Reliable 22 ARC bolt action load data can be found directly from major bullet and powder manufacturers, with Hornady providing a dedicated manual specifically for bolt action rifles. Published 22 ARC bolt action load data normally includes the tested bullet weight, bullet profile, powder type, starting powder charge, maximum powder charge, expected muzzle velocity, and tested pressure limits. The most common bullet weights represented in published 22 ARC data range from 53 grains for varmint applications up to heavy 90 grain match projectiles. Manufacturers like Hornady and Sierra publish this data specifically for bolt action rifles because the bolt action platform can safely operate at a maximum average pressure of 62,000 PSI, which is significantly higher than the 52,000 PSI limit designed for gas operated AR 15 rifles. Because of this massive pressure difference, load data varies heavily between gas gun and bolt action sources, making it critical to use the exact component combinations published for bolt action platforms.
22 ARC Bolt Action Load Data
| Bullet | Bullet Weight | Powder | Published Starting Load | Published Maximum Load | Published Velocity (Max) | Pressure (Max) | Test Barrel / Firearm | Source |
| Hornady V-MAX | 53 gr | Hodgdon BL-C(2) | 30.9 gr | 34.6 gr | 3,650 fps | 62,000 PSI | 24″ Barrel | Hornady Bolt Action Data |
| Hornady ELD-VT | 62 gr | Hodgdon CFE 223 | 28.8 gr | 33.7 gr | 3,550 fps | 62,000 PSI | 24″ Barrel | Hornady Bolt Action Data |
| Hornady ELD-VT | 62 gr | Hodgdon Varget | 28.4 gr | 31.4 gr | 3,400 fps | 62,000 PSI | 24″ Barrel | Hornady Bolt Action Data |
| Hornady ELD Match | 75 gr | Hodgdon CFE 223 | 29.4 gr | 31.5 gr | 3,100 fps | 62,000 PSI | 24″ Barrel | Hornady Bolt Action Data |
| Hornady ELD-X | 80 gr | Hodgdon CFE 223 | 26.5 gr | 30.9 gr | 3,100 fps | 62,000 PSI | 24″ Barrel | Hornady Bolt Action Data |
| Hornady ELD-X | 80 gr | Hodgdon Benchmark | 23.6 gr | 26.4 gr | 3,000 fps | 62,000 PSI | 24″ Barrel | Hornady Bolt Action Data |
| Hornady ELD Match | 88 gr | Hodgdon Varget | 24.7 gr | 27.0 gr | 2,800 fps | 62,000 PSI | 24″ Barrel | Hornady Bolt Action Data |
| Hornady A-Tip | 90 gr | Alliant Reloder 15 | 25.2 gr | 28.4 gr | 2,800 fps | 62,000 PSI | 24″ Barrel | Hornady Bolt Action Data |
Understanding The 22 ARC Bolt Action Load Data
Reloading manuals provide data that has been strictly pressure tested in controlled laboratory environments.
- Starting load: The safest baseline powder charge recommended by the publisher. It generates enough pressure for consistent ignition while maintaining a wide margin of safety during load development.
- Maximum published load: The highest powder charge tested that remains within the SAAMI specification limit for 22 ARC bolt action rifles, which is 62,000 PSI.
- Velocity: The expected speed of the projectile as recorded by laboratory chronographs during testing.
- Pressure: The internal chamber pressure generated by the powder charge. For bolt action 22 ARC data, this is tested to a much higher standard than gas gun data.
- Bullet weight: The physical mass of the projectile in grains.
- Powder: The specific brand and burn rate of the propellant used.
- Barrel length: The length of the test barrel used by the laboratory. Standard test barrels for the 22 ARC are commonly 24 inches.
- Test conditions:Laboratories use specifically sized testing equipment, specific brass cases, and specific small rifle primers (like the Federal 205) to gather their data.
22 ARC Bolt Action Bullet Weight Load Data
The 22 ARC was specifically engineered to push both lightweight varmint projectiles and heavy match bullets at extreme speeds.
- 53 grain to 55 grain: Light varmint bullets like the 53 grain V-MAX achieve blistering velocities over 3,600 fps in a bolt action 22 ARC. They are highly effective for explosive performance on small varmints.
- 62 grain: Hornady designed the 62 grain ELD-VT specifically for this cartridge. It balances a high ballistic coefficient with explosive terminal performance, frequently reaching 3,550 fps in bolt action rifles.
- 75 grain to 80 grain:Mid weight match and hunting bullets, like the 80 grain ELD-X, perform exceptionally well, achieving velocities around 3,100 fps.
- 88 grain to 90 grain: The heaviest projectiles supported by published 22 ARC reloading data. These bullets are optimized for extreme long range target shooting and require a fast 1 in 7 inch twist rate barrel to stabilize properly.
22 ARC Bolt Action Powder Load Data
Because of its efficient case design derived from the 6.5 Grendel parent case, the 22 ARC performs exceptionally well with medium burning rifle powders.
| Powder | Bullet | Bullet Weight | Published Starting Load | Published Maximum Load | Published Velocity | Source |
| Hodgdon CFE 223 | Hornady ELD-VT | 62 gr | 28.8 gr | 33.7 gr | 3,100 – 3,550 fps | Hornady Bolt Action |
| Hodgdon Varget | Hornady ELD-X | 80 gr | 25.6 gr | 28.5 gr | 2,700 – 3,000 fps | Hornady Bolt Action |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | Hornady ELD Match | 75 gr | 26.5 gr | 28.1 gr | 2,700 – 3,000 fps | Hornady Bolt Action |
| Alliant Reloder 15 | Hornady A-Tip | 90 gr | 25.2 gr | 28.4 gr | 2,600 – 2,800 fps | Hornady Bolt Action |
Load data published for a specific 80 grain bullet profile cannot automatically be used for a different 80 grain bullet. Bearing surface differences create distinct friction levels inside the barrel.
22 ARC Bolt Action Bullet And Powder Combinations
The exact component combination dictates the internal pressure of the cartridge.
Bullet construction matters heavily. A solid copper monolithic bullet is longer than a lead core bullet of the exact same weight. This increased length means the monolithic bullet seats deeper into the brass case, which reduces internal case capacity and raises pressure.
Furthermore, the 22 ARC uses a small rifle primer. Because the bolt action data operates at 62,000 PSI, using a standard thin cup primer can result in pierced primers. Reloaders must match the published load data to the exact tested components used by the publisher, such as the Federal 205 primer specified in the Hornady bolt action manual.The maximum cartridge overall length (C.O.L.) is 2.260 inches.
22 ARC Bolt Action Velocity From Published Data
Velocities provided in published manuals serve as a laboratory baseline rather than a universal guarantee.
- Manufacturer published velocity: Generated in heavily controlled test environments using precise universal receivers with 24 inch barrels.
- Independent chronograph testing: Measured by reloaders using production bolt action rifles. It is common for a load rated at 3,550 fps in a manual to yield slightly different numbers out of a standard rifle due to bore wear or distinct chamber dimensions.
- Ballistic calculator estimates: Software predictions based on bullet weight and powder charge. These are strictly mathematical estimates and do not replace physical chronograph data.
Do not present a software calculated velocity as a verified or measured velocity.
22 ARC Bolt Action Load Data By Barrel Length
Barrel characteristics radically affect 22 ARC velocity.
- 24 inch barrels: The standard length used in laboratory testing and precision bolt action rifles. These barrels extract the maximum possible velocity from the cartridge, allowing 62 grain bullets to comfortably exceed 3,500 fps.
- 20 inch barrels: Frequently found on compact predator hunting rifles. A 20 inch barrel will cost the shooter significant velocity, sometimes dropping a 3,500 fps load down by 100 to 150 fps.
- 18 inch barrels: Shorter barrels will bleed off more pressure before the bullet exits the muzzle, resulting in noticeably lower velocities and a louder muzzle report.
Always identify the test barrel length associated with any published velocity figure.
22 ARC Bolt Action Energy And Ballistics
When loaded to its potential in a bolt action, the 22 ARC delivers devastating kinetic energy and exceptional long range performance.
Using published data for a 62 grain ELD-VT bullet leaving a 24 inch barrel at 3,300 fps, the cartridge produces roughly 1,499 foot pounds of muzzle energy. Due to the extremely high ballistic coefficient of these modern projectiles, the bullet retains energy and resists wind drift far better than legacy 22 caliber cartridges like the 22-250 Remington. A heavy 88 grain ELD Match bullet launched at 2,800 fps will generate around 1,532 foot pounds of muzzle energy and remain supersonic well past 1,000 yards. Clearly identify the exact bullet and load associated with every ballistic figure.
Gas Gun vs Bolt Action 22 ARC Data
It is absolutely vital to understand the difference between 22 ARC gas gun load data and 22 ARC bolt action load data.
- Gas Gun Data: Designed for the AR 15 platform. This data is strictly limited to a maximum average pressure of 52,000 PSI to prevent damage to the AR 15 bolt lugs and ensure reliable semi-automatic cycling.
