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A side by side comparison of 22 creedmoor vs 22 arc. We dive into what each of calibers is good for including a comparison of each caliber’s velocity, energy & more.
Outside of the ammunition industry, Hornady is not a famous brand. It doesn’t carry the same public recognition as names like Winchester, Remington, or Glock. But within the ammunition industry, the Hornady Manufacturing Company is one of the most trusted and appreciated brands. People who own firearms know Hornady for innovation and creativity, a company constantly advancing firearms technology with products like LeveRevolution and Critical Defense.
In 2023, Hornady engineers continued their legacy of releasing unique cartridges that fit a specific purpose. This time, however, they released two rifle cartridges, virtually at the same time. What’s more, both rounds are .22-caliber loads intended for varmint hunting and target shooting. And both are (currently) available only through a small group of manufacturers and distributors.
Releasing two .22-caliber rounds at the same time seemed redundant, but after taking a closer look, we realized these two innovations have very different uses.
The Quick Answer: 22 Creedmoor vs 22 ARC
22 Creedmoor is a faster cartridge, offering more energy downrange and a flatter trajectory. With that in mind, 22 ARC is typically produces lower recoil and can be fired from AR-style rifles.
Now, for the detail.
.22 Creedmoor vs .22 ARC: Physical Differences
| .22 Creedmoor | .22 ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Bullet diameter | .224 inches | .224 inches |
| Rim diameter | .468 inches | .441 inches |
| Case length | 1.92 inches | 1.525 inches |
| Overall length | 2.825 inches (Varies by bullet) | 2.06 inches minimum |
| Bullet weight | 60 – 90 grains | 55 – 90 grains |
| Typical firearm | Bolt-action rifle | AR Platform |
Size, Shape, and Bullet Weights
While these two rounds share the classic .22-caliber bullet, the case is obviously different. Each one is based on a different parent case, which means overall size and shape differ. The .22 Creedmoor, with a rim diameter of 0.468 inches and case length of 1.92 inches, is packing a larger load behind its .22-caliber projectile.
Rifle Type
If you prefer the customization and utility of the AR platform, or you’re a fan of the accuracy, precision, and shooting process of a bolt-action rifle, your decision may have already been made.
The .22 ARC is made specifically for AR-style modern sporting rifles, meaning shooters who adopt this cartridge get semiautomatic capabilities. However, the .22 Creedmoor is fired from bolt-action rifles, which have a reputation for accuracy and precision. Bolt actions also have fewer legal restrictions; if you live in an area that has banned AR-15s and AR-10s, you could be limited to the .22 Creedmoor.
.22 Creedmoor vs .22 ARC: Ballistics
Shooters want to see the velocity, energy, and downrange trajectories of these rounds. We selected a handful of products from each cartridge and logged their stats, then calculated the averages. It’s not perfect, but it gives us a basic understanding of each cartridge’s overall performance.
Velocity of 22 CDMR vs 22 Arc
| 22 Creedmoor | Muzzle | 100 Yards (fps) | 200 Yards (fps) | 300 Yards (fps) | 400 Yards (fps) | 500 Yards (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Creek 60-Grain V-Max | 3,600 | 3,196 | 2,829 | 2,491 | 2,177 | 1,886 |
| Copper Creek 70-Grain VLD | 3,490 | 3,207 | 2,943 | 2,695 | 2,459 | 2,236 |
| Mead Industries 77-Grain BTHP | 3,277 | 3,007 | 2,753 | 2,514 | 2,286 | 2,071 |
| Hornady 80-Grain ELD-M | 3,285 | 3,076 | 2,877 | 2,687 | 2,505 | 2,330 |
| Copper Creek 90-Grain A-Tip | 3,200 | 3,029 | 2,866 | 2,708 | 2,556 | 2,408 |
| Average | 3,370 | 3,103 | 2,854 | 2,619 | 2,397 | 2,186 |
| 22 ARC | ||||||
| Hornady 62-Grain ELD-VT | 3,300 | 3,044 | 2,803 | 2,574 | 2,357 | 2,150 |
| Hornady 75-Grain ELD-Match | 3,075 | 2,868 | 2,672 | 2,483 | 2,302 | 2,129 |
| Hornady 88-Grain ELD-Match | 2,820 | 2,652 | 2,491 | 2,335 | 2,185 | 2,040 |
| Average for 22 ARC | 3,065 | 2,855 | 2,655 | 2,464 | 2,281 | 2,106 |
Any cartridge that delivers over 3,000 feet-per-second for muzzle speed is impressive. Doing so with a 90-grain bullet is particularly noteworthy. That’s exactly what we get from the .22 Creedmoor, which has an average muzzle velocity (according to our small sample) of 3,370 fps. The .22 ARC does well, averaging over 3,000 fps. But with a larger case and a similar bullet, the Creedmoor outpaces the ARC.
