The 22 ARC Ballistics Chart is a comprehensive reference table that details the velocity, kinetic energy, and trajectory of the 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge over various distances. By reviewing this chart, you can understand exactly how a specific bullet behaves from the moment it leaves the barrel until it strikes a target hundreds of yards downrange. It provides critical data points such as how much the bullet drops at five hundred yards or how much energy it retains for ethical hunting applications.
Shooters, hunters, reloaders, and tactical enthusiasts use a 22 ARC Ballistics Chart to make highly informed decisions about their ammunition choices. By knowing the precise drop and energy retention of a particular load, a hunter can ensure they are within the ethical killing range of a medium game animal or predator. A competitive tactical shooter relies on this data to understand the extremely flat trajectory of this modern cartridge when paired with heavy high aerodynamic bullets. Reloaders study these numbers to optimize their powder charges for specific barrel lengths. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to interpret ballistics data, choose the right bullet weight, select the optimal zero distance, and understand exactly how the 22 ARC performs in the real world compared to older traditional cartridges.
22 ARC Ballistics Chart
Below is a detailed ballistics table featuring the primary factory ammunition loads available for the 22 ARC today. Because this is a relatively new and highly specialized cartridge designed specifically to maximize AR 15 performance, Hornady is the primary manufacturer providing factory ammunition. This table includes every major factory load currently available on the commercial market. The data represents a standard twenty four inch test barrel and assumes a two hundred yard zero to fully utilize the flat trajectory of the cartridge. Atmospheric conditions are based on standard sea level metrics.
| Bullet Weight | Bullet Type | Manufacturer | Muzzle Velocity | Velocity At 100 Yards | Velocity At 200 Yards | Velocity At 300 Yards | Velocity At 400 Yards | Velocity At 500 Yards | Muzzle Energy | Energy At 100 Yards | Energy At 200 Yards | Energy At 300 Yards | Energy At 400 Yards | Energy At 500 Yards | Trajectory At 100 Yards | Trajectory At 200 Yards | Trajectory At 300 Yards | Trajectory At 400 Yards | Trajectory At 500 Yards | Ballistic Coefficient | Sectional Density |
| 62 Grain | ELD VT | Hornady | 3300 fps | 3044 fps | 2803 fps | 2574 fps | 2357 fps | 2150 fps | 1499 ft lbs | 1275 ft lbs | 1081 ft lbs | 912 ft lbs | 765 ft lbs | 636 ft lbs | 1.1 inches high | 0.0 inches | 5.6 inches drop | 16.4 inches drop | 33.5 inches drop | 0.395 | 0.176 |
| 70 Grain | CX | Hornady | 3125 fps | 2877 fps | 2643 fps | 2421 fps | 2209 fps | 2008 fps | 1518 ft lbs | 1287 ft lbs | 1086 ft lbs | 911 ft lbs | 759 ft lbs | 627 ft lbs | 1.4 inches high | 0.0 inches | 6.3 inches drop | 18.6 inches drop | 38.1 inches drop | 0.371 | 0.199 |
| 75 Grain | ELD Match | Hornady | 3075 fps | 2868 fps | 2672 fps | 2483 fps | 2302 fps | 2129 fps | 1575 ft lbs | 1370 ft lbs | 1189 ft lbs | 1027 ft lbs | 883 ft lbs | 755 ft lbs | 1.4 inches high | 0.0 inches | 6.2 inches drop | 18.1 inches drop | 36.6 inches drop | 0.467 | 0.214 |
| 80 Grain | ELD X | Hornady | 3010 fps | 2814 fps | 2626 fps | 2447 fps | 2274 fps | 2108 fps | 1610 ft lbs | 1407 ft lbs | 1225 ft lbs | 1063 ft lbs | 918 ft lbs | 789 ft lbs | 1.5 inches high | 0.0 inches | 6.5 inches drop | 18.8 inches drop | 37.9 inches drop | 0.485 | 0.228 |
| 88 Grain | ELD Match | Hornady | 2820 fps | 2652 fps | 2491 fps | 2335 fps | 2185 fps | 2040 fps | 1554 ft lbs | 1375 ft lbs | 1212 ft lbs | 1066 ft lbs | 933 ft lbs | 813 ft lbs | 1.7 inches high | 0.0 inches | 7.3 inches drop | 21.1 inches drop | 42.1 inches drop | 0.545 | 0.251 |
Understanding The Chart
A ballistics chart can look overwhelming at first glance due to the sheer amount of data presented. However, once you break down each column, the numbers paint a clear picture of how a specific load will perform in the field. Understanding these metrics is crucial for maximizing your success whether you are hunting or shooting steel targets at extreme distances.