- Bolt Action Data: Designed for strong bolt action receivers. This data pushes the cartridge to its maximum potential at 62,000 PSI.
- Safety warning:You must never use 22 ARC bolt action load data in an AR 15 or any gas operated firearm. Doing so will cause catastrophic overpressure, destroying the bolt face and severely injuring the shooter.
Manufacturer Data vs Independent Testing
When researching 22 ARC reloading data, you must prioritize official manufacturer data over user submitted load reports.
Manufacturer data is rigorously pressure tested using advanced transducers to measure exactly what is happening inside the chamber. Independent testing done by consumers generally only measures velocity via a chronograph. A chronograph cannot detect a dangerous pressure spike. An independent tester might achieve extreme velocities and claim a load recipe is safe simply because their specific rifle did not blow up, but that does not make it a verified or safe standard.
22 ARC Bolt Action Pressure And Safety
The 22 ARC in a bolt action is a high pressure cartridge that requires careful load development.
Reloaders must follow published load data explicitly. Because the bolt action data operates at a very high 62,000 PSI limit, minor variations in powder charge or bullet seating depth can cause massive pressure spikes. Component substitutions, such as using thicker brass without dropping the powder charge, can drastically reduce internal case capacity. Always begin your 22 ARC load development at the published starting load and work up carefully in small increments while watching for pressure signs on the small rifle primer.
Best Sources For 22 ARC Bolt Action Load Data
The most reliable sources for verified reloading data include:
- Hornady 22 ARC Bolt Action Data: Hornady provides a dedicated PDF manual specifically for bolt action rifles, offering the most comprehensive pressure tested data available for their ELD Match, ELD-X, and V-MAX bullets.
- Sierra Bullets Load Data: Sierra has released specialized data sheets for the 22 ARC covering both gas gun and 62,000 PSI bolt gun parameters.
- Hodgdon Reloading Data Center:Excellent for online data, though reloaders must pay strict attention to whether Hodgdon is listing 52,000 PSI gas gun loads or higher pressure bolt action loads.
Common 22 ARC Bolt Action Load Data Questions
Where can I find 22 ARC bolt action load data?
Authoritative data is available directly from the Hornady Bolt Action data PDF and the Sierra load data supplements.
What powders are used in published 22 ARC bolt action data?
Medium burning rifle powders are standard, including Hodgdon CFE 223, Varget, Benchmark, BL-C(2), and Alliant Reloder 15.
What bullet weights have 22 ARC bolt action load data?
Published data exists primarily for 53, 55, 62, 68, 75, 80, 88, and 90 grain bullets.
What is the difference between 22 ARC gas gun and bolt action load data?
Gas gun data is limited to 52,000 PSI for AR 15 safety, while bolt action data is pushed to 62,000 PSI for maximum velocity.Bolt action data is strictly unsafe for use in gas guns.
Why does 22 ARC load data vary between sources?
Laboratories use different test barrel lengths, different primers, varying brass capacities, and distinct bullet bearing surfaces.
Does barrel length affect 22 ARC velocity?
Yes. A 24 inch test barrel will yield significantly higher velocities than a 20 inch hunting barrel.
Can the same powder charge be used with a different bullet?
No. Different bullets of the exact same weight have different lengths and bearing surfaces, requiring specific load data.
What is the difference between starting and maximum published load data?
The starting load is a safe baseline for load development, while the maximum load is the absolute highest charge tested that remains within the safe 62,000 PSI pressure limit.
Does Hodgdon publish 22 ARC load data?
Yes, Hodgdon provides extensive pressure tested data for this cartridge, but reloaders must verify which pressure specification is being listed.
Does Hornady publish 22 ARC bolt action load data?
Yes, Hornady provides a dedicated 62,000 PSI bolt action load data manual specifically for this platform.
Final Verdict
For accurate and safe 22 ARC bolt action load data, reloaders must pull recipes directly from authoritative sources like the Hornady Bolt Action data manual or Sierra’s dedicated bolt gun supplements. It is imperative to compare the exact bullet profile, powder type, and pressure category before beginning your 22 ARC load development. Because the bolt action data operates at a high 62,000 PSI limit, reloaders must explicitly avoid using this data in gas operated rifles and adhere strictly to published maximum charges. By utilizing verified, laboratory tested bolt action load data, reloaders can safely maximize the extreme accuracy, flat trajectory, and long range capabilities of the 22 ARC cartridge.