300 HAMR Load Data

Reliable .300 HAM’R load data can be found directly through pressure-tested resources published by Wilson Combat, Sierra Bullets (Sixth Edition manual), and Western Powders. Published load data normally includes the specific .30-caliber bullet, cartridge overall length (COAL), powder type, starting charge, maximum charge, and expected muzzle velocities out of designated test barrels (commonly 16 inches or 18 inches). Common bullet weights covered in these data sets range from lightweight 110-grain varmint and tactical bullets up to 150-grain bonded hunting projectiles. Major powder manufacturers and publishers providing .300 HAM’R info favor propellants like Hodgdon CFE BLK, Accurate 1680, and Shooters World SOCOM. Load data varies between sources due to minor differences in brass capacity (often formed from .223 Remington/5.56 NATO brass), primer selection, and individual chamber freebore dimensions.

300 HAMR Load Data

Bullet	Bullet Weight	Powder	Published Starting Load	Published Maximum Load	Published Velocity	Barrel Length	Source
Sierra HP	110 grain	Hodgdon CFE BLK	24.6 gr	27.3 gr	2,550 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Hornady SP	110 grain	Accurate 1680	26.6 gr	29.5 gr	2,650 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Hornady FMJ	125 grain	Hodgdon CFE BLK	24.3 gr	27.0 gr	2,450 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Speer TNT	125 grain	Accurate 1680	23.9 gr	26.5 gr	2,375 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Sierra HP	135 grain	Hodgdon CFE BLK	24.2 gr	26.9 gr	2,400 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Speer Bonded	135 grain	Accurate 1680	23.8 gr	26.4 gr	2,350 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Hornady SST	150 grain	Hodgdon CFE BLK	23.4 gr	25.8 gr	2,275 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd

Understanding The .300 HAM’R Load Data

When examining a .300 HAM’R load data chart, each data point provides critical safety markers established through laboratory pressure testing.

• Starting load: The minimum recommended powder charge formulated to ensure safe ignition, complete powder burn, and clean case sealing without sticking bullets in the bore.
• Maximum published load: The highest powder charge tested under SAAMI or developer pressure guidelines (operating at a max of 55,000 psi). Never exceed this figure.
• Velocity:Measured muzzle speed in feet per second (fps) generated by specific barrel configurations.
• Pressure:The .300 HAM’R is designed to handle up to 55,000 psi, mirroring standard 5.56 NATO pressures to achieve near .30-30 Winchester performance levels.
• Bullet weight:Ranging typically from 110 grains to 150 grains, tailored specifically to fit AR-15 magazine length constraints (maximum 2.260 inches COAL for standard setups).
• Powder: Efficient intermediate rifle or heavy pistol powders designed to burn completely within a short tactical barrel length.
• Barrel length:Standardized reference length (frequently 18 inches for maximum velocity datasets).

Variations between published manuals occur because different entities use distinct brass conversion thicknesses (since HAM’R brass is often formed from resized 5.56/.223 cases) and different lot numbers of powder.

.300 HAM’R Bullet Weight Load Data

Because the .300 HAM’R was engineered by Bill Wilson (Wilson Combat) to bridge the gap between the 5.56 NATO and the .308 Winchester inside an AR-15 platform, bullet selection focuses heavily on optimized short-to-medium-range terminal ballistics.

• 110 grain: The flagship weight for velocity and flat trajectory. Common variants include the Hornady V-MAX, Sierra Hollow Point, and Barnes TSX.Published velocities reach up to 2,650 fps. Ideal for varmints and light-to-medium game.
• 125 grain:A balanced mid-weight tier featuring bullets like the Speer TNT and Hornady FMJ.Published maximum velocities hover around 2,425 to 2,475 fps. Perfect for general target shooting and medium-range deer hunting.
• 130 to 135 grain:Includes specialized game bullets like the Speer HAM’R Hot-Core or Sierra HP, optimized to retain weight and expand effectively at standard HAM’R impact velocities.
• 150 grain: The heavy end of standard magazine-compatible data. Bullets like the Hornady SST or Speer Gold Dot / HAM’R Bonded variants achieve published velocities around 2,250 to 2,275 fps, offering deep penetration on hogs and larger deer.

.300 HAM’R Powder Load Data

Selecting the correct propellant is vital due to the case capacity limits of the cartridge.

Powder	Bullet	Bullet Weight	Published Starting Load	Published Maximum Load	Published Velocity	Source
Hodgdon CFE BLK	Sierra HP	110 gr	24.6 gr	27.3 gr	2,550 fps	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Accurate 1680	Hornady SP	110 gr	26.6 gr	29.5 gr	2,650 fps	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Shooters World SOCOM	Hornady V-MAX	110 gr	22.5 gr	25.0 gr	2,525 fps	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Hodgdon CFE BLK	Hornady FMJ	125 gr	24.3 gr	27.0 gr	2,450 fps	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Accurate 1680	Speer TNT	125 gr	23.9 gr	26.5 gr	2,375 fps	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Hodgdon CFE BLK	Hornady SST	150 gr	23.4 gr	25.8 gr	2,275 fps	Wilson Combat / Scribd

Do not assume data mapped to a 110-grain flat-base bullet can be transferred directly to a 110-grain boat-tail or monolithic copper bullet, as internal seating depth and bearing surfaces differ drastically.

