New 2200 FPS .22 Mag Rimfire from Hornady
This should interest varminters looking for a harder-hitting rimfire round with better ballistics and accuracy. The most common .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) ammunition features a 40gr round nose or flat point bullet with a Muzzle Velocity of about 1910 fps. All the major makers — CCI, Federal, Remington, and Winchester — sell 40gr ammo loaded to this specification.
Hornady’s new 22 WMR offers a more accurate bullet traveling faster — roughly 300 fps faster to be precise. The new Hornady round features a 30gr V-MAX™ bullet leaving the muzzle at 2,200 fps. The new 30gr Hornady 22 WMR ammo should be available in “early February” according to Hornady.
While the new Hornady 22 WMR offers significantly better ballistics than a typical 40gr, 22 WMR load, other ammo makers do offer similar high-speed 22 WMR loadings. Both CCI Maxi-Mag +V and Federal V-Shok ammunition push a 30gr HP bullet at a claimed 2200 fps. But the Hornady round, with its higher-BC, V-MAX™ bullet, should maintain a velocity edge downrange, as less speed is lost to aerodynamic drag.
Excellent Accuracy
Hornady claims the new 22 WMR loaded with the 30gr V-MAX™ is “significantly more accurate” than any other 22 WMR ammo they’ve tested. According to Hornady’s Dave Emary, “we started with a better bullet, and the added velocity provides a flatter trajectory.” Even out of old, inexpensive rifles, the new ammo is delivering 1.5 MOA or better groups at 100 yards. That’s exceptional for a 22 WMR according to noted gun writer Chuck Hawks: “I have also owned and used enough .22 WMR rifles to know that they will seldom match that level of performance. I used to have a rather accurate Mossberg bolt action varmint rifle that would consistently shoot into about 1.5″ at 100 yards if I did my part. That is as accurate as any .22 WMR rifle I have ever tested.”
We think the potential is there for even better accuracy, perhaps even half-MOA in a match barrel, but unfortunately Hornady decided to short-load the ammo, pushing the 30gr bullets well inside the case. Bad move. As a result the case crimp is right on the ogive (and with production variances, the crimp may actually be forward of max bullet diameter). Given the shape of the bullet, which curves aggressively away from the case mouth, there’s no way you can get the seated bullet to touch the rifling, even with a zero-freebore match chamber. This was a deliberate decision on Hornady’s part, but we still wish the ammo was loaded longer — even just a little bit, to ensure that the ammo is crimped on the full-diameter bearing surface. We have seen examples of 17 Mach 2 and 17 HMR rounds with crimps forward of max bullet diameter and this kills accuracy while causing problems such as mangled case mouths and canted bullets with extreme run-out.
Compare the CCI Maxi-Mag +V shown above. It has a distinct driving band. This ensures that the crimp is on the full diameter of the bullet. We would like to see Hornady load its new 30gr 22 WMR longer to ensure that the crimps are ALWAYS on the bearing surface, and NEVER on the ogive. If Hornady is already at SAMMI max Cartridge OAL of 1.350″, it could modify the plastic bullet-tip to allow the bullet to be moved further out of the case.
Check out CCI’s 30 grain V-Max round,I’ve been shooting it for about 6 months now and it performs excellent. It’s not the HP+V (which gets confused with the vmax) that you have mentioned and shown in the artical above.I have acheived a little better results with the CCI V-Max out of the Marlin 882 ss rifle that I have,about 3/4 in. groups at 100 yds. but still get a flyer once in about 25 rounds.Have taken dozens of jacks and p-dogs even out to 150 yds. after that it tends to fall off a bit,but it’s hard for me to see that well even with 9 X scope.CCI’s V-max hasn’t recieved as much ad hipe as Hornady’s or Remingtons but I had to dig for the info. and asked Midway to stock it,and they did. Hope to try Hornadys when it comes available. Your’s truly Les. p.s. cci’s prouduct # 0073
The new Hornady ammo looks the same as the CCI V-max rounds. They both shoot
at 2200fps and the bullets are the same except for the color tip. I pulled the bullets
from the Hornady and the CCI ammo and they are identical..!! I will shoot both to see if
there is a difference in accuracy and performance but my suggestion is to buy which ever
ammo is cheaper because they are the “same” just in different packages!
I have a Marlin model 882 with a Simmons 4×30. While not a high dollar rig, with the Hornady and CCI 30gr ammo, I and my 16 year old son can put down less than 1/2″ groups at 50 yards off of a benchrest. At 100 yards we have had groups at 3/4″ with the majority at 1″ or slightly under. 5 round groups and a good swab out after each group. On a recent coyote hunt, my stepfather dropped one IN ITS TRACKS at about 75 yards having never shot the gun before. I am with the author, this is a great caliber. Only draw back, does alot of damage on small game like a squirrel.
