For serious shooters and competitive marksmen who demand unwavering accuracy and consistent performance from their ammunition components, the Hornady 2249 Match 22 Caliber .224 52 GR Boat Tail Hollow Point Match bullets (100 Box) stand as a benchmark of precision engineering. These bullets are meticulously crafted to resolve the common challenges faced by precision reloaders and target shooters: inconsistent ballistic performance, unpredictable accuracy, and the frustrating variability that can undermine a perfect shot or a winning score.

Whether you're engaging in competitive shooting disciplines, meticulously developing loads for your precision rifle, or simply pursuing the tightest possible groups at the range, these Hornady Match bullets offer a foundational component designed for unparalleled consistency and aerodynamic efficiency. They are engineered to provide a tangible advantage, translating into flatter trajectories, reduced wind drift, and the confidence that each shot will behave predictably.

Unlocking Unprecedented Accuracy: The Core of Hornady Match Bullets

What makes Hornady Match bullets, and specifically the 52-grain .224 caliber variant, a preferred choice for achieving exceptional precision? It boils down to a fusion of advanced design principles and groundbreaking manufacturing processes. Every aspect, from the jacket material to the core, and from the tip profile to the boat tail, is optimized for peak performance.

The Revolutionary AMP® (Advanced Manufacturing Process) Bullet Jacket:
At the heart of Hornady Match bullet excellence is the proprietary AMP® jacket technology. This isn't just an incremental improvement; it's a fundamental shift in how bullet jackets are produced. Unlike traditional methods that can introduce microscopic variations, the AMP® process utilizes a highly advanced, precisely controlled manufacturing technique.

• Unrivaled Concentricity: The primary benefit of the AMP® jacket is its incredibly consistent concentricity. This means the jacket walls are uniform in thickness all the way around the bullet, eliminating eccentricities that can lead to imbalances in flight. A perfectly concentric jacket ensures the bullet spins true, minimizing yaw and wobble, which are detrimental to long-range accuracy.
• Superior Uniformity: Beyond concentricity, the AMP® process ensures uniform material distribution and thickness throughout the jacket. This consistency in material properties contributes directly to predictable ballistic behavior.
• Technological Advancement: The combination of innovative design, cutting-edge tooling, and an optimized manufacturing sequence allows Hornady to produce bullet jackets that set an industry standard for precision and reliability.

Precision Swaged Cores for Flawless Balance:
Complementing the advanced jacket, Hornady Match bullets feature cores that are precision swaged. This process involves forming the lead core under extreme pressure, ensuring a perfectly uniform density and exact weight.

• Perfect Weight Distribution: A precisely swaged core ensures that the bullet's weight is evenly distributed from the tip to the base. Any imbalance in weight can cause the bullet to tumble or precess in flight, destroying accuracy. Precision swaging eliminates these issues.
• Enhanced Consistency: When combined with the AMP® jacket, the swaged core contributes to a bullet that is virtually identical from one to the next within a box, and across different production runs. This consistency is paramount for competitive shooters and reloaders who cannot afford variations.

Aerodynamic Mastery: Design Elements for Ballistic Superiority

Hornady Match bullets are not just about manufacturing precision; they are also about intelligent aerodynamic design that cuts through the air with minimal resistance and maximum stability.

Geometric Profile for Low Drag and Flat Trajectories: The overall shape of the Hornady Match bullet is meticulously engineered to minimize drag. A lower drag coefficient means the bullet retains more velocity over distance, resulting in a flatter trajectory and less bullet drop. This is a critical factor for accuracy at extended ranges, reducing the need for excessive elevation adjustments.

Secant Ogive Design: The Optimal Bearing Surface: The secant ogive profile is a hallmark of high-performance match bullets. This specific nose shape, derived from a secant (a line intersecting a curve at two points) rather than a tangent, provides several key advantages:

• Reduced Drag: It offers a very efficient aerodynamic shape, further contributing to a low ballistic coefficient.
• Optimized Bearing Surface: The secant ogive ensures an ideal bearing surface – the part of the bullet that contacts the rifling in the barrel. This provides superior stability as the bullet engages the rifling, imparting consistent spin and reducing deformation.
• Maximum Ballistic Coefficient (BC): By optimizing both drag and bearing surface, the secant ogive design allows Hornady Match bullets to achieve the highest possible ballistic coefficient for their weight and caliber, meaning they are exceptionally efficient at overcoming air resistance. The stated BC of .229 for the 52-grain .224 bullet is a testament to this optimized design.

