Last updated July 25, 2026. USA Gun Shop is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are pulled live and change often.
How we tested: Every pick here was run through our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun. If we haven't shot it, we don't recommend it.
Best .22 Hornet Rifles in 2026 at a Glance
The .22 Hornet is the quiet, efficient centerfire that has been dropping foxes and pest coyotes since the 1930s, and the rifle list is short enough that I could shoot every current option and rank them honestly. Here is where they land.
| Rifle | Action | Capacity | Barrel | Street Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST OVERALL Savage 25 Walking Varminter | Bolt | 4+1 | 22″ | ~$550 | Check Price |
| BEST PREMIUM Ruger 77/22 Hornet | Bolt | 6 | 18.5″ | ~$1,000 | Check Price |
| MOST FUN Chiappa Little Sharps | Single Shot | 1 | 26″ | ~$1,100 | Check Price |
Table of Contents
Why the .22 Hornet Still Makes Sense
The .22 Hornet is the oldest small bore centerfire most people have heard of, and it earns its keep by doing a very specific job well. It launches a 45 grain bullet at roughly 2,700 fps, which reaches out past 150 yards on foxes, coyotes, and bobcats while barely making a sound compared to a .223. That soft report and light recoil make it a favorite for pest control near buildings and livestock, where a screaming centerfire and a bullet that carries a mile are a problem.
It also sips powder, so if you reload, a pound of powder loads what feels like forever, and cases last. The trade against the rimfire magnums like the .17 HMR and .22 WMR is that ammo and rifles cost more, but you get reloadability, more energy, and a proper centerfire case. If you want a step up from the rimfires without the noise and overkill of a .204 Ruger or .22-250, the Hornet is the sweet spot. Top any of these with a good rifle scope and you have a quiet 150 yard predator gun.
1. Savage 25 Walking Varminter – Best Overall
The Savage Model 25 is the rifle I hand anyone who wants a .22 Hornet that just works. It is a purpose built centerfire with a proper 4 round detachable box magazine, a button rifled 22 inch barrel, and the AccuTrigger that made Savage famous, all wrapped in a light black synthetic stock. The Walking Varminter earns its name at around 7 pounds, so it carries easily on a long fence line walk after ground squirrels.
What puts it on top is value. At roughly $550 it undercuts the premium bolt guns here by hundreds of dollars, yet the accuracy and the trigger give up nothing. If you want one Hornet, want it to be accurate out of the box, and do not want to spend heirloom money, this is the pick.
Pros
- User adjustable AccuTrigger
- Lightest and cheapest here at around 7 lbs and $550
- Real 4 round box magazine, not a single shot
Cons
- Plain synthetic stock is functional, not pretty
- Blued steel needs wiping down after wet days
2. Ruger 77/22 Hornet – Best Premium
The 77/22 Hornet is the nice one. Stainless steel throughout, a green mountain laminate stock that shrugs off weather, a cold hammer forged barrel threaded 1/2×28 for a suppressor, and the flush fitting Ruger rotary magazine. The machined steel receiver wears integral scope mounts with included rings, so there are no bases to buy or shim, which is a headache solved before you leave the shop.
It costs near a thousand dollars, and that is the only thing keeping it out of the top spot. But a threaded Hornet is a quiet Hornet, and a suppressed .22 Hornet on a calm morning is about as pleasant as centerfire shooting gets. If you want the last Hornet you will ever buy, built to hand down, this is it.
Pros
- Stainless and laminate, weatherproof build
- Threaded barrel, suppressor ready out of the box
- Integral scope mounts with included rings
Cons
- Roughly a thousand dollars
- Six round rotary magazine takes practice to load fast
3. Chiappa Little Sharps – Most Fun
The Little Sharps is here because a .22 Hornet in a scaled down 1874 Sharps falling block is pure joy to shoot. Chiappa CNC machines the action and fits it to hand oiled walnut, with a color case hardened receiver and a long 26 inch octagon barrel. Drop the lever, thumb a single round into the chamber, close it, and settle in. It slows you down in the best way, which is exactly the point on a lazy afternoon at the range or a still hunt for a single fox.
It is a single shot, so it is not the tool for a colony of prairie dogs, and the classic looks cost about as much as the Ruger. But nothing else on this list makes you grin like working that little Sharps action, and the Hornet is a perfect fit for its light, trim frame.
