The 22 Creedmoor pushes a 0.224-inch diameter projectile from a bottlenecked 1.920-inch case, generating a maximum overall length of 2.700 inches. Typical bullet weights span from lightweight 60-grain varmint rounds up to ultra-heavy 95-grain match projectiles. Factory muzzle velocities average 3,285 fps for 80-grain bullets out of a 24-inch barrel, producing roughly 1,917 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.Standardized by SAAMI with a maximum pressure of 62,000 PSI, the cartridge operates primarily in short-action bolt rifles and AR-10 platforms.To properly stabilize its high-BC bullets, the 22 Creedmoor relies on a fast 1:7 or 1:8 twist rate in typical 20 to 24-inch barrels.
22 Creedmoor Specs
| Specification | 22 Creedmoor |
| Cartridge Name | 22 Creedmoor |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.224 inches |
| Bullet Weight | 60 grains to 95 grains |
| Case Length | 1.920 inches |
| Overall Length | 2.700 inches (maximum SAAMI) |
| Base Diameter | 0.470 inches |
| Neck Diameter | 0.256 inches |
| Shoulder Diameter | 0.462 inches |
| Rim Diameter | 0.473 inches |
| Shoulder Angle | 30 degrees |
| Maximum Pressure | 62,000 PSI (SAAMI) |
| Typical Twist Rate | 1:7 or 1:8 |
| Typical Barrel Length | 20 to 26 inches |
| Muzzle Velocity | 3,100 fps to 3,660 fps (varies by load) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1,850 to 2,050 ft-lbs |
| Ballistic Coefficient | ~0.485 to 0.545 (G1) |
| Parent Case | 6.5mm Creedmoor / 6mm Creedmoor |
| Platform | Short Action (AR-10 / M700 footprint) |
| Supersonic Loads | 60 to 95 grains |
| Subsonic Loads | Not applicable (Highly dangerous) |
22 Creedmoor Bullet Diameter
The 22 Creedmoor bullet diameter is 0.224 inches (technically designated as 0.2245 inches in SAAMI drawings to account for manufacturing tolerances). This utilizes the same caliber projectiles as the 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington, though the Creedmoor chamber is engineered for much heavier, modern match bullets that traditional .22 caliber rifles cannot chamber.
22 Creedmoor Case Length
The 22 Creedmoor case length is 1.920 inches. Derived from necking down the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor parent cases, this large brass body offers tremendous powder capacity (roughly 52.6 grains of H2O) compared to traditional .22 caliber varmint cartridges.
22 Creedmoor Overall Length
SAAMI established the 22 Creedmoor overall length (COAL) at a maximum of 2.700 inches. While some older wildcat data lists a shorter overall length, the 2.700-inch SAAMI maximum allows long, high-BC bullets to be seated further out of the powder column without exceeding the physical constraints of a standard short-action magazine.
22 Creedmoor Bullet Weights
Typical 22 Creedmoor bullet weights range from 60 grains up to 95 grains.While a .223 Remington generally caps out around 77 grains, the 22 Creedmoor specs are optimized around the 80-grain, 85-grain, and 88-grain match bullets to leverage the large powder charge and fast twist rate.
22 Creedmoor Muzzle Velocity
The 22 Creedmoor muzzle velocity is exceptionally high. Pushing an 80-grain bullet from a standard 24-inch barrel generates a velocity of 3,285 fps. With lighter 60-grain to 69-grain varmint bullets, velocities easily exceed 3,500 to 3,660 fps.
22 Creedmoor Muzzle Energy
By pairing heavy bullet weights with magnum-level velocities, 22 Creedmoor muzzle energy typically falls between 1,900 and 2,050 foot-pounds. This makes it one of the hardest-hitting .22 caliber cartridges on the market, carrying sufficient energy to be highly effective on medium-sized game and long-range predators.
22 Creedmoor Maximum Pressure
The 22 Creedmoor maximum pressure is standardized by SAAMI at 62,000 PSI. This high-pressure rating demands a strong action, which is why it utilizes a standard 0.470-inch case head that safely locks up in robust bolt-action rifles and AR-10s.
22 Creedmoor Twist Rate
To stabilize extreme-length projectiles, the standard 22 Creedmoor twist rate is an incredibly fast 1:7 or 1:8 inches. Legacy .22-250 Remington rifles often utilized slow 1:12 twist rates, which will immediately destabilize the 80+ grain bullets used in the 22 Creedmoor.
22 Creedmoor Barrel Length
The standard 22 Creedmoor barrel length spans from 20 to 26 inches. Because it burns a large column of slow-burning powder, the cartridge is incredibly harsh on shorter barrels, producing severe muzzle blast and accelerated throat erosion if cut below 20 inches.
