Deciding on a 22 and is the ARC really that great?

[FredH]

Thanks for all the input. Really appreciate the discussion. I like the idea that the ARC ammo is pretty comparable to the 223 IF you are buying factory heavies. If that is indeed true, I can make a better case for the ARC.

For those with more experience and probably have even read more (I did see the AK Moose vid)... I kill virtually all of my animals at 40-150 yards. Hunt timber almost exclusively and sometimes I'll get a chance at something at 150. There are places I could shoot 400+, even 800 or whatever, but honestly, have not had that opportunity come up. So, I'm in the woods and the bull is 75 yards... any diff 'Really' in penetration and deathing between these three guns, all with their heavies?

Notice the moose kill took more than one shot. If a lot of your hunting is in timber there are many better cartridges to carry than the 223 or 22 ARC. None of the newest plastic tipped wonder bullets give the penetration say a 7-08 or 308 can give with properly constructed cup and core bullets. Also at virtually any range the 223 and 22 ARC do not make as wide or as deep a wound channel as similarly constructed bullets from 7-08/308 class cartridges. Shot placement is very important, meaning placed perfectly through the lung/heart area from broadside. I am a big fan of both the 223 and 22 ARC but they have limitations.

 

[justin davis]

The arc was made for semi auto platform. If your going bolt gun then I’d go 22 creedmoor

 

[The Guide]

The arc was made for semi auto platform. If your going bolt gun then I’d go 22 creedmoor

In that same line of thought, so was the 223/5.56 so no need for the RSS bolt guns either...

If you load a 22 ARC to bolt gun pressures (go from factory gas gun pressure @55k psi to bolt gun pressure @65k psi) you have a cartridge that rivals the 22CM and will shoot the 75gr to 90gr bullets with the 7 twist barrel SAAMI calls for. While the 22 ARC does require a non-typical bolt face it does very well as a bolt gun and will get longer barrel life based on the overbore of the case when comparing it to the 22CM.

Jay

 

[z987k]

Notice the moose kill took more than one shot. If a lot of your hunting is in timber there are many better cartridges to carry than the 223 or 22 ARC. None of the newest plastic tipped wonder bullets give the penetration say a 7-08 or 308 can give with properly constructed cup and core bullets. Also at virtually any range the 223 and 22 ARC do not make as wide or as deep a wound channel as similarly constructed bullets from 7-08/308 class cartridges. Shot placement is very important, meaning placed perfectly through the lung/heart area from broadside. I am a big fan of both the 223 and 22 ARC but they have limitations.

Its pretty rare for a moose to not need a follow up shot. 375 h&h or 223. You shoot until it goes down. Absent a cns hit they take some time to drop that blood pressure enough to turn the lights off.
In that video the first shot was fatal. But no one no matter the gun sits there and waits. I've seen moose shot with much larger diameter bullets take as long or longer.

 

[justin davis]

In that same line of thought, so was the 223/5.56 so no need for the RSS bolt guns either...

If you load a 22 ARC to bolt gun pressures (go from factory gas gun pressure @55k psi to bolt gun pressure @65k psi) you have a cartridge that rivals the 22CM and will shoot the 75gr to 90gr bullets with the 7 twist barrel SAAMI calls for. While the 22 ARC does require a non-typical bolt face it does very well as a bolt gun and will get longer barrel life based on the overbore of the case when comparing it to the 22CM.

Jay

Yea makes sense. Just the same as the 6 arc. I have a family member who has a bolt gun 6 arc. He really likes it. It will have a longer barrel life than my 6 creed. But my 6 creed is shooting same weight bullets 300 fps faster. The trade off is less barrel life.

 

[nm.otter]

I have a family member who has a bolt gun 6 arc. He really likes it. It will have a longer barrel life than my 6 creed. But my 6 creed is shooting same weight bullets 300 fps faster. The trade off is less barrel life.

FWIW, .22 GT splits the difference in overbore between those two.

 

[turbo406]

Yea makes sense. Just the same as the 6 arc. I have a family member who has a bolt gun 6 arc. He really likes it. It will have a longer barrel life than my 6 creed. But my 6 creed is shooting same weight bullets 300 fps faster. The trade off is less barrel life.

My 6 creed runs 2929 in a 20, my buddies 16 arc does the same bullet at 2740, add 100 fps for the 4 inches and 15 grains of powder and a quarter of the barrel life isn't worth 100 fps to me especially when I had the arc pushing 2900 ( yes it was wayyy over pressure but it functioned fine at 90 degrees out)

 

[Hornseeker]

Notice the moose kill took more than one shot. If a lot of your hunting is in timber there are many better cartridges to carry than the 223 or 22 ARC. None of the newest plastic tipped wonder bullets give the penetration say a 7-08 or 308 can give with properly constructed cup and core bullets. Also at virtually any range the 223 and 22 ARC do not make as wide or as deep a wound channel as similarly constructed bullets from 7-08/308 class cartridges. Shot placement is very important, meaning placed perfectly through the lung/heart area from broadside. I am a big fan of both the 223 and 22 ARC but they have limitations.

