Ammo Reports Team
| Official Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Federal |
| Cartridge | 45-70 Government |
| Product Line | HammerDown |
| Bullet Name / Bullet Type | Bonded Soft Point |
| Bullet Weight | 300 gr |
| SKU / Part Number / Item Number | LG45701 |
| UPC | 604544658361 |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1,850 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,280 ft-lb |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | 0.290 |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Nickel-plated brass |
| Primer | Not found |
| Reloadable | Not found |
| Test Barrel Length | Not found |
| Zero Distance | 100 yd |
| Sight Height | 1.5 in |
| Intended Use | Hunting – deer, black bear and feral hog |
| Product Status | Current manufacturer listing |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70; Winchester Super-X 45-70 Government 300 gr JHP; Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 Government 405 gr SP (29473, Reduced Pressure); Buffalo Bore Heavy 45-70; HSM Bear Load 45-70 Government 430 gr RNFP Gas Check |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Ballistics Table – 100-Yard Zero
Calculated reference – not manufacturer data. G1 point-mass reference using BC 0.290, 1,850 fps muzzle velocity, 300 gr bullet, 100-yard zero and 1.5-inch sight height. Atmosphere: sea level, 59 F, 29.92 inHg, dry air, no wind. The 25-yard rows use shape-preserving interpolation between calculated 50-yard outputs.
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1,850 | 2,280 | -1.5 |
| 25 | 1,787 | 2,127 | +0.1 |
| 50 | 1,725 | 1,983 | +0.7 |
| 75 | 1,665 | 1,847 | +0.5 |
| 100 | 1,607 | 1,720 | 0.0 |
| 125 | 1,550 | 1,601 | -1.5 |
| 150 | 1,496 | 1,491 | -4.1 |
| 175 | 1,444 | 1,389 | -7.6 |
| 200 | 1,394 | 1,294 | -12.1 |
| 225 | 1,346 | 1,207 | -17.7 |
| 250 | 1,301 | 1,127 | -24.5 |
| 275 | 1,258 | 1,055 | -32.6 |
| 300 | 1,218 | 989 | -42.1 |
Key takeaway: This table is a trajectory reference under the stated conditions, not a terminal-performance test or a recommended maximum hunting range.
The HammerDown Design and Why It Exists
Federal describes modified case geometry, a chamfered case and nickel plating, developed with Henry for lever-action feeding systems. These features are part of the manufacturer’s design description, not a guarantee of operation in every individual firearm.
The bonded soft point bullet construction bonds the lead core to the copper jacket during manufacturing, preventing core-jacket separation on impact — a meaningful advantage when hunting heavier-bodied game like black bear or feral hogs where the bullet may encounter heavy bone before reaching vitals. This is not a general-purpose design repurposed for lever guns; the entire package — case, primer, crimp, and bullet profile — was engineered around the mechanical demands of the lever-action platform.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Deer hunting at ranges inside 150 yards from a lever-action rifle
- Black bear and feral hog hunting where deep penetration and controlled expansion are priorities
- Mixed woodland and brush hunting where the heavy bonded bullet resists deflection
- Hunters who cycle ammunition through a tube-magazine lever gun and need reliable feeding
- Guides and outfitters who want a dependable, purpose-built lever-action load
Not the right tool for:
- Shots beyond 200 yards, where trajectory drop becomes difficult to compensate without a ranging solution
- Varmint or predator hunting where over-penetration or pelt damage is a concern
- Bolt-action or single-shot rifles where the tube-magazine-specific engineering provides no advantage over standard loads
- Hunters who require lead-free ammunition for compliance with California Condor Zone or other non-toxic regulations — this is a lead-core bullet
- Shooters seeking the highest muzzle velocity in 45-70 — 300 gr loads optimized for lever-action pressure limits will not match the velocity of loads designed for Ruger No. 1 or other strong-action platforms
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Manufacturer descriptions establish construction and intended use, not independently measured reliability. No structured results for this exact product are recorded on this page.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Advertised Velocity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady LEVERevolution 45-70 | 325 gr | FTX (Flex Tip) | Not verified | Not verified | Polymer flex tip; safe in tube magazines; higher BC than round-nose designs |
| Winchester Super-X 45-70 Government 300 gr JHP | 300 gr | Jacketed Hollow Point | Not verified | 1,880 fps | Budget alternative; hollow point; not bonded; widely available |
| Remington Core-Lokt 45-70 Government 405 gr SP (29473, Reduced Pressure) | 405 gr | Core-Lokt Soft Point | 0.281 | 1,330 fps | Core-Lokt – Reduced Pressure; exact product and conditions are documented on its linked page. |
| Buffalo Bore Heavy 45-70 | 300 gr | JFN | Not verified | Not verified | Premium heavy-duty load; designed for Marlin 1895; higher pressure rating |
| HSM Bear Load 45-70 Government 430 gr RNFP Gas Check | 430 gr | Hard-cast Round Nose Flat Point, gas check | 0.230 | 1,801 fps | Designed for dangerous game defense; very heavy, very slow; different use case |
FAQ
Does the bonded construction in this load make a meaningful difference compared to standard soft points for deer hunting?
Federal describes a molecularly bonded soft point designed for lever-action velocities. The stated design purpose is controlled expansion and weight retention; no matched terminal test here establishes a universal advantage over every conventional soft point.
Is this load safe to use in all 45-70 lever-action rifles, including older or vintage Trapdoor Springfield actions?
Cartridge designation alone does not establish firearm compatibility. Follow the ammunition and firearm manufacturers’ instructions for the exact load and firearm; a low advertised velocity is not proof of a low pressure rating.
How does HammerDown compare directly to Hornady LEVERevolution in the 45-70 for hunting purposes?
HammerDown LG45701 is a 300 gr bonded soft point at 1,850 fps with G1 BC 0.290. Hornady’s 325 gr FTX is a separate lead-core Flex Tip load with G1 BC 0.230. The previous higher-BC claim for FTX was incorrect.
Why does Federal market HammerDown specifically for lever-action rifles rather than all 45-70 platforms?
Federal describes modified case geometry, a chamfered case and nickel plating, developed with Henry for lever-action feeding systems. These features are part of the manufacturer’s design description, not a guarantee of operation in every individual firearm.
Is this load compliant for hunting in states or zones that require non-toxic (lead-free) ammunition?
The projectile contains lead and is not a lead-free alternative. Check the current hunting rules for the location and species; this article does not establish regulatory approval.