.300 HAM’R Bullet And Powder Combinations

Safe handloading relies heavily on strict adherence to component matching:

• Case source and volume: Because many reloaders form .300 HAM’R brass by trimming and resizing standard .223 Remington/5.56 brass, internal capacities can vary based on the original brass manufacturer’s wall thickness.
• Cartridge Overall Length (COAL): When feeding from a standard AR-15 magazine, strict adherence to a maximum length of 2.260 inches (or specific bullet recommendations like 2.175″ to 2.255″) prevents jamming into the lands and dangerous pressure spikes.
• Primers: Most published recipes call for standard Small Rifle primers, though minor variations exist depending on the manual.

.300 HAM’R Velocity From Published Data

Bullet	Bullet Weight	Powder	Published Max Load	Muzzle Velocity	Barrel Length	Source
Hornady SP	110 gr	Accurate 1680	29.5 gr	2,650 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Sierra HP	110 gr	CFE BLK	27.3 gr	2,550 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Hornady FMJ	125 gr	CFE BLK	27.0 gr	2,450 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd
Hornady SST	150 gr	CFE BLK	25.8 gr	2,275 fps	18″	Wilson Combat / Scribd

Always verify whether a recorded velocity comes from factory pressure testing or casual chronograph tracking. Ballistic calculator predictions should never replace empirical data.

.300 HAM’R Load Data By Barrel Length

The .300 HAM’R achieves exceptional powder burn efficiency in short-to-medium barrels. While origin testing by Wilson Combat frequently references 18-inch barrels to optimize velocity and gas port dwell time, many users shoot from 16-inch or 14.5-inch carbine configurations. Shorter barrels will inherently drop muzzle velocity by approximately 25 to 40 fps per inch lost, depending on the powder choice.

.300 HAM’R Energy And Ballistics

Based on manufacturer-published data for the 110-grain Hornady SP / V-MAX load leaving an 18-inch barrel at 2,600 fps:

• Muzzle:2,600 fps / 1,651 ft-lbs energy
• 100-yard: ~2,151 fps / 1,130 ft-lbs energy
• 200-yard: ~1,750 fps / 748 ft-lbs energy

Performance metrics change substantially when shifting to heavier 135-grain or 150-grain payloads designed to retain energy for longer distances on medium game.

.300 HAM’R Load Data For Hunting

The .300 HAM’R is widely recognized as an exceptional white-tail deer and feral hog cartridge within the AR-15 architecture. Published loads emphasizing 110-grain to 135-grain bonded or soft-point bullets deliver rapid expansion and deep tissue damage within normal hunting envelopes (0 to 300 yards), rivaling traditional .30-30 Winchester ballistics.

Manufacturer Data vs Independent Testing

• Manufacturer data: Formulated via piezoelectric pressure barrels by origin designers (Wilson Combat) and major bullet companies (Sierra). This is the benchmark for safe maximums.
• Independent testing & user reports: Sourced from hobbyist forums. These should be approached with extreme caution, as components, brass conversions, and ambient temperatures can shift pressures unpredictably.

.300 HAM’R Pressure And Safety

Operating at a maximum average pressure of 55,000 psi, the .300 HAM’R leaves little room for error. Because case dimensions are tight and modified from small-format brass, substituting components or ignoring starting loads can quickly cause flattened primers, sticky extraction, or catastrophic failure. Always work up safely from published minimums.

Best Sources For .300 HAM’R Load Data

1. Wilson Combat Official Data Guides: The primary authoritative origin for .300 HAM’R specifications.
2. Sierra Bullets Reloading Manual (Edition 6): Features dedicated, pressure-tested lab data for a wide array of .300 HAM’R weights.
3. Western Powders / Hodgdon Online Resources:Provides verified powder charge limits for CFE BLK and Accurate 1680.

Common .300 HAM’R Load Data Questions

Where can I find .300 HAM’R load data?

Directly from Wilson Combat’s technical guides, Sierra’s Sixth Edition manual, and powder distributor data sheets.

What powders work best in the .300 HAM’R?

Hodgdon CFE BLK and Accurate 1680 are universally recognized as the top performing propellants for this cartridge.

Can I use .300 AAC Blackout data for the .300 HAM’R?

No. The .300 HAM’R handles higher powder charges and operates differently; cross-cartridge data substitution is unsafe.

What is the maximum pressure limit?

The cartridge is rated for a maximum average pressure of 55,000 psi.

Final Verdict

Reloaders utilizing the .300 HAM’R should strictly rely on verified data from Wilson Combat, Sierra, and primary powder manufacturers. Because the cartridge operates at high rifle pressures inside a compact AR-15 case framework, cross-referencing component specifics—such as brass conversion source and COAL—is critical to ensuring safe, reliable handloading results.