The 22 Hornet, introduced by Winchester in 1930, stands as one of the earliest high-velocity small-bore centerfire cartridges designed specifically for varmint control and small-game hunting. Evolved from the black-powder 22 WCF, it delivered dramatic improvements in velocity and trajectory while maintaining mild recoil and moderate report, making it ideal for lightweight rifles and walking hunts. Popular in bolt-actions, single-shots, and survival guns, it remains a favorite among reloaders seeking efficient, low-cost performance. This article focuses specifically on ballistics, examining both external trajectory and wind behavior as well as wound ballistics across factory and handloaded options. The objective is to provide reloaders and hunters a precise understanding of the cartridge capabilities and realistic limitations. For complete specifications and history, see our dedicated guide at 22 Hornet – The Complete Guide.
Core External Ballistics
The 22 Hornet launches bullets from 34 to 60 grains at velocities between 2200 and 3100 fps, with modern factory loads favoring lightweight varmint bullets for maximum speed and traditional 45-46 grain soft points for reliable expansion. Careful handloading with heavier, high-BC bullets significantly improves long-range potential for reloaders. All loads remain supersonic to approximately 700-900 yards depending on bullet selection. Performance is frequently contrasted with the hotter 17 Hornet in our detailed comparison at 17 Hornet vs 22 Hornet.
Bullet Drop to 1000 Yards
| Range (yards) | 35gr Hornady V-MAX 3100 fps • G1 BC .109 | 45gr Soft Point 2700 fps • G1 BC .150 | 50gr Nosler BT 2600 fps • G1 BC .229 | 55gr Berger Varmint 2500 fps • G1 BC .275 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| 200 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 300 | -9.0 | -7.8 | -6.8 | -6.2 |
| 400 | -31.0 | -26.5 | -22.5 | -20.5 |
| 500 | -72.0 | -60.0 | -50.0 | -45.0 |
| 600 | -135.0 | -110.0 | -90.0 | -80.0 |
| 700 | -222.0 | -178.0 | -144.0 | -128.0 |
| 800 | -338.0 | -268.0 | -214.0 | -188.0 |
| 900 | -488.0 | -382.0 | -302.0 | -264.0 |
| 1000 | -680.0 | -526.0 | -412.0 | -358.0 |
All figures in inches, 200-yard zero, 24-inch barrel, sea-level conditions.
The trajectory tables clearly illustrate the 22 Hornet short-range strengths and long-range limitations. Factory 35-grain loads stay flat inside 300 yards but fall off dramatically beyond that point, with over six feet of drop at 1000 yards. Heavier 50-55 grain handloads with superior ballistic coefficients cut drop nearly in half at distance, extending ethical varmint ranges to 350-400 yards for skilled shooters. Practical hunting and defensive shooting remain best inside 250 yards with any load; past 300 yards the rainbow trajectory demands precise ranging and holdover that exceeds most field conditions.
Wind Drift (10 mph Crosswind)
| Range (yards) | 35gr V-MAX | 45gr SP | 50gr BT | 55gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.0 |
| 200 | 6.0 | 5.2 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| 300 | 14.5 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 9.5 |
| 400 | 27.0 | 23.0 | 19.0 | 17.0 |
| 500 | 44.0 | 37.0 | 30.0 | 27.0 |
| 600 | 66.0 | 55.0 | 44.0 | 39.0 |
| 700 | 94.0 | 78.0 | 62.0 | 55.0 |
| 800 | 128.0 | 106.0 | 84.0 | 74.0 |
| 900 | 170.0 | 140.0 | 110.0 | 97.0 |
| 1000 | 220.0 | 180.0 | 142.0 | 124.0 |
All figures in inches, full-value 10 mph crosswind.
Wind drift proves the Achilles heel of the 22 Hornet, especially with lightweight factory loads. The 35-grain V-MAX drifts over 18 feet in a 10 mph crosswind at 1000 yards, while heavier handloads reduce drift by nearly half. Practical accuracy in field conditions remains reliable to 250 yards even in moderate wind; beyond 350 yards accurate wind reading becomes extremely difficult with any load. The 50-55 grain bullets clearly resist drift far better and represent the only realistic option for open-country shooting past 300 yards.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 35gr V-MAX Muzzle 747 ft-lbs | 45gr SP Muzzle 727 ft-lbs | 50gr BT Muzzle 752 ft-lbs | 55gr Berger Muzzle 760 ft-lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 747 | 727 | 752 | 760 |
| 100 | 451 | 480 | 550 | 570 |
| 200 | 260 | 320 | 410 | 440 |
| 300 | 146 | 220 | 310 | 340 |
| 400 | 96 | 160 | 240 | 270 |
| 500 | 75 | 120 | 190 | 220 |
| 600 | 60 | 100 | 160 | 185 |
| 700 | 50 | 85 | 135 | 160 |
| 800 | 45 | 75 | 120 | 140 |
| 900 | 40 | 65 | 105 | 125 |
| 1000 | 35 | 60 | 95 | 115 |
All figures in ft-lbs.
Energy decay occurs rapidly due to low starting velocities and modest sectional densities in factory loads. The 35-grain V-MAX drops below 100 ft-lbs by 400 yards, limiting ethical use to very small varmints inside 250 yards. Heavier handloads retain energy dramatically better, with 55-grain bullets carrying over 200 ft-lbs to 500 yards – sufficient for prairie dogs and ground squirrels at extended distances when expansion still occurs. No load approaches the energy required for larger predators like coyotes beyond close range with perfect shot placement.
Terminal & Wound Ballistics
Bullet construction plays an outsized role in the modest-velocity 22 Hornet. Lightweight varmint bullets rely on velocity for explosive fragmentation, while heavier soft points and polymer-tipped designs offer controlled expansion and deeper penetration for edible small game. The goal of this section is practical terminal performance guidance based on gel testing and decades of field results.
Bullet Performance Profiles (5 Most Common Loads)
Hornady 35gr V-MAX
- Type – Polymer-tipped hollow point varmint bullet
- Behavior – Extremely rapid fragmentation with large temporary wound channels in gel
- Use – Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, gophers, rockchucks
- Effective Range – 0-300 yards
- Short Summary – The gold standard for explosive varmint kills that minimizes pelt damage on non-head shots.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page: Hornady V-MAX Bullet Profile.
Hornady 45gr Interlock Soft Point
- Type – Traditional exposed lead soft point with locking ring
- Behavior – Reliable mushrooming to roughly 1.5x diameter, 12-16 inches penetration in gel
- Use – Rabbits, squirrels, foxes, bobcats with body shots
- Effective Range – 0-250 yards
- Short Summary – Classic small-game bullet that preserves edible meat while delivering quick, humane kills.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page: Hornady Interlock Bullet Profile.
Nosler 40gr Ballistic Tip Varmint
- Type – Polymer-tipped lead core varmint bullet
- Behavior – Violent upset and fragmentation similar to V-MAX
- Use – Coyotes (headshots), prairie dogs, woodchucks
- Effective Range – 0-350 yards
- Short Summary – Combines excellent accuracy with devastating terminal performance for fur-friendly varmint hunting.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page: Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet Profile.
Sierra 45gr BlitzKing
- Type – Polymer-tipped hollow point varmint bullet
- Behavior – Explosive fragmentation with large wound channels
- Use – High-volume prairie dog and ground squirrel shooting
- Effective Range – 0-300 yards
- Short Summary – Match-grade accuracy paired with spectacular terminal effect for demanding varmint hunters.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page: Sierra BlitzKing Bullet Profile.
Speer 46gr TNT
- Type – Thin-jacketed hollow point varmint bullet
- Behavior – Ultra-explosive, often complete fragmentation in tissue
- Use – Small varmints where maximum disruption is desired
- Effective Range – 0-250 yards
- Short Summary – One of the most violent terminal performers available in .22 Hornet for decisive kills on tough pests.
More details available in our dedicated bullet profile page: Speer TNT Bullet Profile.
Practical Summary
For high-volume prairie dog and ground squirrel shooting, the Hornady V-MAX, Sierra BlitzKing, and Speer TNT deliver unmatched explosive results inside 300 yards. Switch to traditional soft points like the Hornady Interlock or Winchester Power-Point for edible small game where meat preservation matters. Reloaders seeking extended range on larger varmints should favor 50-55 grain polymer-tipped bullets for superior trajectory, wind resistance, and energy retention out to 400 yards. Range discipline remains absolutely critical – the 22 Hornet is not forgiving beyond its modest energy envelope, and bullet choice ultimately determines terminal outcome far more than raw velocity. Readers are encouraged to explore our 17 Hornet vs 22 Hornet comparison, individual bullet reviews, and extended charts for building the ultimate 22 Hornet load.
