Published: November 2025 | Last updated: April 2026
The 22 Hornet was introduced by Winchester in 1930, evolved from the black-powder 22 WCF. It arrived as something genuinely new: a small-bore centerfire cartridge that produced dramatically higher velocity than anything the era’s rimfire cartridges could achieve, yet still fit in lightweight bolt-action and single-shot rifles with minimal report and almost no recoil. For the farmer, the trapper, and the walking varmint hunter, it was a revelation.
Nearly a century later the 22 Hornet occupies a specific and still-valid niche. Its tiny powder charge – typically 10-14 grains – produces low muzzle blast, light recoil, and operating costs well below any centerfire alternative at comparable bore size. In states where shooting near buildings or in farm environments is the context, the Hornet’s quiet report is its most practical attribute. For coyote hunting at ranges inside 200 yards where shot placement can be precise, it is adequate. For prairie dogs and ground squirrels inside 300 yards, it is excellent.
The 22 Hornet does not compete with the 22-250 Remington or 223 Remington on range, energy, or wind resistance. It is not designed to. It is a close-range varmint tool for hunters who value economy and quiet over reach.
For reloading data, see the 22 Hornet complete guide. For comparisons, see 17 Hornet vs 22 Hornet.
Core Ballistic Parameters
| Load | MV | BC (G1) | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 gr Hornady V-MAX | 3,100 FPS | 0.109 | 747 ft-lbs |
| 45 gr Hornady InterLock SP | 2,700 FPS | 0.150 | 727 ft-lbs |
| 50 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip | 2,600 FPS | 0.229 | 751 ft-lbs |
| 55 gr Berger Varmint | 2,500 FPS | 0.275 | 763 ft-lbs |
All data below uses a 100-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 59°F, sea level, 24-inch barrel. The 22 Hornet is a short-range varmint cartridge. A 100-yard zero is the standard for its primary hunting application inside 250 yards.
Bullet Drop (100-Yard Zero)
| Range (yards) | 35 gr V-MAX | 45 gr SP | 50 gr BT | 55 gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 150 | -4.2 | -3.8 | -3.3 | -3.0 |
| 200 | -12.5 | -11.0 | -9.5 | -8.5 |
| 250 | -25.5 | -22.5 | -19.0 | -17.0 |
| 300 | -44.5 | -38.5 | -32.5 | -29.0 |
| 400 | -103.0 | -87.0 | -71.5 | -63.5 |
| 500 | -197.0 | -164.0 | -132.0 | -116.0 |
Drop in inches. Zero at 100 yards.
The 100-yard zero reveals the 22 Hornet’s practical shooting envelope clearly. At 150 yards the 35-grain V-MAX is already 4.2 inches low – for a prairie dog’s vital zone of 2-3 inches, this requires deliberate holdover at any distance past 125 yards. At 200 yards with a 100-yard zero, the drop is 12.5 inches for the lightest load.
The 55-grain Berger shows meaningfully less drop than the 35-grain V-MAX at every distance – 8.5 inches at 200 yards versus 12.5 inches, and 29 inches at 300 yards versus 44.5 inches. This is entirely due to the BC difference (0.275 vs 0.109); despite the slower 2,500 FPS starting velocity, the Berger’s superior aerodynamics produce a flatter trajectory past 200 yards. Handloaders who push the 22 Hornet’s range with 50-55 grain bullets gain both trajectory and wind resistance advantages.
The 150-yard row is included because this is where many practical 22 Hornet shots fall. Prairie dog hunters who know their shot is between 100 and 200 yards benefit from the specific holdover data at 150 yards.
Wind Drift – 10 MPH Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yards) | 35 gr V-MAX | 45 gr SP | 50 gr BT | 55 gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 2.1 |
| 150 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 4.8 |
| 200 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 8.3 |
| 250 | 21.5 | 18.0 | 14.8 | 12.9 |
| 300 | 31.0 | 26.0 | 21.0 | 18.3 |
| 400 | 56.0 | 46.0 | 36.5 | 31.5 |
| 500 | 88.0 | 72.0 | 56.0 | 48.0 |
Drift in inches. Half-value crosswind = divide by 2.
Wind drift is the 22 Hornet’s most significant practical limitation. At 200 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, the 35-grain V-MAX drifts 13.5 inches. A prairie dog’s vital zone is approximately 2-3 inches – a 2 MPH wind estimation error at 200 yards moves the bullet 2.7 inches. In any crosswind above 5 MPH at 200 yards, reliable hits on small varmints with the 35-grain load require accurate wind calls.
The 55-grain Berger drifts 8.3 inches at 200 yards versus 13.5 for the 35-grain – a 5.2-inch difference that is the entire width of a jackrabbit. For open-country varmint shooting past 150 yards in any crosswind, the heavier high-BC bullets are meaningfully more practical.
At 100 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, the 35-grain V-MAX drifts 3.2 inches – already challenging for prairie dog headshots. The 22 Hornet performs best in calm or very light wind conditions. On days with consistent 10+ MPH crosswinds, effective range drops to 75-100 yards with the lightweight loads.
Velocity Retention
| Range (yards) | 35 gr V-MAX | 45 gr SP | 50 gr BT | 55 gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,100 | 2,700 | 2,600 | 2,500 |
| 100 | 2,416 | 2,202 | 2,199 | 2,159 |
| 150 | 2,090 | 1,973 | 2,008 | 1,980 |
| 200 | 1,793 | 1,762 | 1,833 | 1,812 |
| 250 | 1,528 | 1,569 | 1,672 | 1,653 |
| 300 | 1,298 | 1,393 | 1,523 | 1,504 |
| 400 | 962 | 1,090 | 1,262 | 1,262 |
| 500 | 757 | 872 | 1,044 | 1,054 |
Velocity in FPS. Supersonic threshold approximately 1,340 FPS at sea level. Varmint bullet expansion typically requires 1,800+ FPS.
The velocity table explains much of the 22 Hornet’s practical limitation. The 35-grain V-MAX drops below 1,800 FPS (minimum reliable fragmentation velocity for varmint bullets) at approximately 205-210 yards. The 45-grain soft point reaches that threshold around 210-215 yards. Past those distances, expansion becomes unreliable for lightweight varmint bullets.
The 50-grain Ballistic Tip and 55-grain Berger hold above 1,800 FPS to approximately 215-220 yards – modestly farther than the lighter loads. All four loads go transonic between 300 and 375 yards; the 35-grain V-MAX goes subsonic around 310-325 yards, the 55-grain Berger around 370-380 yards.
This velocity picture confirms the 22 Hornet as a 200-250 yard varmint cartridge at its reliable performance ceiling, not because of trajectory alone but because bullet performance becomes uncertain past those distances.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 35 gr V-MAX | 45 gr SP | 50 gr BT | 55 gr Berger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 747 | 727 | 751 | 763 |
| 100 | 454 | 484 | 537 | 569 |
| 150 | 340 | 389 | 448 | 479 |
| 200 | 250 | 310 | 374 | 400 |
| 250 | 182 | 246 | 310 | 334 |
| 300 | 131 | 194 | 257 | 277 |
| 400 | 72 | 119 | 177 | 194 |
| 500 | 45 | 76 | 121 | 135 |
Energy in ft-lbs.
The energy figures define the 22 Hornet’s hunting limitations honestly. The 35-grain V-MAX drops below 100 ft-lbs at approximately 380-390 yards – not a concern since the bullet goes subsonic around 315 yards and becomes ineffective well before that. The 45-grain soft point holds above 200 ft-lbs to approximately 205-210 yards – at the lower bound for ethical coyote kills on body shots.
For coyotes, most experienced Hornet hunters set a 150-yard maximum and aim for the head or neck rather than body shots past 100 yards. At 150 yards the 45-grain soft point delivers 389 ft-lbs – modest but adequate for a headshot. At 200 yards (310 ft-lbs) a body shot on a coyote requires perfect placement to reach vitals reliably.
For prairie dogs and ground squirrels, energy is not the limiting factor – the explosive fragmentation of varmint bullets at 22 Hornet velocities is consistently effective inside 250 yards where the bullets remain above expansion velocity.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady V-MAX 35 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with very thin copper jacket, lead core. The lightest commonly loaded 22 Hornet bullet. Designed for maximum explosive effect on the smallest varmints at close range.
Terminal behavior: Fragments completely at 22 Hornet velocities. At 3,100 FPS close-range impact, the 35-grain V-MAX essentially vaporizes prairie dogs and similar small varmints – nothing exits. At 200 yards where velocity drops to approximately 1,793 FPS, fragmentation becomes less reliable but still effective on direct hits. At 250 yards (1,528 FPS), fragmentation is inconsistent.
Hunting application: Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and gophers inside 225 yards. The highest starting velocity of the four loads produces the flattest trajectory inside 200 yards. The 35-grain’s extremely low BC (G1: 0.109) makes it very sensitive to wind – in anything above a light 5 MPH breeze, effective range on small varmints drops to 150-175 yards. In calm conditions this is the prairie dog specialist load.
More details: Hornady V-MAX bullet profile
Hornady InterLock SP 45 gr
Construction: Exposed lead soft point with Hornady’s interlock ring that helps retain the core during expansion. The traditional 22 Hornet factory hunting load.
Terminal behavior: Mushrooms reliably at 22 Hornet velocities inside 200 yards. At 2,700 FPS the 45-grain InterLock expands to approximately 0.32-0.38 inches with controlled mushrooming. Penetration in small game tissue: 4-8 inches – adequate for rabbits and squirrels, sufficient for clean kills on edible small game without excessive meat damage. At 150 yards where velocity drops to approximately 1,973 FPS, expansion is still reliable.
Hunting application: Rabbits, squirrels, and edible small game to 150 yards where meat preservation matters. The soft point’s controlled expansion produces less tissue disruption than varmint bullets, preserving more edible meat on rabbits and squirrels. For the farm hunter who wants to bring home a rabbit alongside controlling ground squirrel populations with the same rifle and cartridge, the 45-grain SP is the appropriate choice. Also functional on foxes and bobcats inside 125 yards with headshots.
More details: Hornady InterLock bullet profile
Nosler Ballistic Tip 40 gr
Construction: Polymer tip initiates rapid expansion, thicker jacket than the V-MAX, lead core. Designed for slightly more penetration than pure fragmentation bullets while still producing explosive effect on varmints.
Terminal behavior: Violent expansion at 22 Hornet velocities. At 2,800 FPS the 40-grain Ballistic Tip produces dramatic fragmentation slightly more controlled than the V-MAX – effective on coyotes at close range where the bullet can reach vitals before jacket failure. At 200 yards where velocity drops to approximately 1,850-1,900 FPS, fragmentation is still reliable.
Hunting application: Coyotes at headshots inside 125 yards, prairie dogs and varmints inside 275 yards. The 40-grain Ballistic Tip’s slightly better BC than the 35-grain V-MAX (G1: approximately 0.160) produces about 1-1.5 inches less wind drift at 200 yards – a modest improvement. For coyote callers who bring animals to within 100 yards, the Ballistic Tip at 22 Hornet velocities is adequate on head and neck shots. On body shots at any distance, the limited penetration depth makes clean kills on coyotes unreliable.
More details: Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet profile
Sierra BlitzKing 45 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with thin progressive jacket. Sierra’s dedicated varmint bullet combining match-grade accuracy with explosive terminal performance.
Terminal behavior: Explosive fragmentation at 22 Hornet velocities – similar to the V-MAX in effect on small varmints but with Sierra’s reputation for exceptional lot-to-lot consistency. At 2,700 FPS the BlitzKing produces immediate jacket failure and full fragmentation on prairie dogs and similar targets. At 200 yards where velocity drops to approximately 1,800 FPS, fragmentation remains adequate.
Hunting application: Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and similar small varmints to 275 yards in calm conditions. The BlitzKing’s match-grade accuracy potential in quality 22 Hornet barrels (Sierra bullets are renowned for consistent dimensions) makes it the choice for handloaders who want to combine maximum accuracy with explosive varmint effect. In a quality single-shot or bolt-action Hornet barrel, the BlitzKing 45-grain consistently produces sub-1 MOA groups at 100 yards.
More details: Sierra BlitzKing bullet profile
Speer TNT 46 gr
Construction: Thin-jacketed hollow point. Speer’s TNT (Total Nastiness Technology – a marketing name) is specifically designed for the most dramatic tissue disruption possible at varmint cartridge velocities.
Terminal behavior: Among the most violent terminal performers available in .224 caliber for the 22 Hornet’s velocity range. The TNT’s hollow point and thin jacket produce near-complete bullet disintegration on contact. At 2,700 FPS there is essentially no penetration – energy transfer is immediate and complete. This makes it inappropriate for any game larger than a prairie dog where some penetration is needed, but optimal for high-volume pest control where instant incapacitation is the goal.
Hunting application: Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and pest birds inside 225 yards in calm conditions. The TNT’s effective range is limited by both velocity and its complete-fragmentation design – past 200 yards where impact velocity drops below 1,800 FPS, the ultra-thin jacket fails to fragment consistently. For high-volume farm pest control where the immediate knockdown effect of complete disintegration is valued, the TNT is the most dramatic choice available in this caliber.
More details: Speer TNT bullet profile
Practical Range Recommendations
Prairie dogs and ground squirrels – any load inside 225 yards in calm conditions. In a 10 MPH crosswind, effective range drops to approximately 125-150 yards with the 35-grain loads and 175-200 yards with the 50-55 grain loads. The 22 Hornet’s small powder charge produces minimal ground disturbance and noise at the colony – dogs do not scatter after shots the way they do with louder cartridges, which extends productive shooting time.
