The .22 Hornet or 5.6×35mmR is a varminting, small-game hunting, survival and competition centerfire rifle cartridge commercially introduced in 1930. Exact performance varies depending on barrel length, but for instance, Hornady advertises a muzzle velocity of 3,100 feet per second for their 35gr Varmint Express ammunition and 2,665 feet per second for their 45gr Interlock ammo. These rifles were intended to assist the downed crew in hunting for food, not for self-defense against enemy troops. Enter To Win A Primary Arms Prize Package! 5. 20 Caliber.204” Diameter. 2,924 fps Optimized for high velocity, rapid expansion, and devastating terminal performance, Winchester’s Varmint-X ammo is really bad news for coyotes. But Colonel Harriger did not have Lil’ Gun. Norma offers ammo with 2.9-gram bullet (44.7 grains), RWS touts a 3-gram bullet (46 grains) and Winchester’s standard Hornet factory load did very well in both rifles with its 45-grain bullet in Super-X softpoint. I also like your taste in rifles! Anyone who enjoys both shooting mild centerfire rifles and owning classically Manufactured by E. Arthur Brown Company with special attention to detail, precision, and the materials necessary to enhance accuracy. The .22 Hornet is still great for varmints and small game out to 200 yards and the light report of the cartridge also makes it easier on the ears than louder cartridges like the .220 Swift or .223 Remington. (413) 642-4262 Lyman mold 225438, .225″ diameter, 44-grain gas check, provided 159 bullets for 1 pound of lead. New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, State Agency: Screw Fl resizing die to full contact with ram head Standard Deviation: 14 fps Two powders — Hodgdon’s Lil’ Gun for superb balance between velocity, pressure, and good case life (such as 13 grains pushing a 45-grain bullet at 2,878 fps at 31,000 CUP), and Red Dot for cast-bullet plinking, small game and mountain birds — is all you’ll need. There are highly frangible bullets as well as missiles of substantial construction. Idaho Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: 13.0-grain Lil’ Gun Great article!! In terms of performance, the .22 Hornet is significantly more powerful than the rimfires like the .17 HMR, the .22 Long Rifle and the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR), but is clearly in a tier below other .22 caliber centerfires like the .219 Zipper and .223 Remington. Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources, State Agency: I inherited my grandfathers Pennsylvania Groundhog gun from my father that just passed. One morning he showed up with a Winchester Model 43 bolt-action .22 Hornet. i would stay away from the hornet because of ammo cost, the 223 ammo is very reasonable. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, State Agency: I’d say it’s slightly more accurate then a regular 22 hornet. Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: Built with a thin jacket and a polymer tip, it will rapidly expand on impact. Comment: All-around load—excellent in Ideal. In today’s post I’m going to show you why the .22 Hornet is so versatile and exactly why you should consider hunting with it. Using Hornady’s well regarded 35gr V-Max bullet, this .22 Hornet hunting ammo is great for really wringing all the accuracy possible out of an already exceptionally accurate cartridge. The 55gr dogtowns were almost as good as the hornady's. There is a great deal of variation in .22 Hornet brass. 2,566 fps The 34gr dogtowns (I think they're called - the ones from Midway) were super accurate as well but I wanted a heavier bullet for coyotes. You can see this pretty clearly in the table below comparing Federal’s 36gr copper plated hollow point .22 Long Rifle, CCI 40gr Game Point .22 Magnum, Hornady 36gr V-Max .22 Hornet, and Winchester 55gr Varmint X .223 Remington ammunition.Yes, the .223 Remington is clearly a more powerful cartridge than the .22 Hornet. With a reputation for superb accuracy, the.22 Hornet was seen in some parts as a ‘wonder bullet’. A 100-yard cluster with the Model 25 using factory Remington .22 Hornet 3,161 fps Among other models, the Browning A-Bolt Micro Hunter, the Browning Model 1885 Low Wall, the CZ Model 527, the New England Handi-Rifle, the Ruger No. Comment: Retained velocity at 300 yards and 1,738 fps Winchester even made their fabled mod 70 "The Rifleman's Rifle" in 22 Hornet. 220 Swift. These characteristics make the .22 Hornet a better choice for pest control in populated areas than those cartridges. ALL 30 gr 33 gr 35 gr 40 gr 45 gr 50 gr 53 gr 55 gr. This Savage is my 2nd Hornet. It would be a long time before I owned a Hornet. Comment: Very accurate, Remington Express Rifle 45-grain PSP Quite a cartridge. However, the body of evidence also indicates that both cartridges are very effective on predators, small game, and varmints. But there’s much more. 17 Caliber.172” Diameter. Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: There was ammo, but no commercial Hornet rifle until 1932. The points you make confirm that I will get get a .22 Hornet. at the trigger. Great for chicken hawks too. The Ruger M77/22, the Savage 25 Lightweight Varminter, and the Thompson/Center Contender are all in current production and are available in .22 Hornet. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: However, they will really do a number on a deer, feral hog, or other big game animal (like an impala, springbok, or warthog) if you hit them in the neck or the head. I'll take the fireformed version over the standard Hornet any day. With a maximum effective range of around 200 yards, the cartridge allowed hunters to hit small targets out about as far as was realistically possible for most people with iron sights. The real benefit is head spacing on the shoulder vastly improves case life and you gain a little velocity with the increased case volume. Soft and hollow points were the most popular bullets for .22 Hornet hunting ammunition for many years and there’s nothing wrong with using them now. The .22 Hornet cartridge evolved out of the black-powder .22 WCF, which originated in 1885 for the Winchester single-shot rifle, and was also chambered in the 1873 Winchester. The. 2,800 fps Thanks for your support. 13.0-grain Lil’ Gun To put it mildly, Whelen was impressed with the performance of the .22 Hornet. My other Hornet rifles (coming up) broaden the horizon of .22 Hornet application. I made no attempt to turn the .22 Hornet into anything but the Hornet in deference to recoil too gentle to knock a hibernating anopheles mosquito off of the barrel. Mountain birds, such as blue grouse, are also legal with rifle where I hunt. Winchester Model 43 in 22 Hornet..Your information is thoughtful and right on the mark, I thank you. Mucho dinero for 1932. When Winchester brought the round out in its fine Model 54 bolt-action rifle, and later the Model 70, the Hornet had a real chance to shine. 7. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the K version go commercial. Not antelope hunting, just scouting. The Hornet continues to be superior for javelina, the pig-like musk hog. For that reason, shooters during the early days of the Hornet primarily used customized rifles like the bolt-action Springfield Model 1922 or the single shot Martini Cadet. Jim allowed me to tag along on jackrabbit safaris. Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: This means I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. The .22 Hornet has survived this long because it fits perfectly into a spot between Body shots on deer with this round dont work out well. Comment: Penetration with accuracy, Barnes 50-grain TTSX FB Bullet However, even though the cartridge has been around for almost a century, and even though it can’t come anywhere close to the performance of those newer cartridges on paper, the .22 Hornet is still a very useful varmint hunting cartridge. Plentiful factory ammo also validates the present status of this old-timer. As all of the big farms seem to be falling victim to developers my Browning B78 high wall in 22-250 gets more “safe time” and my Browning 1885 low wall in 22 Hornet seems to get more field time. If the 77/22 Hornet has the two piece bolt there is a cure for poor accuracy. It’s also pleasingly accurate. 3,181 fps It would be my “front yard” rifle with cast bullets at ultra-low velocity. If you do a lot of long range varmint hunting, or just really like high velocity cartridges, then you should look into getting something like a .22-250 Remington or a .220 Swift because the .22 Hornet probably isn’t for you. One of the reasons why the .22 Hornet first became so popular was because it was so darn effective on small game and varmints like foxes, bobcats, and coyotes at short to moderate range. Matching .22 LR and .22 I spent more trying to find an accurate reload for my Kimber Mdl 82 22 Hornet rifle than any other rifle I have owned. Standard Deviation: 16 fps Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, State Agency: It’s faster than the .22 WMR, but slower than the centerfires. A Brunton Eterna 3-9X with BDC reticule will handle the varmints. There’s a reason why so many hunters use the V-Max bullet for predator and varmint hunting and it’s not just because this ammunition is so reasonably priced. 12.5-grain Lil’ Gun My best groups at reduced (22AH - 218 Bee range) were with the hornady 45 gr hornet. New York Department of Environmental Conservation, State Agency: After all, those newer cartridges shoot heaver bullets at a higher velocity, which translates into more kinetic energy, flatter trajectories, and better downrange performance. He found standard small rifle primers proved the best choice. First one disappeared / evaporated into thin air. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, State Agency: If I hadnt seen it with my own eyes I wouldnt believe it .. And is the Hornet the exotic little mid-range varminter I’m looking for? Inspired by Wotkyns's work with the then-new cartridge, Townsend Whelen and a couple of his Army buddies, G. A. Woody and Al Woodworth, decided to convert three Model 1922 Springfield rifles to handle it. Sierra even offers a .223 45-grain Hornet bullet suited for some older rifles. 