.22 ARC (bolt action) Load Data

Caliber Overview

The .22 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) is a modern small-caliber cartridge developed by Hornady, designed to deliver high ballistic performance with mild recoil and excellent efficiency. While it was initially introduced with an emphasis on AR-platform compatibility, the .22 ARC is also exceptionally well-suited for bolt-action rifles, where its strengths become even more pronounced.

In a bolt-action configuration, the .22 ARC benefits from consistent chambering, strong lockup, and longer barrel options, allowing it to achieve outstanding velocity and accuracy. It fires .224-caliber bullets—typically in the 62–88 grain range—with high ballistic coefficients, resulting in flat trajectories, excellent wind resistance, and reliable energy retention at distance. Compared to cartridges like .223 Remington, the .22 ARC offers superior long-range performance, especially beyond 300 meters, while still maintaining manageable pressures and barrel life.

For hunters, the .22 ARC is well suited for varmints and small to medium game (where legal), offering precise shot placement and minimal recoil for fast follow-up shots. Precision shooters appreciate its efficiency, low recoil impulse, and compatibility with modern high-BC bullets. Overall, in bolt-action rifles, the .22 ARC stands out as a highly accurate, versatile, and forward-looking cartridge that bridges the gap between traditional .22-caliber rounds and modern long-range performance demands.