Rabbits and edible small game – 45-grain InterLock or soft point inside 150 yards. The soft point’s controlled expansion preserves more edible meat than fragmentation bullets. At 150 yards with a 100-yard zero, the 45-grain is 3.8 inches low – a conscious hold-high is needed, but manageable for experienced hunters.
Coyotes – head or neck shots only, inside 125 yards. Body shots on coyotes with the 22 Hornet are unreliable at any distance due to limited energy (310-389 ft-lbs at 150 yards) and bullet penetration. A precise head or neck shot inside 100 yards is the practical ceiling for ethical coyote use. Callers who can bring coyotes to within 75 yards have a functional setup; hunters expecting body shots at 200 yards should use a more appropriate cartridge.
Economy and report – the 22 Hornet’s defining practical advantage over the 223 Remington and 22-250 Remington is its minimal powder charge (10-14 grains vs 24-38 grains). Component cost per round for handloaders is dramatically lower, and the report is noticeably quieter – relevant for farm shooting where neighbors are within earshot, or for walking varmint hunts where hearing protection is inconvenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum effective range of the 22 Hornet on prairie dogs? 225-250 yards in calm conditions with any load; 175-200 yards with the 50-55 grain loads in a 10 MPH crosswind. Past those distances, wind drift exceeds the vital zone width of a prairie dog (approximately 2-3 inches) with any load in typical field wind conditions. The 22 Hornet is a calm-day prairie dog cartridge; the 22-250 Remington or 223 Remington are more appropriate for windy days or consistently longer shots.
Is the 22 Hornet adequate for coyotes? Yes, inside 100-125 yards with head or neck shots and calm conditions. Body shots on coyotes are unreliable due to the limited energy (310-450 ft-lbs at 150 yards) and fragmentation bullet penetration depth. Hunters who call coyotes to within 75 yards have a functional setup. Those expecting 200-yard body shots should use the 223 Remington or a similar cartridge with more energy.
Why does the 22 Hornet have such a distinctive report compared to other centerfire rifles? The 22 Hornet uses only 10-14 grains of powder versus 24-38 grains for the 223 Remington. Less powder means less combustion gas pressure, which produces a notably quieter and shorter crack. The 22 Hornet’s report is closer to a rimfire .22 Magnum than to other centerfires – one of its defining characteristics for farm shooting, walking hunts, and any situation where minimizing noise is practical.
Are 22 Hornet and .22 WCF cases interchangeable? No. The 22 WCF (22 Winchester Center Fire) is the 22 Hornet’s black-powder predecessor with different dimensions. The cases are not interchangeable. Use cases specifically labeled 22 Hornet. Additionally, 22 Hornet cases are notably thin-walled compared to other centerfire cartridges and require careful sizing and inspection – over-resizing or improper die adjustment can crack Hornet cases.
What twist rate does the 22 Hornet require? The standard 22 Hornet twist is 1:16, which stabilizes bullets up to approximately 55 grains adequately. Some rifles use 1:14 twist. Heavier bullets (55-60 grains) at the slow Hornet velocities benefit from faster 1:14 or 1:12 twist for reliable stabilization, particularly in cold weather where gyroscopic stability decreases. If shooting 55-grain or heavier bullets for extended range, verify your barrel’s twist rate.
How does the 22 Hornet compare to the 17 Hornet? The 17 Hornet pushes a 20-grain .172-inch bullet to approximately 3,650 FPS, producing a dramatically flatter trajectory and less wind drift than the 22 Hornet with any load. At 300 yards the 17 Hornet drops approximately 7-8 inches from a 200-yard zero versus the 22 Hornet’s 16-19 inches with equivalent zeros. The 17 Hornet’s advantage is range – it extends reliable prairie dog range to 300-350 yards in moderate wind. The 22 Hornet’s advantages are wider bullet selection, better terminal performance on coyote-sized game, and broader rifle and reloading die availability. For pure prairie dog shooting in flat, open terrain, the 17 Hornet has a meaningful edge. For versatility including occasional coyote or small game use, the 22 Hornet is the more capable tool.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in November 2025 and revised in April 2026. The revision corrected the zero to 100 yards per site standard for standard hunting cartridges, recalculated all ballistic tables for 100-yard zero, added 150-yard and 250-yard data rows to all tables for practical short-range reference, added velocity retention table with critical expansion velocity threshold analysis showing where each load drops below 1,800 FPS, expanded all five terminal performance profiles with specific mushroom diameter and penetration data, added the coyote body shot limitation in practical recommendations, added the economy and quiet report section as the 22 Hornet’s defining practical advantage, and added FAQ.
