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

[Hornseeker]

If you had a specific application of shooting 50 yards or less (but capability to 100-150), and wanted the animal to drop immediately or say, go no farther than 10 yards, and still have low recoil, would a 6arc/22arc/22cm be the best choice here?

I recognize a 223 could do it, but to your point - is there a better performing option based on the above criteria?

My reason for asking is where I was at in East TN, super thick and while your walking through it, the deer (and bear) will spring up on you out of the blue. It's almost a point and shoot scenario sometimes.

Dang man, from reading the 223 thread, I almost can't imaging it not being perfect for what you want. Matter fact, I think its Henry I just saw with a sweet little 223 Lever gun. That may be it. And having it in AR form may be the sweetest setup yet. See what others say!!

 

[The Guide]

If you had a specific application of shooting 50 yards or less (but capability to 100-150), and wanted the animal to drop immediately or say, go no farther than 10 yards, and still have low recoil, would a 6arc/22arc/22cm be the best choice here?

I recognize a 223 could do it, but to your point - is there a better performing option based on the above criteria?

My reason for asking is where I was at in East TN, super thick and while your walking through it, the deer (and bear) will spring up on you out of the blue. It's almost a point and shoot scenario sometimes.

For your case, I'd want the bullet that will give me a fragmentation with the greatest chance at an exit. Most of the 22 cal do not give large exit wounds if bullets are used that highly fragment. The 6mm ARC can use the 103 ELDX that has good fragmentation and often exits in my experience. That said, I haven't run an 88 ELDM through live game yet. I'm hoping that bullet with its longer profile will give reliable exit wounds on game animals.

In your use case (due to shot distance, visibility after the shot, and need to drop them quickly or have a good blood trail) I would suggest the 6mm ARC with the 103 ELDM or 108 ELDX factory loads or trying the 105 Berger Hybrid or the 108 Berger Elite Hunter if you hand load. Push your hand loads hot if you are using a bolt gun and you're going to be happily surprised.

Jay

 

[benconfused]

For your case, I'd want the bullet that will give me a fragmentation with the greatest chance at an exit. Most of the 22 cal do not give large exit wounds if bullets are used that highly fragment. The 6mm ARC can use the 103 ELDX that has good fragmentation and often exits in my experience. That said, I haven't run an 88 ELDM through live game yet. I'm hoping that bullet with its longer profile will give reliable exit wounds on game animals.

In your use case (due to shot distance, visibility after the shot, and need to drop them quickly or have a good blood trail) I would suggest the 6mm ARC with the 103 ELDM or 108 ELDX factory loads or trying the 105 Berger Hybrid or the 108 Berger Elite Hunter if you hand load. Push your hand loads hot if you are using a bolt gun and you're going to be happily surprised.

Jay

Thanks, I don't hand load, probably won't for a long time, and was thinking a bolt action. There's probably a thread on this already, but what's the path to a 6m ARC on a Tikka platform?

 

[The Guide]

Thanks, I don't hand load, probably won't for a long time, and was thinking a bolt action. There's probably a thread on this already, but what's the path to a 6m ARC on a Tikka platform?

On a Tikka it is easier to do a 8 twist 243 with factory 90 ELDX or 95 SST than it is to do a Tikka in 6mm ARC. If that isn't fast enough or you want to run higher weight factory ammo, the 6mm Creedmoor is just a barrel change. The 6mm ARC is a new barrel and changing a 223 bolt to the 22 ARC/6mm ARC/6.5 Grendel/7.62x39 boltface.

Jay

 

[hereinaz]

It’s not the exact rifle I want (I’d like Howa superlite in the 22Arc) but I have $600 to spend at cabelas and the 16” American Ranch probably gonna come home with me soon!

FYI, wife’s Howa Superlite in 6.5 cm is killing it, literally. Can’t imagine that gun with a nice 22 ARC barrel! Thing is 6.4 pounds slung, scoped and suppressed!

