Testing Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR in my most picky pistol- Ruger LCPII I was surprised!

Published on June 14, 2025
Duration: 6:02

This review tests Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR ammunition in a Ruger LCP II pistol, a firearm known for its pickiness. Despite being designed for hammer-fired lever-action rifles, the ammunition performed surprisingly well, with only one minor malfunction out of 78 rounds. The reviewer notes that the nickel-coated case and 1200 FPS velocity of this 40-grain roundnose hollowpoint seem to suit the LCP II, which typically prefers higher-velocity, high-quality ammunition.

Quick Summary

Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR ammunition, a 40-grain varmint round with a 1200 FPS velocity and nickel-coated case, showed surprising reliability in the Ruger LCP II pistol. Despite being designed for lever-action rifles, it functioned well in the LCP II, a firearm known for its pickiness, with only one minor malfunction out of 78 rounds.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introducing Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR
  2. 00:17Ammunition Design and Intended Use
  3. 00:32Testing in the Ruger LCP II
  4. 01:03Initial Performance Impressions
  5. 01:18Comparison with Walther P22Q Issues
  6. 02:03Other .22LR Pistols and Preferences
  7. 02:29Continued Testing in LCP II
  8. 02:51Observing a Light Load
  9. 03:12Overall Performance After 40 Rounds
  10. 03:41Magazine Loading Challenges
  11. 03:48Pleasantly Surprised by LCP II Performance
  12. 04:00Comparison with Remington Golden Bullet
  13. 04:21Testing Rounds 50 and 60
  14. 04:45Encouraging Results
  15. 04:53Malfunction Count and Remaining Rounds
  16. 05:21Final Verdict on LCP II and Hammer Down Ammo
  17. 05:39LCP II's Finicky Nature and Ammo Preferences
  18. 05:48Summary of Ammo Specs and Performance

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR perform in the Ruger LCP II pistol?

The Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR ammunition performed surprisingly well in the Ruger LCP II, a pistol known for being very picky. Out of 78 rounds fired, only one minor malfunction was observed, indicating good reliability for this specific firearm and ammunition combination.

What are the specifications of Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR ammunition?

This ammunition is a 40-grain varmint round with a stated velocity of 1200 feet per second. It features a nickel-coated case and is designed for improved cycling in hammer-fired lever-action rifles, but was tested here in a semi-automatic pistol.

Why is the Ruger LCP II considered a picky .22LR pistol?

The Ruger LCP II is considered picky because it has historically had issues with various types of .22LR ammunition. The reviewer found that only certain high-quality, higher-velocity rounds, or in this case, the Federal Premium Hammer Down with its specific characteristics, would function reliably.

Did Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR work in other pistols tested?

The Federal Premium Hammer Down .22LR ammunition experienced significant issues in a Walther P22Q, a different .22LR pistol. This contrast highlights how ammunition reliability can vary greatly between different firearm models, even within the same caliber.

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