The Hornady .22 Cal .224 50 gr ECX™ (Extreme Copper alloy eXpanding) projectile is a monolithic, lead-free bullet designed for handloaders targeting varmints, predators, and small-to-medium game. Engineered from a single-piece copper alloy, it delivers deep penetration and retains over 95% of its initial weight upon impact. Featuring a flat polymer tip that drives into an internal cavity, it provides controlled hydraulic expansion at short-to-medium hunting distances across factory-chambered .22-calibre rifles, including standard .222 Rem, .223 Rem, and 5.56x45mm platforms.

Key Features

• Monolithic Copper Construction: Built from a single-piece non-toxic copper alloy that retains 95%+ of its original weight with minimal core fragmentation.
• Flat Polymer Tip: Initiates uniform, predictable expansion upon impact across common hunting velocities.
• Optimised Exterior Grooves: Exterior body driving grooves decrease overall bearing surface area, lowering drag and reducing bore fouling.
• Chamber Compatibility: Geometric profile accommodates traditional European C.I.P. chamber dimensions and variable throat depths without needing excessive bullet jump.
• Barrel Twist Rate Versatility: Stabilises reliably in standard commercial .22-calibre rifle barrels featuring 1:12", 1:9", or faster twist rates.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 224034
• Calibre / Bullet Diameter: .22 Calibre / 0.224 in (5.69 mm)
• Bullet Weight: 50 grains (approx. 3.24 g)
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): 0.164
• Sectional Density: 0.142
• Bullet Profile: Monolithic copper alloy expanding bullet with flat polymer tip
• Box Quantity: 50 projectiles
• Effective Hunting Range: Short-to-medium ranges up to 250 metres

Who is the Hornady 50 Grain ECX Bullet for?

• Varmint hunters requiring non-toxic compliance — Needs a lead-free reloading bullet constructed from solid copper alloy weighing 50 grains to legally take pests on council contracts, private land, or public grounds where toxic ammunition is prohibited.
• Short-to-medium range pest controllers — Reloads common .22-calibre cartridges like the .223 Rem to achieve rapid terminal expansion within 250 metres, balancing a 0.224 in diameter with a 0.142 sectional density and a 0.164 G1 ballistic coefficient.

Less suitable for: Long-range shooting exceeding 300 metres where a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.164 sheds velocity quickly, requiring high-BC boat-tail match or hunting bullets, as well as large-game hunting requiring larger calibres such as 6mm, 6.5mm, or .30 calibre.