The 22 Hornet is an old-school varmint round with a loyal crowd. It is quiet, it barely kicks, and it reaches past any rimfire. But 22 Hornet ballistics vary a lot from load to load. A 35-grain polymer tip and a 45-grain soft point are two very different tools. This guide shows the published numbers for every load we carry and explains how to use them.
What Is a 22 Hornet?
The 22 Hornet is a small, rimmed centerfire rifle cartridge. It went commercial in the early 1930s and grew out of the older .22 WCF. It fires a .22 caliber bullet, usually from 35 to 46 grains.
Is the 22 Hornet rimfire? No. People mix it up because of the rim on the case. But it uses a separate primer in the case head, like any centerfire round. That also means the brass can be reloaded.
The Hornet sits between the rimfire magnums and the .222 and .223 Remington. It gives more reach than a 22 WMR with much less noise and recoil than a .223. Compare it with the rimfire option in our 22 WMR ballistic data guide, or step up to the 222 Remington data guide.
22 Hornet Ballistics Table
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington Premier Varmint | 35 | AccuTip BT | 3,100 | 747 | 50-round box |
| Hornady Varmint Express | 35 | V-Max | 3,100 | 747 | 25-round box |
| Winchester Varmint X | 35 | Polymer tip | 3,100 | 747 | 20-round box |
| Federal Varmint and Predator | 35 | Polymer tip | 3,000 | 699 | 50-round box |
| Nosler Varmageddon | 35 | Polymer tip | 3,000 | 699 | 50-round box |
| Nosler Custom | 40 | Ballistic Tip | 2,850 | 721 | 50-round box |
| Winchester Super X | 46 | JHP | 2,690 | 739 | 50-round box |
| Winchester Super X | 45 | JSP | 2,690 | 723 | 50-round box |
| Remington HP Rifle | 45 | PSP | 2,690 | 723 | 50-round box |
| PPU | 45 | JSP | 2,427 | 589 | 50-round box |
| Sellier & Bellot | 45 | JSP | 2,346 | 550 | 20-round box |
| Sellier & Bellot | 45 | FMJ | Not listed | Not listed | 20-round box |
Every figure is the maker’s published muzzle data from a rifle test barrel.
How to Read These Numbers
Velocity Tells You About Reach
The fastest loads we stock list 3,100 fps. That includes the Remington Premier Varmint 35-grain AccuTip and the Hornady Varmint Express 35-grain V-Max. More speed means a flatter path and less wind drift. Light, fast bullets are the best choice when you want to stretch your range on small varmints.
Energy Tells You About Punch
Energy blends weight and speed. Here, the light and heavy loads end up close. The 35-grain polymer tips list 747 ft-lb. The Winchester Super X 46-grain hollow point lists 739 ft-lb at 2,690 fps. The heavy bullet is slower but carries its weight well.
Bullet Type Matters Most
Polymer tips break up fast and rarely exit. Soft points and hollow points open slower and go deeper. FMJ bullets don’t expand. Pick the bullet type first, then use the numbers to compare.
Picking a Bullet Weight for the Job
35 Grains: Prairie Dogs and Small Varmints
This is where the Hornet shines. The Nosler Varmageddon 35-grain lists 3,000 fps and 699 ft-lb. Polymer tips like this give quick results on ground squirrels, prairie dogs and crows.
40 Grains: A Middle Ground
The Nosler Custom 40-grain Ballistic Tip lists 2,850 fps and 721 ft-lb. It trades a little speed for a bit more weight. That helps on larger pests.
45 to 46 Grains: Foxes and Coyotes
Heavier soft points and hollow points suit foxes and coyotes at close to moderate range. The Remington 45-grain pointed soft point lists 2,690 fps and 723 ft-lb. The Hornet is light for coyotes, so pick your shots with care.
What About Deer?
The 22 Hornet is a varmint round. Many states set minimum calibers or energy limits for deer that it may not meet. Check your state’s hunting rules and use a cartridge built for big game.
Barrel Length and Conditions
Box data comes from a test barrel that may be longer than yours. A short rifle or a single-shot pistol in 22 Hornet will show less speed. Older rifles can also vary in bore size and twist, so test a few loads to find what groups best.
Air density matters too. At high altitude, thin air means less drag and a bit more reach. In cold weather, expect slightly lower speeds. Always confirm your zero in the field.
We do not print drop tables here, because they depend on your sight height, zero and conditions. Use the maker’s ballistic calculator with your rifle’s real data.
Shop 22 Hornet Ammo
See the full lineup in our 22 Hornet ammo category. Pick up a polymer tip and a soft point load, test both in your rifle, and keep the one that groups best for your 22 Hornet ballistics needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 22 Hornet rimfire?
No. The 22 Hornet is a centerfire cartridge with a rimmed case. It uses a separate primer in the case head, so the brass can be reloaded. It only fires in guns chambered for 22 Hornet, not in 22 WMR or 22 LR firearms.
What is a 22 Hornet good for?
The 22 Hornet suits varmints and small predators such as prairie dogs, ground squirrels, crows, foxes and, with care, coyotes. It offers more reach than a rimfire magnum with very low noise and recoil. Check state rules for each species.
How fast is a 22 Hornet?
In our stock, the 35-grain polymer tip loads from Remington, Hornady and Winchester list 3,100 fps. Heavier 45 and 46-grain loads list about 2,690 fps. Short barrels will give lower speeds than the box figures.
What is a 22 Hornet?
The 22 Hornet is a small, rimmed centerfire rifle cartridge that went commercial in the early 1930s. It grew out of the older .22 WCF. It fires .22 caliber bullets, usually from 35 to 46 grains, and is mainly used on varmints.
Is the 22 Hornet better than the 22 WMR?
The 22 Hornet is faster and reaches further. In our stock, the 22 Hornet’s light loads list 3,100 fps, while the fastest 22 WMR load lists 2,250 fps. The 22 WMR costs less and is easier to find. Both fit varmint work.
