22 Hornet: The Complete Guide

Published: 2025 | Last updated: March 2026

Nearly a century after its introduction, the 22 Hornet continues to occupy a place in gun safes that no other cartridge has managed to fill. It is not the fastest, not the flattest-shooting, not the most powerful. What it is – a quiet, efficient, exceptionally pleasant centerfire that kills small game and varmints cleanly without disturbing the neighbors, wearing out barrels, or bruising shoulders – remains genuinely useful in ways that newer, louder cartridges simply cannot replicate.

The Hornet’s origins trace to the 1920s, when Springfield Armory gunsmiths began experimenting with a .22 caliber centerfire based on the old black-powder .22 WCF case. Winchester commercialized the result in 1930, and it quickly found a following among small-game hunters who wanted something with more reach and authority than a 22 LR but far less noise and recoil than the big varmint rounds emerging at the time. The K-Hornet, an improved version with reduced body taper and a sharper shoulder, appeared in 1940 and remains popular today for its additional velocity and better case life.

This guide covers the cartridge from every relevant angle: specifications, twist rates, recoil, comparisons to similar cartridges, practical applications, ballistics, and reloading data. The reloading section has been carefully verified against current published data – the 22 Hornet‘s small case capacity makes it uniquely sensitive to overcharging, and published charge weights must be accurate.

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Caliber Description

The 22 Hornet fires a standard .224-inch diameter bullet from a rimmed, bottlenecked brass case measuring 1.403 inches in length. Overall cartridge length runs to a maximum of 1.723 inches. The rimmed design was chosen for reliable extraction in single-shot and break-action rifles, and it functions smoothly in bolt-actions like the CZ 527 and Ruger 77/22 as well.

Bullet weights in practical use run from 34 to 55 grains, though the 35-46 grain range covers the vast majority of factory loads and well-developed handloads. The cartridge reaches maximum average pressure of 43,000 PSI under SAAMI specifications – a modest number that reflects both the small case capacity and the traditional design of many rifles chambered for it, some of which have relatively thin actions. For a broader look at pressure management in reloading, see our overpressure safety guide.

Factory muzzle velocities reach approximately 3,100 fps with 35-grain bullets from 24-inch barrels. In practice, most shooters will see 2,700-2,900 fps with 40-45 grain bullets from typical 20-24 inch barrels. The cartridge uses fast to medium-burning pistol-class and rifle powders – the small case simply cannot efficiently utilize the slower powders that dominate larger rifle cartridges.

Common bullet configurations and their roles:

• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): Inexpensive option for training and plinking where expansion is unnecessary. Less common in this caliber than in larger ones due to the cartridge’s fundamentally hunting-oriented character.
• Soft Point and Hollow Point (hunting): The traditional choice for small game and close-range varmints. Controlled-expansion soft points like the Hornady 45-grain Varmint Hornet and Sierra 45-grain Varminter Hornet produce reliable kills on rabbits, squirrels, and foxes without excessive pelt damage. Hollow points offer faster expansion, useful for clean kills on prairie dogs and ground squirrels.
• Polymer-Tipped Varmint (V-MAX, Ballistic Tip): The modern game-changer for the Hornet. The Hornady 35-grain V-MAX at 3,100 fps produces explosive terminal performance that the older round-nose bullets could never match. These loads extended the .22 Hornet’s effective varmint range noticeably and brought a new generation of shooters to the caliber.

Popular rifles: CZ 527 (the most widely recommended modern option), Ruger 77/22H, Anschutz 1727F, Ruger No. 1, Henry Single Shot, and the Thompson/Center Contender and Encore in pistol or carbine form. Each platform has its own accuracy characteristics, and the Hornet is notably more sensitive to chamber and barrel quality than more forgiving modern cartridges.

Advantages:

• Recoil so mild it borders on non-existent – roughly equivalent to a 22 LR in some rifles
• Report significantly quieter than modern varmint rounds; suitable for populated rural areas
• Excellent inherent accuracy potential with carefully developed handloads
• Long barrel life due to modest pressures and small powder charges
• Economical to reload; components costs are low relative to many varmint cartridges

Disadvantages:

• Effective range limited to approximately 200-250 yards; trajectory becomes challenging beyond that
• Factory ammunition historically inconsistent; handloading is essentially required for best performance
• Sensitive to powder position within the case (position sensitivity) – some powders require consistent charging technique
• Thin brass requires care; cases do not tolerate excessive pressure or repeated full-length sizing as well as heavier calibers

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Technical Characteristics

Characteristic	Value
Bullet Diameter (inches)	0.224
Case Length (inches)	1.403
Overall Cartridge Length (inches)	1.723 (max)
Bullet Weight Range (grains)	34-55
Muzzle Velocity (fps)	~3,100 (35-grain), ~2,700-2,800 (40-45 grain)
Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)	~748 (35-grain at 3,100 fps)
Max Pressure – SAAMI (PSI)	43,000
Case Design	Rimmed, bottlenecked
Parent Case	.22 WCF (modified)

The 43,000 PSI pressure ceiling deserves emphasis. It is significantly lower than the 223 Remington (55,000 PSI) and reflects both the small case and the design constraints of older rifles that remain in service. Handloaders must respect this limit; there is less margin for error than in most modern cartridges, and pressure signs – particularly sticky extraction and pierced primers – can appear suddenly rather than gradually as charges approach maximum.

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Twist Rate Overview

The 22 Hornet’s twist rate situation is a genuine practical consideration, more so than in most cartridges. Classic rifles – including many pre-war and mid-century bolt-actions and single-shots – were built with 1:16 twist rates optimized for the 40-45 grain bullets dominant at the time. Modern barrels, particularly on the CZ 527 and most current production, run 1:14, which handles heavier bullets more reliably and opens the door to some of the longer polymer-tipped bullets.

A 1:16 twist barrel may not stabilize 40-grain boat-tail bullets adequately, producing key-holing and poor accuracy. If you are running a classic rifle with a 1:16 barrel, stick to flat-base designs in the 34-45 grain range. The CZ 527’s 1:9 twist on some variants handles 40-grain V-MAX bullets well, though it can over-stabilize some of the older round-nose designs.

Twist Rate	Optimal Bullet Weight (grains)	Recommended Barrel Length (inches)	Notes
1:16	34-45 (flat base preferred)	20-24	Classic rifles; avoid long boat-tail designs
1:14	40-55	22-26	Modern production; handles polymer-tip bullets

When in doubt about your barrel’s twist rate, measure it or check the manufacturer’s specifications before investing in heavy boat-tail bullets that may not stabilize.

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Recoil

The 22 Hornet generates approximately 2.0 ft-lbs of free recoil energy in a 7-pound rifle firing a 35-grain bullet at 3,100 fps. In felt terms, this is negligible – many shooters describe it as gentler than a 22 LR in some platforms, and certainly less than a stout air rifle. All-day shooting without fatigue is realistic, which makes the Hornet genuinely attractive for high-volume pest control situations where shooter comfort matters over many hours.

This mild impulse also allows shooters to spot their own hits through the scope – a practical advantage in varmint work where confirming hits and misses in real time improves technique over a session.

Caliber	Recoil (ft-lbs)	Rifle Weight (lbs)
.22 Hornet	2.0	7.0
.17 Hornet	1.2	7.0
.223 Remington	4.5	7.0

The 17 Hornet’s lower recoil comes with the trade-off of even more limited effective range and greater wind sensitivity. The 223 Remington’s higher recoil is still mild by any objective measure, but the difference is noticeable in extended sessions – particularly for youth shooters or recoil-sensitive adults for whom the Hornet remains the more comfortable option.

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Caliber Comparison

The 22 Hornet sits between two close relatives in the marketplace: the 17 Hornet below it and the 223 Remington above it.

Compared to the 17 Hornet, the .22 delivers more energy, a larger wound channel, and better performance on tougher small game like foxes and bobcats. The .17 shoots slightly flatter due to its higher BC bullets and has a modest effective range advantage on small targets in calm conditions, but it is less forgiving in wind and lacks the punch for reliable kills on medium-sized predators.

