finding that getting accuracy out of random 7PRCs brands have been challenging.

[@8MM.PRC.HUNTER]

That Vanguard of yours is one accurate rifle. Definitely worth the $489 you paid for it.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Yep. Thanks for watching

[@Backin_Theday]

As a reloader, you are able to extract premium quality accuracy from each cartridge and rifle you shoot. The people complaining the most are primarily "consumers", these people dont take the opportunity or time to reload and extract accuracy. This also means their evaluation of a particular cartridge is only based on consumer grade ammo and marketing biases, not reloading experience. By the way, I have discovered that consumers do not like being referred to as "consumers."

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Very good description

[@awsomedude12345678]

Agreed fully The thing is when we talk trash on companies like Hornady its because we want the market to punish them for lying in marketing. In a similar topic i bought a lot of vortex scopes before I knew they were trash now i cant sell them because nobody wants them

[@Backin_Theday]

@awsomedude12345678 Growing up only 100 miles from the Leupold factory, I have always had a bias toward that brand. I try to branch out and have a few different brands, including Vortex, but keep returning to what I know. I was disappointed when Nikon quit making scopes and have wanted to try Tract because both the founders are ex-Nikon employees, and one is local from WA state.

[@awsomedude12345678]

@eskimo_airgunner2314 i only have one Leopold and its amazing i heard they can be a little delicate but other than that they are tops

[@Hudge76]

I’d try glass bedding your PRC. That may help with the flyer issue.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Maybe

[@stephenferguson6363]

What primers are you running I had flyer issues then went to cci br2 primers and fed 210 match rather than magnum primers and my es is now under 12 and SD floating at 5.7 fps I'm shooting both 180 eldm and 180 berger target hybrids from a 20" barrel also found that n560 gave me best performance in my 7mm prc. And running peterson brass

[@aaroncrawford2457]

Vanguard is a very hi quality rifle..ive owned several all shot great. I finally got to shoot my 700 long range 7mm PRC and with 3 different factory loads all grouped closer to half inch than inch..I tried weatherby 175 gr berger elite hunter..federal 175 eldx and hornady 175 eldx. Unfortunately I don't have a chronograph..im going to try and pick up one of those garmins if I can shake loose the funds lol. Thanks for the videos i really enjoy them..keep em coming.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Very nice! Glad you have a good shooting rifle

[@allencarpenter9419]

I'm weatherby man myself. My dad loaded me up some 165 hollow points and they are shooting good tight groups. I have a 7prc b14 HMR wilderness and it shoots really good as well. Try Federal Premium in yours. They are close to what they advertise. 175 eld-x is best round ive found for 7prc

[@ccfdmd]

Good job! Recently purchased some Weatherby Factory ammo in 280 Ackley loaded with hammer bullets. I've been doing load development on this gun for a year now with Barnes lrx and I've gotten okay groups. The Weatherby Factory ammo made my handloads look like a shotgun. Curious to hear what other people are seeing regarding terminal performance as I haven't had a chance to shoot anything with this gun yet

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Cool

[@TomL3grandsons]

What make of 280 AI do you have? I’m seriously thinking of getting a Weatherby Mark V Hunter in 280 AI.

[@ccfdmd]

@TomL3grandsons I have a Fierce. Great gun.

[@rebel1988yota]

Looks like you may be seated to far out....are you having resistance when closing your bolt?? Looked that way on your video, though it is hard to tell. Most folks that shoot hammers start at a minimum 0.050 off the lands which is different than most were taught shooting cup and core bullets. Hammers like to jump.... Do a ladder test in 0.5 or 1 grain increments till you find pressure. Back off of pressure 1-2 grains depending on your powder temp sensitivity. I have found that a 5 to 10 shoot ladder test will generally shoot under 1.5 MOA....If it doesn't, change powders and repeat. We shoot a Savage ultralite in 300 wsm and it shoots sub 1/2 inch. We also have one in 6.5 creed and it shoots well too. I wouldn't change a thing on the rifle....just work the load. Hammers are awesome....!!

[@jcarry5214]

I think you have some action movement in the stock on the PRC, but I also think that gun is a flat dud. I honestly think you got lucky or found a very narrow node with the BT. Try plain hammer hunters 143 or 155 over h4831 with federal 210 primers. If that won't group wrap that thing around a mailbox post.

