14/07/2025 | Hints from the experts

First Impressions of the 22 ARC

The 22 ARC is the second of the ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) family released by Hornady, the first being the 6mm ARC and most recent being the 338 ARC. There is a good quantity of videos on YouTube from a variety of sources and informative articles online highlighting the qualities of the cartridge and where it fits into the spectrum of 22 Cal centrefire cartridges.

The purpose of this testimonial is to provide qualitative data from having thoroughly researched the cartridge, waited for suitable rifles and reloading materials to be available and shot the cartridge in challenging conditions. This testimonial will only consider the cartridge in the bolt action rifle platform as this is the most common rifle format here in the UK. Furthermore, this testimonial is based on my opinions and experiences, I try to be as balanced and objective as possible, but please take my findings with a pinch of salt; your results may be completely different.

Having had time to reflect on the combined experience of waiting for components, the rifle, testing loads for the rifle and subsequent field testing, I believe that the 22 ARC does carve out a niche amongst the broad family of different 22 Cal centrefire cartridges and offers a prospecting shooter some valuable performance qualities.

The rifle I selected was the second iteration of the Ruger American Rifle; this version has the Predator moniker and features a bronze Cerakote finish on the 22’’ barrel and green splatter finish on the stock. The Ruger performed brilliantly and is a fine choice of rifle for this cartridge; alas the other factory chambered option in a bolt action rifle is limited to the Howa 1500 Mini Action at the time of writing.

The availability of reloading components was another point of concern, chiefly suitable brass. The only available option at the time in the UK was Lapua 6.5 Grendel brass. Fortunately, this is the brass I intended to use and neck down to 22 Cal to create 22 ARC, but I would not recommend this path unless you’re a more experienced reloader.

In my opinion, the 22 ARC pairs up with the smaller 223 Rem in a similar manner to the 6.5 Creedmoor and larger 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge). This comparison is better realized when using a more modern 223 Rem featuring a tighter twist rate and loaded with heavier projectiles. Assuming the same twist rate, barrel length etc. one can launch the same bullet faster in the 22 ARC than the 223 Rem. When using a more traditionally loaded 223 Rem, the difference between it and the 22 ARC is considerable and the newer 22 ARC offers superior ballistics that take it into a different league.

Returning the comparison of a modern 223 Rem with a tighter twist rate e.g. 1 in 8, the 22 ARC features a tighter 1 in 7 twist and a slightly larger case capacity; allowing for heavier for calibre and more aerodynamically efficient bullets to be stabilised and launched at a velocity which gives them an advantage over the smaller 223 Remington.

Furthermore, a 223 Rem optimally loaded with a high BC, heavy for calibre bullet will likely exceed the standard C.O.L for the cartridge resulting to single feeding, having a more bespoke rifle setup or seating the bullet deeper into the case to the point of compromising powder capacity and subsequent performance. As the 22 ARC case is shorter and better setup for modern projectiles, they can be loaded in a magazine without exceeding standard 223 Rem C.O.L limitations.

Moreover, comparing a traditional 22-250 Rem to the 22 ARC results in the modern 22 ARC taking over from the 22-250 Rem at further distances inspite of the 22-250 Rem’s higher muzzle velocity; the limiting factor of the 22-250 Rem being lighter weight and less aerodynamically efficient projectiles.

However, if you already have a tight twist 22-250 Rem or other tight twist larger 22 Cal centrefire cartridge like the 22 Creedmoor, you can achieve significantly higher muzzle velocities, flatter trajectories and retain more kinetic with the same bullets than the 22 ARC, but is such blistering performance truly necessary? Also, consider the increased running costs of the higher performance 22 Cal centrefires. In my opinion, the 22 ARC fits the purpose of being a bigger brother to the 223 Rem without going too far into magnum territory for 22 Cal and will work very well as an economical high performance 22 Cal centrefire training cartridge. Despite this, different cartridges are tailored for different design briefs and purposes.

I was able to achieve muzzle velocities of mid 2800 fps with the 85.5 Grain Berger Long Range Hybrid Target bullets and Hornady 88 Grain ELD-M bullets using RS52 Powder during initial testing. These bullets boast high BCs and good weight for the calibre to preserve momentum, kinetic energy and insensitivity to wind. The family of powders tailored for heavy 223 Rem and mid-weight 308 Win loads crop up across the various sources of load data and I’m very grateful for Reload Swiss’ simulations giving me an idea of the expected performance of the cartridge within my rifle; as such, RS50 is another powder I intend to try with this cartridge. One can refer to the Customer Load Data database on the Reload Swiss website for a broad selection of verified load data for the more established cartridges, in addition to the finding verified load data for the more esoteric cartridges.

The results on target in challenging conditions at both 300 and 500Yards were very impressive and the inspired great confidence in one’s marksmanship and the rifle system as a whole. More testing is required, but the initial results are very encouraging and I foresee this rifle system being excellent for centrefire training and vermin control.

