Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR in a Rugwr 10/22. Pretty good ammo for being bulk packed

Published on June 28, 2025
Duration: 9:15

This review tests Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR ammunition in a Ruger 10/22 rifle and various handguns. While accuracy in the rifle was impacted by scope issues and unstable bipods, the ammunition demonstrated good reliability overall, with only minor light load issues reported across 150 rounds in the 10/22 and 325 rounds in handguns. The ammunition performed exceptionally well in a Ruger LCP2 but was less reliable in a Walther P22Q, highlighting potential firearm-specific compatibility.

Quick Summary

Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR ammunition offers surprisingly good quality for bulk packaging. It demonstrated strong reliability in a Ruger 10/22 and a Ruger LCP2, with only minor light load issues. However, performance can vary significantly between firearms, as seen with its poor showing in a Walther P22Q.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Ruger 10/22 Setup
  2. 00:38Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR Ammo Details
  3. 01:05100 Yard Accuracy Shooting (Ruger 10/22)
  4. 02:14Accuracy Group Analysis & Bipod Stability
  5. 03:19Steel Plate Shooting (Close Range)
  6. 04:52Ammunition Performance Impressions
  7. 05:32Handgun Defense Load Potential
  8. 05:44Walther P22Q & Ruger LCP2 Testing
  9. 08:21Overall Reliability & Light Load Summary
  10. 08:53Bulk Ammo Quality vs. Premium
  11. 09:08Handgun Testing Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR ammunition in semi-automatic firearms?

Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR generally shows good reliability. In a Ruger 10/22, only four light loads were noted in 150 rounds. Across 325 rounds in handguns, including a Ruger LCP2, only five or six light loads were observed, with no misfires or duds.

Does Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR perform well in handguns?

Performance varies by handgun. The Ruger LCP2 performed exceptionally well, consuming the ammunition without issues. However, the Walther P22Q was less reliable, indicating that this particular firearm is very sensitive to ammunition types.

What are the potential drawbacks of Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR bulk ammunition?

As bulk ammunition, Federal Hammer Down is not manufactured to the same stringent quality standards as premium options like CCI Mini-Mag. This can lead to a higher incidence of light loads that may not fully cycle the action, though this specific batch performed well.

Can Federal Premium Hammer Down 22LR be used as a defensive round in .22 handguns?

The reviewer considered it for this purpose, hoping its nickel-plated cases would offer reliability similar to CCI Stingers. While it performed well in a Ruger LCP2, its performance in other firearms like the Walther P22Q suggests it may not be universally suitable for all .22 defensive handguns.

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