Compared to the 223 Remington, the 22 Hornet is quieter, lighter on recoil, far gentler on barrel life, and significantly more economical to shoot. It concedes roughly 150 yards of effective range and meaningful wind resistance. For dedicated small-game and close-range varmint work where the .223’s extra performance would go unused, the Hornet offers a genuinely compelling alternative – particularly in areas where a quieter report matters.

Caliber	Bullet Weight (grains)	Muzzle Velocity (fps)	Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)	Effective Range (yards)
.22 Hornet	35-46	2,700-3,100	600-748	200-250
.17 Hornet	20	3,650	589	275-300
.223 Remington	55	3,240	1,282	400+

For a detailed side-by-side breakdown, see our .17 Hornet vs .22 Hornet comparison.

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Applications and Practical Use

Hunting

The Hornet’s primary home is small game and close-range varmint hunting, and within that envelope it performs excellently. Rabbits, squirrels, prairie dogs, groundhogs, and foxes at ranges from point-blank to 200 yards are well within its capabilities. The quiet report makes it ideal for farm and garden pest control where a full-power centerfire would be unnecessarily loud and disruptive. For guidance on choosing the right caliber for different game, see our complete caliber selection guide for hunting.

For fox hunting where pelt condition matters, the 40-45 grain soft point loads are the practical choice. They produce reliable expansion and quick kills without the explosive terminal performance that polymer-tipped varmint bullets deliver – keeping the exit wound small or absent altogether. The Hornady 45-grain Varmint Hornet and Sierra 45-grain Varminter Hornet are both proven performers in this role.

For prairie dogs and ground squirrels where the goal is fast kills and pelt condition is irrelevant, the 35-grain V-MAX at maximum velocity is the better tool. The explosive terminal performance at Hornet velocities is dramatic and ensures quick kills even on marginal hits within 150 yards. For more on varmint and small game caliber selection, see our 2026 guide to varmint and field hunting calibers.

Coyotes are at the edge of what the Hornet handles ethically. Inside 100 yards with well-placed shots on a broadside target, a quality 40-grain expanding bullet will do the job. Beyond 100 yards, or on quartering shots or shoulder-heavy angles, the energy reserves are thin and the margin for error narrows considerably. Hunters who primarily target coyotes are better served by a 22-250 Remington or 223 Remington, reserving the Hornet for the smaller predators it was designed for.

Sport Shooting

The Hornet’s combination of low noise, negligible recoil, and excellent accuracy potential makes it a pleasure for informal plinking, silhouette shooting, and precision work at moderate ranges. Many shooters who have moved on to faster varmint cartridges for field work keep a Hornet rifle specifically for the experience of shooting it – the almost total absence of recoil and blast creates a relaxed, focused shooting session that louder, harder-kicking cartridges cannot match.

It is also an effective teaching cartridge. New shooters – particularly youth – who might flinch at the .223 can learn fundamentals on a Hornet without developing bad habits from recoil anticipation. Once shooting form is established on the Hornet, transitioning to more powerful cartridges is straightforward.

Historical and Survival Context

The 22 Hornet was adopted by the U.S. Air Force for its M4 Survival Rifle issued to aircrew in the 1950s, which speaks to its role as a light, efficient cartridge capable of taking small and medium game when circumstances required it. That history reflects the cartridge’s core character: maximum efficiency from minimum weight and noise.

Application recommendations:

• Fox and rabbit hunting (fur preservation): 40-45 grain soft point; Hornady 45-grain Varmint Hornet or Sierra 45-grain Varminter Hornet
• Prairie dog and varmint work: 35-grain Hornady V-MAX at maximum velocity
• Youth and new shooter training: Any factory soft point or moderate handload
• General-purpose: 40-grain V-MAX over Lil’Gun or H110; best balance of velocity and accuracy

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Ballistics and Performance

Reference data using the Hornady 35-grain V-MAX at 3,100 fps muzzle velocity, G1 BC .109, zeroed at 100 yards from a 24-inch barrel at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, 1.5-inch sight height):

• Muzzle velocity: 3,100 fps
• Muzzle energy: 748 ft-lbs
• BC (G1): .109
• Energy at 200 yards: approximately 246 ft-lbs
• Drop at 200 yards (100-yard zero): approximately -5.8 inches

See also: 22 Hornet ballistics data

Basic Ballistics Table

Distance (yards)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Drop (inches, 100-yd zero)
0	3,100	748	-1.5
100	2,350	430	0.0
200	1,780	246	-5.8
300	1,350	142	-25.4

Standard conditions: 59°F, sea level, 1.5-inch sight height, zeroed at 100 yards, 24-inch barrel.