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

Seems like monos like a cleaned barrel. Not sure y. But ron spomer did a video on it.

[@jcarry5214]

I shoot my hammer interchangeably with match bullets and get great results. They are "light" in the barrel unlike many monos. But some guys do say their rifles like a thoroughly stripped barrel. Not my results thouugh.

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

@jcarry5214 my tikka t3 270 didn't seem to mind. But seems like hornady and barnes do significantly better on clean barrel. Never been accurate with hornady cx. Barnes are pretty good.

[@davhuf3496]

It is kinda of interesting that the state of shooting technology that 3/4" groups are disappointing! 😅

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

This is my dad's gun and he wants half MOA

[@davhuf3496]

This wasn't meant to be an attack, but a comparison to when I was growing up 1 1/2 MOA was considered great. Be well

[@thomasdaum1927]

Thanks for showing the 70 year old cartridge shoots sub 1/2 inch groups ! My 35 year old 300 WBY shoots just over 1/2 inch groups with a 180 Sierra bt at 3300 fps . Maybe I should but a ( new ) cartridge ? NOT !……….

[@dankcincy]

Nice groups!!! That Wby doesn't mess around.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks. Have you shot your 7mm PRC yet?

[@dankcincy]

@@ReloadingWeatherby No 😥 I'm suffering from a major case of blue balls over here. They sent pictures of it barreled up and with the brake timed on, got me all excited thinking I'll have it in a couple weeks and then nothing. Idk what's going on with it exactly.

[@dankcincy]

@@ReloadingWeatherby If you go over to Snipers Hide and punch "Howa 1500 7 Prc Build" into the search bar you can see it. Just googling "Snipers Hide Howa 1500 7 Prc Build" will probably pull it up.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

@@dankcincy Tell them to hurry up

[@dankcincy]

@@ReloadingWeatherby Right!? Lol We went and got into their busy season I suppose. I just have to be patient. I keep reminding myself that at the end of the day it's nothing more than a toy.

[@MrHuntermikey]

Man that WBY rifle shoots. It’s awesome

[@mammothammo7357]

My understanding of how to measure a group is measure from outside edge to outside edge of the greatest spread and then subtract the diameter of the bullet your shooting. For example, 6.5 PRC = .264 bullet diameter and your outside spread measurement is .788. So .788-.264=.524” group size

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

That's what I do now. Thanks for watching

[@jaimesanborn308]

Its actually centers of the furthest shots..

[@Stewart7516]

Not trying to split hairs here but 6.5 prc is not actually 264 measurement.. just saying but you are correct on groups measurement 👍🏽

[@ScottGostick]

Found the full. Still gotta say those hammers are 100% keyholing in the Weatherby. Its very slight in the 1st 2 shots of 2nd grouping, 3rd shot cant tell with placement. 1st shot of 1st group its subtle but visible. 2nd looks fine 3rd is extreme. All other shots throughout vid making round holes inluding the 200 AB's. I have no problem being wrong , but im reasonably confident here. Maybe shoot a few keeping them apart. Not to prove anything to me but simply to be sure. They're giving amazing groups there. So if you have no intent to use them on the game, then its only relevant to range performance and impressions the viewers may have. Cheers.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Sigh... they are not keyholing... watch the last 10 seconds of my video. Same bullet same powder. I've also ran this bullet in the Berger twist rate calculator. Has a 1.74 stability rating. Anything above 1.5 is full stability

[@paulmacghee5721]

Take a look at Guided on KZbin, Eric had good results with 7mm PRC in a Savage 110. He just did a video on 28 Nosler in the Savage too.

[@wheelchairhillbilly]

If I'm going mono it's going to be hammer always. Funnily enough, id had some very young nieces having fun putting in the tippes last winter. I would still rather shoot a good bonded bullet, though. I want to try the Speers on game, because they are quite affordable.