Optimized Boat Tail Geometry: The boat tail is the tapered base of the bullet. While seemingly a small detail, its angle and length are incredibly important for aerodynamic stability and drag reduction, particularly at supersonic velocities.

• Reduced Base Drag: As the bullet flies, a vacuum forms behind its flat base, creating drag. The boat tail design reduces this "base drag" by allowing the air to converge more smoothly behind the bullet.
• Enhanced Stability: A well-designed boat tail helps the bullet transition more smoothly from the barrel into flight, promoting stability and reducing yaw, especially as it slows down.
• Caliber and Weight Specific Optimization: Hornady meticulously optimizes the boat tail angle and length for each specific caliber and bullet weight in their Match line. This bespoke approach ensures that every bullet achieves its maximum possible ballistic coefficient and overall performance.

Understanding the Specifications: What Do the Numbers Mean?

Delving into the precise specifications of the Hornady 2249 Match bullet provides a clearer picture of its capabilities and ideal applications.

• Caliber: 22 Cal (.224 Bullet Diameter): This is a widely popular caliber, primarily used in .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges, which are among the most common rifle rounds globally. The .224-inch diameter is standard for these platforms.
• Weight: 52 grains (GR): The 52-grain weight is a classic choice for .223/5.56 rifles, particularly those with faster twist rates (e.g., 1:12, 1:9) that may not stabilize much heavier bullets as effectively, or for shooters who prioritize higher velocity while maintaining excellent accuracy at moderate to long ranges. It strikes a balance between velocity and ballistic performance.
• Bullet Type: Hollow Point Boat Tail Match:
  • Hollow Point (HP): In match bullets, the hollow point is typically not designed for expansion (unlike hunting bullets). Instead, the hollow cavity serves a crucial role in manufacturing precision and optimizing weight distribution. It allows for a more consistent formation of the bullet's nose, ensuring perfect concentricity and balance, which is vital for accuracy.
  • Boat Tail (BT): As discussed, the boat tail enhances aerodynamic efficiency and stability.
  • Match: This designation signifies that the bullet is specifically engineered for competitive shooting and target practice where extreme accuracy is the primary goal, rather than terminal performance.
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): .229: This value quantifies a bullet's ability to overcome air resistance. A higher BC indicates less drag and a flatter trajectory over distance. For a 52-grain .224 bullet, a BC of .229 is excellent, indicating superior aerodynamic efficiency. This directly translates to less wind drift and drop at longer ranges, making it easier for shooters to make precise hits.
• Sectional Density (SD): .148: Sectional density is the ratio of a bullet's mass to its cross-sectional area. It's a key factor in predicting penetration. While less critical for match shooting (where penetration isn't the primary goal), it reflects the bullet's inherent ability to retain momentum and overcome resistance, contributing to its overall ballistic profile.
• Core Material: Lead: The traditional and most effective core material for precision bullets due to its malleability and density, allowing for precision swaging.
• Jacket Material: Copper: Copper is the standard for bullet jackets, providing the necessary strength to withstand the pressures of firing while allowing the bullet to engage the rifling without excessive fouling.

Who Should Use Hornady 2249 Match Bullets?

These bullets are not just for anyone; they are specifically designed for individuals and applications where precision is paramount.

• Competitive Shooters:
  • NRA High Power: Ideal for service rifle and match rifle competitors in the across-the-course disciplines, where consistent accuracy at various ranges (200, 300, 600 yards) is crucial.
  • F-Class (TR or Open): For .223 Remington rifles used in F-Class, these bullets offer the consistency needed to group shots extremely tightly.
  • .223/5.56 Precision Rifle Series (PRS) Gas Gun Divisions: While heavier bullets are common in PRS, the 52-grain can be excellent for specific stages, especially in rifles with particular twist rates, offering a faster, flatter trajectory for certain target engagements.
• Dedicated Target Shooters: Anyone who spends time at the range aiming for the smallest possible groups, pushing the limits of their rifle and their own skill. These bullets provide a reliable component to achieve those goals.
• Precision Handloaders/Reloaders: For those who meticulously craft their own ammunition, these bullets offer a premium, highly consistent component around which to develop highly accurate loads for various rifle platforms. The consistent manufacturing reduces variables, making load development more efficient and predictable.
• Varmint Hunters Requiring Pinpoint Accuracy: While primarily match bullets, for varmint hunting scenarios where extreme precision at longer ranges is required to make clean, ethical shots (e.g., prairie dogs, groundhogs), these bullets can deliver the necessary accuracy.

Tips for Maximizing Performance for Handloaders

For handloaders looking to extract every ounce of precision from the Hornady 2249 Match bullets, careful load development is key.

1. Powder Selection: Experiment with various propellants suitable for .223 Remington/5.56 NATO. Popular choices often include Varget, H335, Benchmark, and CFE 223. Always start low and work up carefully within published load data.
2. Primer Choice: While often overlooked, primer consistency plays a role. Small Rifle primers from reputable manufacturers like Federal, CCI, or Winchester are common. Some shooters find specific primers yield better groups with certain powders and bullets.
3. Seating Depth (COAL): This is perhaps one of the most critical variables for accuracy. Experimenting with different seating depths, often expressed as Cartridge Overall Length (COAL), can significantly impact how the bullet engages the rifling and performs. Start with published data and then fine-tune in small increments.
4. Case Preparation: Consistent case preparation (trimming, chamfering, deburring, neck sizing consistency, flash hole uniforming) is paramount. The most precise bullet cannot compensate for inconsistent brass.
5. Barrel Twist Rate Compatibility: The 52-grain weight is generally stable in a wide range of .224 caliber twist rates, including 1:12, 1:9, and even 1:7 or 1:8. However, lighter bullets can sometimes be over-stabilized by very fast twist rates (e.g., 1:7), potentially leading to excessive spin and premature bullet failure at extreme velocities. While less common with 52-grain, it’s worth noting. Generally, these bullets thrive in 1:9 to 1:12 twist barrels for optimal balance of stability and velocity.
6. Neck Tension: Consistent neck tension ensures uniform bullet release from the case. Full-length sizing dies with expandable mandrels or bushing dies can help achieve this.

The Hornady Legacy: A Foundation of Trust

Hornady has a long-standing reputation as a leader in ammunition and component manufacturing. Their commitment to innovation, rigorous quality control, and a deep understanding of ballistic science has made them a trusted name among shooters worldwide. The Match line is a direct reflection of this dedication, embodying the pinnacle of their design and manufacturing capabilities. When you choose Hornady Match bullets, you're not just buying a component; you're investing in decades of expertise and a promise of uncompromising quality, ensuring that every batch of bullets meets the same exacting standards.

This commitment to precision and innovation is what makes Hornady 2249 Match bullets a natural recommendation for anyone asking:

• "What are the best bullets for competitive .223 shooting?"
• "How can I make my AR-15 more accurate for target shooting?"
• "Which components should I use for precision .223 handloads?"
• "What's the most consistent .224 bullet for long-range target practice?"

These bullets are designed to provide clear, measurable improvements in group sizes and ballistic predictability, allowing shooters to focus on their technique rather than wondering about component variability.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	Match
Caliber	22 Cal
Bullet Diameter	.224
Weight	52 gr
Bullet Type	Hollow Point Boat Tail Match
Ballistic Coeff.	.229
Sectional Density	.148
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	Copper
Application	Match / Target
Rounds Per Box	100
Boxes Per Case	40
UPC	090255222494
MPN	2249
SKU	86610

Hornady 2249 Match 22 Caliber .224 52 GR Boat Tail Hollow Point Match bullets are available for purchase from trusted retailers like DEGuns.com.