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

001 DMASP W Cover 01
001 DMASP W Cover 01

Review: Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway Survival Pistol

Simple, refined and affordable, this handy bolt-action survival pistol can boldly go into packs and bags where takedown rifles might not fit.

First Look: Vortex Ranger HD 3000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binocular

The Vortex Ranger HD 3000 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binocular combines modern HD optics with precise ranging capabilities, all in a compact platform that keeps hands free to hunt.

NBEF Updates Educational Materials

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) recognizes more hunters are exploring the use of hunting saddles and, in response, recently added safety information for using the devices to its educational materials.

Hunting Gear Guide: Made in the USA

Check out a great lineup of hunting gear, al made right here in the USA.

Federal Adds Three New Loads to Hi-Bird Fiber Wad

Federal Ammunition has recently added three load options to its Premium Hi-Bird Fiber Wad shotshells.

#SundayGunday: Winchester Repeating Arms Xpert Suppressor Ready

Looking for a smooth shooting little rimfire to take on squirrel and other varmint? Want it chambered in a highly-accurate rimfire round, updated for the 21st Century? Welcome to this week’s #SundayGunday, where we’re checking out the Xpert, from Winchester Repeating Arms, chambered in .21 Sharp.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.