22 ARC

[The Guide]

We got to shoot the 22 ARC today in between dropping the boy off at his ball game and the start of the game. My wife shot 1 for a sighter and 3 for a group. Had a 1.2 inch group but she was cold and not comfortable. The 5th shoot she shot the 250 yard steel and hit it. She was happy and looks forward to shooting it. First 5 shots had a velocity of 2995 fps. I took that and plugged it into Shooter and used the dope to shoot the 490 yard steel in a 12 mph wind. Not too bad for the first 6 shots out of the rifle.

Jay

Edit: This was with the Factory Hornady Black 75 ELDM. My wife was surprised at "how fast the bullet got to the target..."

Got my wife back out to the "range" today with her new 22 ARC (RAP G2 22"). It has sat since she shot it last but we had an hour free before dark and drove to a piece of BLM and set up steel at 511 yards. She dialed her dope and put 8 rounds into about a 6 inch group with the shot 7 to 14 down the barrel. She told me that this gun is actually fun to shoot. She said she has no target panic or anything. There is no desire to jerk the trigger or close her eyes at the shot. She is watching the impact and could see the poof of the bullet hitting the steel and dirt flying before she heard the impact. I've almost got her convinced she needs her own suppressor now since she really enjoys my Omega 300 DTM on the end of her rifle. I told her if she likes it on her 22 ARC just wait until she tries it on her 300WM!

Now, I hope I can get my Howa 22 ARC to shoot as good as her Ruger is shooting. If not, I'll be forced to buy my own Ruger American 22 ARC.

Jay

 

[Castle Rock]

I’ve been pretty lucky on the steel at 1000 today in horrific conditions with my 223 and 88s, ARC can only be more of a good thing

 

[Timjohnson11]

I built a 22 ARC on an AR platform (given affordability and length of pull adjustment) for my kids and I'm a bit blown away by the results. Exceeding my expectations by a long shoot and quickly becoming my favorite firearm.. I've now claimed this one and am collecting parts to build a different one for the kids .. For some context, I went with an H2 buffer, Superlative Arms Gas Block and BCG, and a 12.5" Shaw Barrel.

Only about 100 rounds in but this has quickly become arguably my favorite firearm I own.. It's running the 80 ELDX factory ammo at ~2,650 and putting up 10 round groups at under 1 MOA, through a thermal scope nonetheless.. Recoil is near non-existent, it is not "gassy", and it has not had a single failure (though sample size remains too early for a final verdict there). I'm beyond impressed with the cartridge and the results. My only minor gripe is that it is a bit loud at the 12.5" barrel length, even surpressed.

 

[The Guide]

I’ve been pretty lucky on the steel at 1000 today in horrific conditions with my 223 and 88s, ARC can only be more of a good thing

I shot my 223 with AAC 77tmk @ 2714 fps after she shot with the 22 ARC Hornady Black 75gr ELDM @ 2995 fps. There was a definite difference in the time of flight and sound of the impact between the two rifles. The difference in drop was significant also at 48" vs 62" but drift was similar at 6.5" vs 8.5".

I think the 22 ARC is a much better launching platform for hunting just for the velocity gain over the 223. My little (5'2") wife plans on hunting everything with this rifle this year. I already bought her a case of ammo to practice with. She should be very well practiced come October.

Jay

 

[RWT]

I shot my 223 with AAC 77tmk @ 2714 fps after she shot with the 22 ARC Hornady Black 75gr ELDM @ 2995 fps. There was a definite difference in the time of flight and sound of the impact between the two rifles. The difference in drop was significant also at 48" vs 62" but drift was similar at 6.5" vs 8.5".

I think the 22 ARC is a much better launching platform for hunting just for the velocity gain over the 223. My little (5'2") wife plans on hunting everything with this rifle this year. I already bought her a case of ammo to practice with. She should be very well practiced come October.

Jay

I am very curious to test the ARC vs the new Federal 233 high pressure case offering. I want a faster 22 cal and with lack of ammo offerings on the 22CM and ARC I am wondering if I just build a 22/250. ?

 

[The Guide]

I am very curious to test the ARC vs the new Federal 233 high pressure case offering. I want a faster 22 cal and with lack of ammo offerings on the 22CM and ARC I am wondering if I just build a 22/250. ?

With the high pressure 223 you are looking at a unicorn round. If it works, great. If it doesn't, then you're still looking. If you get a fast twist 22-250 there is no heavy factory ammo unless your going with boutique ammo manufacturers so that leaves you handloading. If you are handloading anyways, it makes the lack of multiple brands of ammo manufacturers for the 22 ARC and 22 Creedmoor a moot point. The 223 has the longest barrel life followed by the 22 ARC then the 22-250/22CM tied pretty close for the least barrel life when pushing heavy bullets fast. Seems like the 22 ARC is a good middle point for speed, barrel life, and price/availability. But I don't mind shooting Hornady ammo or buying cases of ammo online.

