Range Tested: Federal Premium HammerDown Ammunition

by
posted on September 25, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
There are few things more important to a hunter than what sort of ammunition is taken into the field. From what runs best in a particular gun, to ballistic characteristics, to terminal performance, everything plays a factor in the final decision. For a while, lever-action hunters have had to deal with a few compromises, due to their preferred firearm's unique loading system. They are forced to no longer. With the introduction of HammerDown ammunition, by Federal Premium, lever-action hunters have a cartridge designed specifically to maximize their effectiveness in the field.

Federal HammerDown .45-70 Gov't

A line targeted at the full spectrum of lever-action aficionados, HammerDown includes not just traditional rifle calibers, like .45-70 Gov't. and .30-30 Win., but also pistol calibers, like .327 Mag., .357 Mag., .44 Mag. and .45 Colt. To design these cartridges, Federal teamed up with the lever-gun experts over at Henry Repeating arms, to determine the characteristics needed to make a cartridge load, feed and shoot reliably every time.

Federal HammerDown .44 Magnum

Cases are nickel plated to resist corrosion, and have had their case rims chamfered to reduce snags in loading and feeding; bullets are either molecularly bonded soft-points or hollow-points, depending on caliber. These feature reliable expansion and near-total weight retention, for deep and devastating wound channels. While loads for the available rifle calibers tend toward the traditional, HammerDown pistol calibers have been loaded to optimize performance out of a rifle. This means an increase in velocity of 400-to 600-fps, thanks to the longer barrel. Further, heavy-for-caliber bullet weights are used to more efficiently increase terminal performance at these velocities.

Federal Hammerdown Rifle Trio

For more on how these cartridges fared at the range, join Executive Editor Jon Draper in this exclusive video, and for more on the HammerDown line, check out federalpremium.com.

Latest

Citori 825 Field On White
Citori 825 Field On White

#SundayGunday: Browning Citori 825 Field

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re taking a look at the next generation of the famed Browning Citori over/under shotgun, the Citori 825, and it’s got a lot more going for it than just a new number. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

New for 2025: GPO Rangeguide 10x40 Upgrade

German Precision Optics (GPO) has upgraded its popular Rangeguide lineup of rangefinding binoculars.

More Montana Deer and Elk Hunters Afield on Opening Day

More sportsmen and sportswomen were afield than last year when Montana’s 2025 general rifle big-game season opened to cool and windy conditions on Oct. 25. Despite the increased participation. success rates also improved.  

Calling Bull Elk in Rifle Season

Calling may not only get a bull to reveal its whereabouts but also spur rut-like activity not many rifle hunters witness.

Nosler Expands Whitetail Country Line

Nosler has announced the expansion of its Whitetail Country Ammunition line.

Game Departments Warning Hunters About AI-Generated Misinformation

Two states are warning hunters to not rely on the artificial intelligence-generated responses that appear after a web search for state regulations, as they are often incorrect and increase the risk of sportsmen unknowingly violating game laws.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.