22 Hornet. There’s no telling how many coyotes, foxes, and bobcats hunters have taken with the .22 Hornet over the years. The polymer tip helps increase the ballistic coefficient and initiate expansion, even at low impact velocities. Hmmm…The .22 Hornet made its commercial debut around 1930 and was a “new round” simply because it used smokeless powder in the much older blackpowder case – the .22 Winchester Center Fire (WCF). My grandparents lived in the “filet mignon” part of the city. I own a 22 hornet & 22 K-hornet also. Through all of that, the .22 Hornet has refused to die and is still hanging around to this day as a relatively popular varmint cartridge. Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, State Agency: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: 17 Rem. Factory ammo blipped a jack right off of the radar screen—one shot. The Ideal rifle achieved 25¢-piece groups at 50 yards using Sierra’s 52-grain match bullet… and with Yr. Obt. It can shoot flat, there’s little recoil, and accuracy can be quite respectable. Since it was the first small-bore, high velocity cartridge designed for small game and varmint hunting, the .22 Hornet was truly an innovative development. This special rifle spawned a companion as the Luna 981 chambered for the “new Winchester .22 C.F. (me!) Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, State Agency: Jack the rabbit at 300 yards is in the bag with a 35-grain bullet starting at over 3,000 fps and this rifle’s 1/2″-MOA accuracy. Comment: Long-range varmint, Nosler 35-grain Ballistic Tip Lead Free Bullet Missouri Deptartment of Conservation, State Agency: 11.0-grain Lil’ Gun Alaska Department of Fish & Game, State Agency: This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content that’s useful to hunters like yourself. Down on the corner lived Jim Martin, older than I, and tolerant of my incessant and often ill-designed shooting questions. Wild turkeys are table-bound with cast-lead bullets and a pinch of powder for 2,000 fps. My thoughts turned to the Hornet yet again, and I decided to take the plunge. CZ 527 American, Chambered for the .22 Hornet.An overview of the set trigger. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: Editor’s Notes: After further die adjustments, Sam was able to combine de-capping and full-length resizing into one step with no case-loss. well under MOA groups, with some verging on “1-holers” at both 50 and 100 yards. 4. Bud. 3,158 fps Standard Deviation: 14 fps Would a lee loader make accurate ammo? De-prime case with extended de-capping pin; A vast array of projectiles serves the Hornet. Center of photo shows (left to right) .22 WMR, .22 Hornet, .223 and .22-250. The only 10-shot group fired fell below an inch, center to center. Let’s be honest — at the range, you use a standard magazine pouch for your auto pistol reloads, but in the real world, it doesn’t always happen. Westfield, MA 01085 Custom Load for Sam Fadala I grew up in Africa Zimbabwe on a large farm 90% of my hunting was done with a brno 22 hornet any thing up to deer sized game fell to its tiny bullet all kneck or head shots. Accuracy runs were conducted with the Savage Model 25 LV rifle scoped with a Bushnell 4.5-14X scope set at 14X. Full-length resize case This list is far from inclusive. John. than the centerfires. Groups with Sierra match bullets ranged from .143″ (only once) to .164″ for three shots at 50 yards. Speer’s TNT 50-grain .224 bullet pushed by 13-grain Lil’ Gun retains sufficient pasta, even at 300 yards, to make Rancher Harry happy with a reduction of livestock-tripping prairie dog holes. 3. John. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, State Agency: Oh wow, that’s a great development! 3,012 fps Since they have a slower rifling twist, those older rifles quite often have trouble stabilizing bullets heavier than 45 grains. We have 2, an 1885 Winchester Low Wall reproduction by Browning and a Ruger 77/22 Hornet rechambered to K Hornet. Standard Deviation: 28 fps A Remington 6 1/2 primer seems to help accuracy too. 2.0-grains Red Dot 40-grain Ballistic Tip I found the Frankford Arsenal Powder Funnel from Battenfeld Technologies with its specific No. 221 Rem Fireball. Savage Arms With negligible recoil but substantially greater energy than a.22LR, the Hornet allowed those who wielded it to push the boundaries of its capabilities. However, after Winchester Model 54 rifles chambered in .22 Hornet went into large scale production in 1933, the cartridge really made it into mainstream use. Barnes, as a single example, has a 36-grain Varmint Grenade for bust-up, but also a 50-grain X-style for penetration. Now will I get a 22 Hornet “or” a 17 Hornet?? Winchester has a FMJ boattail at 55 grains, a 55-grain Pointed Soft Point, a 50-grain Pointed Soft Point in spire-point design with considerable shank, plus 34- and 40-grain bullets. You retain the accuracy, get a more power and loading is a lot less critical. These cast lead bullets were loaded just shy of 1,400 fps. North Dakota Game & Fish Department, State Agency: Primers go for about 2.5¢ a shot. However, assuming it’s legal to use on deer where you live, I still tend to agree with Mel Tappan’s assessment of the .22 hornet for deer hunting in his book Survival Guns (p90-91): It is by no means a reliable deer cartridge, even with handloads, although it has been used for that purpose. 