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

LEDE Victra 20 Modularity
LEDE Victra 20 Modularity

New for 2026: YHM Victra-20 Modular Shotgun Suppressor

Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) has announced the debut of the Victra-20, a new modular sound suppressor engineered specifically for 20-gauge single-barreled shotguns, plus new Turkey and Skeet choke options for the Victra-12.

End of Season Gear List

Did your trusty multitool disappear somewhere in the backcountry this season? Boots finally lose the last lugs on their outsole? Check out this list for some handy replacements sure to go the extra mile.

Barnett Introduces New Crossbows for 2026

Barnett is kicking off 2026 with a host of introductions, including a new crossbow in one of its most popular families, as well as a whole new crossbow series.

New for 2026: Ol' Man Outdoors Hang-On Stands

Ol'Man Outdoors has introduced two new hang-on stands: the lightweight Eagle Eye (OT-501) and the feature-rich Top Dog Deluxe (OT-504).

Perfect mARC Introduces the Navigator Whistle in Bottomland

Perfect mARC has announced the release of its flagship Navigator retriever whistle in Mossy Oak Bottomland, bringing an iconic camouflage style to a tool built for serious retriever training and hunting.

Reviewed: Montana Knife Company Speedgoat 2.0

There are thousands of knives out there to choose from. Out of the dozens of knives I personally own, this one from Montana Knife Company clearly stands out as a hunter’s top-tier tool.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.