Muzzle Velocity
Muzzle velocity is the speed at which the bullet exits the barrel of the firearm. It is measured in feet per second. The 22 ARC was designed to offer incredibly high muzzle velocities that rival older dedicated varmint cartridges like the 22 250 Remington while still fitting perfectly inside a standard AR 15 magazine. A higher starting velocity results in a flatter trajectory because gravity has less time to pull the bullet downward before it reaches the intended target.
Retained Velocity
Retained velocity refers to the speed of the bullet at specific distances downrange, such as one hundred or five hundred yards. Air resistance constantly slows the bullet down as it travels through the atmosphere. Retained velocity is incredibly important for hunters because most expanding bullets require a minimum velocity to open up properly upon impact. Because this cartridge utilizes highly aerodynamic bullets, it retains its speed much better than traditional twenty two caliber centerfire rounds.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the amount of destructive force the bullet carries, measured in foot pounds. It is calculated using the weight of the bullet and its velocity at any given distance. Hunters pay close attention to this metric on a 22 ARC Energy Chart to ensure they have enough power to ethically harvest game animals at extended distances. The cartridge delivers significantly more energy at long range than standard AR 15 chamberings due to its heavy bullet mass and velocity retention.
Trajectory
Trajectory indicates the path the bullet takes as it flies through the air, factoring in the constant effect of gravity. The 22 ARC Trajectory Chart displays the bullet drop in inches at various yardages relative to the line of sight. By knowing the exact trajectory, shooters can adjust their aim or their scope turrets to hit targets without guessing. This cartridge boasts an exceptionally flat trajectory, making it highly forgiving of range estimation errors in the field.
Ballistic Coefficient
The Ballistic Coefficient is a numerical value that represents how well a bullet cuts through the air. A higher number means the bullet is more aerodynamic and will retain its velocity and energy better over long distances. High Ballistic Coefficient bullets also resist wind drift much better than bullets with a lower rating. The primary design goal of the 22 ARC was to allow the AR 15 platform to fire the highest Ballistic Coefficient twenty two caliber bullets available today.
Sectional Density
Sectional density is the ratio of a bullet weight to its diameter. This metric is a strong indicator of how deeply a bullet will penetrate into a target. A higher sectional density generally results in deeper penetration. Because this cartridge uses extremely long and heavy bullets for its diameter, it possesses incredible sectional density, allowing the small projectiles to penetrate very deeply into medium game animals like deer and hogs.
Common 22 ARC Bullet Weights
The 22 ARC is incredibly versatile, largely due to the wide variety of modern heavy bullet weights it can fire accurately. Selecting the proper weight is the most important decision a shooter can make for a specific application.
55 Grain
While not commonly loaded as premium factory ammunition for this specific cartridge, 55 grain bullets represent the classic lightweight varmint option. Reloaders often use this weight to achieve absolutely blistering muzzle velocities for predator control. While they shoot laser flat at short distances, they lack the high aerodynamic properties required to buck the wind and maintain energy past three hundred yards.
62 Grain
The 62 grain category features highly advanced projectile designs like the Hornady ELD VT. This weight provides a phenomenal balance of incredible speed and explosive terminal performance on small pests. It is an excellent choice for hunting coyotes and prairie dogs. It offers an exceptionally flat trajectory while retaining enough aerodynamic efficiency to perform well at medium ranges across windy open plains.
70 Grain
The 70 grain bullet is heavily dominated by solid copper monolithic projectiles like the Hornady CX. Because solid copper is lighter than lead, these bullets are naturally longer and retain nearly one hundred percent of their weight upon impact. They provide incredibly deep penetration on medium game while shooting remarkably flat. They are the ideal choice for hunting tough feral hogs or for hunters operating in jurisdictions that mandate lead free ammunition.