22 PPC-USA. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: The fix involves putting a shim washer between the two halves of the bolt and making a new pin for the bolt that fits tighter. Comment: Penetration with accuracy, Barnes 50-grain TTSX FB Bullet Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: Im putting a new modern scope on it and hopefully harvesting some of our overpopuated coyotes this JAN. thanks for the good information I will save your website and buy from your sponsors …. Comment: Explosive! I'm leaning toward li'l gun as pressure is low. The Lyman Ideal in .22 Hornet showed great workmanship and excellent accuracy. Hornady’s V-Max 55-grain Moly bullet, 35-grain NTX, and 50-grain V-Max are fine choices. 77/22 hornet has proven deadly on the porkers, have had every one drop on the spot and largest was about 125#. Fully chamfer case mouth; The original ones were .223 diameter like a 22 rimfire and not .224 like most if not all other center fire 22's. Woody, Al Woodworth and the legendary Colonel Townsend Whelen experimenting with the black powder .22 WCF (.22-13-45: .22-caliber/13-grain FFFg/45-grain lead bullet at 1,500 fps) at the Springfield Armory in the late 1920s. Removed de-capping pin assembly entirely; Price: $745, All Velocity Results from 26″ barrel For comparison, it’s not uncommon to see 1:9 or even a 1:7 rifling in an AR-15. Federal’s 45-grain Hornet load scoots the 45-grain bullet from the muzzle at 2,690 fps, while Remington’s Hornet load offers the same performance with a 45-grain softpoint bullet and splendid accuracy. Having lavished praise on the little rascal, I admit it was not the cartridge that lured me. 204 Ruger. One 10-shot, 100-yard group: .836″ with Remington factory ammo (only 10-shot group tested). Sierra produce both 40 and 45 grain flat base soft point projectiles while Hornady produce a … Something to keep in mind is the Savage magazine demands deep seating of high-profile bullets. Pistol; Rifle; Cowboy; GR. For comparison, the maximum load for the .22 Hornet with Accurate 1680 powder is 13.5 Gr., resulting in 2516 FPS from a 20-inch barrel; however, the maximum charge of 1680 in the .22 K-Hornet is 16.0 Gr., resulting in 3177 FPS from a 20-inch barrel, and 2854 FPS from a 14-inch barrel. Comment: Explosive! Standard Deviation: 12 fps The Hornet was a ray gun compared to the rimfire I carried. It does the job for me. 35-grain Hornady V-Max So the tale of Monsouir Clem who shot that unrecorded 800 lb black bear at 200 plus yards at night with One shot with a 22Hor Net…Un Believable. 13.0-grain Lil’ Gun I know this might be a repost of a well known rifle but I thought i'd throw my two cents into the fray. 22-250 Rem. as Red Dot, in very small doses. I have not done one myself but hear it works wonders. By Sam Fadala, State Agency: For perspective, consider the exceptional 1932 Luna Single Shot Target rifle in .22 rimfire, Model 980 falling-block action, fitted with micrometer wind gauge rear sight, disc front sight, plus “perfectly adjustable rear sight,” with both sights removable with a key. Capable of 4,020 fps; 2,850 fps for milder load South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, State Agency: shooters relied on custom rifles. Note: some of the links below are affiliate links. 22-250 Rem Ack Imp. Sam got From left to right, virgin 22 Hornet case, 6mm Hornet with shoulder positioned for my reamer and the last is a standard 22 K-Hornet fireformed case. This Remington ammunition isn’t the sexiest load, but it will still work really well for hunting a wide variety of game. At the same time, I’ll be ready for a cottontail supper by slipping out the “hot” load and installing a mild one, especially with a low-V cast bullet. Install charge with a tap of funnel to settle powder ( 13-grain Lil’ Gun fills the case Small game can be taken with light ammo, and a wild turkey’s perfect as a great camp meat-maker. The 22 Hornet was born around 1920 and in its day the Hornet was the cats meow. This is the case for the new Ruger Model 77/22 chambered for the .22 Hornet. The result is a zero case loss, with perfect chamber fit. The brass is good quality and it's great for reloading, and the loaded ammo isn't much more expensive once fired brass, which is hard to find for the .22 Hornet. Re-chambered Springfield 1922 .22 Long Rifles and newly barreled Martini single shots were the first Hornets (as far as