Compared: .360 Buckhammer vs .30-30 Winchester

In collaboration with Henry, Remington Ammunition created the .360 Buckhammer to provide .35 Remington ballistics in a hunting cartridge legal in states with straight-wall only restrictions. Today, I’ll talk some about the new round and compare it to a tried-and-true classic lever action caliber, the .30-30.

Disclaimer

Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.

About the .360 Buckhammer

Remington designed the .360 Buckhammer to meet the requirements of straight-wall cartridge case states in a lever action. It fits in that area between the .30-30 and the .45-70 with a bigger, heavier bullet than the .30-30 but less recoil than the .45-70.

Other cartridges have filled that role over the years — .35 Remington (nearly a ballistic twin to the Buckhammer), .38-55, .375 Winchester, and .348 Winchester come to mind. Sadly, with the exception of the .35 Remington, most of these cartridges have fallen out of favor. Consider the .360 Buckhammer the lever gun equivalent of the .350 Legend in an AR.

.30-30 Winchester vs. .360 Buckhammer

I decided to compare the new .360 Buckhammer to the classic .30-30 Winchester because the .30-30 has been so popular for so long that most lever gun enthusiasts know it reasonably well. The bottleneck .30-30 has been around since 1895 and excels on deer-sized game. It can and has often been used to take larger game such as elk, bear and moose.

.30-30 (left) and .360 Buckhammer (right)

In contrast, the .360 Buckhammer is new. It’s not often that a new cartridge is introduced for traditional tube-magazine lever action rifles. It meets the legal requirements for a straight-wall cartridge case and provides ballistics similar to the well respected .35 Remington.

In short, it offers a straight-wall bigger bore alternative to the .30-30, with larger diameter, heavier bullets. I am using two Henry rifles with the same side-gate action for the comparison, the Henry X Model .30-30 and steel side gate in .360 Buckhammer.

About the Henry X Model .30-30

The X Model has a modern, utilitarian appearance with black synthetic stocks, an accessory Picatinny rail and 21.375” 1:12 threaded barrel to accept a suppressor and bright fiber optic sights. I attached a very bright Nightstick weapons light, which could be a handy thing should a bear visit camp at night.

I set it up with a GrovTec synthetic sling on GrovTec swivels, both made in America and available from Henry. This rifle has a 3.5 lb. trigger pull and weighs 8.07 lbs. without an optic.

From HenryUSA:

Combining Modern Performance with Classic Lever Action Lineage

When it comes to firearms, there are few that could truly be considered a piece of Americana quite like a lever action chambered in .30-30. While most people may envision blued steel and walnut stocks (we have got you covered there too), we take a great deal of pride in keeping up with the demands of modern hunters while not losing sight of our heritage. With the Lever Action X Model .30-30 we have borrowed that Americana spirit from one of the most legendary hunting platforms of all time and lovingly poured it into a feature-packed rifle for today’s whitetail woodsman.

Tough synthetic furniture provides a lightweight and worry-free alternative to our typical hardwood and accommodates in-line sling swivel studs, a Picatinny rail, and M-Lok accessory slots on the forestock. The solid rubber recoil pad ensures that the buttstock won’t slip and slide around to keep your shots consistent. The blued steel barrel is topped off with bright fiber optic sights for quick target acquisition, and the receiver is drilled and tapped to accept your choice of optics for those who prefer some magnification. For those who wish to run a suppressor or other muzzle device, the barrel is finished with 5/8×24 threading and a removable thread protector.

Keeping true to our roots, the Lever Action X Model .30-30 utilizes a 5-round removable tube magazine for convenient unloading when the job is done, and the addition of a side loading gate allows that magazine to be kept topped off without needing to remove the tube or suppressor.

There are good reasons that the .30-30 cartridge is still widely popular to this day, and this rifle ensures that it’s not going anywhere any time soon.

I selected an unconventional optic for atop the 63B scope base, which also fits Marlin lever action rifles.

About the Athlon Cronus BTR Gen2 UHD

The Athlon Cronus BTR Gen2 UHD is a Japanese-made 1-6×24 second focal plane scope intended for three gun competition, patrol use, and modest range hunting. The reticle is calibrated for the trajectory of the .223 with 68 or 69 grain match bullets — far different than the 160 grain .30-30 ammunition I was using.

The Athlon has a remarkable 106.9 ft. field of view at 100 yards. This is incredibly handy in fast-moving hunting situations. I found the clarity of the glass to be excellent.

Athlon Cronus BTR Gen 2 Ballistic Reticle

An illuminated 1.4 MOA red dot is in the center of an open area in the reticle, making it excellent for quick shots on targets or game.