75 Grain
The 75 grain bullet is typically loaded for match grade accuracy and target shooting. Projectiles like the Hornady ELD Match in this weight class strike a perfect balance between velocity and ballistic efficiency. They slice through the wind effortlessly and are highly favored by precision rifle competitors who want to shoot extremely tight groups from an AR 15 platform at distances out to six hundred yards.
80 Grain
The 80 grain bullet is arguably the absolute best choice for hunting medium game with the 22 ARC. Bullets like the Hornady ELD X are specifically engineered to provide devastating terminal ballistics and reliable expansion across a wide range of impact velocities. This weight maximizes kinetic energy transfer and penetration, making it highly suitable for cleanly harvesting whitetail deer and large wild hogs at extended distances.
88 Grain
The 88 grain bullet represents the heaviest practical option for this cartridge and requires a very fast twist rate barrel to stabilize properly. These massive projectiles feature the highest aerodynamic ratings available in this caliber. While they launch at a slower muzzle velocity, they retain their momentum brilliantly and cut through the wind better than any lighter options, making them the ultimate favorite among extreme long range accuracy enthusiasts.
Effective Hunting Range
The effective range of the 22 ARC depends heavily on the target species and the specific ammunition being used. A responsible hunter must understand their own limitations as well as the ballistic capabilities of their rifle platform.
Whitetail Deer
For whitetail deer, the 22 ARC is highly effective out to three hundred yards when using proper expanding ammunition in the 70 grain to 80 grain class. Deer require sufficient kinetic energy and deep penetration for a clean ethical kill. The heavy high Ballistic Coefficient bullets used in this cartridge provide excellent wound channels and deliver plenty of energy to quickly harvest deer at practical hunting distances.
Elk
Hunting elk with this cartridge is highly discouraged and often illegal depending on local hunting regulations. Elk are massive heavily boned animals that require deep penetration and massive energy transfer. While the 22 ARC is a brilliant design, it is fundamentally a twenty twenty four caliber cartridge and completely lacks the kinetic energy required for reliable and ethical elk hunting. Hunters should choose a much larger caliber for pursuing elk.
Black Bear
Similar to elk, black bears are generally considered too large and tough for this small caliber cartridge. Bears possess thick hides, heavy fat layers, and dense muscle tissue. While a perfectly placed shot with a heavy solid copper bullet could theoretically harvest a bear, the margin for error is far too small. Hunters should utilize a more powerful cartridge to ensure ethical and safe black bear hunting.
Wild Hogs
Feral hogs are perhaps the perfect target for the 22 ARC. Tactical hog hunters who operate at night with thermal optics heavily favor the AR 15 platform. The cartridge provides significantly more knockdown power than standard intermediate rounds while maintaining incredibly low recoil, allowing the hunter to stay on target and potentially harvest multiple hogs from a single sounder. Premium 80 grain expanding bullets perform flawlessly on tough hogs.
Coyotes
When hunting coyotes and other predators, a flat trajectory is absolutely paramount. The 22 ARC is widely considered to be one of the greatest modern coyote cartridges available today. Using 62 grain polymer tipped bullets, hunters can accurately harvest coyotes out to five hundred yards. The extreme muzzle velocity ensures rapid expansion and instant ethical kills even at extended ranges where wind drift usually causes missed shots.
Target Shooting
For general steel target shooting and range practice, the cartridge is incredibly fun and wildly effective. The exceptionally mild recoil makes it an absolute joy to shoot during long training sessions. The cartridge feeds flawlessly from modern magazines and provides a fantastic platform for learning the fundamentals of wind reading and elevation adjustments without enduring the punishing kick of a large magnum rifle.
Long Range Shooting
With match grade ammunition featuring massive 88 grain bullets, the 22 ARC is completely capable of accurately hitting steel targets at one thousand yards. The aerodynamic efficiency of the heavy projectiles allows them to remain supersonic much further than traditional AR 15 cartridges. It provides an excellent and highly affordable way for shooters to compete in precision rifle series matches using a standard modern sporting rifle.
