Hornady 22 ARC Ammo Overview

The 22 Superior Rifle Cartridge (ARC) is Hornady’s latest cartridge, and it’s getting quite a bit consideration from shooters and hunters questioning if it is likely to be the following large factor. I’ve my doubts about that, however one factor is for certain: It does provide a degree of particular efficiency by no means earlier than seen from a 22-caliber centerfire rifle cartridge this compact. The 22 ARC isn’t as new as it might appear, nonetheless. All Hornady actually did right here was return in time by a couple of half century and modernize one other cartridge—one many shooters have forgotten about and much more could have by no means heard of.

None of that takes something away from the ARC. It’s an fascinating new cartridge that’s effectively price a search for anybody desirous to get a bit of one thing additional from a 22 centerfire. And it might certainly be simply what you’re after.

Historical past Repeats Itself with the 22 ARC

Within the mid 70s, two benchrest shooters by the title of Palmisano and Pindell created a cartridge known as the 22 PPC (Palmisano Pindell Cartridge). Additionally they created a 0.243-caliber model of this cartridge known as the 6mm PPC. Each cartridges had been based mostly on the 220 Russian/7.63×39 cartridge case and have become legendary in benchrest capturing circles. Nevertheless, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Producers Institute (SAAMI) by no means accepted/accepted both cartridge, and missing that endorsement, neither gained widespread acceptance. Their forte was precision, therefore their recognition in benchrest competitors.

Hornady realized in the event that they paired, primarily, the 22 PPC and 6mm PPC cartridges with quick rifling twist charges, they’d emulate the trendy rifle cartridge design that’s according to their different latest introductions. Additionally, since neither of the PPC cartridges had been SAAMI accepted, Hornady noticed a chance. They standardized the cartridge dimensions and specs and gained SAAMI acceptance for the 22 and 6mm ARC. That is important as a result of with out it, different producers won’t load ammunition or provide rifles for them.

A Household of twenty-two Centerfire Cartridges

Many of the attraction of the 22 ARC is tethered to the AR15 rifle. With its most general cartridge size of two.26-inches, the ARC is an ideal match to the removable magazines utilized by AR15 rifles. Since across the flip of the century, when the AR15 started discovering the modularity we now typically take with no consideration, there’s been a push to develop cartridges that will outperform the 223 Remington, which the AR15 rifle was initially designed to shoot.

However there’s loads of competitors in terms of 0.224-caliber AR15 cartridges. The considerably interchangeable 223 Remington and 5.56 NATO are confirmed, trusted, and collectively are the most well-liked rifle cartridge/s in America. The 22 Nosler is type of a love youngster between the 223 Remington and 6.8 SPC. Its a 6.5 SPC cartridge case necked all the way down to 0.224-claiber bullet, however its rim diameter is similar as 223 Remington. The 224 Valkyrie can be based mostly on the 6.8 SPC, however its case is shorter than the 22 Nosler’s, which makes it extra suitable with longer bullets which have a better Ballistic Coefficient (BC).

All these cartridges are manufacturing unit loaded to primarily the identical strain, and the 22 Nosler cartridge case will maintain probably the most gunpowder. This implies usually, when the identical bullet is used, the 22 Nosler will generate the quickest velocities. Nevertheless, in terms of ballistics, it’s not nearly velocity, particularly for those who’re capturing at lengthy vary. So, let’s look intently to see how the 22 ARC stands out.

Associated: 224 Valkyrie vs 223 Remington

How the 22 ARC Stacks Up Ballistically

With exterior ballistics there are 4 major issues: velocity, vitality, trajectory, and wind drift. It may be a bit tough evaluating these 4 cartridges as a result of completely different producers load completely different bullets for every. Additionally, resulting from bullet and cartridge case size, some bullets aren’t suitable with each cartridge. For comparisons sake, we’ll first have a look at widespread 55-grain bullets throughout 4 22 centerfire cartridges, after which evaluate the very best performing long-range manufacturing unit load for every.

As you possibly can see above, whenever you evaluate the identical bullets in these 4 cartridges, the 22 ARC lags barely behind the 224 Valkyrie and the 22 Nosler, nevertheless it does outperform the 223 Remington. Nevertheless, the variations are so small, you’re going to should be reaching out to round 500 yards to understand any significant distinction between them.

The place the 22 ARC actually shines is at lengthy vary. It drops 15% lower than the 223 Remington, 11% lower than the 22 Nosler, and almost 7% lower than the 22 Valkyrie. With manufacturing unit ammunition, it’s within the wind drift class the place the 22 ARC actually shines. In a ten mph crosswind at 100 yards, the 22 ARC drifts 15% lower than the 22 Nosler which is its closest competitor.

Ought to You Get the 22 ARC in a Gasoline Gun or Bolt Gun

The AR15 is a gas-impingement pushed rifle; it’s not designed to work with excessive chamber pressures. SAAMI limits AR15 cartridges to a most common chamber strain of 55,000 psi. Nevertheless, trendy bolt-action rifles/cartridges can face up to pressures almost 20% increased. Manufactures are beginning to provide bolt-action rifles chambered for the 22 ARC; I not too long ago examined one from Proof Analysis. After all, all manufacturing unit 22 ARC ammo is loaded to AR15-safe strain limits, however you probably have a 22 ARC bolt gun, you possibly can squeak out a bit extra efficiency.

For instance, for the gas-driven AR15, Hornady lists a most load for his or her 55-grain V-Max bullet at 29.8 grains of Correct 2230 powder with a muzzle velocity of round 3400 fps. Nevertheless, for a bolt gun, they record a most load of 31.5 grains with a muzzle velocity of 3650 fps. Admittedly, you possibly can up the efficiency of the opposite AR15 cartridges when utilizing them in a bolt gun. The problem shall be discovering reliable reloading information.

Is the 22 ARC Proper for You within the Finish?

If ringing metal at 1000 yards with an AR15 is your major aim, then there isn’t a higher cartridge for that than the 22 ARC. At distance, it’s the very best performing 0.224-caliber cartridge at present obtainable in an AR15. After all, for those who handload—and loads of lengthy vary shooters do—you possibly can get near 22 ARC efficiency with the Valkyrie and perhaps even the 22 Nosler. (The place you might run into an issue with the 22 Nosler is with its SAAMI specified 1 in 8 rifling twist fee and longer cartridge case that might not be suitable with the longest excessive BC bullets.)

However, for those who’re a coyote hunter or perhaps even a deer hunter (the place its authorized with a 22-caliber centerfire rifle), the 22 ARC doesn’t provide a substantial amount of benefit. That is partly as a result of pictures at these critters shall be taken at nearer ranges, and partly as a result of manufacturing unit ammunition choices for the 22 ARC are extraordinarily restricted, at current anyway. For about all different varieties of capturing, similar to prairie canine, leisure, or self-defense, you’ll in all probability be higher off with the unique AR15 cartridge—the 223 Remington. This ammo is rather more reasonably priced, and the smaller case diameter permits for the utmost journal capability in an AR15.

I applaud Hornady for the introduction of the 22 ARC, which primarily standardized the superb 22 PPC cartridge. It’s a viable cartridge that emulates a contemporary development actually started about 50 years in the past. It has its place, however won’t ever exceed the recognition of the 223 Remington. Nevertheless, don’t be stunned if it will definitely surpasses the 22 Nosler and 224 Valkyrie in recognition.

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