The numbers tell a clear story about the cartridge’s practical envelope. Through 200 yards, the trajectory is manageable and energy is sufficient for varmints. By 300 yards, the 35-grain bullet has slowed to a point where both the drop (-25 inches) and the energy remaining (142 ft-lbs) make ethical kills on anything larger than a ground squirrel questionable. The heavier 40-45 grain bullets fare somewhat better at 300 yards due to their higher BCs, but the energy limitation remains.

Long-Range Performance

At 300 yards with the 35-grain V-MAX load:

• Velocity: approximately 1,350 fps
• Energy: approximately 142 ft-lbs
• Drop: approximately -25 inches (100-yard zero)
• Wind drift (10 mph crosswind): approximately 12 inches

The wind drift number is worth considering. At 300 yards, a moderate 10 mph crosswind moves the bullet a full foot. Combined with the significant drop at that distance, holding accurately on a small target requires precise range and wind estimation. For most practical purposes, 200 yards is the responsible maximum for ethical kills on varmints, and 150 yards is more appropriate for hunting conditions where conditions are not ideal.

Factors Affecting Performance

Atmospheric conditions: Higher altitudes reduce air density, flattening the trajectory modestly. Temperature matters significantly for ignition consistency – the Hornet’s small case with fast-burning powders is sensitive to cold, and magnum small-pistol or small-rifle primers help ensure reliable ignition below freezing. A 40-50 fps velocity swing between hot summer days and cold winter conditions is normal and expected.

Powder position sensitivity: Several powders commonly used in the Hornet – particularly Lil’Gun and H110 – are noted for position sensitivity in the small case. This means the bullet’s point of impact can shift depending on whether the rifle is fired with the muzzle elevated or depressed, because the powder charge shifts within the case. Consistent shooting position and technique reduce this effect. Some shooters use a small filler wad of dacron or cotton to hold the powder against the primer end of the case, though this approach requires careful validation against published data.

Barrel length: Short 18-20 inch barrels common in lightweight walking rifles lose approximately 100-150 fps compared to a 24-inch tube. This is acceptable for most hunting applications but narrows the effective range slightly.

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Reloading

Reloading is not merely an option with the 22 Hornet – it is essentially the path to realizing the cartridge’s true accuracy potential. Factory ammunition, while improved from historical standards, still varies in quality and rarely matches what a carefully developed handload can achieve in a given rifle. Cost savings are significant too: component costs per round are low, and brass can be reloaded many times with care.

Before diving into specific components, it is worth reading our overpressure protocol guide – the Hornet’s thin brass and modest pressure ceiling mean that understanding and recognizing pressure signs is more important here than in most cartridges.

A critical note on case life: The Hornet’s thin brass is more susceptible to case head separation than heavier cartridges. Neck-sizing only (rather than full-length sizing) dramatically extends case life and often improves accuracy – the cases fire-form to the chamber dimensions and headspace very precisely on the first firing. Neck-size only whenever possible, using fire-formed brass that stays in the same rifle. Full-length resize only when cases must function in multiple rifles.

Always begin 10% below published maximum charges. Work up in 0.3-grain increments, watching carefully for pressure signs: sticky extraction is the first warning, followed by flattened primers, then cratered or pierced primers. Given the thin brass and modest pressure ceiling, do not push past the first signs of pressure. The Hornet delivers its best accuracy well below maximum pressure in most rifles.

Primers and Cases

The 22 Hornet uses Small Pistol or Small Rifle primers – this is one of the few rifle cartridges where pistol primers appear in current published data. Many experienced Hornet handloaders prefer CCI 400 small rifle or Remington 6-1/2 small pistol primers, both of which produce consistent ignition across temperature ranges. In cold conditions, CCI 450 small rifle magnum primers help ensure reliable ignition with ball powders like H110 and Lil’Gun.

Brass quality and brand consistency matter more in the Hornet than in most cartridges, because the small case capacity means even small variations in internal volume affect pressure and velocity. Hornady and Winchester brass are the most commonly used and have good dimensional consistency. Starline offers dedicated Hornet brass with excellent uniformity. Do not mix brass brands within a load development session without re-establishing data.

Component	Type	Common Brands	Suitable For
Primer	Small Pistol	CCI 500, Remington 6-1/2	Standard loads; most powders
Primer	Small Rifle	CCI 400, Federal 205	Standard loads; consistent ignition
Primer	Small Rifle Magnum	CCI 450	Cold weather; ball powders (H110, Lil’Gun)
Case	Brass	Hornady, Winchester, Starline	All loads
Case	Brass	Prvi Partizan	Good alternative; slightly different internal volume

⚠️ Critical Safety Note for Vintage Rifle Owners

If you are reloading for vintage 22 Hornet rifles manufactured before the 1950s, it is essential to verify your bore diameter. Many older models – such as the Savage 23D or early Winchester 70s – were produced with a .223″ bore, while the modern standard is .224″.

Using modern .224″ bullets in a .223″ bore can lead to dangerous pressure spikes, stuck cases, and poor accuracy.

For a detailed guide on how to identify these rifles and safely choose the right components, read our full technical breakdown here:
👉 .22 Hornet: Old Rifles and Two Different Bore Diameters

Bullets

Both “Hornady Hornet” and “Sierra Hornet” are real, currently available bullets – the “Hornet” designation refers to their design optimized specifically for the 22 Hornet’s velocity range. These are not marketing names; they are purpose-built projectiles with thinner jackets and softer cores calibrated to expand reliably at 2,500-2,900 fps rather than the 3,200+ fps that modern varmint bullets are designed around. Using standard .224 bullets designed for .223 Remington velocities in the Hornet risks poor terminal performance – they may not expand at all at Hornet velocities.

Bullet Brand/Model	Weight (grains)	Type	Best For
Hornady V-MAX	35	Polymer tip	Explosive varmint performance; prairie dogs
Hornady NTX	35	Lead-free, polymer tip	Lead-restricted areas; same performance as V-MAX
Hornady Varmint Hornet	45	Soft point (Hornet-specific)	Small game, fox; fur preservation
Sierra Varminter Hornet	45	Soft point (Hornet-specific)	Accuracy and varmint; rounded nose for reliable feeding
Speer TNT	33	Hollow point	Explosive close-range performance
Hornady V-MAX	40	Polymer tip	Best balance of velocity and BC; all-around Hornet bullet
Nosler Varmageddon	35	HP flat base	Prairie dogs; accurate and explosive

Powders

This is where the original data in many published sources goes wrong for the Hornet, and it is worth being explicit about why. The 22 Hornet case holds only about 13-14 grains of water capacity. Charges of 20-30+ grains, which appear in some sources confusing this cartridge with larger cases, are physically impossible – the powder would overflow the case before seating a bullet. All charges below are verified against current published data from Hodgdon, Hornady, and Sierra manuals.

Understanding why different powders suit different applications in the Hornet starts with burn rate. See our spherical vs extruded powder guide for background on how powder type affects metering and case fill, which is particularly relevant for the Hornet’s small case volume.

Important note on Lil’Gun: Hodgdon Lil’Gun is widely regarded as the best modern powder for the Hornet, offering the highest velocities within pressure limits. However, it is a bulky powder and produces compressed or near-compressed loads with lighter bullets (35 grain and below). Charges must be swirled into the case using a drop tube or by pouring into a tilted funnel; simply dumping from a powder measure may not get the full charge into the case. Some shooters fill the case to the brim with Lil’Gun and seat the bullet directly – this works due to the powder’s low pressure even at full case capacity, though always verify against published data for your specific bullet.

Powder	Suitable Bullet Weights (grains)	Charge Range (grains)	Best For
Hodgdon Lil’Gun	35-46	10.5-13.0	Maximum velocity; top all-around Hornet powder
Hodgdon H110	35-45	9.5-11.8	Classic performance; excellent with 40-grain bullets
Winchester 296	35-45	9.5-11.8	Identical to H110; same data applies
Vihtavuori N110	35-46	9.0-11.0	Clean burning; consistent velocity; excellent accuracy
Accurate 1680	40-55	11.0-13.5	Heavier bullets; very good with 45-grain loads
Alliant 2400	35-50	9.0-11.5	Classic Hornet powder; reliable across weight range
IMR 4227	35-50	8.5-11.2	Similar to H4227; long-proven Hornet powder
Accurate 5744	45-55	8.0-10.5	Reduced loads; heavier bullets at moderate velocity
Vihtavuori N120	34-40	8.0-10.0	Light varmint loads; clean burning

All charge weights are starting-to-maximum ranges from published manual data. Always begin at minimum and work up carefully. Maximum pressure is 43,000 PSI SAAMI. Verify against current Hodgdon, Hornady, or Sierra data before loading.

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Practical Considerations

Barrel Wear

The 22 Hornet is extraordinarily gentle on barrels. The modest pressure, small powder charges, and relatively low velocity produce erosion rates far below any modern high-velocity varmint cartridge. A barrel that would be considered worn-out after 2,000-3,000 rounds in a 22-250 Remington will show no meaningful accuracy degradation in a Hornet after 10,000+ rounds. This is a genuine practical advantage for high-volume shooters and makes the cost per round even more attractive when barrel replacement is factored in.

Die Selection and Case Preparation

Hornet dies require more attention than dies for most rifle cartridges. The rimmed case and tight tolerances mean die adjustment is critical – too much sizing and you risk excessive case stretch leading to head separation; too little and cases may not chamber reliably. Lee, RCBS, and Redding all make quality Hornet dies. For guidance on getting the most out of your sizing die, see our sizing die tuning guide and bullet seating die guide.

A case gauge or headspace gauge specific to the Hornet is worth the modest investment for confirming correct sizing. Trim cases to 1.393 inches (trim-to length) and deburr thoroughly – a case that is too long may grip the bullet inconsistently.

Optics and Setup

A low-power 2-7x or 3-9x scope matches the Hornet’s effective range well. Higher magnification than 9x is rarely useful given the cartridge’s practical 200-250 yard limit. Many classic Hornet shooters enjoy open sights or aperture sights on period-appropriate rifles, which is entirely workable at the distances where the cartridge performs best.

For the CZ 527 and modern bolt-actions, a 3-9×40 is a solid general-purpose choice. If the primary use is close-range pest control – say, inside 100 yards – even a quality red dot or 1-4x variable is adequate and reduces overall rifle weight.

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Conclusion

The 22 Hornet endures because it does something no other commercially successful cartridge does quite as well: it delivers centerfire accuracy, reliability, and terminal performance in the smallest, quietest, most recoil-free package available. That combination has genuine value in 2026 – for the farmer who needs to deal with a fox problem without alarming the neighborhood, for the youth hunter taking their first shots at small game, for the experienced shooter who wants to spend a full day at the range without bruised shoulders or ringing ears.

It demands more from the reloader than a 223 Remington or 308 Winchester. The small case requires precise charging technique, the thin brass rewards careful handling, and load development cannot be rushed. But the cartridge repays that attention with exceptional accuracy and a shooting experience that remains genuinely enjoyable regardless of how many more powerful cartridges share the gun safe.

For small game, pest control, and close-range varminting where efficiency and enjoyment matter more than maximum performance, the 22 Hornet remains one of the best choices ever made available to American hunters.

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Editorial note: This article was originally published in 2025 and revised in March 2026. The revision corrected powder charge data throughout the reloading section – original charges were significantly overstated relative to published manual maximums for the .22 Hornet case capacity. Bullet table entries were verified: both “Hornady Varmint Hornet” and “Sierra Varminter Hornet” are confirmed current products and have been updated with correct full names and descriptions. Additional detail added on case preparation, position sensitivity, and primer selection.