Factors That Affect 22 ARC Ballistics
Ballistics numbers are never completely static. The data provided in a 22 ARC Velocity Chart will change constantly based on environmental conditions and the physical characteristics of your rifle setup. Understanding these variables is the absolute key to achieving true precision.
Barrel Length
Barrel length has a major direct impact on muzzle velocity. While the cartridge is highly efficient in shorter barrels, maximizing its potential requires a longer tube. A twenty four inch barrel will produce the blistering velocities advertised on factory ammunition boxes. Using a shorter sixteen inch tactical barrel will result in a noticeable velocity loss, which subsequently increases bullet drop and reduces the maximum effective hunting range.
Bullet Weight
The weight of the projectile dictates its speed and trajectory curve. Lighter bullets launch incredibly fast and shoot much flatter at close range, but they lose their velocity rapidly due to wind resistance. Heavier bullets start out slower but their superior aerodynamic shape allows them to retain momentum and energy much better at extended distances, offering far superior long range ballistics.
Bullet Design
The shape and construction of a bullet dramatically alter its flight path. A sleek polymer tipped boat tail bullet will cut through the wind efficiently and maintain a perfectly flat trajectory. This cartridge was specifically engineered to utilize these modern high performance shapes. Conversely, blunt round nose bullets create significant drag, causing them to drop quickly and lose kinetic energy at a rapid pace downrange.
Altitude
The elevation at which you are shooting directly changes the density of the air. At higher altitudes, the atmospheric air is much thinner, which creates less drag on the bullet. As a result, your bullet will shoot noticeably flatter and retain significantly more kinetic energy in the high mountains compared to shooting near sea level. Shooters must always verify their zero when traveling to radically different elevations.
Temperature
Temperature shifts dramatically impact both the air density and the internal pressure of your cartridge chamber. Cold air is much denser than warm air, which increases drag and causes more bullet drop over distance. Furthermore, freezing temperatures can slightly lower the burn rate of your gunpowder, reducing your muzzle velocity and shifting your point of impact downward. Premium ammunition utilizes temperature stable powders to minimize this specific issue.
Humidity
While often misunderstood by novice shooters, humidity actually makes the air less dense. Water vapor is lighter than dry atmospheric air molecules. Therefore, high humidity environments provide slightly less resistance to the bullet in flight, resulting in a marginally flatter trajectory. However, this effect is very small compared to altitude and massive temperature shifts, and rarely requires adjustment inside five hundred yards.
Wind
Wind deflection is the most challenging environmental factor for any precision shooter to master. A heavy crosswind will literally push the bullet laterally off its intended path. The longer the bullet remains in the air, the more the wind will affect it. The 22 ARC heavily relies on high Ballistic Coefficient bullets specifically engineered to minimize this wind drift effect, which is absolutely vital for long range accuracy.
Twist Rate
The twist rate of your rifle barrel dictates exactly how fast the bullet spins. This rapid spin provides gyroscopic stability in flight. Because this cartridge uses extremely long and heavy bullets, it absolutely requires a very fast barrel twist rate. Most manufacturers equip their 22 ARC barrels with a fast one in seven twist rate to ensure the massive 88 grain bullets fly point forward instead of tumbling through the air.
Zero Distance
Your chosen zero distance sets the absolute baseline for your entire trajectory curve. If you zero your rifle at one hundred yards, the bullet will strike lower and lower as the distance increases. If you choose a two hundred yard zero, the bullet will impact slightly high at one hundred yards but require much less holdover calculation at three hundred yards. Understanding your specific zero data is vital for field success.
Best Zero Distance
Selecting the optimal zero distance for your rifle depends entirely on your intended application. Each distance offers specific advantages and disadvantages that you must weigh carefully before taking your rifle into the field on a hunt or to a precision match.
25 Yard Zero
A twenty five yard zero is rarely recommended for this specific cartridge. Because the line of sight is mounted high above the bore on an AR 15 platform, the bullet crosses the visual plane very early at a steep upward angle. This zero will often result in the bullet hitting excessively high at one hundred and two hundred yards, making it very poor for precise shot placement on small targets.
50 Yard Zero
The fifty yard zero is an excellent choice for hunting in extremely dense woods or heavy brush where shots rarely exceed one hundred yards. It keeps the bullet trajectory very tight to the line of sight at close ranges. However, it requires significant mathematical calculation to determine holdovers if a target suddenly appears past two hundred yards across a wide clearing.
