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

Echo With A Turkey Wing
Echo With A Turkey Wing

Know How: Hunting Fall Turkeys with your Dog

Curious about hunting fall turkeys with your dog? Join Scott Haugen as he runs through the process and tactics.

NRA Foundation Affirms the Importance of Second Amendment Philanthropy

As the year draws to a close and philanthropic giving reaches its peak, The NRA Foundation is reaffirming what has always set it apart: a steadfast commitment to independent, mission-driven philanthropy that directly supports America’s shooting sports traditions, firearm safety, and responsible gun ownership.

Range Review: Henry's U.S. Survival .22 LR Takedown Rifle

This handy little rimfire from Henry is practical, portable and enjoyable to shoot! Check out our thorough review of the rifle here.

Saiga Antelope: Conservation Success in Kazakhstan

The Saiga (antelope) in Kazakhstan has rebounded from dangerously low numbers and has been recognized as a success by the international body governing threatened and endangered wildlife.

Hardware Review: Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. BE.S.T

The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. BE.S.T. is, put simply, on the fast track to being considered a waterfowling marvel. Standing for Advanced Impact technology, the SBE 3 A.I. shoots its shot with  improved downrange results thanks to a very, very proprietary barrel technology that actually assists in energy retention for greater downrange velocity. Sounds crazy, right? That’s what I thought too; then I took the gun to Montana’s Bighorn River and had my mind blown.

Bowhunting Increases in Ohio, but a New Restriction Comes to Arizona

A crossbow harvest more than double the number taken by vertical bow in Ohio illustrates why Arizona recently repealed R12-4-216.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.