First Shots: Hornady's New 22 ARC Cartridge

1,000 or more yard hits from an AR-15 are now well within reach.

by
posted on January 30, 2024

Hornady developed the new 22 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) round to fit inside standard-length AR-15 actions and provide the shooter with improved ballistic capability out to and beyond 1,000 yards.

The cartridge was engineered to use modern, high-BC (ballistic coefficient) bullets for greater range and better accuracy at distances thought be out of reach of the AR-15 platform. Hornady built the cartridge and chamber in unison to provide consistent accuracy, great velocity spreads and a rewarding shooting experience. Built on the legacy of the renowned 6mm ARC round, 22 ARC was designed with the benefit of Hornady's Doppler radar systems, which enabled the company to fine-tune ballistic performance of its high-BC bullets.

Ultimately, the performance of 22 ARC provides a similar level of capability as the .22-250 Remington while fitting into all standard AR-15 lower receivers. Hornady currently has three loads: a 62-grain ELD-VT V-Match that is ideal for varmints and other small game, an 88-grain ELD Match round that gives you a little more thump downrange, and a 75-grain ELD Match Black cartridge which has an impressive mix of speed and power.

The 22 ARC round works hand in hand with AR-15 magazines set up for the 6.5 Grendel round, and because 22 ARC was designed from the start to work with the AR platform, rifle manufacturers such as Odin Gun Works are creating new rifles to match the performance of this new round. For more information on 22 ARC or other ammunition produced by Hornady, please visit hornady.com

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