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

W H2026 07 Cape Buffalo IMG 0760
W H2026 07 Cape Buffalo IMG 0760

Cape Buffalo Hunt: The Measure of Memories

It takes too much time, effort and money to hunt Cape buffalo to rush a shot.

New for 2026: Sightmark Strikon VMP 1-4x22mm

Sightmark has released the Strikon VMP 1-4x22mm SFP Fiber V2 Prismatic Riflescope, an updated version of its original variable magnification prismatic sight developed in direct response to shooter feedback.

10 Most Versatile Long-Range Hunting Cartridges

Here’s a look at 10 of the most flexible long-range hunting cartridges.

First Look: Auto-Ordnance "Land of the Free" 250th Anniversary 1911

Auto-Ordnance, in collaboration with the artisans at Koted Arms, has announced the release of the "Land of the Free" 1911, a striking custom stainless pistol honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States.

#SundayGunday: Daniel Defense DD PCC 916

Whenever possible, take a new shooter and introduce them to America’s Rifle, the AR-15, because you never know where that first experience might lead. For Marty Daniel, it illuminated a path that would soon create Daniel Defense, one of the nation’s premier manufacturers of semi-automatic rifles. And for this range session, we’re diving into a carbine derived from Stoner’s AR-15 yet configured for pistol-caliber cartridges: the Daniel Defense DD PCC 916.

Screwworm Invasion Stalling at the Southern Border

The New World Screwworm (NWS) invasion, and the potentially devastating impact it could have on wildlife populations and the ranching industry has stalled, at least temporarily. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is confident enough in its defenses—coupled with the cooperation of officials in Mexico—that livestock from Mexico is scheduled to resume entry through the Douglas, Ariz., port on Aug. 24.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.