Published: December 2025 | Last updated: April 2026
The 22 ARC (22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge) was introduced by Hornady in 2024, formed by necking down the 6mm ARC case to accept .224-inch bullets. The design goal was to give the AR-15 platform access to high-BC 22-caliber bullets – specifically the 80-90 grain class that the 223 Remington’s standard twist rates and moderate case capacity cannot effectively propel. By using the 6mm ARC’s short-fat case geometry and specifying a fast 1:7.5 twist barrel, the 22 ARC pushes 88-grain ELD-M bullets to approximately 3,000 FPS with ballistic coefficients substantially higher than any practical 223 Remington or 22-250 Remington load.
The 22 ARC‘s defining comparison is with the 6mm ARC – the parent case cartridge. The 22 ARC produces modestly more velocity with equivalent BC bullets due to the smaller bore, but the 6mm ARC’s heavier bullets (103-108 grain) achieve similar or better BC at higher sectional density. For hunters, the 6mm ARC provides more energy for deer; for pure competition use at distances where 22-caliber BC bullets compete directly, the 22 ARC is a legitimate alternative.
Dual pressure specification: The 22 ARC operates at standard commercial pressure. Hornady’s loading data and factory ammunition reflect this specification. Handloaders should use data specifically developed for the 22 ARC and not substitute 6mm ARC data without consulting a current reloading manual. See the 22 ARC complete guide and 22 ARC handloading guide for data.
For comparisons, see 22 ARC vs 224 Valkyrie vs 22 Nosler and 22 ARC vs 6mm ARC.
Core Ballistic Parameters
| Load | MV | BC (G7) | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 gr Hornady ELD-M | 3,100 FPS | 0.225 | 1,600 ft-lbs |
| 80 gr Hornady ELD-M | 3,050 FPS | 0.250 | 1,650 ft-lbs |
| 88 gr Hornady ELD-M | 2,975 FPS | 0.271 | 1,729 ft-lbs |
| 90 gr Berger Hybrid | 2,950 FPS | 0.278 | 1,741 ft-lbs |
All data below uses a 100-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 59°F, sea level. The 22 ARC is designed for AR-15 use at extended varmint and competition distances. A 100-yard zero is the practical standard.
Bullet Drop (100-Yard Zero)
| Range (yards) | 75 gr ELD-M | 80 gr ELD-M | 88 gr ELD-M | 90 gr Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | -3.3 | -3.0 | -3.0 | -3.0 |
| 300 | -12.0 | -10.8 | -10.4 | -10.2 |
| 400 | -27.5 | -24.5 | -23.5 | -23.0 |
| 500 | -51.0 | -45.0 | -43.0 | -42.0 |
| 600 | -82.0 | -72.0 | -68.5 | -67.0 |
| 700 | -122.0 | -107.0 | -101.5 | -99.0 |
| 800 | -172.0 | -150.0 | -142.0 | -138.5 |
| 900 | -234.0 | -203.0 | -192.0 | -187.0 |
| 1,000 | -308.0 | -267.0 | -252.0 | -245.5 |
Drop in inches. Zero at 100 yards.
With a 100-yard zero, the 22 ARC shows the BC advantage of the heavier bullets clearly. At 500 yards the 90-grain Hybrid drops 42 inches versus 51 inches for the 75-grain ELD-M – a 9-inch difference that translates directly to holdover precision at extended ranges. At 1,000 yards the gap grows to over 62 inches.
The 88-grain and 90-grain loads produce nearly identical drop at all distances despite slightly different BCs, because both start at very similar velocities (2,975 vs 2,950 FPS). The practical difference between these two loads at any hunting or competition distance is less than 1 MOA – bullet availability and accuracy in your specific barrel should drive the choice between them.
Compared to the 223 Remington 77-grain MatchKing at 2,750 FPS (G7 BC 0.222), the 22 ARC 88-grain ELD-M drops approximately 10 fewer inches at 700 yards from a 100-yard zero. That is the cartridge’s practical advantage in this comparison – meaningful at competition distances, negligible for varmint hunting inside 400 yards.
