Hornady 22 ARC Ammo Assessment

The 22 Superior Rifle Cartridge (ARC) is Hornady’s latest cartridge, and it’s getting rather a lot 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 stage of particular efficiency by no means earlier than seen from a 22-caliber centerfire rifle cartridge this compact. The 22 ARC just isn’t as new as it could appear, nevertheless. 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 nicely value a search for anybody eager to get a bit of one thing additional from a 22 centerfire. And it could certainly be simply what you’re after.

Historical past Repeats Itself with the 22 ARC

Within the mid 70s, two benchrest shooters by the identify 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 have been based mostly on the 220 Russian/7.63×39 cartridge case and have become legendary in benchrest taking pictures circles. Nevertheless, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Producers Institute (SAAMI) by no means accepted/authorized 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, basically, the 22 PPC and 6mm PPC cartridges with quick rifling twist charges, they’d emulate the fashionable rifle cartridge design that’s according to their different latest introductions. Additionally, since neither of the PPC cartridges have been SAAMI authorized, Hornady noticed a chance. They standardized the cartridge dimensions and specs and gained SAAMI acceptance for the 22 and 6mm ARC. That is essential as a result of with out it, different producers is not going to load ammunition or provide rifles for them.

A Household of twenty-two Centerfire Cartridges

Many of the enchantment of the 22 ARC is tethered to the AR15 rifle. With its most total 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 usually 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 preferred rifle cartridge/s in America. The 22 Nosler is sort of a love baby between the 223 Remington and 6.8 SPC. Its a 6.5 SPC cartridge case necked right 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 facility loaded to basically the identical strain, and the 22 Nosler cartridge case will maintain probably the most gunpowder. This implies generally, 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 in case you’re taking pictures at lengthy vary. So, let’s look carefully 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 main issues: velocity, vitality, trajectory, and wind drift. It may be a bit difficult evaluating these 4 cartridges as a result of totally different producers load totally different bullets for every. Additionally, on account of bullet and cartridge case size, some bullets should not suitable with each cartridge. For comparisons sake, we’ll first take a look at frequent 55-grain bullets throughout 4 22 centerfire cartridges, after which examine the perfect performing long-range manufacturing facility load for every.

As you may see above, while you examine the identical bullets in these 4 cartridges, the 22 ARC lags barely behind the 224 Valkyrie and the 22 Nosler, but it surely does outperform the 223 Remington. Nevertheless, the variations are so small, you’re going to need to be reaching out to round 500 yards to appreciate 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 facility 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 Fuel 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, fashionable bolt-action rifles/cartridges can face up to pressures almost 20% greater. Manufactures are beginning to provide bolt-action rifles chambered for the 22 ARC; I not too long ago examined one from Proof Analysis. In fact, all manufacturing facility 22 ARC ammo is loaded to AR15-safe strain limits, however if in case you have a 22 ARC bolt gun, you may 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 listing a most load of 31.5 grains with a muzzle velocity of 3650 fps. Admittedly, you may up the efficiency of the opposite AR15 cartridges when utilizing them in a bolt gun. The problem can be discovering reliable reloading knowledge.

Is the 22 ARC Proper for You within the Finish?

If ringing metal at 1000 yards with an AR15 is your main purpose, then there is no such thing as a higher cartridge for that than the 22 ARC. At distance, it’s the perfect performing 0.224-caliber cartridge at the moment accessible in an AR15. In fact, in case you handload—and lots 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 price and longer cartridge case that will not be suitable with the longest excessive BC bullets.)

Then again, in case you’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 can be taken at nearer ranges, and partly as a result of manufacturing facility ammunition choices for the 22 ARC are extraordinarily restricted, at current anyway. For about all different forms of taking pictures, similar to prairie canine, leisure, or self-defense, you’ll most likely be higher off with the unique AR15 cartridge—the 223 Remington. This ammo is far more inexpensive, 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 basically 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 shocked if it will definitely surpasses the 22 Nosler and 224 Valkyrie in recognition.

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