New Federal Ammo for Henry Levers

[GunnyGene]

New Federal ammo developed in cooperation with Henry. Calling it "HammerDown".

Excerpt:

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/202 ... tion-line/



The HammerDown hunting ammunition line was developed in cooperation with Henry Repeating Arms. These loads have been optimized to provide maximum performance in typical lever-action rifle barrel lengths. The bonded soft point and hollow bullets have also been tuned to have a maximum expansion, weight retention and accuracy at those velocities. These cartridges are also nickel plated for utmost corrosion resistance and smooth extraction. On top of the tuned ballistics and coating, the cartridge design itself has been slightly tweaked. Particularly, in order to ensure a smoother loading via King’s patent side gates, the cartridge rims are ever so slightly tapered (see the below-embedded image). It should not affect the headspace because there is still plenty of rim surface to headspace off of. However, it makes a huge difference when loading the gun and I assume when cycling the action too. I fired .30-30 Winchester HammerDown rounds at SHOT Show 2020 range day, and when loading the side gate, you can tell right away how smooth the cartridges glide into the tubular magazine.

Federal HammerDown ammunition will be available in the following calibers, bullet weight options and MSRPs (all prices are for 20 round boxes).

357 Magnum, 170 grain ($19.99)
327 Federal, 127 grain ($19.99)
44 Magnum, 270 grain ($19.99)
45 Colt, 250 grain ($19.99)
30-30 Winchester, 150 grain ($19.99)
45-70 Government, 300 grain ($38.99)

[Vaquero]

I'd like to try those 44's, wonder if they will release the bullets for us hand loaders?
That's the only one that interest me.

I like 170 gr in my 30-30s'.

RP

[BigAl52]

It will be interesting to see tests on these when they come out. Im sure they will be tested by someone on Youtube.

[Rifletom]

That's a good variety of cartridges for non handloader to try. Reasonable prices also. I like the way this lever market is going. Good on Henry and Federal.

[fortyshooter]

Will be interesting to see what's different in the pistol caliber ammo regarding the bullet itself.

[Vaquero]

Wonder how many rounds pre box of the handgun cal.
If 20, not that great.

RP

[John E Davies]

I hope they will sell the brass for reloaders, but not in nickel please....

Has anyone read the .327 Federal ballistic specs? They do not mention it.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[John E Davies]

Wonder how many rounds pre box of the handgun cal.
If 20, not that great.

RP

20 round boxes as mentioned above. They have to pay for the R&D and the extra time machining the rims somehow, plus it is a fairly small niche market.

If a lever gun owner had a small hobby lathe he could EASILY duplicate these cases very quickly.

And he could make a decent business selling them I think. Tho the Federal patent might be a worry.... but can you even patent something as simple as a bevelled or chamfered rim?

John Davies
Spokane WA

[fortyshooter]

I looked at the .45 Colt and .44 Mag info and they really have got some great speed for those bullet weights....45 Colt 250 gr. at 1400 FPS!
Would be 1000 or so out of a 5.5 inch revolver. Assume it's safe for a 1873 Winchester type rifle with the toggle link bolt.

[Hatchdog]

.327 Fed Mag in an initial release. That’s surprising. Looks like the caliber may be making a resurgence, Ruger is building it in the GP-100 again. Kinda like the 10mm.

[Vaquero]

I'm just not much of a jacketed bullet shooter so they have little appeal to me.
Other than the 44, because as much as I've tried I have yet to find a cast load my BBB likes.

RP

[Mags]

.
I like the part about the tapered cartridge rim. Should help minimize inner magtube hang up on rims.

Note the taper/chamfer of the HammerDown rim.

[Rifletom]

I'm just not much of a jacketed bullet shooter so they have little appeal to me.
Other than the 44, because as much as I've tried I have yet to find a cast load my BBB likes.

RP

Randy, I saw this about your .44 not liking cast loads. I called a bud in Idaho about that and he loads a Keith style 250gr SWC and 19.5 gr 2400 and gets real good results from it out of his Ruger BH and Marlin rifle. Those are Leadhead bullets in Kansas. Brinell is 15-18. Plain base. Maybe worth a try?
Could also look up Chuck Hawkes on .44 mag loads.

[Vaquero]

Thanks Tom, I do have some Keith style 250's around here somewhere, I will give that load a try.

RP

[Rifletom]

Thanks Tom, I do have some Keith style 250's around here somewhere, I will give that load a try.

RP

Dang! I remember reading on somewhere where those Keith bullets may be a bit long for the Henry rifle. I think fortyshooter mentions this. Sorry about that.

[JEBar]

its good to hear about Federal and Henry working together .... I have a great deal of respect for both companies and am looking forward to hearing reports on how well they perform in real world shooting .... I might try some of their brass if it becomes available but it would take multitudes of glowing reports of a supernatural level of performance for me to try their bullets .. .. at roughly a dollar a bullet for their loaded pistol caliber ammo its a bit on the expensive side for our pocketbook

[fortyshooter]

Thanks Tom, I do have some Keith style 250's around here somewhere, I will give that load a try.

RP

Dang! I remember reading on somewhere where those Keith bullets may be a bit long for the Henry rifle. I think fortyshooter mentions this. Sorry about that.

I loaded up a batch and the COL is 1.700 and it would not feed.

[Rifletom]

Thanks Tom, I do have some Keith style 250's around here somewhere, I will give that load a try.

RP

Dang! I remember reading on somewhere where those Keith bullets may be a bit long for the Henry rifle. I think fortyshooter mentions this. Sorry about that.

I loaded up a batch and the COL is 1.700 and it would not feed.

There it is! Hope Randy sees this before he loads any up. Thanks forty.

[BigAl52]

Leadheads also makes that Bullet in a 240 gr. You might think about those Randy

[Vaquero]

I already have them loaded, I just seated them a little deeper, like the 320's I was playin with the other day. 1.635
So the accuracy may still not be there, no trying them today though.
As it's still raining pretty good.

RP