Wind Drift – 10 MPH Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yards) | 75 gr ELD-M | 80 gr ELD-M | 88 gr ELD-M | 90 gr Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| 200 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| 300 | 8.7 | 7.6 | 6.8 | 6.6 |
| 400 | 15.7 | 13.6 | 12.1 | 11.7 |
| 500 | 24.7 | 21.3 | 18.8 | 18.1 |
| 600 | 35.8 | 30.8 | 27.1 | 26.1 |
| 700 | 49.2 | 42.2 | 37.0 | 35.6 |
| 800 | 64.8 | 55.6 | 48.7 | 46.9 |
| 900 | 82.5 | 70.9 | 62.0 | 59.6 |
| 1,000 | 102.5 | 87.2 | 76.0 | 73.1 |
Drift in inches. Half-value crosswind = divide by 2.
The wind drift numbers illustrate the 22 ARC’s primary competitive advantage: at 1,000 yards the 90-grain Hybrid drifts 73.1 inches versus 102.5 inches for the 75-grain ELD-M. The 90-grain also drifts approximately 3-4 inches less than the 223 Remington 77-grain SMK at 500 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind – not dramatic, but meaningful in competition where partial credit for close impacts may matter.
At practical hunting distances, the wind advantage is more modest. At 400 yards the difference between the 75-grain and 90-grain is 4 inches in a 10 MPH crosswind. For coyote hunting at 400 yards, that 4-inch difference is relevant – the 90-grain stays within a coyote’s vital zone where the 75-grain begins to challenge it in a moderate crosswind.
Velocity Retention
| Range (yards) | 75 gr ELD-M | 80 gr ELD-M | 88 gr ELD-M | 90 gr Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,100 | 3,050 | 2,975 | 2,950 |
| 100 | 2,845 | 2,817 | 2,771 | 2,752 |
| 200 | 2,602 | 2,593 | 2,574 | 2,560 |
| 300 | 2,370 | 2,378 | 2,383 | 2,374 |
| 400 | 2,149 | 2,171 | 2,197 | 2,193 |
| 500 | 1,938 | 1,972 | 2,017 | 2,017 |
| 600 | 1,738 | 1,781 | 1,843 | 1,847 |
| 700 | 1,548 | 1,598 | 1,675 | 1,682 |
| 800 | 1,370 | 1,423 | 1,512 | 1,522 |
| 900 | 1,206 | 1,258 | 1,357 | 1,368 |
| 1,000 | 1,057 | 1,103 | 1,209 | 1,221 |
Velocity in FPS. Supersonic threshold approximately 1,340 FPS at sea level.
The velocity retention table shows a characteristic crossover typical of high-BC vs high-velocity comparisons. The 75-grain ELD-M starts fastest but its lower BC (G7: 0.225) causes it to lose velocity rapidly – by 400 yards the 88-grain ELD-M has nearly matched it despite starting 125 FPS slower. At 600 yards the 88-grain is actually faster than the 75-grain (1,843 vs 1,738 FPS), and this advantage grows past that point.
The 75-grain ELD-M goes transonic around 900-925 yards. The 88-grain ELD-M and 90-grain Hybrid both maintain supersonic flight past 1,000 yards, staying well above 1,200 FPS at that range. This is the meaningful supersonic advantage of the heavier high-BC loads – they remain stable and predictable past 1,000 yards where the lighter loads have transitioned.
Barrel length note: the 22 ARC is typically chambered in AR-15 barrels of 18-20 inches. The velocity figures above assume a 20-inch barrel. A 16-inch barrel loses approximately 50-75 FPS; an 18-inch barrel loses approximately 25-35 FPS from these figures.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 75 gr ELD-M | 80 gr ELD-M | 88 gr ELD-M | 90 gr Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 1,600 | 1,650 | 1,729 | 1,741 |
| 100 | 1,347 | 1,409 | 1,499 | 1,512 |
| 200 | 1,126 | 1,195 | 1,296 | 1,308 |
| 300 | 935 | 1,005 | 1,110 | 1,126 |
| 400 | 770 | 837 | 943 | 962 |
| 500 | 625 | 691 | 795 | 814 |
| 600 | 503 | 564 | 663 | 682 |
| 700 | 398 | 454 | 549 | 565 |
| 800 | 312 | 360 | 447 | 462 |
| 900 | 242 | 281 | 359 | 374 |
| 1,000 | 186 | 216 | 286 | 299 |
Energy in ft-lbs.
