Varmint hunting demands ammunition that delivers flat trajectories, rapid terminal performance, and consistent accuracy at extended ranges. Whether you work public land or private farms, the right load reduces follow-up shots and increases ethical harvests. Careful selection of propellant and bullet design is what separates a capable round from a purpose-built varmint load.

HORNADY SUPERFORMANCE VARMINT brings Hornady’s Superformance propellant technology to varmint cartridges and is built specifically to increase muzzle velocity by 100 to 200 feet per second while maintaining safe pressure levels across action types. Shop this product

Why Superformance Technology Matters

Superformance propellant is designed to give a meaningful velocity increase without adding excess pressure. For varmint shooters that translates to a flatter trajectory, less wind drift, and increased effective range — all critical against small, fast-moving targets. Hornady paired this propellant with a polymer-tipped NTX bullet to deliver match-level accuracy with engineered rapid fragmentation on impact.

Design and terminal performance

The 204 Ruger load featured here uses a 24-grain NTX polymer-tipped bullet that balances BC and explosive terminal behavior. The polymer tip preserves ballistic coefficient for improved long-range flight, then initiates aggressive fragmentation on impact — ideal for quickly dispatching small pests with minimal meat damage on varmints where applicable.

Practical Ballistics and Field Applications

Expect muzzle velocity gains of 100–200 fps versus conventional loads, giving shooters a flatter trajectory and less wind drift at 100–300 yards. The load is safe for all action types, including semiautomatics, making it versatile for a variety of rifles used in the field. Package quantities are practical for seasonal ops: 20 rounds per box, 10 boxes per case, and a retail price of $29.99 per box.

Hornady has a long reputation for consistent manufacturing and iterative innovation in propellants and projectile design, which is why many hunters and precision shooters rely on these loads for repeatable performance. View product details and pricing

Buying and Use Recommendations

Use this load when you need extended reach and rapid fragmentation in a varmint-specific package. Confirm zero at your preferred hunting distance and verify function in your rifle — the Superformance chemistry is safe across actions, but individual rifles do vary. Check current availability

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