The Hornady .22 Cal .224 50 Grain CX (1:12" Twist) Bullet is a lead-free, monolithic copper-alloy expanding projectile designed for handloading .224-bore cartridges. Engineered as a non-lead option for predator and varmint management, this projectile retains up to 95% of its original weight upon impact to deliver deep, straight-line terminal penetration. Equipped with a polymer Heat Shield Tip, the bullet resists aerodynamic heating to maintain trajectory consistency and drive reliable hydraulic expansion in targets ranging from invasive pests to small- and medium-sized game.

Key Features

• Monolithic Copper-Alloy Construction: Built from a solid copper alloy that avoids fragmentation, retaining up to 95% of its weight for controlled penetration.
• Aerodynamic Heat Shield Tip: Employs a heat-resistant polymer tip designed to prevent in-flight tip deformation and initiate uniform terminal expansion.
• Relief Groove Geometry: Features body grooves engineered to reduce bearing surface friction, minimise copper fouling in the barrel, and enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
• Non-Lead Compliance: Provides a completely lead-free alternative for handloaders assembling pest control and hunting ammunition.

Specifications

• Brand: Hornady
• Model / MPN: 22402
• Bullet Calibre / Diameter: .22 Calibre / .224 in
• Bullet Weight: 50 grains (approx. 3.24 g)
• Bullet Type: Monolithic copper-alloy expanding projectile
• Tip Material: Polymer Heat Shield Tip
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): .164 (G1)
• Sectional Density (SD): .142
• Minimum Barrel Twist Rate: 1:12" or faster
• Box Quantity: 50 bullets per box

Who is the Hornady .224 50 Grain CX Bullet for?

• Predator and varmint handloaders — requires a .224 in bullet diameter in 50 grains to handload high-velocity rounds for .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, or .220 Swift rifles when targeting foxes, feral cats, and wild dogs.
• Hunters seeking lead-free expansion — demands a non-lead copper-alloy rifle bullet stabilised by a 1:12 in minimum barrel twist rate to harvest small to medium game without core fragmentation.

Less suitable for: Rifles featuring barrel twist rates slower than 1:12 in (such as traditional 1:14 in twist barrels) which fail to stabilise this monolithic projectile, or engagements beyond 200 to 300 metres where a .164 G1 ballistic coefficient sheds velocity rapidly; for those extended distances, higher-BC lead-core or heavier 62 to 75 grain hunting bullets provide superior trajectory and energy retention.