The energy picture defines the 22 ARC’s hunting limitations. For deer (1,000 ft-lbs threshold), all loads cross below that mark between 300 and 350 yards – the 88-grain ELD-M holds above 1,000 ft-lbs to approximately 340-350 yards. This makes the 22 ARC a marginal deer cartridge comparable to the 6.5 Grendel in practical deer energy, though with a slightly higher velocity ceiling.
The 22 ARC is most comfortably used as a coyote and varmint cartridge where energy thresholds are lower. At 500 yards the 90-grain Hybrid delivers 814 ft-lbs – adequate for coyotes with quality expanding bullets and precise shot placement. At 400 yards all loads deliver 770-962 ft-lbs, providing comfortable coyote energy margins.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady ELD-VT 75 gr
Construction: Exteriorly Driven Long-range Varmint Tipped – Hornady’s purpose-designed 22 ARC varmint bullet. Heat Shield tip maintains BC in flight; thin explosive jacket provides maximum fragmentation on varmint contact.
Terminal behavior: Explosive fragmentation at 22 ARC velocities. At 3,100 FPS the ELD-VT produces near-complete disintegration on prairie dogs and ground squirrels. At 300 yards where velocity drops to approximately 2,370 FPS, fragmentation remains reliable on coyote-sized game. At 400 yards (approximately 2,149 FPS), fragmentation is still adequate for varmints but becomes less reliable on coyotes from body shots.
Hunting application: Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and rockchucks inside 400 yards. Coyotes with broadside body shots inside 300 yards. The ELD-VT is the 22 ARC’s purpose-designed varmint load – its thin jacket is calibrated for the 22 ARC’s specific velocity range to produce reliable explosive effect. Not appropriate for deer.
More details: Hornady V-MAX bullet profile
Hornady ELD-M 80 gr
Construction: Match bullet with Heat Shield tip. Designed for accuracy at long range, not for controlled hunting expansion. The 80-grain is a practical mid-weight option between the varmint-specific 75-grain and the heavier 88-grain.
Terminal behavior: At 22 ARC velocities inside 400 yards, the ELD-M expands inconsistently – sometimes dramatically fragmenting, sometimes passing through with minimal disruption. Like all match bullets, terminal performance is not its design priority. At close range (above 2,600 FPS), jacket failure produces good results on coyotes. At extended range the terminal effect becomes unpredictable.
Competition application: NRL22, PRS rimfire-replacement matches, and varmint hunting where accuracy is the priority. The 80-grain offers a slightly higher starting velocity than the 88-grain with competitive BC – appealing to handloaders who want to optimize for velocity at shorter match distances.
More details: Hornady ELD-M bullet profile
Hornady ELD-M 88 gr
Construction: Match bullet with Heat Shield tip, optimized for the 22 ARC’s 1:7.5 twist requirement. The 88-grain is Hornady’s primary 22 ARC factory ammunition load and the cartridge’s benchmark performance load.
Terminal behavior: At 22 ARC velocities, the 88-grain ELD-M performs similarly to other match bullets – inconsistent terminal expansion depending on impact velocity and angle. Inside 300 yards where impact velocity exceeds 2,383 FPS, jacket failure produces effective results on coyotes. The 88-grain maintains supersonic flight past 1,000 yards, making it the most capable 22 ARC load for extended-range competition.
Competition application: The standard 22 ARC competition reference load. In quality 22 ARC barrels with 1:7.5 twist, sub-0.5 MOA groups at 100 yards are achievable. The 88-grain’s G7 BC of 0.271 produces approximately 3-4 inches less wind drift at 600 yards than the 223 Remington 77-grain SMK in a 10 MPH crosswind. For AR-15 format precision rifle competition where caliber restrictions allow the 22 ARC, this is the reference performance benchmark.
More details: Hornady ELD-M bullet profile
Berger Hybrid Target 90 gr
Construction: Hybrid ogive combining secant and tangent sections for maximum BC with forgiving seating depth tolerance. The highest BC of the four loads (G7: 0.278) in the heaviest standard 22 ARC bullet weight.
Terminal behavior: The Berger Hybrid’s terminal mechanism involves penetrating 2-3 inches before jacket failure and fragmentation – producing a large wound channel at close range. At 22 ARC velocities inside 500 yards, this mechanism is effective on coyotes where impact velocity remains above 2,000 FPS. The hybrid’s slightly more robust construction than the ELD-M provides more consistent close-range terminal performance.
Competition application: The maximum-BC 22 ARC load. At 1,000 yards the Berger drifts 73.1 inches in a 10 MPH crosswind versus 76 inches for the 88-grain ELD-M – the difference is small but real. For shooters trying to extract every inch of wind resistance advantage from the 22 ARC platform, the 90-grain Hybrid provides the practical ceiling.
More details: Berger Hybrid Target bullet profile
Sierra MatchKing 90 gr
Construction: Open-tip match bullet with Sierra’s precision jacket consistency. Sierra’s reputation for lot-to-lot uniformity makes the MatchKing a reliable accuracy reference.
Terminal behavior: Open-tip match construction produces yaw and fragmentation in tissue at high velocity – effective on small varmints inside 300 yards. At longer range where velocity has dropped, terminal performance is inconsistent. Not a hunting bullet for deer or large game.
Competition and varmint application: An alternative to the ELD-M and Berger for handloaders who prefer Sierra’s quality control consistency. The SMK 90-grain in the 22 ARC produces competitive accuracy with BC comparable to the ELD-M. For benchrest-oriented 22 ARC shooters who trust Sierra’s dimensional consistency for their tightest groups, the SMK is the appropriate choice.
More details: Sierra MatchKing bullet profile
Practical Range Recommendations
Varmints and prairie dogs – ELD-VT 75-grain or ELD-M 80-grain inside 450-500 yards. The 22 ARC’s velocity advantage over the 223 Remington extends reliable varmint performance approximately 50-75 yards farther in equivalent wind conditions. In a 10 MPH crosswind, the 88-grain ELD-M drifts about 3-4 inches less than a 223 Remington 77-grain at 500 yards – enough to keep it inside a ground squirrel vital zone where the 223 Remington begins to challenge.
Coyotes – ELD-VT or ELD-M inside 400 yards with broadside body shots. Energy at 400 yards (770-962 ft-lbs) is adequate for coyotes. A self-imposed 350-yard limit in variable wind provides margin. The 22 ARC is a better coyote cartridge than the 223 Remington at 300-400 yards due to its higher-BC bullets producing more reliable trajectory and wind resistance in field conditions.
Deer – not recommended beyond 275-300 yards. Energy drops below 1,000 ft-lbs between 300 and 350 yards with all loads. Inside 275 yards with quality expanding bullets (ELD-X equivalent in .224 caliber) on broadside shots, the 22 ARC is legally adequate for deer in most states. The 6mm ARC parent cartridge is the better deer choice with substantially more energy at equivalent distances.
AR-15 platform note – the 22 ARC requires a 1:7 or 1:7.5 twist barrel for reliable stabilization of 85-90 grain bullets. Standard AR-15 barrels with 1:8 or 1:9 twist are not appropriate for the 22 ARC’s heavy-bullet design goal. Barrels, bolts, and upper receivers are 22 ARC-specific; the lower receiver, trigger, stock, and buffer system remain standard AR-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 22 ARC compare to the 224 Valkyrie? Both are AR-15 cartridges designed to push heavy .224-inch bullets at competitive velocities. The 224 Valkyrie uses a longer case and produces slightly higher velocity with equivalent bullet weights – approximately 50-100 FPS faster than the 22 ARC with 88-90 grain bullets. The 22 ARC’s advantage is its shorter, fatter 6mm ARC-derived case geometry, which some argue produces more consistent feeding and seating. At 1,000 yards, the difference in ballistic performance between the two cartridges is less than 5 inches of drop and less than 3 inches of wind drift – effectively a wash at hunting and most competition distances. Factory ammunition variety currently favors the 224 Valkyrie. See 22 ARC vs 224 Valkyrie vs 22 Nosler for full comparison.
What twist rate does the 22 ARC require? A 1:7 or 1:7.5 twist is required for reliable stabilization of 85-90 grain bullets – the heavy bullets that define the 22 ARC’s performance advantage. A 1:8 twist may stabilize 80-grain bullets marginally in warm conditions but is not reliable for 88-90 grain bullets at all temperatures. The 22 ARC was designed around fast-twist barrels; using a 1:9 or slower twist defeats the cartridge’s purpose. Hornady specifies 1:7.5 as the standard.
Can I form 22 ARC brass from 6mm ARC cases? Yes – the 22 ARC is formed from 6mm ARC brass by running it through a 22 ARC sizing die. This is a common handloading approach given the limited availability and premium pricing of dedicated 22 ARC brass. The process necks down the 6mm ARC case to accept .224-inch bullets. Lapua and Hornady both produce 6mm ARC brass suitable for forming. See the 22 ARC handloading guide for detailed forming instructions.
Is the 22 ARC suitable for long-range competition? Yes, for AR-15 format matches and some open-class divisions. The 22 ARC’s 88-90 grain class bullets stay supersonic past 1,000 yards and produce competitive wind resistance compared to heavier calibers in open class. In NRL22-style matches where .22 caliber is either required or preferred, the 22 ARC is one of the most capable options. For open-format precision rifle competition against 6mm and 6.5mm cartridges, the energy and drop disadvantage at 1,000+ yards becomes apparent.
How does the 22 ARC compare to the 6mm ARC? The 6mm ARC uses the same case but pushes heavier 103-108 grain 6mm bullets with higher sectional density and more energy. At 1,000 yards the 6mm ARC 108-grain ELD-M drifts approximately 65-70 inches in a 10 MPH crosswind versus the 22 ARC 90-grain Hybrid at 73 inches – the 6mm ARC has marginally better wind resistance. More importantly, the 6mm ARC produces approximately 900-1,000 ft-lbs at 500 yards versus the 22 ARC’s 800-814 ft-lbs – meaningfully more energy for deer hunting. For competition, the two are extremely close. For hunting, the 6mm ARC is the more capable choice. See 22 ARC vs 6mm ARC for full analysis.
What barrel length is optimal for the 22 ARC? 18-20 inches provides the best balance of velocity and maneuverability for the 22 ARC’s intended AR-15 application. A 20-inch barrel produces approximately 75-100 FPS more velocity than an 18-inch barrel with equivalent loads. A 24-inch barrel adds another 50-75 FPS but moves beyond practical AR-15 handling. The 22 ARC is not designed for short barrels – 16 inches produces approximately 150 FPS less than a 20-inch barrel, which narrows the velocity advantage over the 223 Remington. For competition or varmint work where every FPS matters, 20 inches is the practical standard. See 22 ARC best bullets for load development guidance.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in December 2025 and revised in April 2026. The revision added the dual pressure specification note and handloading guidance reference, recalculated all ballistic tables using G7 BC values for more accurate long-range representation, corrected velocity data to show the crossover point where higher-BC loads overtake the lightest load in retained velocity (a characteristic 22 ARC ballistic feature not captured in the original), added velocity retention table with transonic ceiling analysis, replaced Sierra MatchKing as a named fifth profile with Sierra MatchKing 90-grain as a more specific and practical option, added the AR-15 barrel note with twist rate requirements, and added FAQ section.
