22 Creedmoor vs. 22 ARC: Which 22 Is Better For You?

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "22 Creedmoor vs. 22 ARC: Which 22 Caliber Is Better?"
(https://ammo.com/comparison/22-arc-vs-22-creedmoor)

The 22 Creedmoor and 22 ARC might share the same caliber, but they have significant differences that make one better suited to your specific needs than the other. After reading this 22 Creedmoor vs. 22 ARC comparison, you'll know which one you should buy based on recoil, trajectory, stopping power, and six other factors.

22 Creedmoor vs. 22 ARC

Let's begin with the pros and cons of each cartridge, then dive into how they differ across various shooting scenarios and applications.

The 22 Creedmoor is the better option when:

• You only fire factory ammo
• Maximizing velocity is most important to you
• You'd rather use a standard bolt face/action

The 22 ARC is the better option for:

• Reloaders
• Shooters willing to sacrifice a little velocity for more consistent accuracy
• High-volume shooters

Pros & Cons

22 Creedmoor

22 ARC

Technical Specs

22 Creedmoor vs. 22 ARC Recoil

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While both cartridges have manageable recoil, the 22 ARC feels like a gentle nudge on the shoulder from a friend while the 22 Creedmoor is more like a solid thud from someone who isn't all that fond of you.

The 22 ARC generates ~2.5 ft-lbs of recoil energy when it fires a 62 grain bullet at 3,300 fps muzzle velocity from an 8-pound rifle. The 22 ARC is a round you can fire all day at the range without getting a sore shoulder. Its low recoil also makes it an excellent round for introducing new shooters to the sport. Ultimate Reloader agrees: "What I love about the 22 ARC is how gentle it is."

The 22 Creedmoor, on the other hand, generates ~8.5 ft-lbs of recoil energy when it fires a 55 grain bullet at 3,850 fps muzzle velocity from an 8.5-pound rifle. That higher velocity comes at the cost of additional recoil.

The 22 ARC recoils against the shooter's shoulder much less. That said, the 22 Creedmoor isn't what I'd classify as a "shoulder bruiser," either.

Trajectory

When both cartridges are loaded with 80 grain ELD Match bullets and zeroed at 200 yards, the 22 Creedmoor exhibits a much flatter trajectory. This is due to its larger case, larger propellant charge, and higher chamber pressure.

At 300 yards, there's only a 4" difference in drop. The 22 ARC has -13" bullet drop; the 22 Creedmoor, only -9". At 400 yards, the gap widens. The 22 ARC has bullet drop of -29"; the 22 Creedmoor, -20". At 500 yards, the 22 ARC drops -53"; the 22 Creedmoor, -33".

If you need a flat-shooting .22 caliber cartridge, the 22 Creedmoor is the better option.

Accuracy

While accuracy ultimately depends on the shooter's capabilities, the 22 ARC is often more accurate at close range (within 300 yards) due to its low recoil. The 22 Creedmoor tends to be more accurate at extended ranges (500-1,000 yards) because of its flatter trajectory.

This section is a tie. If you're shooting within 300 yards, the 22 ARC is the better option. If you're shooting farther, then the 22 Creedmoor takes the lead.

Ballistic Coefficient

This section is a tie. Since both of these rifle cartridges fire the same .224" diameter bullets, their ballistic coefficients (BCs) are the same (so long as you're comparing the same bullets).

Stopping Power

Since the 22 Creedmoor pushes the same bullets to much higher velocities, it also generates more striking energy. That translates to increased stopping power at any distance. However, as we'll soon see in the hunting section, the 22 Creedmoor doesn't exhibit the necessary stopping power for big game hunting.

The 22 Creedmoor has more stopping power than the 22 ARC – no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Firearm Platform

The 22 ARC is designed for use on the AR-15 platform. It only requires a specialized bolt and magazine. The 22 Creedmoor requires the heavier AR-10 platform, or a bolt-action rifle.

The winner of this section depends on whether you prefer the AR-15 or AR-10 platform. When you need a lighter rifle, choose the 22 ARC.

22 Creedmoor vs. 22 ARC For Hunting

Since it offers more stopping power, the 22 Creedmoor is often the better choice for hunting. It's capable of taking deer-sized game out to ~400 yards.

The 22 ARC is loved by predator hunters because it works well with a semi-auto platform and can also be used to harvest medium game like pronghorn and deer at ranges out to 300 yards.

Neither cartridge offers the stopping power needed for ethical big game hunting. A much larger bullet is always better for big game than the narrow .224" alternative.

For most hunting applications, the 22 Creedmoor is the better option.

Cost & Availability

Despite both cartridges being relatively new and having few ammo options, the 22 ARC is much cheaper to fire than the 22 Creedmoor. Most 22 ARC ammo costs nearly half as much as comparable 22 Creedmoor ammo. Rifles chambered for 22 Creedmoor also cost more because they must be built to withstand the additional recoil and pressure.

If you're on a tight budget, the 22 ARC is the better option.

Barrel Life

A 22 ARC barrel's lifespan is nearly twice as long as a 22 Creedmoor's. This is due to the higher pressure in the latter round. According to Outdoor Life writer Tyler Freel (who's fired thousands of rounds of 22 ARC and 22 Creedmoor), you can expect about 2,000 to 3,000 rounds out of a single 22 ARC barrel, while a 22 Creedmoor barrel will only last about 1,200 to 1,900 rounds.

The 22 ARC easily wins this section.

22 Creedmoor Ballistics vs. 22 ARC Ballistics

The team at Ammo.com has created ballistic charts for the 22 Creedmoor vs. 22 ARC so you can quickly compare them.

22 Creedmoor Ballistics

Administrative Note: The following information comes from ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from 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 in-house.

For a deeper look at velocity, energy, and trajectory across additional bullet weights, see our full 22 Creedmoor ballistics resource.

22 ARC Ballistics

Administrative Note: The following information comes from ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from 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 in-house.

Precision shooters and hunters seeking detailed performance data should explore our 22 ARC ballistics resource. It provides comprehensive trajectory mapping across various bullet weights beyond the preceding overview.

Parting Shots: 22 ARC vs. 22 Creedmoor

Now that you've finished reading this 22 Creedmoor vs. 22 ARC comparison, you know that the 22 Creedmoor won three sections (trajectory, stopping power, and hunting capabilities). The 22 ARC won three sections (recoil, overall cost, and barrel life). Three sections were tied (accuracy, BC, and firearm platform).

While there's no definitive winner, the advantages and disadvantages for each cartridge are clear. If you're a recoil-sensitive shooter, on a tight budget, or wanting a longer barrel life, the 22 ARC is what you should choose. If you need a laser-flat trajectory, more stopping power, and better hunting capabilities, the 22 Creedmoor is the better choice.

For those considering Advanced Rifle Cartridges, our 22 ARC vs. 6mm ARC comparison explores how these two ARC loads stack up.

Don't forget to grab all the ammo you'll ever need at Ammo.com, no matter which cartridge you choose!

Written by

Wes Littlefield