{"id":3267,"date":"2025-10-09T17:45:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T17:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?p=3267"},"modified":"2025-10-09T17:45:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T17:45:31","slug":"22-hornet-vs-22-mag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/22-hornet-vs-22-mag\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Hornet VS 22 Mag"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s right, folks, we have a centerfire in the mix. The venerable .22 Hornet<\/a> 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Perfect In-Between?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The 22 Hornet VS 22 Mag: The (5.6x36R) .22 Hornet (left), and the (.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire) .22 Mag (right).<\/p><\/div>\n

The .223 Remington<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

History & Data<\/b><\/h2>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cartridge Specs<\/th>\n.22 Hornet<\/th>\n.22 Mag<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Parent Casing<\/td>\n.22 WCF<\/td>\n.22 WRF<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bullet Diameter<\/td>\n.224<\/span>“<\/td>\n.224<\/span>“<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neck Diameter<\/td>\n.243″<\/td>\n.243″<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Base\u00a0Diameter<\/td>\n.298″<\/td>\n.245″<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Case Length<\/td>\n1.403″<\/span><\/td>\n1.05″<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Overall Length<\/td>\n1.723″<\/span><\/td>\n1.35″<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Grain Weight<\/td>\n35gr-55gr<\/td>\n30gr-50gr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Pressure (SAMMI)<\/td>\n49,000 PSI<\/td>\n24,000 PSI<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

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\u00a0.22 WCF, adapting it to fire a .224-inch bullet.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. Its development marked a significant step forward in rimfire ammunition, offering shooters a cartridge with greater velocity, energy, and effective range.<\/p>\n

22 Hornet VS 22 Mag<\/h2>\n

When selecting the best ammo option for your needs, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Winchester Super X JHP .22 Hornet VS. CCI Maxi-Mag Varmint JHP .22 Mag\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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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.<\/p><\/div>\n

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 <\/span>Dick Speer created the company<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

22 Hornet<\/b>: Winchester’s Super-X hollow point bullets deliver rapid expansion and explosive fragmentation on impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

22 Mag<\/b>: CCI’s Maxi-Mag features a jacketed hollow-point bullet design that transfers tremendous energy to the target.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n
Caliber<\/th>\nBullet Type<\/th>\nBullet Weight<\/th>\nVelocity (Muzzle)<\/th>\nEnergy (Muzzle)<\/th>\n100 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n150 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n200 Yards (Velocity\/Energy)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
.22 Hornet<\/td>\nJHP<\/td>\n\u00a046gr<\/td>\n2,690 FPS<\/td>\n739 FT LBS<\/td>\n2,043 FPS\/426 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,774 FPS\/321 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,504 FPS\/231 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
.22 Mag<\/td>\n\u00a0JHP<\/td>\n40gr<\/td>\n1,875 FPS<\/td>\n312 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,319 FPS\/155 FT LBS<\/td>\n1,115 FPS\/110 FT LBS<\/td>\n976 FPS\/85 FT LBS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n
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\n \"product\"\n <\/div>\n
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\n Federal 22 Magnum 30 Grain JHP - 50 Rounds <\/div>\n
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\n $18.85 <\/div>\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n \"product\"\n <\/div>\n
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\n CCI Maxi-Mag 22 WMR 40 Grain JHP \u2013 500 Rounds <\/div>\n
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\n $154.85 <\/div>\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n