22 ARC Ballistics Tables From Every Major 22 ARC Ammunition Maker

Congratulations! You’ve discovered our in-depth look at 22 ARC ballistics from the top 22 ARC ammo manufacturers.

22 ARC Ballistics Charts

Hornady Ammunition Ballistics - 22 ARC

Jump to a ballistics chart: Hornady BLACK 22 ARC 75 grain ELD Match | Hornady Match 22 ARC 88 grain ELD Match | Hornady V-Match 22 ARC 62 grain ELD-VT

Hornady BLACK 22 ARC 75 grain ELD Match Ballistics Chart

Hornady Match 22 ARC 88 grain ELD Match Ballistics Chart

Hornady V-Match 22 ARC 62 grain ELD-VT Ballistics Chart

Administrative Note: The information above comes from the manufacturers. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load. When manufacturer ballistic data were unavailable, ballistics were calculated using a ballistics calculator.

22 ARC Trajectory Chart

A bullet’s flight path is its trajectory. Shooters often measure the bullet’s elevation in inches of bullet drop, but it’s also measured in minutes of angle (MOA).

A flat trajectory is preferred because the shooter can make fewer adjustments to compensate for bullet drop. The 6.5 Creedmoor and 308 Winchester are excellent examples of flat-trajectory rifle cartridges, so they’re prevalent among long-range shooting enthusiasts.

The 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge can be added to the list of flat trajectory rounds, as it drops about 33”-42” at 500 yards (200-yard zero; 24” barrel; depending on projectile). The 62 grain ELD-VT bullet is an excellent choice for varmint hunting because of its flat trajectory out to 500 yards and farther. Your bolt gun or AR-15 platform rifle’s barrel length and twist rate will greatly affect performance, but you can expect about -33.5” drop at 500 yards (200 yard zero; 24” barrel).

This is thanks to the high BC bullets commonly loaded in 22 ARC ammo. The long, sleek projectiles slice through the air with low drag and are less affected by wind drift, which allows shooters to be incredibly accurate at longer ranges.

Below is a sample 22 ARC bullet drop chart that provides a general idea of the 22 ARC trajectory (24” barrel; sight height 1.5”).

Note: The chart above is an example of one 22 ARC load. Actual ballistic performance may vary depending on bullet weight, lot, barrel length, and environmental conditions while shooting.

22 ARC Velocity

A bullet’s muzzle velocity is the rate at which it exits the rifle barrel, measured in feet per second (fps).

A longer barrel generally produces a higher muzzle velocity, as it gives the exploding propellant more time to exert energy against the bullet’s base. Bullet design and weight also significantly affect how much velocity a projectile will exhibit downrange.

For example, heavier bullets have higher inertia and relatively lower muzzle velocities. The Hornady 22 ARC 75 grain ELD Match bullet has a muzzle velocity of 3,075 fps, whereas the 88 grain ELD Match bullet has a muzzle velocity of 2,820 fps.

Polymer-tipped hollow point boat tail bullets, which are used in the new cartridge designs by Hornady, tend to conserve velocity more efficiently than traditional soft point bullets. They’re more ballistically efficient!

Hornady claims the muzzle velocity of the 22 ARC cartridge ranges from 2,820 fps to 3,300 fps, which is excellent for a varmint bullet. Handloads tend to have higher velocities than factory-loaded ammo, which is one reason why reloading is so popular among dedicated shooting enthusiasts and competitive shooters.

22 ARC Kinetic Energy

A bullet’s energy is measured in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). Muzzle energy reflects the force with which a projectile leaves the barrel. Heavier bullets tend to have higher muzzle energy. Velocity is also a significant factor, so it’s important to remember that lighter bullets can have greater muzzle energy than heavier ones.

A higher muzzle energy typically means the round has more recoil. The 22 ARC’s lightweight projectiles generate little recoil energy. It is an excellent cartridge for introducing someone to the shooting experience from a gas gun like the AR platform or a bolt-action rifle.

The biggest problem with lightweight projectiles is that they conserve relatively less energy downrange. For instance, the 62 grain ELD-VT has 1,499 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle but only 636 ft-lbs at 500 yards. On the other hand, the 88 grain ELD has 1,554 ft-lbs at the muzzle and 813 ft-lbs at 500 yards.

22 ARC Effective Range

Due to its lightweight projectiles, the 22 ARC’s effective range is about 500 yards for varmint hunting.

You can stretch that to 750 yards while shooting a target. Experienced long-range shooters can hit targets 1,000 yards away with some practice.

How Do 22 ARC Ballistics Compare to Similar Rifle Cartridges?

While the 22-250 Remington ruled American varmint hunting for years, many are switching to the 22 ARC because of its superior performance in the same conditions and heavier projectiles.

This begs the question: What other cartridges could be obsoleted by Hornady’s 22 ARC? Is the 223 Remington, 224 Valkyrie, 22-250 Remington, 22 Nosler, 22 Creedmoor, or 6.5 Grendel safe from the 22 ARC?

The team at Ammo.com has gathered a few ballistics charts to help you compare these similar rifle cartridges.

22 ARC vs 223 Ballistics Chart

Don’t miss our in-depth look at 223 ballistics!

22 ARC vs 22 Creedmoor Ballistics Chart

Don’t miss our in-depth look at 22 Creedmoor ballistics!

22 ARC vs 22-250 Ballistics Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

The team at Ammo.com has gathered and answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding 22 ARC ballistics.

What is 22 ARC good for?

The 22 ARC is good for varmint hunting, match shooting, and introducing someone to shooting.

Can you deer hunt with a 22 arc?

Yes, you can deer hunt with a 22 ARC, but you must check your local hunting regulations to ensure the .22 cal cartridge is legal for taking deer in your state.

How fast is 22 ARC?

The 22 ARC is fast. It has a muzzle velocity of 3,300 fps.

What is the best barrel length for a 22 ARC?

The best barrel length for a 22 ARC rifle is 18” to 22”.