Pros
- Gorgeous color case and walnut build
- Faithful scaled down Sharps falling block action
- Long octagon barrel wrings out every fps
Cons
- Single shot, slow for high volume varminting
- Premium price for a classic, not a workhorse
How I Ranked These Rifles
Accuracy came first, then trigger quality, then how the rifle actually serves a Hornet shooter. The Savage won on value because it is an accurate repeater for half the price of the others. The Ruger took best premium for its weatherproof build and factory threaded barrel. The Chiappa is a single shot classic, so it lands third on pure practicality while winning the fun category outright.
.22 Hornet Ballistics in Plain English
A 45 grain .22 Hornet leaves the muzzle around 2,700 fps with roughly 720 ft-lbs of energy. Zero a couple inches high at 100 yards and you can hold on hair out to about 150, with 200 yards possible on calm days for a careful shooter. It is not a long range cartridge, the light bullet sheds speed and fights wind, but inside 150 yards it hits with authority and does it quietly. Bullet weights run from about 30 to 46 grains, with the 35 and 45 grain varmint loads being the most common.
.22 Hornet vs .223 and the Rimfire Magnums
Against a .223, the Hornet is quieter, kicks less, wastes less pelt, and carries far less downrange, so it shines close in where a .223 is loud overkill. Against the rimfire magnums, a Hornet gives you more energy, more reach, and reloadable brass, at the cost of pricier ammo and rifles. If your shots are inside 100 yards and cheap is king, an .17 HMR makes sense. If you want a genuine centerfire that will not wake the neighbors, the Hornet is the answer, and it splits the difference nicely with the flatter .204 Ruger for shooters who want a bit more reach.
Twist, Ammo, and Reloading
Most Hornet rifles run a 1:14 or 1:16 twist that stabilizes the common 35 to 46 grain bullets well. Factory ammo from Hornady, Winchester, and others is around but pricier and thinner on shelves than .223, so buy a few boxes when you see it. This is a cartridge that rewards reloaders more than almost any other. It uses a tiny powder charge, brass lasts, and a careful handloader can tighten groups and tune velocity easily. The thin case necks do dent if you are rough, so handle brass gently.
Common Mistakes Buyers Make
The first mistake is expecting .223 range. The Hornet is a 150 yard cartridge, not a 300 yard one, so match your shots to it. The second is buying a single shot when you meant to shoot volume. The Chiappa is a joy but it is one round at a time, so if you are thinning a dog town, get the Savage or Ruger. The third is skimping on the scope. These rifles are accurate enough to show a cheap optic for what it is, so spend where it counts and use quality rings.
The Bottom Line
The .22 Hornet is a niche cartridge with a short rifle list, but each of these earns its spot. Get the Savage 25 Walking Varminter if you want the most rifle for the money and a real repeater. Step up to the Ruger 77/22 Hornet for a weatherproof, suppressor ready heirloom. Grab the Chiappa Little Sharps if you want the most fun you can have with a single round. Whichever you pick, you are getting the quietest, most efficient way to reach past rimfire range.
FAQ: .22 Hornet Rifles
What is a .22 Hornet good for?
It is a quiet, low recoil centerfire built for foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and pest control inside about 150 yards. Its soft report makes it a favorite near buildings and livestock where a louder centerfire is a problem.
Is the .22 Hornet better than a .17 HMR?
For energy, range, and reloadability, yes. The Hornet is a centerfire that hits harder and reaches farther than the .17 HMR rimfire. The .17 HMR wins on cheaper ammo and rifles and a bit less noise.
How far will a .22 Hornet shoot?
It is a genuine 150 yard cartridge on varmints and predators, with 200 yards possible on calm days for a careful shooter. Past that the light 45 grain bullet drops fast and drifts in wind.
Is .22 Hornet ammo expensive?
It costs more and shows up less often than .223, but it is a reloader favorite because it uses a tiny powder charge and brass lasts a long time. Buy factory ammo when you find it.
Why are there so few .22 Hornet rifles?
It is an old niche cartridge with a small following next to the .223 and the modern rimfire magnums, so few makers chamber it. Savage, Ruger, and Chiappa are the main current options.
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