The 360 Buckhammer utilizes a 0.358-inch diameter bullet seated in a 1.800-inch straight-walled case, creating a maximum overall length of 2.500 inches.Designed specifically to modernize lever-action hunting rifles, typical factory bullet weights range from 180 to 200 grains.From a standard 20-inch barrel, muzzle velocities average between 2,217 fps and 2,400 fps, producing roughly 2,180 to 2,300 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.The cartridge operates safely at a SAAMI maximum pressure of 50,000 PSI and requires a standard 1:12 twist rate to properly stabilize its projectiles.By utilizing the proven 30-30 Winchester as its parent case, it maintains a 0.506-inch rim diameter, ensuring flawless feeding and extraction in lever-action platforms.
360 Buckhammer Specs
| Specification | 360 Buckhammer |
| Cartridge Name | 360 Buckhammer (360 BHMR) |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.358 inches |
| Bullet Weight | 180 grains to 220 grains |
| Case Length | 1.800 inches |
| Overall Length | 2.500 inches (maximum SAAMI) |
| Base Diameter | 0.422 inches |
| Neck Diameter | 0.380 inches |
| Rim Diameter | 0.506 inches |
| Shoulder Angle | None (Straight Wall) |
| Maximum Pressure | 50,000 PSI (SAAMI) |
| Typical Twist Rate | 1:12 |
| Typical Barrel Length | 20 inches |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,217 fps to 2,400 fps (factory loads) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,180 to 2,300 ft-lbs |
| Ballistic Coefficient | ~0.178 to 0.200 (G1) |
| Parent Case | .30-30 Winchester |
| Platform | Lever Action, Single Shot |
| Supersonic Loads | 180 to 220 grains |
| Subsonic Loads | Not applicable (Hunting cartridge) |
360 Buckhammer Bullet Diameter
The 360 Buckhammer bullet diameter is exactly 0.358 inches.This allows the cartridge to tap into a wide variety of existing .35 caliber projectiles originally developed for rounds like the .35 Remington and .35 Whelen, typically relying on round or flat-nose soft points designed to be safely stacked in tubular magazines.
360 Buckhammer Case Length
The 360 Buckhammer case length is 1.800 inches. This specific dimension is not a coincidence; it was intentionally engineered to ensure the cartridge complies with straight-walled hunting regulations in states like Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, which commonly mandate maximum case lengths of 1.800 inches for deer hunting.
360 Buckhammer Overall Length
SAAMI established the 360 Buckhammer overall length at a maximum of 2.500 inches. This maximum length is practically identical to the 30-30 Winchester, ensuring that the 360 Buckhammer will cycle perfectly through the mechanisms of legacy-sized lever-action rifles without requiring manufacturers to completely stretch or redesign their receivers.
360 Buckhammer Bullet Weights
Typical 360 Buckhammer bullet weights range from 180 grains to 200 grains in standard factory configurations. Specialty ammunition lines, such as the Federal HammerDown, introduce heavier 220-grain bonded soft points designed to optimize penetration on larger game like black bear.
360 Buckhammer Muzzle Velocity
The 360 Buckhammer muzzle velocity is highly impressive for a straight-walled round. Factory 180-grain loads leave a 20-inch barrel at approximately 2,400 fps, while the heavier 200-grain bullets travel at 2,217 fps. This provides a flatter mid-range trajectory than heavier, slower .45 caliber alternatives.
360 Buckhammer Muzzle Energy
Shooting a heavy .358 caliber bullet at high velocities produces excellent 360 Buckhammer muzzle energy, generally starting around 2,180 to 2,302 foot-pounds.This kinetic energy allows for clean, ethical harvests on medium game out to its maximum effective range of roughly 200 yards.
360 Buckhammer Maximum Pressure
The 360 Buckhammer maximum average pressure established by SAAMI is 50,000 PSI. This is significantly higher than its parent case, the legacy 30-30 Winchester (which runs at 42,000 PSI). The 360 BHMR takes full advantage of modern metallurgy in new-production rifles to generate its increased velocity.
360 Buckhammer Twist Rate
A standard 360 Buckhammer twist rate is 1:12 inches. Because the cartridge relies on relatively short, round-nose or flat-nose projectiles rather than long aerodynamic spitzers, the 1:12 twist is perfectly suited to stabilize 180 to 220-grain bullets.
360 Buckhammer Barrel Length
The 360 Buckhammer barrel length is traditionally 20 inches, mirroring the profile of classic lever-action carbines. While the cartridge performs well in 18-inch brush guns, the 20-inch barrel provides the optimal balance of handling and powder burn to achieve its advertised 2,400 fps velocities.
360 Buckhammer Ballistic Coefficient
Because it must safely load into tubular magazines, the 360 Buckhammer ballistic coefficient (BC) is inherently low. It relies on blunt, flat-nose or round-nose soft points that do not feature high aerodynamic efficiency. The 180-grain Core-Lokt has a G1 BC of approximately 0.178, meaning it sheds velocity rapidly past 200 yards.
Supersonic vs Subsonic
The 360 Buckhammer is a dedicated, purpose-built supersonic hunting cartridge optimized to maximize energy transfer inside 200 yards.
| Load Type | Typical Bullet Weight | Velocity | Muzzle Energy | Main Characteristic |
| Supersonic | 180 – 220 grains | 2,200 – 2,400 fps | ~2,200 ft-lbs | Flat trajectory to 200 yards, rapid expansion on medium game |
| Subsonic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Not applicable; straight-wall regulations prioritize high energy for ethical harvests |
As a lever-action cartridge intended for deer and bear hunting, there is no practical factory subsonic application for the 360 Buckhammer.
Factory Load Specifications
When reviewing 360 Buckhammer cartridge specs, examining verified manufacturer data paints a clear picture of its field capabilities. (Data based on standard 20-inch test barrels).
- 180 grain: Remington Core-Lokt SP. Velocity: 2,400 fps. Muzzle Energy: 2,302 ft-lbs. G1 BC: 0.178.
- 200 grain: Remington Core-Lokt SP. Velocity: 2,217 fps. Muzzle Energy: 2,181 ft-lbs.
- 200 grain: Federal Power-Shok JSP. Velocity: 2,375 fps. Muzzle Energy: 2,254 ft-lbs.
- 220 grain: Federal HammerDown Bonded. Velocity: ~2,100 fps. Muzzle Energy: ~2,150 ft-lbs.
Cartridge Dimensions
The 360 Buckhammer dimensions were created by “blowing out” the 30-30 Winchester case to remove the bottleneck, resulting in a rimmed, straight-wall cylinder.
| Dimension | Measurement |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.358 inches |
| Case Length | 1.800 inches |
| Overall Length | 2.500 inches |
| Base Diameter | 0.422 inches |
| Neck Diameter | 0.380 inches |
| Rim Diameter | 0.506 inches |
| Shoulder Angle | None (Straight Wall) |
Barrel Length
While some cartridges see drastic performance changes based on barrel length, straight-wall cartridges utilizing fast-burning pistol-style powders are remarkably efficient.
- 16.5 inches: Highly maneuverable in dense brush or tight treestands, though it sacrifices roughly 80–120 fps compared to a longer barrel.
- 18 inches: An excellent compromise for a modern lever gun, balancing velocity retention and weight.
- 20 inches:The SAAMI standard length for the 360 BHMR.It guarantees full powder burn, minimizes muzzle flash, and reaches the advertised velocity thresholds of 2,400 fps.
Ballistics
The 360 Buckhammer is explicitly designed as a 200-yard cartridge. Its low-BC bullets shed velocity quickly, resulting in a distinct parabolic arc past 250 yards.
Standard trajectory data for the 180-grain Remington Core-Lokt load with a 100-yard zero (20-inch barrel):
- Muzzle:2,400 fps | 2,302 ft-lbs | Drop: -1.5 in
- 100-yard: 1,917 fps | 1,468 ft-lbs | Drop: 0.0 in (Zero)
- 200-yard:1,522 fps | 925 ft-lbs | Drop: -7.8 in
- 300-yard: 1,220 fps | 595 ft-lbs | Drop: -32.5 in
(Note: Dropping below 1,000 ft-lbs of energy past 200 yards limits its ethical effectiveness on large game beyond that distance.)
Platform And Compatibility
The 360 Buckhammer was built exclusively to revitalize the lever-action rifle.
- Action Type:Lever actions and single-shot break actions.It is a rimmed cartridge, meaning it will not feed reliably from box magazines in bolt-action rifles or AR-15s.
- Parent Case:Because it uses the 30-30 Winchester as a parent case, rifles chambered in 30-30 can easily be re-barreled or bored out to accept the 360 Buckhammer without changing the bolt face or extractor.
- Magazines: Designed to sit nose-to-tail in traditional tubular magazines, requiring flat-nose or round-nose bullets.
360 Buckhammer vs 350 Legend
While both are straight-walled cartridges introduced for the same legal hunting regions, they operate on completely different platforms.
| Specification | 360 Buckhammer | 350 Legend |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.358 inches | 0.357 inches |
| Case Type | Rimmed (For Lever Actions) | Rimless (For AR-15s & Bolt Actions) |
| Typical Bullet Weight | 180 gr – 200 gr | 150 gr – 180 gr |
| Muzzle Velocity | ~2,400 fps (180gr) | ~2,250 fps (150gr) |
| Muzzle Energy | ~2,302 ft-lbs | ~1,686 ft-lbs |
| Maximum Pressure | 50,000 PSI | 55,000 PSI |
| Recoil | ~14.1 ft-lbs | ~8.5 ft-lbs |
| Primary Design Focus | Lever-action deer hunting | Low-recoil AR-15 deer hunting |
The 360 Buckhammer hits considerably harder and shoots slightly flatter inside 200 yards, but the 350 Legend has substantially less recoil and fits into modern semi-automatic sporting rifles.
Pros And Cons
360 Buckhammer Pros
- Fully compliant with straight-walled cartridge hunting laws in heavily populated deer hunting states.
- Hits harder and drops less at 200 yards than the legendary 30-30 Winchester.
- Utilizes the 30-30 rim, meaning firearms manufacturers can easily adapt existing lever-action designs to the new cartridge.
- Much flatter trajectory and easier recoil to manage compared to large-bore straight walls like the 450 Bushmaster.
360 Buckhammer Cons
- Completely restricted to lever-action and single-shot rifles due to the rimmed case.
- Ammunition is more expensive and currently has fewer factory load options compared to the 350 Legend.
- Recoil (around 14.1 ft-lbs) is noticeable and roughly double that of the 350 Legend, which may be a factor for young or sensitive shooters.
FAQs
What are the specifications of 360 Buckhammer?
The 360 Buckhammer fires a 0.358-inch bullet from a 1.800-inch straight-walled, rimmed case. With a maximum overall length of 2.500 inches, it is designed to operate safely in lever-action rifles with a maximum SAAMI pressure of 50,000 PSI.
What is the bullet diameter of 360 Buckhammer?
The 360 Buckhammer bullet diameter is 0.358 inches, utilizing the same caliber projectiles as the .35 Remington.
What is the case length of 360 Buckhammer?
The official SAAMI specification for the 360 Buckhammer case length is 1.800 inches.
What is the overall length of 360 Buckhammer?
The 360 Buckhammer overall length is capped at a maximum of 2.500 inches to ensure reliable feeding from lever-action mechanisms.
What bullet weights are available for 360 Buckhammer?
The cartridge is engineered for medium game hunting. Common factory loads utilize 180-grain and 200-grain bullets, with specialty bonded options reaching 220 grains.
What is the muzzle velocity of 360 Buckhammer?
Depending on bullet weight and barrel length, the 360 Buckhammer muzzle velocity spans from 2,217 fps (with a 200-grain bullet) up to 2,400 fps (with a 180-grain bullet).
What is the muzzle energy of 360 Buckhammer?
The 360 Buckhammer generally produces between 2,180 and 2,302 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.
What is the maximum pressure of 360 Buckhammer?
The SAAMI maximum average pressure for the 360 Buckhammer is 50,000 PSI.
What is the twist rate for 360 Buckhammer?
Because it fires blunt, flat-nosed projectiles, the 360 Buckhammer utilizes a standard 1:12 inch twist rate.
What is the heaviest 360 Buckhammer bullet?
The heaviest common factory load for the 360 Buckhammer is the 220-grain Federal HammerDown.
Is 360 Buckhammer subsonic?
No. The 360 Buckhammer was designed exclusively for supersonic hunting trajectories to maximize energy transfer inside 200 yards.
Is 360 Buckhammer supersonic?
Yes, it is a dedicated supersonic hunting cartridge, reaching velocities up to 2,400 fps.
What barrel length is best for 360 Buckhammer?
A 20-inch barrel is widely considered the best choice to extract maximum velocity and fully capitalize on the cartridge’s mid-range ballistics, though 18-inch models are popular for dense brush.
Is 360 Buckhammer compatible with an AR-15?
No, the 360 Buckhammer is a rimmed cartridge with an overall length of 2.500 inches, which is far too long and physically incompatible with an AR-15 magazine.
How does 360 Buckhammer compare with 30-30?
The 360 Buckhammer is slightly faster and hits harder than the 30-30 Winchester inside 200 yards.Because it is a straight-walled cartridge, the 360 BHMR is legal for deer hunting in states where the bottlenecked 30-30 is prohibited.