I can tell). For instance, Federal, Hornady, Nosler, Prvi Partizan, Remington, Sellier & Bellot, and Winchester all manufacture at least one .22 Hornet load. Only take that shot if you really know what you’re doing though, because it’s easy to screw up. www.lymanproducts.com 225415 Gas Check Case length is controlled with an RCBS trim die. He initially shot the buck in the shoulder and caused a nasty, but probably not immediately fatal wound. Until that point, 223 Rem. So the Hornet was well represented in 1932. It also did well in the Model 23-D Savage showing in the1932 Stoeger catalog for $32.95. Today's video is an overview of the Ruger Model 77/22 chambered in .22 Hornet. So after a bit of research I ordered one in .22 Hornet from the Sportsman Gun Centre in Exeter. But still love the 222 overall. The Speer 40-grain Spire Point is another interesting Hornet bullet, along with Speer’s 50-grain Spitzer. Arizona Game & Fish Department, State Agency: It’s slender as a serpent, light as a sparrow, and so keenly balanced I tote it without a sling, and I like slings. Comment: Larger game, Barnes 50-grainTSX FB There’s no question about it, whatever the little slope-shouldered pipsqueak accomplishes, the .222/.223 duplicates on Monday and improves on Tuesday. 223 WSSM. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism, State Agency: If you’re looking for a nice .22 hornet rifle, then you have a lot of options. The Big Game Hunting Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com.au, and other Amazon stores worldwide. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, State Agency: Have owned & shot them for 45+ years. A word on the K-Hornet, one of the first blown-out, fire-formed cartridges. We resided in the “hamburger/hotdog” section. I had been looking for a 22 Hornet for a while and finally found the one I wanted at Alpine Shooting over in Ft. Worth. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, State Agency: So, the biggest advantage the .223 Remington has lies in its higher velocity and flatter trajectory that make it easier to hit targets at longer range. Standard Deviation: 28 fps He got 2,846 fps on his chronograph with his hottest 50-grain bullet K-Hornet load. Is it possible to kill a deer with a .22 Hornet? Elevation: 8,000′, Nosler 35-grain Ballistic Tip Lead Free Bullet Standard Deviation: 19 fps While the .22 Hornet is not as popular as it used to be, it’s still not difficult to find factory loaded .22 Hornet ammo at gun stores all over the world. The .22 Hornet has no real modern centerfire equivalent when it comes to hunting populated areas, wooded lands, or small game. A cartridge that shoots that flat seems like a natural for Field Pistol competition. The Challenge Standard Deviation: 33 fps Javelina and wild turkey: either scope will do. The Fireball is eazy to reload but takes a bit more powder but the case life is much longer. Sam’s hands lend scale as he shows a .22 Hornet about to be chambered in the Ideal rifle. Like with many older cartridges, the exact origins of the .22 Hornet are a little hazy. styled rifles will be taken with the little Sharps rifle. Mississippi Deptartment of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, State Agency: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, State Agency: Also own 223 & 22-250's. The lighter and slower .22 Hornet bullets are also less likely to ricochet. Considering that Whelen is known for his quote “Only accurate rifles are interesting”, he must have found the .22 Hornet quite fascinating indeed. Standard Deviation: 21 fps 475 Smith St. Exploding a squirrel or rabbit with a .223 isn’t very helpful if you are wanting meat, not to mention being driven off built-up hunting areas because of noise complaints. Development of the cartridge we know as the .22 Hornet is usually credited to Grosvenor Wotkyns, who at the time was a member of the Ordnance Department at Benecia Arsenal in California. There is no doubt Lysle Kilbourn’s invention will better the standard Hornet velocity-wise. John, i have owned 2 hornets a bruno fox and a zastavia agree not suitable for red deer in new zealand excelent for goats and wallabys a mate of mine said his grandfather shot hundreds of deer in new zealand with a 22 hornet.In the north island most of the hunting is in heavy bush at close range i have been told the hornet was called the poachers rifle in england .Thank you for good article, Thanks for your comment Geoff. Rifle Cartridges. the .22 WMR and the .223 Remington. I am saveing my pennies for a replacement to us here in the states. The .22 Hornet was also widely adopted in Europe where it’s known as the 5.6x35mm. Ninety percent of the time it is more than adequate. Yes, that s right, Winchester loaded Hornet ammunition before any commercial rifles were available for it. Handloaded versatility ran from low-velocity plinking and small game to wild turkey to javelina (and yes, even deer for the expert hunter) with bullets ranging from 30- to 55-grain weight.