PM me, I might be able to get you a Howa for the same price without tax. I don’t make much, but with drop shipping to your FFL I am happy to make it a service.

See if anything catches your eye on Lipsey’s and then reach out, if you want.

 

[hereinaz]

Thanks, I don't hand load, probably won't for a long time, and was thinking a bolt action. There's probably a thread on this already, but what's the path to a 6m ARC on a Tikka platform?

I have 6 arc fluted 18” Tikka barrels right now, and am shipping bolts to get bushed for the ARC bolt face. I can ship a complete barreled action in 2026.

I plan on listing a few of them for sale after Black Friday for a good deal.

 

[hereinaz]

On a Tikka it is easier to do a 8 twist 243 with factory 90 ELDX or 95 SST than it is to do a Tikka in 6mm ARC. If that isn't fast enough or you want to run higher weight factory ammo, the 6mm Creedmoor is just a barrel change. The 6mm ARC is a new barrel and changing a 223 bolt to the 22 ARC/6mm ARC/6.5 Grendel/7.62x39 boltface.

Jay

It is way easier to do the .243 straight from Tikka with a fast twist.

 

[benconfused]

On a Tikka it is easier to do a 8 twist 243 with factory 90 ELDX or 95 SST than it is to do a Tikka in 6mm ARC. If that isn't fast enough or you want to run higher weight factory ammo, the 6mm Creedmoor is just a barrel change. The 6mm ARC is a new barrel and changing a 223 bolt to the 22 ARC/6mm ARC/6.5 Grendel/7.62x39 boltface.

Jay

Knitpicking here - what are the performance differences between a 6 ARC and 6cm fit this application?

 

[hereinaz]

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.

How far will you shoot hunting? That is the only practical difference that matters.

You can drive a small box in your car, SUV or truck. But, you can’t drive all boxes in all vehicles. The question is always use case scenario first.

Everything, IMO, after that is whether you want to drive a 3/4 truck cause you like it or you get the sensible minivan.

 

[hereinaz]

Knitpicking here - what are the performance differences between a 6 ARC and 6cm fit this application?

Define application… assuming same barrel length, at 100 yards there is no practical hunting difference. Out to 300 there is still very little difference. Past that the extra velocity starts to matter for drift and drop as both bullets shed velocity.

Everything else are preferences, cost/benefits like velocity to recoil, or $500 spread over 1000 rounds or 10,000 rounds etc.

My 14” 22 creed is good to 525 with 80 grain bullets. A .223 could do the same if the barrel were long enough. Gotta weigh the difference for you.

It’s always the cost/benefit. My 14” 22 creed will burn out and cost more per round than a .223. But, I prioritized overall length over ownership cost per bullet.

Same as the time involved to handload, we all know it doesn’t actually save money AND time. You have to trade one or the other.

And, that is a way to really get to the nitty gritty, how much will each bullet “cost” you after factoring in the cost of the barrel, brass, powder, etc.

To me, the extra cost is worth it for the 14” barrel. To others??? Some, the humiliation of using anything other than a Tikka is too high a price, lol.

 

[benconfused]

How far will you shoot hunting? That is the only practical difference that matters.

You can drive a small box in your car, SUV or truck. But, you can’t drive all boxes in all vehicles. The question is always use case scenario first.

Everything, IMO, after that is whether you want to drive a 3/4 truck cause you like it or you get the sensible minivan.

I explain my requirements one page back in the conversation with "the guide".

 

[benconfused]

Define application… assuming same barrel length, at 100 yards there is no practical hunting difference. Out to 300 there is still very little difference. Past that the extra velocity starts to matter for drift and drop as both bullets shed velocity.

Everything else are preferences, cost/benefits like velocity to recoil, or $500 spread over 1000 rounds or 10,000 rounds etc.

My 14” 22 creed is good to 525 with 80 grain bullets. A .223 could do the same if the barrel were long enough. Gotta weigh the difference for you.

It’s always the cost/benefit. My 14” 22 creed will burn out and cost more per round than a .223. But, I prioritized overall length over ownership cost per bullet.

