We started this series of articles looking at some of the prominent rimfire offerings; however, this article has a twist: a cartridge with a primer! That’s right, folks, we have a centerfire in the mix. The venerable .22 Hornet is an old cartridge that has never really taken off, yet it has also refused to fade off into the west. The 22 Hornet VS 22 Mag comparison is unique. One is a rimfire rocketship, and the other is one of the smallest centerfire rifle calibers on the market.
The 22 Hornet is a more powerful centerfire cartridge than the rimfire .22 Magnum. The .22 Hornet is also better for long-distance accuracy, keeping a flatter trajectory, and higher velocity. If value is your key proposition, the .22 Mag platform is far more affordable than the .22 Hornet’s. This article breaks down the pros, cons, and performance characteristics of each to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your arsenal.
The Perfect In-Between?
The 22 Hornet VS 22 Mag: The (5.6x36R) .22 Hornet (left), and the (.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire) .22 Mag (right).
The .223 Remington is the most popular centerfire caliber, hands down. It is cheap, it is everywhere, and it is a high performer. That being said, it is not a perfect fit for all situations. It has blistering velocity and excellent energy, but sometimes it is just too much for the task at hand.
A logical step down is the reliable and potent .22 Mag, a trustworthy rimfire with a lot going for it. However, even an ultralight projectile (30gr.) in .22 Mag produces about 68% the muzzle velocity of a standard 55gr. FMJBT projectile in .223 Remington. A closer comparison of a 50gr. Load in .22 Mag shows the Mag mustering less than 50% the muzzle velocity of the .223.
Enter the venerable .22 Hornet, an almost ideal in-between caliber. Since the Hornet is actually quite a bit older than either the Mag or the .223, it was obviously not designed to fill the void between the two; it just happens to do so very well.
History & Data
| Cartridge Specs | .22 Hornet | .22 Mag |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Casing | .22 WCF | .22 WRF |
| Bullet Diameter | .224“ | .224“ |
| Neck Diameter | .243″ | .243″ |
| Base Diameter | .298″ | .245″ |
| Case Length | 1.403″ | 1.05″ |
| Overall Length | 1.723″ | 1.35″ |
| Grain Weight | 35gr-55gr | 30gr-50gr |
| Max Pressure (SAMMI) | 49,000 PSI | 24,000 PSI |
The .22 Hornet dates back to the early 20th century and holds a special place as one of the first small-caliber, high-velocity cartridges developed for civilian use. Designed by a group of engineers at Springfield Armory, looking to create a small-caliber cartridge with significantly more power and range than the .22 LR. They based the case on a necked-down .22 WCF, adapting it to fire a .224-inch bullet.
Winchester introduced the .22 Mag in 1959 as a more powerful alternative to the popular .22 LR. Winchester designed the .22 Mag to meet the demand for a rimfire cartridge capable of hitting targets at longer ranges, where the .22 LR was ineffective. Its development marked a significant step forward in rimfire ammunition, offering shooters a cartridge with greater velocity, energy, and effective range.
22 Hornet VS 22 Mag
When selecting the best ammo option for your needs, it’s important to consider how grain weight and bullet type affect performance. Heavier bullets, like those utilized in .22 Hornet, generally offer better penetration and energy retention, making them ideal for game at longer distances. On the other hand, lighter bullets, like those found in .22 Mag, are still capable of high velocities and relatively flat trajectories, which can be useful for smaller game at shorter distances.
Winchester Super X JHP .22 Hornet VS. CCI Maxi-Mag Varmint JHP .22 Mag
JHP VS JHP: Winchester’s Super-X in .22 Hornet is about 136% more powerful (in energy) than the CCI Maxi-Mag in .22 Mag.
When you make a name for yourself solely on rimfire cartridges, you are probably pretty good at it. CCI has been at it since 1951, when Dick Speer created the company, although the original intent was not a rimfire-specific company. Winchester, on the other hand, has been manufacturing rifles chambered in rimfire cartridges for over 100 years. Both companies know a thing or two about performance in the varmint category, as you can see in the data below.
22 Hornet: Winchester’s Super-X hollow point bullets deliver rapid expansion and explosive fragmentation on impact.
22 Mag: CCI’s Maxi-Mag features a jacketed hollow-point bullet design that transfers tremendous energy to the target.
| Caliber | Bullet Type | Bullet Weight | Velocity (Muzzle) | Energy (Muzzle) | 100 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 150 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 200 Yards (Velocity/Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .22 Hornet | JHP | 46gr | 2,690 FPS | 739 FT LBS | 2,043 FPS/426 FT LBS | 1,774 FPS/321 FT LBS | 1,504 FPS/231 FT LBS |
| .22 Mag | JHP | 40gr | 1,875 FPS | 312 FT LBS | 1,319 FPS/155 FT LBS | 1,115 FPS/110 FT LBS | 976 FPS/85 FT LBS |
Winchester Super-X 22 WMR 40 Grain JHP - 50 Rounds
$16.85
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Federal 22 Magnum 30 Grain JHP - 50 Rounds
$18.85
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CCI 22 Magnum 30 Grain TNT JHP - 50 Rounds
$17.85
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CCI Maxi-Mag 22 WMR 40 Grain JHP – 500 Rounds
$154.85
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Sellier & Bellot SP .22 Hornet VS. CCI Maxi-Mag HP + V .22 Mag
SP VS HP: Sellier & Bellot’s SP bullet is a coyote’s worst nightmare, while the CCI HP+V will get the job done within 100 yards, too.
Sellier & Bellot makes a fine SP hunting round; it’s the sort of stuff you find in upscale lodges around the country. The fact that they make it in .22 Hornet makes it all that much sweeter. CCI’s Maxi-Mag HV in .22 Mag epitomizes this concept by producing a cartridge speedy enough and with ample energy to expand a hollow point. This has been the age-old problem with .22LRs; yes, there are plenty of HP choices on the market, but the energy and velocity are so low that you really cannot count on them to do their intended purpose.
22 Hornet: Expect rapid expansion and good weight retention with Sellier & Bellot’s lead-core SP hunting round.
22 Mag: CCI’s Maxi-Mag HP+V provides hunters with a bit of velocity boost by utilizing a light-weight 30gr HP bullet.
| Caliber | Bullet Type | Bullet Weight | Velocity (Muzzle) | Energy (Muzzle) | 100 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 150 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 200 Yards (Velocity/Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .22 Hornet | SP | 45gr | 2,346 FPS | 550 FT LBS | 1,778 FPS/316 FT LBS | 1,531 FPS/234 FT LBS | 1,284 FPS/165 FT LBS |
| .22 Mag | HP | 30gr | 2,220 FPS | 322 FT LBS | 1,375 FPS/126 FT LBS | 1,171 FPS/91 FT LBS | 1,022 FPS/70 FT LBS |
Sellier & Bellot 22 Hornet 45 Grain FMJ - 20 Rounds
$18.85
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Sellier & Bellot 22 Hornet 45 Grain SP – 20 Rounds
$14.85
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Sellier & Bellot FMJ .22 Hornet VS. Federal Champion FMJ .22 Mag
22 Hornet VS 22 Mag: Sellier & Bellot’s .22 Hornet 45gr FMJ outperforms Federal’s .22 Mag 40gr FMJ in everything but price.
This comparison may not seem wholly fair and equitable, but hear me out. For plinking rounds, both of these options will get the job done. Sellier & Bellot’s 45gr FMJ .22 Hornet bullet is great for training, plinking, and sighting in optics. Plus, its brass is reloadable, an added cost savings for those with a bench. Federal’s Champion line is a go-to for most competition shooters when they train at the range, the jacketed bullets, primers, and brass are suited to a wide variety of rimfire applications.
22 Hornet: What you see is what you get with Sellier & Bellot, new brass, high-quality primers, and consistency are all included.
22 Mag: Federal’s Champion line features a full-metal jacket bullet design that is perfect for plinking, targets, competition, and training.
| Caliber | Bullet Type | Bullet Weight | Velocity (Muzzle) | Energy (Muzzle) | 100 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 150 Yards (Velocity/Energy) | 200 Yards (Velocity/Energy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .22 Hornet | FMJ | 45gr | 2,346 FPS | 550 FT LBS | 1,793 FPS/321 FT LBS | 1,557 FPS/242 FT LBS | 1,310 FPS/171 FT LBS |
| .22 Mag | FMJ | 40gr | 1,880 FPS | 314 FT LBS | 1,311 FPS/153 FT LBS | 1,121 FPS/112 FT LBS | 982 FPS/86 FT LBS |
Sellier & Bellot 22 Hornet 45 Grain FMJ - 20 Rounds
$18.85
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Sellier & Bellot 22 Hornet 45 Grain SP – 20 Rounds
$14.85
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Accuracy Considerations
Price VS Performance
Before getting into the specifics of the two pugilists at task today, there is a fairly significant factor that will play into the decision for or against any particular caliber. The Hornet is old and seasoned, and continues to soldier on, but it can be stated that it is largely on a highly limited, niche market basis. Upon researching rifles chambered in .22 Hornet, there are probably fewer than ten options total on the market, and Savage makes the only one that is sub-$500 off the shelf.
Ammunition is surprisingly affordable considering the small variety of firearms chambered in the caliber, although it is still about double the price per round as .223 Remington, and three times that of .22 Mag. However, prices per round for cheap target ammunition are still not unaffordable.
Conclusion: 22 Hornet VS 22 Mag
The .22 Hornet overpowers the .22 Magnum, with higher velocities, a flatter trajectory, and impressive long-range accuracy.
Really, these two calibers are not so much competitors, but they are not complementary either. The .22 Mag is always going to have rimfire limitations, no matter how hot. It does a lot of things well for what it is, but it is not a centerfire .22. The Hornet is a great in-between caliber between .22 Mag and .223 Remington, but with so few choices of guns and ammo, does it really bring enough to the table to consider it seriously? If you’re on the fence about 22 Hornet VS 22 Mag. It really depends on your situation.
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