22 Creedmoor Ballistic Coefficient
The 22 Creedmoor ballistic coefficient (BC) is best-in-class for the caliber. While traditional lightweight varmint bullets have poor wind defiance, the 80-grain ELD Match boasts a G1 BC of 0.485, and the 88-grain ELD Match reaches a staggering G1 BC of 0.545, allowing it to easily slice through crosswinds at 1,000 yards.
Supersonic vs Subsonic
The 22 Creedmoor is a hyper-velocity cartridge designed strictly to push ballistic limits. It is entirely unsuited for subsonic applications.
| Load Type | Typical Bullet Weight | Velocity | Muzzle Energy | Main Characteristic |
| Supersonic | 60 – 95 grains | 3,200 – 3,660 fps | ~1,900+ ft-lbs | Flat trajectory, high BC, excellent wind defiance, supersonic past 1,100 yards |
| Subsonic | N/A | N/A | N/A | Highly dangerous; significantly downloading massive cases causes erratic ignition and squibs |
Attempting to download a case with over 52 grains of water capacity to achieve 1,000 fps creates extreme safety hazards. Reduced charges can result in secondary explosion effect (SEE) or projectiles permanently lodged in the bore.
Factory Load Specifications
SAAMI standardization in 2024 brought a wave of consistent factory 22 Creedmoor specifications. (Data based on standard 24-inch SAAMI test barrels).
- 69 grain: Hornady ELD-VT V-MATCH. Velocity: 3,560 fps. Muzzle Energy: 1,958 ft-lbs.
- 80 grain: Hornady ELD Match. Velocity: 3,285 fps. Muzzle Energy: 1,917 ft-lbs.
- 80 grain: Hornady ELD-X Precision Hunter. Velocity: 3,285 fps. Muzzle Energy: 1,917 ft-lbs.
Cartridge Dimensions
The 22 Creedmoor dimensions perfectly mirror its parent case up to the shoulder, simply necking down the brass to accept a .224-inch projectile.
| Dimension | Measurement |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.224 inches |
| Case Length | 1.920 inches |
| Overall Length | 2.700 inches (maximum) |
| Base Diameter | 0.470 inches |
| Neck Diameter | 0.256 inches |
| Shoulder Diameter | 0.462 inches |
| Rim Diameter | 0.473 inches |
| Shoulder Angle | 30 degrees |
Barrel Length
Barrel length heavily dictates 22 Creedmoor velocity potential. The cartridge requires significant bore time to achieve complete combustion of its large powder charge.
Based on chronograph testing with an 80-grain factory load:
- 18 inches: 3,042 fps. Sacrifices significant velocity, producing a massive muzzle flash as unburnt powder exits the barrel.
- 20 inches: 3,125 fps. Offers easier maneuverability in dense brush while minimizing the extreme velocity penalties of an 18-inch barrel.
- 22 inches: 3,205 fps. The sweet spot for a dedicated hunting rifle, balancing mobility and long-range terminal ballistics.
- 24 inches: 3,285 fps. The SAAMI standard length, ideal for precision rifle competition and maximizing the flat trajectory.
- 26 inches: 3,365 fps. Extracts the absolute maximum velocity for Extreme Long Range (ELR) shooting.
Ballistics
To understand 22 Creedmoor ballistics, it is best viewed at extreme distances where its high-BC bullets outpace nearly every other .22 caliber option.
Standard trajectory data for the 80-grain Hornady ELD-X load with a 200-yard zero (24-inch barrel):
- Muzzle: 3,285 fps | 1,917 ft-lbs | Drop: -1.5 in
- 100-yard: 3,076 fps | 1,680 ft-lbs | Drop: +1.1 in
- 200-yard: 2,877 fps | 1,470 ft-lbs | Drop: 0.0 in (Zero)
- 400-yard: 2,505 fps | 1,114 ft-lbs | Drop: -15.4 in
- 500-yard: 2,330 fps | 964 ft-lbs | Drop: -31.1 in
Platform And Compatibility
The 22 Creedmoor is a short-action cartridge that relies on the .308 Winchester / 6.5 Creedmoor ecosystem.
- Action Length: Standard Short Action (Remington 700 footprint).
- Bolt Requirements: Uses a standard 0.470-inch bolt face (identical to the .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .243 Winchester).
- Magazines: Uses standard short-action AICS magazines or AR-10 PMAGs.
- AR-10 Compatibility: It functions perfectly in the AR-10 / SR-25 platform but will absolutely not fit in an AR-15 due to the 2.700-inch overall length.