Summary Table

Cartridge	Advantages	Disadvantages
22 ARC	Tighter twist rates and moderately-sized case capacity to achieve healthy launch velocities and stabilise the heaviest tranche of 22 Cal bullets e.g. 80-90 Grains. Assuming same rifle parameters, the 22 ARC’s muzzle velocity can be higher than the 223 Remington. Healthier barrel life compared to more overbore and higher performance 22 Cal cartridges. Same C.O.L as the 223 Rem and 5.56 NATO whilst optimally loading modern projectiles to allow for magazine feeding. Hand loading for the cartridge allows for a higher level of performance to be accessed through higher pressures. * This is for bolt action rifles only and not gas guns.	Current lack of a good variety of different factory rifles. Use of the 7.62x39 Russian bolt face limits the number of available donor actions that could be rechambered in 22 ARC. Lack of a variety readily available reloading components. The cartridge is in its infancy and time is needed to establish its footing and solid customer base. Factory ammo is non-existent in the UK at the time of writing to the best of my knowledge; limiting the cartridge to hand loads or potentially considerably expensive factory ammunition that is held to AR-15 gas gun pressure levels.
223 Rem	Proven round with a long history of success. Excellent barrel life. Great variety of factory ammunition and rifles. Cheap to run and offers impressive performance for the investment in ammunition be that factory ammunition or hand loads. More modern rifles are featuring tighter twist rates and longer throats to enable 223 Rem rounds to be loaded with heavier and higher BC bullets; taking the 223 Rem’s performance beyond its traditional boundaries. Large quantity of reloading components and load data for hand loads.	Less performance than the 22 ARC and larger 22 Cal centrefire cartridges. More modern rifles setup with tighter twist rates and longer throats are uncommon and potentially rather expensive.
22-250 Rem	Proven cartridge with a proven reputation of success. Flat shooting and high muzzle velocities. Good variety of factory ammunition, rifles and components for hand loads. More modern rifles are featuring tighter twist rates and longer throats to enable 22-250 Rem rounds to be loaded with heavier and higher BC bullets; taking the 22-250 Rem’s performance beyond its traditional boundaries. 308 Win bolt face; many suitable actions are out there for a custom build from the ground up or as a donor action and rechambering.	Impressive performance comes at a cost; reputation as a barrel burner. Shorter barrel life and more expensive running costs than the smaller 223 Rem or 22 ARC. Majority of rifles and factory ammunition is tailored for traditional rifles firing legacy, lighter weight projectiles which are a proven staple for vermin control but fall short for longer range shooting situations. More modern rifles setup with tighter twist rates and longer throats are uncommon and potentially rather expensive.
22 Creedmoor	The cutting edge of performance in 22 Cal with modern projectiles; take the advantages of a modern 22-250 Rem setup for today’s aerodynamic bullets and go even further beyond. Exceptionally flat shooting and high velocities with heavy for calibre, high BC projectiles that results in performance that far surpasses other common 22 Cal cartridges and even some larger 6mm/24 Cal cartridges. 308 Win bolt face; many suitable actions are out there to serve as a donor for rechambering or a custom build from the ground up.	Shorter barrel life still than a 22-250 Rem and higher running costs for boutique factory ammunition and boutique reloading components. Lack of variety in factory rifles available at the time of writing; leading to significant expense for a boutique factory rifle or a custom build.
Other 22 Cal wildcats	Options are plentiful and the only limitations are your imagination, availability of components, tooling, gunsmiths and funds.	Arguably too much choice and once the choice has been made it’s a significant commitment and investment in that particular cartridge.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, the 22 ARC is a new and worthy addition to the family of 22 Cal centrefire cartridges. If you’re after a very mild recoiling cartridge that utilises today’s heavy for calibre, high BC 22 Cal bullets and launches them at a high enough velocity to take advantage of their weight and aerodynamics, but not too fast to the point of overbore and concerns about throat erosion and barrel life compromising the shooting experience; the 22 ARC is a good option to consider. Lighter weight bullets can be used and launched faster, but the superior aerodynamics of the heavier bullets will prove more advantageous across a greater variety of shooting conditions and distances in my opinion.

However, the current lack of variety in factory rifle choice and availability of reloading components does hamper the cartridge and I hope this will change in the future, but if you’re willing to wait and or pursue the cartridge with the available options out there, then there will be an economical high performance 22 Cal centrefire offering to add to the collection.

Lastly, if you already have a traditional 22 Cal centrefire that fits your needs then all power to you and I wish you every success. Also, if you already have a tighter twist 223 Rem or 22-250 Rem. e.g. with a 1 in 8 or 1 in 7 twist, then there is little serious need to consider the 22 ARC, however, such rifles are not common for those cartridges and factory ammunition is unlikely to be offered in such heavy for calibre projectiles; making such rifles more advantageous to a reloader. But, for someone who is after a factory ‘standard’ option that can utilise today’s most aerodynamic 22 Cal bullets; the efficient and economical 22 ARC makes for a valuable consideration.