[@HillCountryPrecision]

It's got to be your rifle would be my guess. You've demonstrated that you're capable of sub-moa groups but your 7mm PRC just isn't a good shooter. If I remember correctly, it's a Mossberg Patriot? They aren't exactly known for their accuracy (although I'm sure some dude out there in KZbin land is going to come for my head saying "mY pAtRiOt ShOoTs InSiDe A dImE aLl DaY"). Your Weatherby is a hell of a shooter though!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

It's the rifle

[@christopherhiher5783]

You do much for a jump on the 7 prc? I don’t think it would matter because I think the barrel is that guns limiting factor. Just curious on oal

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

It had a decent amount of jump. It was loaded to 3.315"

[@ArpexOfficial]

⁠@@ReloadingWeatherbyholly shit, I thought mine were long at 3.252 with hammer hht 170. Did you find your jam measurements as Erik Cortina does it? Longest I can run them in my Seekins PH2 is 3.270. Mag length is way longer than that but the bolt wont close any longer than 3.270 lol

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

@@ArpexOfficial I'll get back to you on jam measurement

[@jcarry5214]

the hammers like a good jump. THe regular hammer hunters are more accurate than the HHT for lots of guns, no idea why, but I think that barrel is a stinky dud.

[@tylerstiltner2397]

Im surprised by this. I have a christensen ridgeline fft in 7prc. With factory ammo i can get right at 1” groups some even sub 1”. With handloaded barnes lrx 168gr. I consistently get around .6” groups. With h1000. What twist rate is that rifle?

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

1in8 twist. This rifle just doesn't shoot

[@dhooter]

You get that ring around the tops of your bullets also? From the seating die. Really erks the hell out of me. No idea why lol

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Kind of bugs me too. The only die that doesn't do it is my Hornady die

[@BigTimberLodge]

Hornady is saving the reloading world

[@Snailz5]

That 181gr Hammer Hunter has a G1 of .452 and a G7 of .232 per applied ballistics radar testing. I'd suggest the G7 since the G1 for that bullet changes a lot as the bullets flies relative to the G7. Only a 17% inflation by Hammer, nbd. You'd be better off with a 168gr TTSX for a mono with the same bc, or any of the 30 cal LRX or the 190gr Hornady CX if you want better ballistics where you can more or less run with what's on the box instead of having to assume you need to take off 15-25% like you do with Hammers.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Guess I'll need to take this out at distance to verify

[@AlphaWolf015]

The BC on hammers isn’t perfect, but the terminal performance and game is the real draw. I would recommend checking out the Hammer time forum and looking at the on game performance. Once you shoot an animal with one, you will see what makes them some of if not the best hunting bullets on the market today. BC isn’t everything

[@Snailz5]

@@AlphaWolf015 I hunt with hammers. I know they perform. They're also successful enough at this point to pay someone to shoot their bullets over radar and quit lying to their customers with wildly inflated bc numbers. I am happy to shoot a lower bc bullet in many situations since it often doesn't matter, but I don't stand for companies not being honest about their products, especially when it hurts their customers. How many people have taken a 400-500 yard shot with a hammer and completely missed low because the number on the box is 20-25% inflated? We'll never know because they won't let those reviews get posted on the site and the cult-like following on the forum will quash any dissention. I don't want to have to spend a box of buillets at extended distances trying to guesstimate my bc when I can load up another monolithic knowing the numbers on the box are likely within 5%. If I'm in a situation where longer shots are likely, I'll take another bullet and if someone asks for a rec and they want a 300 yard+ bullet, I'll steer them elsewhere.

[@sconniejohn]

What are your thoughts on retumbo? I'm planning to load Berger elite Hunter 205 grain, as I heard retumbo likes heavily bullets.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I haven't had any luck with the powder. But I know a lot of people like it.

[@Stewart7516]

I hate to say it, but i think your particular 7PRC may bennefit from cutting a couple of inches off of the barrel. Thats not ideal in a cartridge thats already shooting sub par velocities but for the sake of groups it may be your only choice. I have seen this happen in several rifles of varying calibers and the common variable is high production barrels. The fix has been cutting the barrels down until the groups improved. Most recently i witnessed this in a 300wm that was shooting 3 moa before cutting the barrel and after about 3" was removed it was shooting sub 1 moa. Barrel harmonics are a thing.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Interesting...

[@Stewart7516]

@@ReloadingWeatherby just saying I would continue chasing down a load it likes for a while before committing to shortening the barrel. But as a last resort it may save some dollars instead or rebarreling.

