Let’s face it. Amidst the continuing ammo shortage, companies needn’t do much other than ramp up production. But Hornady is managing to do a bit of both. Ammunition manufacturers, including Hornady, were deemed essential services through the pandemic. Since that time, Hornady has invested in more employees, shifts, and enhanced machines.

“We are in fact making more than we ever have before,” said Hornady’s Vice President Jason Hornady. “The fact that we can physically get out 40, 50, 60 percent more than the year prior is a miracle.” 

Still, cranking out rounds is not the only part of the equation. “One of the responsibilities of a company is to grow,” noted the ammo manufacturer’s President Steve Hornady. “You cannot grow by sitting on your hands and not working to improve your product … It’s the little things that make them better, and that’s what we do with the products we bring to market today.” 

So, here’s a taste of what’s new at Hornady in 2022.   

The company famed for projectile innovation continues the trend this year. With a growing focus on non-lead hunting options, the CX is born. There’s a Heat Shield Tip and consistently high ballistic coefficient. This round is marketed as “the most advanced monolithic hunting bullet on the market.” The goal is longer-range performance, increased accuracy, high weight retention, and penetration. It is built as a big game option, which is California compliant, and works well in all areas requiring non-lead bullets. All projectiles ship in 50-round boxes. Calibers for the launch include several weights in 6mm, 6.5mm, and 7mm, along with calibers of .25, .270, .30, .338, and .375.   

Now that we have been briefed on the market for and benefits of Hornady’s new CX lead-free bullets, we’re pleased to see they’re available not only as projectiles but loaded ammunition as well. The California-compatible ammunition creates options for hunters of everything from medium to large – and even dangerous – game. Three families – Outfitter, Custom, and Superformance – will be immediately available in 20-round boxes. 

Outfitter is by far the beefiest selection. It now comes tipped with CX bullets in 17 selections, from .243 Win to the big boys in .375 Ruger and H&H, with plenty of meat in between. Custom offers a different selection, with 6.8 Remington SPC and .300 Blackout. Meanwhile, Superformance adds CX to its souped-up loads in .223 Rem, 5.56 NATO, 6mm Creedmoor, .25-06 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win Mag.   

Though Hornady is known predominantly for bullets, ammunition, and reloading, their security division continues to expand. Two new RAPiD Safe products hit the market this year. The Ready Vault and Compact Ready Vault, both with Wi-Fi, are full-length safes that include everything needed to secure the unit to a concrete floor. The larger one measures 52.2x20x15 inches for the exterior dimensions and weighs 165 pounds. The compact variant measures 53.2x10x10 inches and weighs in at 80 pounds. Both are built of steel with five locking lugs. They use the company’s Square-Lok organizing system along with included gun racks to customize the interior. WiFi connectivity allows the user to keep tabs on their vault via the Hornady Security App, which alerts owners when the safe is unlocked.   

The Keypad Vault is a multiple-handgun-sized safe using RFID technology along with two tags that can be selectively programmed to open the safe. It can also be accessed with a code or mechanical key. The box measures 13.1x11x3.9 inches and weighs 15 pounds. It is intended to be small enough to fit in drawers and comes pre-drilled for easy mounting in closets and cabinets as well. For what it’s worth, this newbie has been approved by the California DOJ as an Approved Firearms Safety Device. The Keypad Vault will retail for $148.99.   

Even those not in the market for a Hornady safe or vault can find a practical and useable product for just about any gun safe owner. The company’s Premium Safe Anchoring Kit, though intended for Hornady security products, is a serious option for anchoring most safes. The kit includes everything needed to fasten vaults to a concrete floor. In addition to the anchor bolts and shims, they even include a carbide concrete bit for easier drilling into the floor, a drive socket, and dusting cloth. The set retails for $17.99 and takes the guesswork out of what is needed to lock down those valuables.    

While there are no major launches on the Hornady reloading front, what has been announced are small items that make life a little easier on the bench at a time when components are hard to come by. The Lock-N-Load Light Strip adds light to the bench. The adhesive-backed strip uses LED lights and plugs into standard 110-volt outlets or the Lock-N-Load control panel. Upgrades to the company’s Basic Powder Funnel and Premium Powder Funnel Kit fit a wide variety of case sizes. Lastly, a new Universal Trim Length Gauge can be used to set the OAL on case prep centers. It includes 12 popular standby – and newer – calibers, including 6mm ARC, 6.5 PRC, 6.8 SPC, and .300 PRC. 

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