New for 2025: Federal Hammerdown .22 LR

by
posted on January 18, 2025
** 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. **
22HAM 22LR Hammerdowncphp 325 Rounds Combo R3

Who doesn’t love a lever-action rimfire rifle? Apparently there aren’t too many folks who’d fall into that category, as the sales on Winchester 9422 are certainly impressive, and the Henry Rifle website lists no less than a dozen different models, with over a million sold. Those little lever guns, with their tubular magazines, are a ton of fun to shoot until you come across that brand of ammo that doesn’t like to feed well.

Federal Premium has offered centerfire lever guns their own series of ammunition, with the HammerDown line being designed to best function through that style of rifle. Until now, all the ammunition in that line has been centerfire, but that has all changed with the recent introduction of the .22 LR HammerDown ammunition.

Federal Hammerdown .22 LR

The line uses the same nickel-plated cases (corrosion-free cartridges go a long way in feeding easiest from a tubular magazine) as does the centerfire stuff, and the 40-grain copper-plated lead hollowpoint will be a familiar sight to those who enjoy the effective terminal ballistics that bullet offers. Federal has optimized the powder charge for the best performance in common lever gun barrels, with initial adverts indicating the ammunition will produce 1,200 fps at the muzzle.

Federal Premium packages the 22 LR HammerDown in 325-round count boxes, and though it is designed for best use in lever-action rifles, it will perform just as fine in the autoloaders, bolt guns, and handguns alike. Squirrels and rabbits beware! MSRP for the 325-round box of HammerDown 22 LR is $39.99. Learn more at federalpremium.com.

Latest

Spandau RL Chris Olsen
Spandau RL Chris Olsen

New for 2026: Spandau Arms RL

Long renowned for its scatterguns, Spandau Arms has now entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Remington 700-pattern clone, dubbed the RL.

New for 2026: CZ 600+ ST3 American

CZ Firearms is off to a hot start in 2026 with a switch-barrel rifle system patterned off its successful Model 600.

CVA Expands Optima and Scout Lines for 2026

CVA is rolling out its new XP and XP‑SB Series, bringing updated ergonomics and enhanced adjustability to both its muzzleloader and single‑shot centerfire platforms.

Dead Air Silencers Unveils the Nomad Ti Over-the-Barrel Suppressor

This new .30-caliber suppressor from Dead Air goes over the barrel, to only add 4.6 inches to the end of your rifle.

Hot From SHOT: The Best New Hunting Shotguns of 2026

If you're back with us, fresh off of yesterday's SHOT show coverage, welcome back. If you're just checking in with us for the first time, be sure to go back and check out our roundups of the best rifles, optics and bowhunting gear to come out of the show so far this year. Today, however, read on to see the best shotguns of SHOT 2026, compiled by longtime contributor and diehard hunter, Brad Fitzpatrick. 

Nosler Whitetail Country Line Extensions

For 2026, Nosler has seen fit to extend its Whitetail Country line, and Phil Massaro likes their choices. Read on for more.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.