.22 Hornet
The .22 Hornet or 5.6�35mmR is a varminting, small-game hunting, survival and competition centerfire rifle cartridge commercially introduced in 1930. It is considerably more powerful than the rimfire .22 WMR and the .17 HMR, achieving higher velocity with a bullet twice the weight of the .17 HMR bullet. The Hornet also differs very significantly from these in that being a centerfire cartridge makes it handloadable and reloadable, and thus much more versatile. It was the smallest commercially available .22 caliber centerfire cartridge until the introduction of the FN 5.7x28mm.
The .22 Hornet fills the gap between such popular varmint/predator cartridges as the .22 WMR and the .223 Remington. In regard to muzzle velocity, muzzle energy and noise, it is well suited to vermin and predator control in relatively built-up areas.
Suggested Use
Factory ammunition is widely available from all major manufacturers, generally with bullets weighing 34, 35, 45, or 46 grains, with bullets invariably either hollow point or soft point. Muzzle velocity typically is in the 2,500 to 3100 ft/s. Range, and muzzle energy is just over 700 ft lb for factory ammo fired from a rifle. Velocities and energies are less when Hornet ammunition is fired from short-barreled firearms.