I’ll use Winchester FMJ on squirrels, regardless of regulations, and have no problems. Punches clean, small whole on body shots, or will shatter skull on headshots. No mess, no waste! A .22 WMR, FMJ kills faster, and instantly compared to the less powerful .22 LR, period. Just watch your background. I’d imagine the Remington PSP would be a good choice on squirrels if you don’t
want to use Winchester FMJ. I think regs usually don’t allow for FMJ on deer or larger game,
but I doubt anyone would have a problem on squirrels. Some .22 LR is copper plated solid nose and doesn’t look any different, anyhow. Most people wouldn’t know, nor care about the
difference between a plated solid, or a .22 WMR full jacket.
recently bought a Little Sharps in .22 mag. put on my old Unertl 14X. shoots 3/4″ groups at 100yds, even with my old eyes, with the Hornady 30 gr. V-max is a close second. doesn’t seen to like the 40 & 45 gr. bullets. just ordered 500 qty. of the Hornady from Cabellas ( back order )
I love this ammo. Nothing else would shoot accurately enough for me. I have a Ruger 77/22 22 mag and this ammo shoots great. I would say 3/4 inch at 100 yards. Good enough for 40 pound Michigan winter coyotes? We’ll find out soon.
The 22 magnum is underrated as a self defense cartridge.I carry a Charter Arms Pathfinder loaded with these bullets.It is not just a small game round.Low recoil,accuracy,high velocity all combine for precision self defense shots.The gun also stays on target. The only problem is we need high quality 22 mag pistols with a 20 round capacity.No attacker no matter how mean can shrug off one of these to the face,it’s better than missing with a centerfire magnum.Jim ( i make my living armed,i have a wide choice of fireams,the 22 mag does have a legitimate defense niche )
Hornady 22WMR V Max
CZ Varmit fitted with a Harris Bi pod and a Bushnell scope,
Sighted in for 1 inch high at 50 metres
5 shot groups on 5 different targets
All 25 shots were in acceptable 1 inch groupings.
Copy of targets available.
Australia
Check out the PMR-30 by KelTec. Holds 30 rnds of 22 mag. Loaded weight 19 oz. http://www.KelTecWeapons.com
I have a Kel Tec PMR 30 which holds the 30 rounds of 22WMR and love it! There are many reviews on line and as noted,
it stays on target with no recoil as you unload a hail of lead. Makes a lot of racket and spews out flame and sparks. Pretty impressive. I usually load 25 rds because they get harder to place properly in the double stack mag. Try a high volume dealer though because there is a long waiting line.
hey, i’ve shot and killed deer out to 200+ yds with a .22lr but haven’t tried with a 2mag yet as i will try on tomorrows hunt and will get back on the info on how it performs with the hornady vmx.
Shooting deer or other large game is aganist the law because too many were wounded and ran off to die-so if you cant afford a legal gun–30-06/12ga– to legally hunt game—Deer or whatever —-don’t—or the next time someone see’s you hunting with your mighty .22—you could become the hunted.
It takes a pure unknowing idiot to shoot deer with a .22. Ivan,, you’re showing your stupidity.
Hornday makes good rounds,,,Retailers just over price them. I purchased these 22mag Vmax 30gr at $11.49 a box…Today
02/23/13 More than fair…Bought all they had.
I agree with all of you who said that hunters should not try 22 mags on Deer or larger animals. As far as it being illegal to do this everywhere, that is true for non Indians. Indians on a Reservation in MN don’t have to obey any laws but their own and allow hunting deer with a 22 cal Rifle. if you are a registered member of the tribe.
A person who is lost in a large wilderness area and who has been without food for days and sees a deer needs to kill it with anything and any method available so that the person can eat. A human life is much more important than an animal life.
I have witnessed on 2 occassions of a 22 LR Mag. completly taken down a deer 50 yards and aprox. 75 yards both head shots , will it do it everytime maybe not.but the 22mag has alittle more use than thinning out the squirrels
As far as accuracy is concerned , the Hornady round is by far the most accurate 22 magnum on the market. With the proper optics, you can drive nails with these at 75 yards and still be able to take advantage of the best downrange capability available in 22 mag.. I also shoot other Hornaday ammo with the same design in .44 magnum and .444. This is ammo you can trust to get the job done !