Winner: .22 Creedmoor
22 Creedmoor vs 22 Arc Energy
| 22 Creedmoor | Muzzle | 100 Yards (ft-lbs) | 200 Yards (ft-lbs) | 300 Yards (ft-lbs) | 400 Yards (ft-lbs) | 500 Yards (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Creek 60-Grain V-Max | 1,727 | 1,361 | 1,066 | 827 | 631 | 474 |
| Copper Creek 70-Grain VLD | 1,893 | 1,599 | 1,347 | 1,129 | 940 | 777 |
| Mead Industries 77-Grain BTHP | 1,836 | 1,546 | 1,296 | 1,080 | 894 | 733 |
| Hornady 80-Grain ELD-M | 1,917 | 1,680 | 1,470 | 1,282 | 1,114 | 964 |
| Copper Creek 90-Grain A-Tip | 2,046 | 1,834 | 1,641 | 1,465 | 1,305 | 1,158 |
| Average | 1,884 | 1,604 | 1,364 | 1,157 | 977 | 821 |
| 22 ARC | ||||||
| Hornady 62-Grain ELD-VT | 1,499 | 1,275 | 1,081 | 912 | 765 | 636 |
| Hornady 75-Grain ELD-Match | 1,575 | 1,370 | 1,189 | 1,027 | 883 | 755 |
| Hornady 88-Grain ELD-Match | 1,554 | 1,375 | 1,212 | 1,066 | 933 | 813 |
| Average for 22 ARC | 1,543 | 1,340 | 1,161 | 1,002 | 860 | 735 |
Similar bullets with faster speeds. That’s a recipe for higher energies, and that’s exactly what you get from the .22 Creedmoor. With some rounds going above 2,000 ft-lbs at the muzzle, the Creedmoor has impressive power for a .22-caliber round. The ARC does well and the difference is not massive, but the .22 Creedmoor delivers higher energies both at the muzzle and further down the range.
Winner: .22 Creedmoor
Trajectory
| 22 Creedmoor | 100 Yards (Drop in Inches) | 200 Yards | 300 Yards | 400 Yards | 500 Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Creek 60-Grain V-Max | 0 | 1.3 | 6.7 | 16.9 | 33.7 |
| Copper Creek 70-Grain VLD | 0 | 1.3 | 6.2 | 15.9 | 30.4 |
| Hornady 80-Grain ELD-M | 0 | 1.4 | 6.4 | 29.9 | 49.1 |
| Copper Creek 90-Grain A-Tip | 0 | 1.7 | 7.5 | 17.9 | 33.2 |
| Average | 0 | 1.4 | 6.7 | 20.2 | 36.6 |
| 22 ARC | |||||
| Hornady 62-Grain ELD-VT | 0 | 1.8 | 7.4 | 17.8 | 33.4 |
| Hornady 75-Grain ELD-Match | 0 | 2.4 | 9.7 | 22.6 | 42 |
| Hornady 88-Grain ELD-Match | 0 | 3.4 | 13.1 | 29.5 | 53.5 |
| Average for 22 ARC | 0 | 2.53 | 10.06 | 23.3 | 42.96 |
Note: Not all trajectory stats start at a muzzle height of 0.
Like energies, the difference in trajectory is not massive. But it’s yet another win for the .22 Creedmoor. At 200 yards, the difference in averages is about an inch. But at 500 yards, we see a difference of roughly 6 inches. It may not be enough to drive your decision, but it’s another victory for the .22 Creedmoor.
Recoil
The .22 Creedmoor is already known for excellent speed and trajectories with low recoil. However, the .22 ARC delivers lighter muzzle energies, which typically translate into soft recoil. In addition, the ARC is fired from semiautomatic rifles, which absorb some of the backward force. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that when shooting similar bullets, the ARC will have a lighter kick.
Choosing Between the .22 Creedmoor and the .22 ARC
Advantages of the .22 Creedmoor…
- Greater speeds
- Higher energies
- Straight trajectory, especially at 400 yards or more
Advantages of the .22 ARC…
- Can be fired from the popular AR-15 platform
- Light recoil
- Excellent for high-volume shooting (Although still pricier than well-established rounds.)
When it comes to ballistic performance, the .22 Creedmoor is clearly the stronger cartridge. Thanks to a bulkier case, it has more velocity, more speed, and slightly better trajectories. However, the chance to fire the round from an AR-15 is a clear advantage for the .22 ARC. Regardless of stats, the AR factor will drive the decision for thousands of shooters across the country.
Your Source for .22-Caliber Ammunition
Whether you use a classic round like the .223 Remington or a new-age product like the .22 ARC or .22 Creedmoor, you’ll find the affordable rounds you need at ammotogo.com. Visit our site and place your order today!
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