22 Creedmoor vs 22 ARC: Which Fast .22 Is Right for You?
Hornady designed both of these cartridges to shoot long, heavy, high-BC .22-caliber bullets, and both got new factory ammo and new rifles in 2026. The difference is the action they fit. The 22 Creedmoor is based on the 6.5 Creedmoor, so it lives in short-action bolt guns and AR-10s. The 22 ARC is built to fit the AR-15. Every velocity and trajectory figure below is from Hornady's published load data.
The cartridges at a glance
| Spec | 22 Creedmoor | 22 ARC |
|---|---|---|
| Parent design | 6.5 Creedmoor (per Hornady) | Same design method as the 6mm ARC (per Hornady) |
| Fits | Short-action bolt rifles | AR-15 (and bolt actions), 2.260 in max overall length |
| Twist (per Hornady) | Not stated on Hornady's page | 1:7 in |
| Hornady factory loads | 65 gr CX, 69 gr ELD-VT, 80 gr ELD-X, 80 gr ELD Match | 62 gr ELD-VT, 70 gr CX, 75 gr ELD Match, 80 gr ELD-X, 88 gr ELD Match |
| Hornady status in our tracker | Shipping | Not tracked (introduced before 2026) |
Velocity: same bullet, two cartridges
The cleanest comparison is the same Hornady bullet in both. All figures are Hornady's, from 24-inch test barrels.
| Load | 22 Creedmoor | 22 ARC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter | 3,285 fps | 3,010 fps | +275 fps for 22 CM |
| Varmint ELD-VT (V-Match) | 69 gr at 3,560 fps | 62 gr at 3,300 fps | Heavier and faster in 22 CM |
| Heaviest match load | 80 gr ELD Match, 3,285 fps | 88 gr ELD Match, 2,820 fps | 22 ARC goes heavier |
| Monolithic hunting load | 65 gr CX, 3,660 fps | 70 gr CX |
22 Creedmoor velocities from Hornady's 22 Creedmoor page; the 69 gr ELD-VT's own ballistics chart lists 3,550 fps. 22 ARC velocities from Hornady's individual load pages. We didn't find a published velocity for the 22 ARC 70 gr CX.
Downrange: the varmint loads at 500 yards
Hornady publishes full charts for both ELD-VT varmint loads, zeroed at 200 yards in a 24-inch barrel:
| At 500 yards | 22 CM 69 gr ELD-VT | 22 ARC 62 gr ELD-VT |
|---|---|---|
| Velocity | 2,412 fps | 2,150 fps |
| Energy | 892 ft-lb | 636 ft-lb |
| Drop (200-yd zero) | -27.5 in | -33.5 in |
| Muzzle energy | 1,931 ft-lb | 1,499 ft-lb |
For a heavier bullet in the AR-15, Hornady's 22 ARC 88 gr ELD Match is still at 2,040 fps and 813 ft-lb at 500 yards, with 42.1 inches of drop from a 200-yard zero. That's why the 22 ARC's 1:7 twist matters: it's built to stabilize the heaviest .22 bullets.
What the numbers mean
The 22 Creedmoor has the bigger case, and it shows: about 250-275 fps more with comparable bullets, a flatter trajectory and more retained energy. Hornady pitches it as "the new predator hunting king" and capable on small and medium game. The trade-off is that you need a short-action rifle, a bolt gun or an AR-10-size semi-auto.
The 22 ARC gives up speed to fit the AR-15 magazine well and receiver. Hornady says its 62 gr ELD-VT load brings performance that "rivals the 22-250" to the AR-15. For an AR shooter who wants to hit far and stay on target, that's a big step over 5.56 without moving to a bigger, heavier rifle.
Which one should you choose?
- You shoot an AR-15: the 22 ARC. It's the one that fits. Buy a complete upper from a maker that chambers it, and use magazines and parts that maker specifies.
- Predator and varmint hunting from a bolt gun: the 22 Creedmoor, for more speed and a flatter path.
- Deer-size game with a .22: the 22 Creedmoor with the 80 gr ELD-X or 65 gr CX, for more energy. Check your state's minimum-caliber rules first; some states don't allow .22 centerfires for deer.
- Long-range steel and PRS-style matches on a light rifle: either. The 22 Creedmoor goes faster; the 22 ARC's 88 gr ELD Match goes heavier.
- Light mountain rifle: the 22 Creedmoor. Several new 2026 lightweight bolt guns are chambered for it, including the Bergara Premier Cima Pro and Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra.
New 2026 rifles and ammo for these cartridges
Hornady announced its 22 Creedmoor factory loads in its new-for-2026 lineup on October 15, 2025. On our tracker, the Bergara Premier Cima Pro and Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra both list 22 Creedmoor among their chamberings. Hornady also names a long list of makers producing 22 Creedmoor and 22 ARC rifles and barrels on its cartridge pages.
| Product | Status | MSRP | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bergara Premier Cima Pro | Shipping | $3,099 | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Capra | Shipping | $3,499 | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Hornady .22 Creedmoor Ammunition | Shipping | Varies by load | Oct 15, 2025 |
More: every new ammo release, the new hunting rifles of 2026, the new AR-15s of 2026, and all comparisons.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 22 Creedmoor faster than the 22 ARC?
- Yes. With the same 80 gr ELD-X bullet, Hornady lists 3,285 fps for the 22 Creedmoor and 3,010 fps for the 22 ARC, both from 24-inch test barrels.
- Will the 22 ARC fit in an AR-15?
- Yes. Hornady designed it for the AR-15, with a 2.260-inch maximum overall length, and says it works equally well in bolt actions.
- Will the 22 Creedmoor fit in an AR-15?
- No. The 22 Creedmoor is based on the 6.5 Creedmoor case, so it needs a short-action bolt rifle or an AR-10-size rifle.
- What twist rate does the 22 ARC use?
- Hornady specifies a 1:7-inch twist so the 22 ARC can stabilize the heaviest .22-caliber bullets, like its 88 gr ELD Match.
- Is the 22 Creedmoor good for deer?
- Hornady offers an 80 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter load it says delivers terminal performance on deer-size game, plus a 65 gr CX. Check your state's minimum-caliber rules, as some states don't allow .22 centerfires for deer.
Sources
- Hornady: 22 Creedmoor cartridge page and loads
- Hornady: 22 Creedmoor 69 gr ELD-VT ballistics
- Hornady: 22 ARC cartridge page
- Hornady: 22 ARC 62 gr ELD-VT ballistics
- Hornady: 22 ARC 88 gr ELD Match ballistics
- Hornady: 22 ARC 80 gr ELD-X velocity
- Hornady: new products for 2026 (October 15, 2025)
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