[@jcarry5214]

I was just thinking the same thing. He needs to bed the lug and have it recorwned maybe. But a savage 110 would be cheaper!

[@Stewart7516]

@@jcarry5214 yeah I always suggest trying to cut the barrel first since it's nearly free

[@jcarry5214]

@@Stewart7516 like just lopping it off with a grinder?

[@cw2a]

Hahaha. Afternoon Austin! ❤

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Hi CW

[@joew5792]

Just got done loading some hammers, its not a magic bullet but i have some guns that love them

[@trentjacobs90]

Have you tried H1000 in your 300 wby?

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Yes... it doesn't like the powder

[@theprfesssor]

Its seems that Mossberg is not very good rifle I'd say the only thing to do now is either make a bunch of ammo to break in the barrel and see if that helps and if not try a new rifle, You're a Weatherby guy so I'd say try them they make a vanguard in 7 PRC and they have guaranteed accuracy

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I have a nickname for the Mossberg Patriot...

[@dankcincy]

​@@ReloadingWeatherbyI bet you do. Lol

[@NomadicHacker.]

The 300 groups are beautiful, I wonder why the 7prc is so picky?

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

The rifle is a lemon

[@NomadicHacker.]

@@ReloadingWeatherby they must have pulled your free rifle out of the discard bin lol

[@garrytalley8009]

I suggest you view The Truth About 7mm PRC Velocities - Big Game Hunting Blog. He has an email from Hornady that explains they are using a different powder and the lower velocities. Sorry you are still having problems with your 7mm PRC but it's almost like you didn't want it to be good from the beginning. I purchased the same rifle you did but did not have the expectations you did about it performing with super tight groups. I am only going to shoot 162 grain Eld X bullets for hunting. You should have purchased a grade better or two on the rifle if you really wanted to give it a fair shot like a Ruger American or perhaps a CVA Cascade. That skinny barrel is no bench rifle for sure. I wait at least 5 minutes between shots to cool that skinny barrel. Still wishing you luck on finding something that works for you. I did put a EC-Tuner Brake on mine. They do work, but they can only do so much. Have a good day!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Thanks for watching Garry. I have watched the Truth about 7mm PRC velocities. I get around the same results as he does with factory ammo. I took a chance with this Mossberg... and it hasn't worked out. Oh well....

[@garrytalley8009]

@@ReloadingWeatherby You could always get a Weatherby Vangard in 7mm PRC. I think they make them.

[@drdes9609]

I’m not a Hornady fan boy at all or even a 7 prc fan but mossberg rifles just arnt accurate. I really think you should try it in another rifle.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I have featured another 7mm PRC on the channel

[@drdes9609]

@@ReloadingWeatherby still I think a Weatherby vanguard would be a better comparison. That being said I’m not getting a 7 prc.

[@chadhaupt472]

So you will pick a random powder charge or a random load data charge and a random seating depth or load data depth without doing a powder charge ladder test. picking your powder charge and doing seating depth node test and saying the gun cant shoot or its just picky of course it is you didn't do your part completely as a reloader! Factory ammo i would understand! Unbelievable this shit cracks me up! I have 621 rounds through my mossberg with 5 different powders and 7 different bullets worked up! Also barrel got 125fps faster after break in which was about 150rds for mine! Iam wanting to do 1 more bullet work up with 155gr absolute hammers but iam hesitant hammers have mixed reviews on terminal performance! Have you shot any game with hammers yet? If so how was the terminal performance? Ballistic gel testing on them was ok not great

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I did a ladder test... off camera. I don't show most of what I do at the reloading bench and at the range. I didn't even show half of what I did at the range that day. The truth is... this Mossberg Patriot is a lemon.

[@jcarry5214]

My ladder tests have always been smaller than his groups. that rifle sucks.

[@dhooter]

Expensive premium bullets that you have to assemble? Thats like using self checkout and not getting paid or a discount lol

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Hammer bullets is a very small operation... I understand the complaint

[@jcarry5214]

Just buy the non tipped. They're more accurate anyway.

