Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Hammer bullets?

I am always on the search for the best bullet for a lever gun with a magazine tube for use on Alaska's moose and big bears. Easy to do for my 45-70 and .348 Ackley Improved with the great Alaska Bullet Works Bonded bullets. They make a 250 and 180 grain bullet for the .356 Win. and they are not ideal bullet weights for the small .356 Win. case in my opinion. I believe it is better served with a 210 to 220 grain bullet of good construction. If I was a state side deer and elk hunter I would use 180 or 200 grain bullets.

I read about Hammer Bullets on another thread and have been in contact with a gentlemen named Steve via e-mail about them. He said they penetrate as good as a Barnes X because the big hollow point blows the pedals off and gives 80% weight retention with good straight line penetration. He sent me two pics of a bullet from a 30-30 he pulled out of a Kudu and Wildebeast. With the pedals gone they reminded me of a solid with very small nose expansion, which explains the good penetration.

He offers a 203 and 223 grain .358 bullet for use in tubular magazines. I told him I think I could drive the 203 grain at 2,460 fps mv and the 223 grain bullet at 2,350 fps from the .356 Win. and asked him where theses bullets would get 1,800 fps impact velocity and he said 270 yards for the 223 grainer and 300 yards for the 203 grain bullet. He also said with the big 4mm hollow point nose both bullet weights would expand at 400 yards and 1,500 fps mv.

That 270-300 yards range will cover about any moose shot and most will be taken under 100 yards and closer if I need to use this cartridge on a big bear.

I am looking for info from any one that has used any of these bullets in a lever gun, would like all the gory details.

Good luck finding them.

I know Federal worked with Henry on them supposedly for the 30-30, 44 Mag, 45 Colt and 38/357 and something else that escapes me at the moment.

Henry has requested that one be made for the Long Ranger, exactly why I have no clue.

These are supposed to compete with the Leverevolution offerings that Hornady came-out-with a few years ago that have proven so successful among we leverfun hunters. Being an old school JM stamped Marlin guy myself I appreciated the Leverevolution but have been disappointed with how poorly Hornady has serviced the brand and served, or lack thereof, the needs of their loyal customers who bought-into the Leverevolution brand ... especially the 308 and 338 Marlin Express.

Federal may be filling the niche that Hornady abandoned when they started concentrating on the 6mm ARC ... and they'll (Hornady will) abandon 6mm ARC one day too, they always do.

I'd like to get my hands on some of the Hammer factory loads AND the bullet component, for reloading, but I am not holding my breath. Federal is notorious for not sharing their special load components (see flite control wads, etc.) and I especially do not expect them to share anything while this ammo shortage and components shortage is still underway.

One of the key selling points of the Leverevolution ammo was increased range/accuracy .... 50 more yards with 30/30 alone and 400 yards with the 338 MX out of a levergun no less which was delivering 30-06 expansion, energy and accuracy at that range.

One thing I have not seen are great reviews about longer range accuracy and performance out of the Hammer loads. Everything I have seen has been 100 yards or less.

Look into the Lehigh defense bullets.
They are awesome on hogs, might work for bears as well.