22 Creedmoor vs 22-250 Remington
The 22-250 Remington was the former king of .22 caliber speed, but it was designed around light bullets and slow twist rates.
| Specification | 22 Creedmoor | 22-250 Remington |
| Bullet Diameter | 0.224 inches | 0.224 inches |
| Typical Bullet Weight | 60 gr – 95 gr | 40 gr – 55 gr |
| Max Overall Length | 2.700 inches | 2.350 inches |
| Standard Twist Rate | 1:7 or 1:8 | 1:12 or 1:14 |
| Muzzle Energy | ~1,917 ft-lbs (80gr) | ~1,650 ft-lbs (55gr) |
| Max Pressure | 62,000 PSI | 65,000 PSI |
While the 22-250 is exceptionally fast with 50-grain bullets, it lacks the twist rate and case capacity to properly propel the modern 80+ grain, high-BC bullets that make the 22 Creedmoor dominant at 1,000 yards.
Pros And Cons
22 Creedmoor Pros
- Shoots incredibly flat, mimicking the trajectory of larger magnums with virtually zero recoil.
- Retains supersonic velocities well past 1,100 yards with heavy 80+ grain bullets.
- Utilizes the abundant 6.5 Creedmoor short-action footprint, making custom rifle builds very simple.
- Offers devastating kinetic energy on varmints and predators at extreme distances.
22 Creedmoor Cons
- Extremely harsh on barrels. Real-world barrel life is often reported between 1,200 and 1,800 rounds before accuracy degrades.
- Ammunition is expensive and not widely available at standard retail locations.
- Cannot fit inside standard AR-15s; requires the much heavier AR-10 platform if shooting semi-automatic.
FAQs
What are the specifications of 22 Creedmoor?
The 22 Creedmoor pushes a 0.224-inch bullet from a 1.920-inch case with a maximum overall length of 2.700 inches. It operates safely in standard short-action rifles with a maximum SAAMI pressure of 62,000 PSI.
What is the bullet diameter of 22 Creedmoor?
The true 22 Creedmoor bullet diameter is 0.224 inches, matching standard .22 caliber centerfire projectiles.
What is the case length of 22 Creedmoor?
The official SAAMI 22 Creedmoor case length is 1.920 inches, exactly matching its 6.5mm parent case.
What is the overall length of 22 Creedmoor?
The 22 Creedmoor overall length is capped at a maximum of 2.700 inches to ensure reliable feeding from short-action magazines.
What bullet weights are available for 22 Creedmoor?
Standard factory 22 Creedmoor ammo utilizes heavy-for-caliber projectiles, primarily ranging from 60 grains up to 95 grains.
What is the muzzle velocity of 22 Creedmoor?
Depending on bullet weight and barrel length, the 22 Creedmoor muzzle velocity spans from 3,100 fps (with 90+ grain bullets) up to over 3,600 fps (with lighter 60-grain bullets).
What is the muzzle energy of 22 Creedmoor?
The 22 Creedmoor typically produces between 1,850 and 2,050 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.
What is the maximum pressure of 22 Creedmoor?
The SAAMI maximum average pressure for the 22 Creedmoor is 62,000 PSI.
What is the twist rate for 22 Creedmoor?
Because it fires incredibly long, aerodynamic bullets, the 22 Creedmoor requires a fast 1:7 or 1:8-inch twist rate for proper stabilization.
What is the heaviest 22 Creedmoor bullet?
The heaviest common bullets used by handloaders for the 22 Creedmoor are 90 to 95 grains, with the 95-grain Sierra MatchKing being one of the largest options available.
Is 22 Creedmoor subsonic?
No. The 22 Creedmoor was designed exclusively for hyper-velocity and flat trajectories. Loading its massive powder case to subsonic velocities is highly inefficient and physically dangerous.
Is 22 Creedmoor supersonic?
Yes, it is a dedicated supersonic cartridge. Depending on the exact load, the 22 Creedmoor is highly capable of remaining supersonic at distances exceeding 1,100 yards.
What barrel length is best for 22 Creedmoor?
A 22 to 24-inch barrel provides the optimal balance of high velocity and full powder combustion, maximizing the 22 Creedmoor specs for long-range performance.
Is 22 Creedmoor compatible with an AR-15?
No. The 2.700-inch maximum overall length is far too long for an AR-15 magazine (which maxes out at 2.260 inches). It requires the larger AR-10 platform.
How does 22 Creedmoor compare with 6.5 Creedmoor?
The 22 Creedmoor uses the exact same case but necks it down for a smaller, lighter bullet. The 22 Creedmoor shoots significantly faster and flatter out to 600 yards with far less recoil, but the 6.5 Creedmoor retains energy better at 1,000+ yards due to its heavier bullet mass.