Let’s see how these .22-caliber rounds compare with a few of the most popular .22 centerfires and then differentiate between them all. (Photo by Richarad Mann)
February 26, 2025
By Richard Mann
Traditionally, we’ve used .22-caliber centerfire cartridges for varmint hunting , a task at which they all excel. But, just as with cartridges in other calibers, there has been—and continues to be—a push to increase reach. Initially, we did this with more gunpowder, which produced faster velocities. More recently, we’ve been hitting at longer distances with faster twist rates and sleeker bullets with higher ballistic coefficients. This also allows us to launch heavier and stouter bullets, and the .22 centerfires we once only thought suitable for varmints became deer-, pronghorn- and feral hog-capable. Several new .22 centerfires have been introduced in recent years which offer some unique capabilities, but let’s see how they compare with a few of the most popular .22 centerfires and then differentiate between them all.
.22 HORNET The .22 Hornet is somewhat in a class by itself. Even today, it remains the best .22 centerfire option to bridge the gap between the rimfire .22 Magnum and the more powerful and modern .22 centerfires. The Hornet was highly popular from the 1930s until as recently as the 1990s and is still a great short-range varmint/predator cartridge. Where legal, it is also ideal for turkey hunting, but for anything larger, it’s simply underpowered. Current factory ammunition and rifle options are limited, but for those seeking a varmint/predator and turkey rifle for use inside 200 yards, the .22 Hornet will serve admirably.
.220 SWIFT AND .22-250 REMINGTON The .220 Swift’s claim to fame is speed. It’ll push a 40-grain bullet faster than 4,000 fps, and it was very popular for a time. The .22-250 Remington is a .250 Savage necked down to .22-caliber, and the .220 Swift was based on the 6 mm Lee Navy case that had a rim. Although ballistically very similar, the .22-250’s rimless case was better suited to bolt-action rifles, and it soon put the .220 Swift out to pasture.
New .22-250s are readily available, but buyers need to beware, as many .22-250 rifles have a 1-in-14 twist rate. This is not compatible with modern high BC bullets. However, Browning and several other manufacturers offer variations of the .22-250 with a 1-in-10 or 1-in-12 twist rate. If shooting lightweight varmint bullets at high speed is what you want to do, the 88-year-old .22-250 Remington is still a fantastic option.
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.22 CREEDMOOR The .22 Creedmoor is a 6 mm Creedmoor necked down to .22-caliber. It works in bolt rifles with .308 Winchester-size actions or in AR-10s. The .22 Creed is ballistically very similar to the .22-250. Its advantage is its fast 1-in-8 twist rate that allows it to stabilize heavier and higher BC bullets. Although several boutique ammo companies offer .22 Creedmoor ammo, Hornady developed it exclusively for Horizon Firearms, so currently, there’s not a large selection of rifles and loads from which to choose. If you want the .22 centerfire that offers the maximum reach and flattest trajectory, for varmints or deer, the .22 Creedmoor is the best option.
Newer .22 centerfires are often built for AR-15s, but most can also be had in bolt actions, too. (Photo by Richard Mann) .22 NOSLER Introduced in 2017, the .22 Nosler was the first serious attempt at modernizing .22 centerfire performance from an AR-15. It’s based on the 6.8 SPC cartridge case but has a rebated rim the same size as a .223 Remington. To convert an AR-15 in .223 Remington to .22 Nosler, you only need a new barrel and magazine. It can push a 53-grain bullet to 3,450 fps, and, with its 1-in-8 twist, a 70-grain AccuBond to 2,950 fps. The downside is that Nosler is the only source for ammunition, and you’ll not find a huge selection of available rifles.
.224 VALKYRIE Federal Premium launched the .224 Valkyrie the same year the .22 Nosler was introduced. Federal paired the cartridge with some good loads to make it practical for use on varmints and deer-sized game, and Barnes, Hornady, Underwood Ammunition and a couple other manufacturers all offer .224 Valkyrie ammo. The Valkyrie is also based on the 6.8 SPC case, and it retains the 6.8 SPC’s .422-inch rim diameter. This means a conversion from an AR-15 in .223 Remington requires a new barrel, magazine and bolt.
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The Valkyrie has 13 percent less case capacity than the .22 Nosler, is a tad slower, and a 60-grain bullet is the lightest offered in factory ammo. However, the Valkyrie’s case is also shorter, making it more compatible with higher BC .22-caliber bullets. It’s a great cartridge for varmints/predators and deer-sized game.
.22 ARC A few manufacturers offer bolt-action rifles in .22 ARC , but—like the .22 Nosler and .224 Valkyrie—it was created to take advantage of a fast twist rate to enhance the long-range performance of AR-15s. It does this well, but in truth, the .22 ARC is just a legitimized—SAAMI approved—version of the .22 PPC wildcat cartridge that gained benchrest fame. Its parent case is the 7.62x39/.220 Russian, and it has a .441-inch rim, so, like with the Valkyrie, a new barrel, magazine and bolt are required to convert an AR-15 in .223 Remington. Velocity wise, it’s similar to the .22 Nosler and the .224 Valkyrie, but the ARC’s shorter case and it’s 1-in-7 twist rate makes it more compatible with high BC bullets. Although brand new, the consensus is that it will become quite popular, but currently there are only five factory loads available.
.223 REMINGTON/5.56 NATO I saved the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO for last because I believe, when everything’s considered, it’s still the best general-purpose .22 centerfire cartridge. This is partly because there are so many ammo options for varmints, predators and larger game. There’ also a plethora of semi-auto and bolt-action rifles available. Although it has a SAAMI-specified twist rate of 1 in 12, many modern .223 Remington/5.56 NATO rifles come with twist rates as fast as 1-in-7 to handle high BC bullets.
The .223 Remington is more than capable for hunting deer—if you use the right bullet. A 70-grain AccuBond is a good choice. (Photo by Richard Mann) It does not hit as hard or fly as flat as the .22-250 or .22 Creedmoor—or any of the newer AR-15-compatible .22 centerfires. But inside 300 yards—where most critters are shot—it’ll do the job. Also, if you’re looking for maximum compatibility in an AR-15, this is the cartridge Eugene Stoner designed the platform for, and it’ll provide the best long-term service. Note, it’s safe to shoot .223 Remington ammo in a 5.56 NATO rifle, but the reverse should be avoided.
CHOOSE WELL Ultimately, choosing the right .22 centerfire is no different than when choosing between other cartridges. In the end, it all comes down to application. For close-range work, the .22 Hornet occupies a singular place other .22 centerfires cannot fill. For maximum performance on varmints, the .22-250 Remington is fine, but the faster-twisted .22 Creedmoor is better at distance and more versatile. If long-range shooting and the AR-15/MSR rifle are what make you giggle, any of the new AR-15 compatible .22 centerfires are excellent, with the .22 ARC being the best ballistic option.
However, at the risk of repetition, don’t discount the .223 Remington because it’s old. There’s a reason it’s the most popular centerfire cartridge—of any caliber—in America. It’s practical, versatile, and it works at the distances at which most of us commonly shoot.
This article was featured in the February 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe .
