Rifle · Wildcat
.22 K-Hornet
Improved .22 Hornet with more powder capacity.
- Caliber
- 0.224″ · 5.69 mm
- Introduced
- 1940
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .22 Hornet
- Primary use
- Varmint, Target
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1940
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Lysle Kilbourn
- Manufacturer
- Lysle Kilbourn
- Standard
- Wildcat
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Scarce
- Case capacity
- 12 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:14
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 46,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 300 yd
- Max range
- 2000 yd
- Recoil
- 3.5–5.5 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .22 K-Hornet, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- .22 Hornet
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.69 | 0.224 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.17 | 0.243 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 7.21 | 0.284 | ~ |
| Shoulder angle | 35° | — | ~ |
| Base ⌀ | 7.57 | 0.298 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 8.89 | 0.350 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.65 | 0.065 | ~ |
| Neck length | 5.28 | 0.208 | ≈ |
| 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 K-Hornet is highlighted below.
Suitable powders
3 reloading powders listed for .22 K-Hornet, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed by Lysle Kilbourn in 1940s by fire-forming .22 Hornet brass to sharper shoulder angle and less body taper. Increases powder capacity significantly over standard Hornet. Provides noticeable velocity increase with same barrel length. Can be formed by firing standard .22 Hornet ammunition in K-Hornet chamber. Popular among handloaders and small rifle enthusiasts. Never commercialized but remains cult favorite.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .22 K-Hornet use?
- .22 K-Hornet typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .22 K-Hornet?
- .22 K-Hornet uses a 0.224″ (5.69 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .22 K-Hornet still in production?
- .22 K-Hornet is limited; typical availability is scarce.
- What is .22 K-Hornet used for?
- .22 K-Hornet is primarily used for varmint, target.
- What is .22 K-Hornet based on?
- .22 K-Hornet is derived from the .22 Hornet case.
- What are the best powders for .22 K-Hornet?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .22 K-Hornet include Lil'Gun, IMR 4227, N120.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →