8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
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This year, whitetail deer with 200gr Hammer Stone Hammer.
QL 8X57 Mauser
- Thread starter nvbroncrider
- Start date
8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
- 105
- 537
That's a stout bullet for light skinned deer. From my experience, matching the bullet to the given game will yield more predictable and pleasant results. I guarantee you the 150-180gr class bullets will drop your deer faster, being that they are softer bullets and actually expand rapidly, yet hold up well, dumping most of the energy in the deer. Not saying the heavier bullets wont work, but they are much better suited to moose and elk.
8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
- 130
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I agree and am definitely planning on keeping these Hammers for moose, elk, and bear. Maybe I should switch to the 160gr TTSX for the upcoming deer season or a lighter Hammer bullet. I only shoot monolithics but expansion shouldn't be an issue at all since it'll run the 150 - 180gr fast.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 4,782
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That larger open tip will flatten a whitetail. The 404gr Shock Hammer is devastating on deer.
8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
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A .458 Cal-404gr Stone Hammer®?!?!?!??!?!?! Did you use that on a whitetail? Why and what cartridge was it paired with? What did it do to the deer? Last year I used a 225 gr TSX FB out of a 358 Norma Mag on deer. Just because I wanted it to drop on the spot (it did) and not wander off onto private land.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
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460 Wby.
404gr Shock Hammer 460 Wby
I don't even want to pull the trigger on one of those 3.5 in things:oops: Dan. Same. Put it in a Mossberg pump and I will pay you to get it out of my sight and mind.
forum.nosler.com
8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
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Wow! A whale hunting cartridge used on deer!? Did you load it down with low density powders or was it a full power load? What were the internal organs of the deer like? Were the lungs/heart still edible in some areas? What was the rest of the meat in the area near the bullet wound like?
Edit: I saw the other thread. Still blows my mind.
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RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
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Just over 3000fps at the muzzle. No meat lost , just easy field dressing.
8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
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This proves that using an "overkill" setup isn't really that big of a deal. Monolithics prevent bad meat damage. That's why I like the idea of heavy bullets on deer. The lighter ones keep things cheap and comfortable on the shoulder though.
8MMX57JS
Beginner
- Apr 14, 2022
- 105
- 537
Use a 200gr copper bullet at low or moderate velocity like 2400-2500 fps and you might not get that drop on the spot result especially on light skinned animals. I'm creeping on two decades of using the 8x57 and have noted from the many deer I've taken that the heavier bullets don't drop them as often and the typical 40-60 yard death dash takes place. High velocity and heavy or light and fast change that.
8mm Enthusiast
Beginner
- Jul 6, 2025
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I am in total agreement and you make an excellent point. I will absolutely take lighter bullets out to the field for whitetail. The reason I was leaning on the 200gr Stone Hammer is because I originally bought those as a versatile all around bullet to use for when I redeem my black bear and other big game points. I don't have any experience with actually pulling the trigger with the 8x57JS on any animals and the only one deer I have shot has been with the 358 Norma Mag with the whole philosophy being DRT but your experience speaks for itself so I will definitely keep this in mind for the upcoming season and use something fast and light. I was actually carrying 120gr 6.5x55 Swedish throughout the early season but switched to the Norma later on.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
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I’ve been using Barnes and Cutting Edge for several years now. They just don’t spray lead at high velocity.
