.360 Buckhammer
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.360 Buckhammer: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Hunting, Sport Shooting |
| Case Design | Straight-walled |
| Year Introduced | 2022 |
.360 Buckhammer: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Designed for straight-walled cartridge hunting regulations
- ✔ Improved ballistics over traditional straight-walled cartridges
- ✔ Effective for medium to large game hunting
- ✔ Compatible with existing .30-30 Winchester actions
- ✔ Lower recoil compared to larger straight-walled cartridges
Cons
- ✘ Limited firearm options compared to more established cartridges
- ✘ Less long-range capability than bottleneck cartridges
- ✘ Ammunition availability may be limited in some areas
- ✘ Higher cost compared to more common hunting cartridges
- ✘ Less versatile than some multi-purpose cartridges
.360 Buckhammer: A Comprehensive Overview
The .360 Buckhammer is a straight-walled cartridge designed for deer and hog hunting in states with restrictions on bottleneck cartridges. Developed by Remington Arms in collaboration with Hornady, this cartridge offers improved ballistics over traditional straight-walled options while maintaining compliance with hunting regulations in certain states.
Development and Design
The .360 Buckhammer was introduced in 2022 as a joint effort between Remington Arms and Hornady. It was specifically created to meet the demand for a more effective straight-walled cartridge in states that restrict the use of bottleneck cartridges for deer hunting. The cartridge is based on a shortened .30-30 Winchester case, necked up to .358 caliber.
The design of the .360 Buckhammer allows it to be used in lever-action rifles, making it an attractive option for hunters who prefer this classic firearm type. It offers improved ballistics over other straight-walled cartridges like the .45-70 Government and .444 Marlin, providing better trajectory and energy retention at longer ranges.
Performance and Applications
The .360 Buckhammer is primarily intended for medium to large game hunting, particularly deer and hogs. It delivers excellent terminal performance on these animals at ranges up to 200 yards. The cartridge typically fires bullets weighing between 180 and 200 grains, achieving muzzle velocities of around 2,400 fps with the 180-grain loads.
One of the key advantages of the .360 Buckhammer is its ability to maintain energy downrange better than many other straight-walled cartridges. This makes it effective for ethical harvests at distances that were previously challenging for hunters restricted to straight-walled ammunition.
Timeline of .360 Buckhammer Development:
.360 Buckhammer Performance Characteristics
Key performance metrics of the .360 Buckhammer cartridge:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Weight | 180-200 grains Common bullet weights for this cartridge |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,400 fps (180-grain load) Velocity varies with bullet weight and load |
| Effective Range | 200 yards Optimal range for medium to large game hunting |
| Energy Retention | 1,500 ft-lbs at 100 yards Superior to many other straight-walled cartridges |
| Recoil | Moderate Manageable in lever-action rifles |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .360 Buckhammer loads.
.360 Buckhammer: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .360 Buckhammer ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting (Medium Game) | 0-250 | Excellent for deer, hogs, and similar-sized game |
| Target Shooting | 0-300 | Suitable for mid-range target shooting |
| Brush Hunting | 0-150 | Performs well in dense vegetation due to straight-wall design |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .360 Buckhammer is designed for states with straight-wall cartridge restrictions for deer hunting. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .360 Buckhammer
The .360 Buckhammer's performance profile makes it suitable for specific applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .360 Buckhammer's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .360 Buckhammer with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .360 Buckhammer with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .360 Buckhammer with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .360 Buckhammer with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .360 Buckhammer
The .360 Buckhammer is a relatively new cartridge designed for lever-action rifles. This table compares the sectional density of different bullet weights for the .360 Buckhammer.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .360 Buckhammer | 180 | 0.200 |
| .360 Buckhammer | 200 | 0.222 |
| .360 Buckhammer | 220 | 0.244 |
| .360 Buckhammer | 250 | 0.278 |
Note: The .360 Buckhammer uses a .358 inch diameter bullet. Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The .360 Buckhammer offers good sectional density values, contributing to its effectiveness for medium to large game hunting.