From Athlon:

From 3gun competition, tactical applications, or close range hunting, the new Cronus BTR GEN2 1-6×24 UHD is just what the doctor ordered. Rated as one of the best LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic) scopes, the ATSR2 SFP IR MOA reticle is specifically designed for 3 gun competition and tactical applications. With hold over points for both bullet drop and wind compensation, the ATSR2 reticle is designed for 68 and 69 grain BTHP 223 Rem/5.56mm NATO rounds. It is also suitable for many other bullet weights in these calibers. The 1.4 moa red dot is perfect for zeroing your rifle scope at 200 yards and the open centers below the center red dot are for targets at 300, 400, 500, and 600 yard. The unique design of open centers eliminates target obstruction with 12~18 inch targets beyond 200 yards, allowing a shooter to take a quick shot. The openings on horizontal lines below the center are specially designed for holding over 5 mph and 10 mph wind.

Product Specifications:

- Magnification: 1-6x
- Obj. Lens Diameter: 24mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Eye Relief: 3.6 – 4.0”
- FOV @ 100 Yards: 106.9 – 17.7 ft.
- Parallax Adjustment: N/A
- Click Value: 0.5 MOA
- Length: 10.4”
- Weight: 21.5 oz.

I have been impressed with this Athlon scope and am looking forward to using it on other rifles. I am also looking forward to Gavin’s more detailed review.

About the Henry Steel .360 Buckhammer

In contrast to the X Model, our .360 Buckhammer Henry has a traditional appearance with the walnut stocks and blued finish.

The checkering is sharp and nicely done with a firm but comfortable rubber recoil pad. It has a 20” 1:12 barrel with a 4 lb. trigger. In all the rifle weighs 7.0 lbs. Henry provided a very well made leather sling from Diamond D in Alaska and another pair of American-made GrovTec sling swivels.

From HenryUSA:

There’s a new king of the deer woods, and it’s called .360 Buckhammer. Developed in partnership with Remington Ammunition, optimized for lever action rifles, accurate out to 200 yards with more energy, higher velocity, and flatter trajectories than the competition, .360 Buckhammer brings the hunt to the fur with authority. And what better platform to deliver the goods than a Henry?

The Steel Lever Action .360 Buckhammer provides a timeless appeal with the union of genuine American walnut furniture and blued steel – a match made in deer woods heaven. To wring out every ounce of energy the cartridge can muster, and it’s a lot, the rifle is topped with a 20” round blued steel barrel with a 1 in 12 twist rate proven to stabilize a variety of bullet weights. The barrel is completed with a fully-adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, including a removable white diamond insert for contrast and a brass bead at the front.

Since .360 Buckhammer can stretch its legs out to 200 yards and beyond, the receiver is drilled and tapped to accept a Weaver 63B scope base for those that prefer a bit of magnification when lining up the shot that could put some meat in the freezer. Side ejection keeps spent cartridges out of the way of the scope, and because the shells don’t eject backward, it’s safe for left-handed hunters. The receiver is equipped with a side loading gate to keep the five-round magazine topped off, while the removable tube magazine makes clearing the rifle safe and efficient when returning to the truck from a successful trip.

Other creature comforts abound with sling swivel studs preinstalled on the buttstock and steel forearm cap, laser-precise checkering engraved in the furniture where your hands meet the rifle, and a soft rubber pad on the buttstock adds another non-slip contact point and mitigates some of the already moderate recoil.

Whether or not you are limited to using a straight-wall cartridge on your next hunt, the Henry Steel Lever Action rifle chambered for .360 Buckhammer delivers all the performance you need and then some.

To learn more about the .360 Buckhammer cartridge, visit Remington.com.

Although the factory buckhorn sights are quite visible and useful, I removed the rear sight and replaced it with a Skinner Express sight and added Talley quick-detach scope rings.

This accessory combines their aperture sight with a scope base. Skinner is a family-owned Montana business with a reputation for excellent quality. I’ve got their sights on a couple of my rifles.

About the Leupold VX-3HD

I topped the .360 Buckhammer with the popular SFP VX-3HD 1.5-5x Leupold, a scope often chosen for dangerous game hunting and excellent on lever action rifles. The scope has good eye relief, 0.25 MOA clicks, a wide 67.6 ft field of view at 100 yards, and weighs in at a scant 10.1 ounces. This scope has been updated over the years and is also available with an illuminated reticle.

While hunting, I’ve relied on that scope at ranges from 15 feet to over 300 yards. It’s done well.

From Leupold:

The VX®-3HD 1.5-5x20mm delivers legendary performance and extreme clarity in an incredibly tough, lightweight package. It’s the perfect workhorse for those close to mid-range shots, whether you’re on a hunt or at the range.

The VX-3HD delivers outstanding performance in low light. With Leupold’s Elite Optical System, the VX-3HD delivers excellent dawn-to-dusk light transmission for a bright image when it matters most, elite-level glare reduction in harsh light, and the resolution and clarity that diehard hunters and shooters demand. We also gave it match-grade repeatability and ergonomic controls that are easy to read and use, even with gloves. The VX-3HD is the best lightweight, low-light hunting scope in its class. And with its low-profile, one-revolution CDS® ZeroLock® dial, you can be confident your dial will only move when you want it to. Push the button to unlock it, dial, and then rotate it back to zero to lock it in place. It’s that simple.

