Federal HammerDown Ammo Line – First Look

Federal announced its new HammerDown ammo, a line designed in collaboration with Henry Repeating Arms. This full line of ammunition features molecularly bonded hunting bullets designed with velocities for optimal cycling and overall ballistic performance in lever-action rifles. At launch, HammerDown will be available in seven of the most popular lever-action cartridges including 357 Magnum, 327 Federal, 44 Rem. Magnum, 45 Colt and more.

HammerDown is specifically engineered for any and all lever guns. It is designed to function flawlessly in side-gate loading and tubular magazines. To do this, Federal chamfered the case of all HammerDown cartridges. These improved cases feature specialized geometry on the front face of the case’s rim. This difference improves cycling in all lever-action feeding systems. 

All options in the HammerDown product line feature molecularly bonded bullets. Federal’s time-tested bonding technique delivers best-in-class expansion and weight retention on impact. Since many of the products in the HammerDown lineup are traditionally handgun cartridges, Federal loaded those cartridges with heavy-for-caliber bullets and set them to increased velocities to deliver better depth of penetration when shot out of longer rifle barrels.

All other components are of the highest grades of quality in the industry. The precision-built cases feature nickel-plated brass that defeats corrosion and aids in sleek, smooth extraction in the most extreme conditions. The clean-burning, consistent powders are specially formulated to meet the most stringent specifications. Gold Medal primers are manufactured to exacting tolerances to deliver precise and reliable ignition.

HammerDown is packaged in traditional long, flat rifle ammunition boxes in 20-count quantities. Since cartridges such as 327 Federal Magnum, 357 Magnum, and 44 Rem. Magnum—traditionally known to be handgun cartridges—are now optimized for a use out of a rifle, Federal put them in rifle packaging. This move helps customers make that distinction.

All these features define HammerDown as purpose-built ammunition targeted to hunters who use lever-action rifles. HammerDown is attractively priced. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $19.99 for all cartridge offerings, except 45-70 Government which is $38.99.

For more information, visit www.federalpremium.com.