Jay

 

[Castle Rock]

I am very curious to test the ARC vs the new Federal 233 high pressure case offering. I want a faster 22 cal and with lack of ammo offerings on the 22CM and ARC I am wondering if I just build a 22/250. ?

Sounds like you would be better suited to a 22creed

 

[WCB]

I am very curious to test the ARC vs the new Federal 233 high pressure case offering. I want a faster 22 cal and with lack of ammo offerings on the 22CM and ARC I am wondering if I just build a 22/250. ?

You'll be waiting awhile....the rounds being shot by Geissele in their video are from the development of Peak Alloy as part of a DOD project. Not a new product planned for release from Fed.

 

[Robinhood21]

Put together an upper with a PVA 20 inch barrel. Initial groups are showing a lot of promise. I’ve only shot it twice and both days were 25 to 30 mph winds. Will reload for it after I’ve shot up the factory ammo and have all my brass.

 

[turbo406]

I built a 22 ARC on an AR platform (given affordability and length of pull adjustment) for my kids and I'm a bit blown away by the results. Exceeding my expectations by a long shoot and quickly becoming my favorite firearm.. I've now claimed this one and am collecting parts to build a different one for the kids .. For some context, I went with an H2 buffer, Superlative Arms Gas Block and BCG, and a 12.5" Shaw Barrel.

Only about 100 rounds in but this has quickly become arguably my favorite firearm I own.. It's running the 80 ELDX factory ammo at ~2,650 and putting up 10 round groups at under 1 MOA, through a thermal scope nonetheless.. Recoil is near non-existent, it is not "gassy", and it has not had a single failure (though sample size remains too early for a final verdict there). I'm beyond impressed with the cartridge and the results. My only minor gripe is that it is a bit loud at the 12.5" barrel length, even surpressed.

Need more info on the shaw 12.5 build, been really debating on piecing one together

 

[The Guide]

Why does Hornady think that it is ok to have 90 fps swings between lots? I guess I got lucky this time since my new lot is faster since with my 6mm ARC the new lot was 110 fps slower....

Once I get the barrel good and broke in and 1x fired brass I should be able to get some good speeds with the 88s.

Jay

 

[BLJ]

Didn’t do bad this morning. All factory loads.
I’m going to stock up on the 75’s. If my velocity guess is correct for this rifle (2900) it should make it about a 650 yard gun.
Which is about twice as far as I would be comfortable shooting an animal.
And about 500 yards farther than any opportunity I will have.



The “Delivery System”.

 

[ACHILLES]

Nice stock work. The factory’s 75s shot best in my ruger also.

 

[The Guide]

View attachment 905832View attachment 905833View attachment 905834

Didn’t do bad this morning. All factory loads.
I’m going to stock up on the 75’s. If my velocity guess is correct for this rifle (2900) it should make it about a 650 yard gun.
Which is about twice as far as I would be comfortable shooting an animal.
And about 500 yards farther than any opportunity I will have.


View attachment 905835
The “Delivery System”.

The 75's have shot the best in my wife's 22" RAP so far. In the first lot she was getting 2995 fps and this new case lot we are seeing 3020 fps. I'd bet you are seeing closer to 2940 to 2960 fps on your 20" barrel. We took her rifle to the family gathering over the 4th and let lots of people shoot it. The suppressed 22lr, 223, and 22 ARC we fan favorites especially for the kids and those with limited experience. Those who shot the suppressed 22 ARC said it was a gun that was fun to shoot. My 8yo niece was a big fan.

Jay

 

[BLJ]

I really like shooting mine. The cartridge has no downside to it for me. The rifle has also done well. The trigger on this particular gun is heavy. Breaks clean (relatively speaking), but heavy. May have to address that.

If I can get 2950 and the accuracy with the factory ammo continues, I’ll be more than happy.

 

[ACHILLES]

With 2 different lots of 75s in my 20”, velocity's were both right around 2930fps for multiple 20-30 shot strings. From 0-550rnds through the bbl velocities stayed the same with both lots and they were bought a couple months apart. It’s going to be luck of the draw if you are buying just a few boxes at a time.
Hornady has stated they may use a few different powders for a cartridge line depending on availability. Not to mention the lot to lot variance even if they were only using 1 powder. Best to just buy as much as you can afford of the same lot.

 

[BLJ]

buy as much as you can afford

One of the best pieces of advice to ever grace this forum.