The magnetic properties of radially oriented Co, Ni, and CoNi alloy nanowires synthesized by pulsed electrodeposition into porous alumina structures are measured and compared with those of similar nanowires grown in a planar geometry. The alloy composition affects the anisotropy axis direction, which is determined by the balance between the magnetocrystalline and shape anisotropies, lying transverse to the nanowires for Co samples and along the nanowire axis for Ni. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to model the magnetic hysteresis of the radially oriented and planar geometry nanowires using an approach based on the conical distribution of anisotropies. The model provides an excellent fit compared with experimental hysteresis loops.