Same as the time involved to handload, we all know it doesn’t actually save money AND time. You have to trade one or the other.

And, that is a way to really get to the nitty gritty, how much will each bullet “cost” you after factoring in the cost of the barrel, brass, powder, etc.

To me, the extra cost is worth it for the 14” barrel. To others??? Some, the humiliation of using anything other than a Tikka is too high a price, lol.

Here were my requirements: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...the-arc-really-that-great.427519/post-4429916

 

[hereinaz]

If you had a specific application of shooting 50 yards or less (but capability to 100-150), and wanted the animal to drop immediately or say, go no farther than 10 yards, and still have low recoil, would a 6arc/22arc/22cm be the best choice here?

I recognize a 223 could do it, but to your point - is there a better performing option based on the above criteria?

My reason for asking is where I was at in East TN, super thick and while you’re walking through it, the deer (and bear) will spring up on you out of the blue. It's almost a point and shoot scenario sometimes.

I hunted, unsuccessfully, in east Tennessee last year. My sisters live near Johnson City. I carried my 16” .243 cause it was the shortest rifle I could take under the then current circumstances.

So, I know the answer for me. Inside 150 yards, any centerfire will do. Anything above .223 is not adding much more, shooting the match type bullets.

I would take my SBR stamped AR 15 with 12” in .223. Others could do a 14” with pinned brake that a suppressor screws onto. Or, use a pistol and brace.

Or, a straight pull ULUL in .223. Search ULUL in Rokslide if you don’t know what it is.

Always an OG 6.5 suppressor for me. Alternatively a “K“ can. Maybe the Airlock Nano.

If not that, then a 16” .223 bolt rifle in your preferred flavor. I like the Howa Mini personally with the short quick bolt throw.

Placement and therefore ease of shooting and swinging to the target is the number one factor to killing efficiency. Follow up shots are the obvious second factor, hence an AR 15 where allowed.

You could even do a 12-14” 6 x 45 with 6mm varmint bullets which will expand like a tougher bullet at lower velocity.

 

[hereinaz]

Forgot to add, the extra velocity inside 100 can be detrimental— barrel length dependent of course. I want to avoid bullets hitting much above 2700 fps, and in the woods scenario I can shoot much slower than here in the AZ desert.

There is a sweet spot for bullet performance between 2200 fps and 2700 fps in my humble opinion.

 

[The Guide]

Knitpicking here - what are the performance differences between a 6 ARC and 6cm fit this application?

In my opinion, 6mm Creedmoor will give you a lot more velocity without much more recoil when used in the same rifle plus, 6mm Creedmoor has more factory ammo than the 6mm ARC does currently.

Jay

 

[hereinaz]

A suppressed .223 lever action would be very cool! I could see myself buying one for the John Wayne Red Ryder toting 10 year old that still lives inside me…

 

[BLJ]

extra velocity inside 100 can be detrimental

Curious about this.

 

[hereinaz]

Curious about this.

Bullets have potential to do more strange things at higher velocity, based on all I have read and seen personally.

It’s not a hard fast rule, of course. One could make the argument velocity is better.

But, in my grand calculus, you don’t need to pay for the extra velocity with a longer gun, more recoil, more $ cost, etc.

So, I pick a gun that will get it done without any more than necessary. This is getting really niche, and eliminating all the BS that is irrelevant, IMO.

Again, I am just pointing out that inside 150 yards, it takes a lot less to kill from a bullet than shooting 600 yards.

Maximizing for effectiveness, I would go short, semi auto, suppressed, .223.

The difference between a long/short rifle and heavy/light recoil matters more than what bullet is getting used. But, it is still not a ton, it is splitting hairs to some extent.

 

[River Reaper]

Curious about this.

Also see page 1 posts 17 and 18 in this thread

 

[benconfused]

Thanks all! Super helpful recommendations. Both the AR and 6 CM paths seem like the way to go.