Everything we put into your VX-3HD is there to help you tag out. Like all Leupold riflescopes, it’s designed, machined, and assembled in the USA and guaranteed for life.

About the Loads

Bullets and powders have truly changed the lever action world. Traditional lever action rifles with tubular magazines rely on blunt-nosed bullets for safety. This severely limits their ballistic coefficient and thus their longer range performance.

Hornady changed the game in recent years with the addition of their FTX line of bullets. These feature a sharp, wind-cheating profile that is flexible enough to be safe while resting against the primer of another cartridge in the tubular magazine. In addition to the higher BC bullets, new powders coax greater velocity from the cartridges.

Leverevolution is well known for boosting the velocity of the .30-30 Winchester. I got my first .30-30 in the 1980s and have been loading for it ever since. Leverevolution has proven excellent in terms of velocity and consistency. Handloading the .360 Buckhammer for the first time, I researched the available data on Hodgdon’s online data center and was surprised to find that CFE BLK provided the highest velocity by far.

For the .30-30, I used two bullets and a powder with which I’m familiar. Many deer hunters rely on the traditional 150 grain Hornady RNSP. The 160 grain FTX is much newer and has a tremendously higher G1 BC of .330 vs. .186 for the round nose 150 grain bullet.

Coupled with Leverevolution (LVR) smokeless powder, both bullets achieve good velocity. It’s worth noting that Hornady produces two different .308” 160 grain FTX bullets. Bullet number 30395 is specifically intended for the .30-30 and has the appropriately-placed cannelure. The other is intended for the rarely seen .308 Marlin cartridge. For the .360 Buckhammer, I had only the traditional 200 grain RNSP Hornady bullet. Factory .360 Buckhammer ammunition is available with 180 or 200 grain RNSP bullets from Remington.

Although I wasn’t able to personally test the 200 grain Hornady FTX, I’m looking forward to doing so. Both of these 200 grain Hornady bullets are intended for the .35 Remington and should be excellent from the .360 Buckhammer as well.

Interestingly, the 160 grain .30-30 load averaged 2308 fps while the 200 grain 360 Buckhammer load averaged a nearly identical 2311 fps. The Buckhammer load is 122 fps faster than the 200 grain factory ammo we tested from this same rifle.

It also produced roughly 0.75” three-shot groups at 100 yards, roughly half the size of the 1.5” groups seen from factory ammo. Although I’d hunt with either, it’s satisfying when the handloads perform so well.

Handloading for the .360 Buckhammer was simple. As a straight-wall case it needs a three-die set. My three-die set is from RCBS. The “extra” die is for flaring or expanding the case mouth to accept the bullet, just as done with revolver cartridges. I adjusted the seating die to seat the bullet and apply a roll crimp into the bullet cannelure.

I used standard CCI 200 large rifle primers for both the .30-30 and the .360 Buckhammer. Both cartridges also use the same shell holder.

I’d previously loaded the bottleneck-cased .30-30 ammo using a two-die set and a Lee factory crimp die. Some of this ammunition has already proved itself in the field. In 2022, I hit a doe in the ribcage at about 170 yards with a 160 grain FTX. The bullet inflicted tremendous damage to the lungs before exiting. The doe staggered and collapsed almost instantly.

Mule deer doe taken at 170 yards with one shot from a .30-30 Henry and the 160 grain Hornady FTX bullet. The bullet exited and only a few fragments were recovered during the skinning and butchering process.

The 150 grain RNSP bullet starts at 150 fps faster than the 160 grain FTX bullet, but both bullets travel at nearly the same speed at 100 yards. By 200 yards, the FTX has a strong advantage. A higher ballistic coefficient pays off, even with a lever action hunting rifle.

Two points jump out at me from the energy chart. Firstly, the .360 Buckhammer produces significantly greater energy figures at the muzzle with the heavier 200 grain bullet than the .30-30 does. Secondly, the 200 yard energy figures clearly show the advantage of the higher BC FTX bullets.

Both of these cartridges are solid choices for deer-sized game at 200 yards, particularly with the FTX bullets. In the hands of a skilled shooter, the range could even be stretched a bit further.

Trajectories didn’t differ as much as I thought they would. If each of the four loads is zeroed at 100 yards, there’s very little difference in the drop figure at 200 yards — certainly not enough to worry about for hunting. There’s quite a bit more of a difference at 300 yards, but I prefer other cartridges and rifles for 300+ yard shots on game anyway.

Conclusion

For me, the conclusions are clear. There’s nothing wrong with the good old .30-30 and I hope to continue to use my old .30-30 rifle for many more years. However, the .360 Buckhammer offers an interesting and worthwhile bump in caliber, bullet weight, and power without the harsh recoil of a warm-loaded .45-70 rifle.

The .360 Buckhammer is a viable and worthwhile option for many hunters, but is specially-designed for those states that only allow straight-wall cartridges. In fact, if I could only have one lever action hunting rifle, I would very seriously consider .360 Buckhammer. Henry has provided an excellent rifle for both of these cartridges and should be complimented for working with Remington to bring the .360 Buckhammer to life.