What twist rate does .22 Hornet use?

.22 Hornet typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .22 Hornet?

.22 Hornet uses a 0.2244″ (5.7 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .22 Hornet still in production?

.22 Hornet is active; typical availability is common.

What is .22 Hornet used for?

.22 Hornet is primarily used for varmint, small game.

What is .22 Hornet based on?

.22 Hornet is derived from the .22 WCF case.

What are the best powders for .22 Hornet?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .22 Hornet include Accurate 1680, CSP3, H4227, S130, among 12 suitable options.

Rifle · SAAMI

.22 Hornet

5.6x35mmR

The first modern high-velocity .22 centerfire rifle cartridge.

Caliber: 0.2244″ · 5.7 mm
Introduced: 1930
Case: Rimmed
Parent: .22 Winchester Center Fire
Primary use: Varmint, Small Game
Status: Active

Velocity2,600–3,100 fps

Energy400–650 ft·lb

Typical grains35 · 40 · 45 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1930
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: Springfield Armory (development)
Manufacturer: Winchester
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Common

Build

Case capacity: 13.2 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:14
Primer: Small Rifle
Case type: Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 49,000 psi
Eff. range: 200 yd
Max range: 500 yd
Recoil: 3–4.5 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady Varmint Express 35 gr, 3,100 fps, BC 0.200 G1 · 100 yd zero.

Compare tooverlay up to 2

Range	Velocity	Energy	Drop (in)	Drop (MOA)
0 yd	3099	746	-1.5″	—
100 yd	2841	627	0.0″	0.0
200 yd	2593	522	-2.8″	-1.4
300 yd	2354	431	-10.9″	-3.5
400 yd	2125	351	-25.2″	-6.0
500 yd	1906	282	-47.2″	-9.0
600 yd	1695	223	-78.9″	-12.6
700 yd	1492	173	-122.7″	-16.7
800 yd	1291	130	-182.3″	-21.8

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Varmint Express35 gr · V-MAX · 3,100 fps · BC 0.200 G1Buy now →

Best for TargetLapua Scenar50 gr · HPBT · 2,625 fps · BC 0.254 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .22 Hornet ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	5.70	0.224	✓
Neck ⌀	6.17	0.243	✓
Shoulder ⌀	7.04	0.277	✓
Shoulder angle	5.6°	—	✓
Base ⌀	7.59	0.299	✓
Rim ⌀	8.89	0.350	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.65	0.065	✓
Neck length	9.84	0.387	≈
Case length	35.64	1.403	✓
Overall length	43.76	1.723	✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .22 Hornet is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 59 active loads across 22 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 64 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Hornady	V-MAX Varmint Express 35gr	35	V-MAX	3,100	747	0.155 G1
Hornady	Varmint Express V-MAX	35	V-MAX	3,100	747	0.155 G1
Hornady	Superformance Varmint	35	V-MAX	3,100	747	0.155 G1
Hornady	Varmint Express	35	V-MAX	3,100	747	0.200 G1
Lapua	Scenar	50	HPBT	2,625	765	0.254 G1
Federal	V-Shok	30	Nosler Ballistic Tip	3,300	725	—
Winchester	Varmint X Polymer Tip	34	Polymer Tip	3,200	773	—
Barnes	Varmint Grenade	30	PHP	3,200	682	—
Federal	V-Shok TNT HP 30gr	30	TNT HP	3,150	661	—
Federal	V-Shok	30	HP	3,150	661	—
Remington	AccuTip-V	35	AccuTip-V	3,100	747	—
Browning	BXV	35	V-MAX	3,100	747	—
Remington	Premier	35	AccuTip-V	3,100	747	—
Remington	AccuTip-V V-MAX	35	AccuTip-V	3,100	747	—
Remington	Premier AccuTip-V	35	AccuTip-V	3,100	747	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

12 reloading powders listed for .22 Hornet, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Accurate 1680 CSP3 H4227 S130 N110 Lil'Gun Alliant 2400 IMR 4198 IMR 4227 N120 Reloader 7 2015

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .22 Hornet

12 models in the database chamber .22 Hornet. Browse all →

Kimber Pro Varmint 22-250Kimber Pro Varmint 17 HornetCZ 527 Varmint .17 Hornet 24-inchSavage Arms 25 Lightweight VarminterCZ 527 American .17 Hornet 21.9-inchSteyr Arms Zephyr II .22 Hornet 19.7-inchCZ 527 Varmint .222 Rem 24-inchCZ CZ 527 VarmintCZ 527 FSCZ 527 AmericanSavage Arms Model 25 Walking VarminterAnschutz Exemplar Hornet

Lineage

Immediate parent

.22 Winchester Center Fire

Direct descendants (3)

.17 Ackley Hornet .17 Hornet .22 K-Hornet

Family TreeOpen .22 Hornet in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads64 factory loads for .22 Hornet↗Reloading12 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .22 Hornet↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Evolved from the .22 WCF through a series of military and civilian experiments in the 1920s. Winchester standardized it in 1930. The original modern varmint cartridge, it set the template for all subsequent .22 centerfires.

FAQs

What twist rate does .22 Hornet use?: .22 Hornet typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .22 Hornet?: .22 Hornet uses a 0.2244″ (5.7 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .22 Hornet still in production?: .22 Hornet is active; typical availability is common.
What is .22 Hornet used for?: .22 Hornet is primarily used for varmint, small game.
What is .22 Hornet based on?: .22 Hornet is derived from the .22 WCF case.
What are the best powders for .22 Hornet?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .22 Hornet include Accurate 1680, CSP3, H4227, S130, among 12 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 59 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →