Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR 45gr FTX Rimfire Ammo

Description

When you need a dependable rimfire round for personal defense or compact platforms, the Hornady Critical Defense 22 WMR delivers real performance in an underrated package. This round pairs a 45-grain FTX (Flex Tip eXpanding) bullet with thoughtful ammunition design that addresses the reality of defensive shooting.

What Makes the FTX Bullet Different

The standout feature here is Hornady's patented Flex Tip technology. Unlike conventional hollow points that can plug up and fail to expand when passing through heavy clothing, the FTX design uses a soft polymer tip that compresses on impact, initiating expansion reliably across a wide velocity range. The result is controlled expansion comparable to what you'd get from the company's 380 Auto Critical Defense load, just in a rimfire package. That's meaningful when you're banking on a smaller caliber to do the job.

Practical Details for Real-World Use

The 22 WMR features clean-burning propellants that minimize muzzle flash, which matters if you ever need to use it at night and want to preserve your vision. The nickel-plated brass casings aren't just for looks either, they shed corrosion and glow under flashlight beams, making them easy to spot in low light. You get 50 rounds per box loaded to 1000 fps muzzle velocity with 100 foot-pounds of energy from a short barrel.

This round works across the board in 22 WMR firearms, from compact handguns to rifles. It feeds reliably and maintains the accuracy and manageable recoil that makes rimfire platforms so practical for trained users who understand the caliber's place in a defensive plan.