100 Yard Zero
A one hundred yard zero is the absolute gold standard for precision shooters and target competitors who prefer to dial their scope turrets. It provides a clean mathematical baseline where all adjustments for distance will be dialed upward on the optic. It removes any need to hold under the target, greatly simplifying the math for extreme long range engagements out to one thousand yards.
200 Yard Zero
For general predator and medium game hunting, the two hundred yard zero is heavily recommended by industry professionals. It allows the hunter to utilize a maximum point blank range strategy perfectly. With this zero, a fast 62 grain bullet will typically impact no more than two inches high at one hundred yards and only drop a few inches at two hundred and fifty yards, requiring absolutely no holdover for most ethical hunting shots.
300 Yard Zero
A three hundred yard zero is typically reserved for dedicated coyote hunters operating exclusively in wide open plains. While it minimizes drop at extreme distances, it causes the bullet to impact significantly high at intermediate ranges. This can easily lead to shooting completely over the back of a small predator if the hunter forgets to compensate for the high mid range trajectory curve.
For the vast majority of hunters using the 22 ARC, a two hundred yard zero offers the most practical and forgiving trajectory for field conditions. For dedicated target shooters who dial their optics, the one hundred yard zero remains the absolute best choice.
22 ARC Ballistics Compared To Other Cartridges
The 22 ARC was engineered to fill a very specific high performance niche in the modern sporting rifle platform. To understand its true value, we must compare it directly against other common intermediate and varmint cartridges evaluated at five hundred yards.
| Cartridge | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy | Trajectory At 500 Yards | Recoil | Effective Range | Long Range Performance | Hunting Performance |
| 22 ARC | 3010 fps | 1610 ft lbs | 37.9 inches drop | Very Light | 600 Yards | Excellent | Excellent |
| 223 Remington | 3240 fps | 1282 ft lbs | 48.2 inches drop | Very Light | 400 Yards | Good | Fair |
| 22 250 Remington | 3600 fps | 1600 ft lbs | 45.0 inches drop | Very Light | 600 Yards | Good | Good |
| 6mm ARC | 2750 fps | 1813 ft lbs | 48.0 inches drop | Light | 800 Yards | Exceptional | Exceptional |
| 5.56 NATO | 3150 fps | 1210 ft lbs | 55.0 inches drop | Very Light | 500 Yards | Good | Fair |
When comparing the 22 ARC to the standard 223 Remington and 5.56 NATO cartridges, the modern design clearly dominates. While all of them fire similar diameter bullets and fit in the exact same rifle platform, the 22 ARC uses a wider case that holds more powder. This allows it to push much heavier and far more aerodynamic bullets at faster speeds. The result is a dramatically flatter trajectory, less wind drift, and significantly more kinetic energy delivered to the target.
Against the legendary 22 250 Remington, the ballistic performance is incredibly interesting. The 22 250 Remington achieves blistering raw muzzle velocities that outpace almost everything else on the market. However, older rifles chambered for it usually feature slow twist rate barrels that cannot stabilize heavy aerodynamic bullets. The 22 ARC uses heavy modern bullets that retain their speed so well they actually catch up to and surpass the retained energy of the 22 250 Remington at extreme distances. Furthermore, the 22 ARC fits into a standard AR 15, whereas the 22 250 Remington requires a larger heavier bolt action rifle.
Compared to its older sibling, the 6mm ARC, the twenty two caliber version trades heavy knockdown power for raw velocity and a laser flat trajectory. The 6mm ARC fires larger diameter heavier bullets that buck the wind better and deliver more kinetic energy, making it a superior choice for hunting deer at very long ranges. However, the 22 ARC shoots much flatter at close to medium ranges, making it the undisputed king for predator hunters who need to make rapid shots on fast moving coyotes without calculating complex holdovers.
Overall, the 22 ARC occupies a brilliant sweet spot in the firearms world. It provides magnum level varmint performance from a standard compact modern sporting rifle. It combines incredible velocity, highly manageable recoil, and outstanding accuracy into a perfectly balanced package that elevates the capabilities of the AR 15 platform entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 22 ARC Ballistics Chart?