[@ronlowney4700]

🤔You Might Try Sending Some Hammer Bullets To Alaskan Ballistics - Because He Can't Get His 300 WBY To Shoot and He Admits Being More Than a Little Frustrated? 😬You Might Want To Remind Him That You Aren't Using a "Match Grade Chamber" Either! 🤭

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

He is shooting a 300 Win mag. Yes I think his gun could use some Hammer bullets

[@ronlowney4700]

@@ReloadingWeatherby He Should Have Stuck With His 30-06! 😜

[@keithjordan4489]

I guess that I’m having bad luck but I just don’t trust Hammer bullets at all anymore. I just about always shoot Barnes ttsx or lrx if I can get them but bought Weatherby ammo loaded with Hammer for my 28 Nosler because I couldn’t find anything loaded with Barnes. The performance has been terrible with Hammer on game. They shoot good and are accurate but the hammers performed terribly on game. No blood trail and no fur. Nothing to trail on 2 of the 3 deer that I shot with them. The other was a perfect broadside shot in the vitals but the bullet turned and went out the backbone. I hear all of this good stuff about Hammer but I don’t trust them at all after my experience with them on game.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Darn

[@Stewart7516]

😂 trigger alert Angry 7PRC fans incoming

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

They already came

[@CountGamelok]

Dont let the prc pep squad get under your skin my friend i see some jumping down your throat about your 2 cents which you have every right to voicing. You already know my opinion on prc's so trust me im with you and your opinions. I enjoy your videos! 308 norma id like to get your opinion on that ole cal! I love mine!

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

308 Norma is a cool round. I did a video on it a long time ago.

[@CountGamelok]

@ReloadingWeatherby oh ok, nice! I thinks very underrated the accuracy and consistency I like it about alot and has good velocity, hate the 300 win mag ended up being the cherry on top for that caliber

[@jeff9062]

Those bullets aren't moving with no crimp? I seem to be struggling with aol with all copper bullets having the crimp bands, you can never get it where you want it.

[@jaimesanborn308]

The backfire challenge is 5 inside the 1" diamond or circle cold bore.. This dude didnt accomplish the challenge..

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Okay

[@amym828]

I really don't like that you're making judgements about the precision and accuracy of a whole cartridge based on the performance of one rifle and only shooting three shot groups. I get WAY better performance out of my 7 PRC rifle, but then you likely would dismiss it as you probably wouldn't want to take it hunting.

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

That's what you got out of this? If I was blindly bias towards the 7mm PRC I would have stopped shooting it after the crappy factory ammo groups and said the 7mm PRC just isn't accurate. Instead I keep wasting my money on trying to get this gun to shoot. Of course it's the gun... and not the cartridge

[@jacobdeem8187]

@@ReloadingWeatherby I think if you look at your body of work on the 7PRC it was pretty negative from the start and then you bought a cheap rifle and obviously haven't had good luck with it. I understand your limited budget so you can't have 7 different rifles in one caliber but you keep referring to the 7PRC not performing well or not fast enough and I would say that for you it hasn't but even in this video you said you had another flyer and that's kind of the story for 7PRC. I would contend that it's kind of the story for your rifle and you. Tons of people are loading it and 3000 fps and great accuracy. I watched a video just recently with the federal 7PRC ammo and it was flying. I don't even own one of these rifles in this cartidge but when you kinda take a side right from the get go and get bad results it's looks.... Skewed let's say. I do however enjoy your videos so there's that lol

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

@@jacobdeem8187 I'll be doing a video addressing this

[@everythingloud4068]

​@ReloadingWeatherby I love seeing all the cry babies come out of the woodwork if you say something bad about the all mighty prc or needmoor cartridges 😂

[@chenxili4589]

What are all these peoples problem lol

[@rickpowshuk3081]

Have had a mark 5 6.5 -300 and 300 vanguard, they both sucked

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

All of my Weatherby rifles shoot extremely well

[@chadperry4021]

Am I the first?

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Yep

[@11mchristo]

Concerning the sucky 7 PRC...Maybe your rifle sucks. Maybe your barrel sucks. Maybe Hammer bullets suck. Maybe you haven't found the seating or neck tension nodes yet...

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

It's the rifle

[@jcarry5214]

If the nodes are that evasive then the gun blows. By definition. Fyi my hammer ladder tests have been sub moa on 3 different rifles.