I shot my moose with a 30 cal at close range and he stood still after the first shot, hit him again (all lung shots) and he turned a 180 and stood there like life was good, so I put one more in (only the first shot was necessary, no doubt about that, but like someone mentioned, you just don't stop shooting)... he took a couple steps then started wobbling and went down. Pretty much same as most elk I've shot unless CNS.

I switched from 30-06 and Barnes, shot that combo for 32 years (some cheap ammo for 6 years prior to starting to reload) to the 65 Creed. Almost immediately after I got my 65 setup (Tikka superlight cut to 18 with a Tbeast Ultra 7) I wished I had gone with the 6!! And now... leaning to the 22.

I'm gonna keep my 65 but I do think next season I'll use the 22 ARC or 223/556, depending on which one I pick up. I am not a huge fan of spending a ton of money on ammo and am leaning toward the 556 in that Ranch rifle, but it also looks like handloading I can get the 22 arc down pretty close to the 556. Thoughts?

 

[Hornseeker]

Oh I meant to add, I've watched 3 other moose kills in person, one with 7mm RM, one with 300 WM and one with 300 RUM, and all were the same as the Alaska 22 arc kill. One was a one shot kill but only because the moose moved behind some trees and brush so hunter couldn't keep shooting. Took moose about 30 seconds to tip over from the single shot of the 300 RUM into boiler room.

 

[Hornseeker]

You’ll like it. Mine is real shooter. Easy to adjust the trigger too if needed.

Is that the only mag available for those? I have several of them for my Grendel, but would really love a shorter, closer to flush mag.

 

[River Reaper]

Is that the only mag available for those? I have several of them for my Grendel, but would really love a shorter, closer to flush mag.

No, since that photo I bought a flush fit 4 round Duramag. I like it much better. Took a while for them to be in stock, and looks like they are still in stock.

 

[Hornseeker]

No, since that photo I bought a flush fit 4 round Duramag. I like it much better. Took a while for them to be in stock, and looks like they are still in stock.

cool. Thats what I was thinking. A 5 with a slight bump under the stock would be cool too, but I'll take that 4!

 

[River Reaper]

cool. Thats what I was thinking. A 5 with a slight bump under the stock would be cool too, but I'll take that 4!

Wish they were 5 too! Haha, I just pack the 10 round magazine in my pocket or pack and feel good to go for anything

 

[Hornseeker]

I always get wrapped around the axle trying to make these decisions... but my local sporting goods store has the rancher in 556 and 22 arc at the best price I can find anywhere on the net right now... and I'm feeling like the deed must be done. But I can't decide which one! Im leaning toward the 556 mainly due to being SO cheap to shoot... and then bump "up" to the ARC someday if, I guess, the 556 doesn't satisfy. But why wouldn't it? the 12k plus response thread is pretty convincing that it'll do all I really need.

 

[The Guide]

I always get wrapped around the axle trying to make these decisions... but my local sporting goods store has the rancher in 556 and 22 arc at the best price I can find anywhere on the net right now... and I'm feeling like the deed must be done. But I can't decide which one! Im leaning toward the 556 mainly due to being SO cheap to shoot... and then bump "up" to the ARC someday if, I guess, the 556 doesn't satisfy. But why wouldn't it? the 12k plus response thread is pretty convincing that it'll do all I really need.

I just got a 22 ARC Ruger American Ranch. The 16" barrel will have a MV greater than a 22" 223/5.56 NATO. I should be able to hand load a 16" 22 ARC to speeds within 200 fps of a 16" 22CM. If you are looking for lots of cheap practice, go with 223/5.56, if you want more performance in the 16" barrel go with the 22 ARC.

Jay

 

[Hornseeker]

and if I reload, after initial brass investment, I'm probably not too different in shooting price.

And I have several 556 ARs... which I may tune one up and get it all ready to be a hunting gun too...

Thanks for the nudge. I"ll still agonize over it for a few hours, but one way or another I'm heading to town and buying a new gun!! ;0)

 

[BLJ]

the 12k plus response thread is pretty convincing that it'll do all I really need.

If you’re going to be logical about things do it somewhere else.
I don’t come here for that.

 

[65Remmy]

I am interested in seeing which one you choose. I have a Howa mini in 6 Arc but it mostly sits in the safe since I got my Tikka T3x in 223.