It is a detailed reference table that tracks the speed, energy, and trajectory curve of the cartridge over various distances. Shooters heavily rely on this specific data to accurately adjust their rifle optics, understand wind deflection, and guarantee their bullet retains enough power for ethical hunting at specific yardages.
How far is a 22 ARC effective?
For hunting medium game like deer with premium expanding ammunition, the 22 ARC Effective Range is highly capable out to roughly three hundred yards. When hunting small predators like coyotes or prairie dogs, the extremely flat trajectory makes it highly effective out to five hundred yards or more in the hands of a skilled marksman.
How much does a 22 ARC bullet drop at 500 yards?
If zeroed at two hundred yards, a typical 80 grain premium hunting bullet will drop roughly thirty eight inches at five hundred yards. A lighter and faster 62 grain varmint bullet will drop approximately thirty three inches at the exact same distance due to its higher initial muzzle velocity.
Is a 22 ARC good for deer hunting?
Yes, it is an outstanding deer hunting cartridge when paired with the proper expanding heavy ammunition. Loads featuring 80 grain expanding projectiles offer incredibly deep penetration and massive energy transfer, easily taking down large bucks at close to medium ranges with perfectly placed shots.
Is a 22 ARC suitable for elk?
No, the vast majority of hunting professionals consider it far too weak for ethical elk hunting. Elk are massive heavy boned animals that demand exceptionally deep penetration and massive kinetic energy transfer. The cartridge simply lacks the required foot pounds of force to guarantee a clean and ethical harvest on such large game.
What is the best 22 ARC bullet weight?
The best weight depends entirely on your specific field goal. For the flattest shooting trajectory and best varmint hunting performance, the 62 grain bullets are absolutely ideal. For medium game hunting, the 80 grain expanding bullets are superior. For long range target shooting, the massive 88 grain match bullets are the undisputed best choice.
What is the best zero distance for a 22 ARC?
For precision shooters dialing their scope turrets for specific distances, a one hundred yard zero provides the best clean mathematical baseline. For hunters utilizing the incredible speed of the cartridge across open fields, the two hundred yard zero provides the most forgiving maximum point blank range.
Can a 22 ARC reach 1000 yards?
Yes, it is specifically engineered for extreme long range precision. When loaded with massive 88 grain highly aerodynamic match bullets, the cartridge retains supersonic flight and cuts through the wind efficiently enough to consistently ring steel targets at one thousand yards, making it highly competitive in precision rifle series matches.
Does barrel length affect 22 ARC velocity?
Yes, shorter barrels will directly reduce the muzzle velocity of the cartridge. To achieve the blistering speeds advertised on factory ammunition boxes, a long twenty four inch barrel is required. Using a compact sixteen inch tactical barrel will result in a noticeable velocity drop, causing a steeper trajectory curve.
What is the fastest factory loaded 22 ARC ammunition?
The fastest factory options are the lightweight 62 grain precision varmint loads, which easily leave a twenty four inch barrel at an incredible three thousand three hundred feet per second. These specific loads provide the flattest possible trajectory and the absolute longest effective hunting range for predator control.
Conclusion
Understanding a 22 ARC Ballistics Chart is absolutely essential for any shooter looking to harness the full maximum potential of this incredibly fast modern cartridge. Whether you are consulting a 22 ARC Velocity Chart to verify expansion thresholds for hunting or analyzing a 22 ARC Trajectory Chart to perfectly dial your high powered scope for a difficult thousand yard shot, the data is the ultimate key to your success. This cartridge represents a massive leap forward in modern rifle capabilities, offering unprecedented velocity and aerodynamic performance in a highly compact package.
By carefully studying your 22 ARC Hunting Ballistics, understanding the massive performance shift between lightweight varmint bullets and heavy match bullets, and picking the right zero distance, you can turn a standard modern sporting rifle into a brilliant precision powerhouse. The 22 ARC Effective Range provides plenty of extended reach for medium game hunting while delivering the laser flat trajectory that dedicated predator hunters absolutely demand. It truly earns its prestigious reputation as one of the most versatile, accurate, and highly capable modern cartridges ever designed for the AR 15 platform.