Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
GunsAmerica recently sat down with Tom Hines from OdinWorks to discuss the newly announced Hornady cartridge, the 22 ARC. The cartridge, while not entirely new, is a revelation for Hornady.
Table of contents
Background:
Although some enthusiasts have been shooting similar cartridges for some time, this is the debut for Hornady and includes SAAMI standards.
The 22 ARC comes as an answer to the demand for factory ammo, bullets, and brass.
Previously, wildcat cartridge enthusiasts had resorted to the 6.5 Grendel, notable for its performance in small frame ARs.
Specifications:
Hornady has shifted focus with the 22 ARC. Unlike the previous 6mm ARC that catered to the needs of the Special Forces, the new cartridge is designed for sporting purposes.
The cartridge will notably have a case length of 1.52 inches, allowing for more powder and enhanced performance.
To convert an AR to shoot the 22 ARC round, all one requires is a new barrel, bolt head, and a magazine. These are available through vendors like OdinWorks.
Performance:
Hornady is slated to launch three types of ammo for the 22 ARC: a 62g varmint ELD bullet, a black AR round (featuring a 75 ELD match bullet), and a long-range bullet (the 88 grain ELD match). In terms of performance:
- The 62 grain ELD varmint bullet is expected to deliver a velocity of 3,300 feet per second (fps) out of a 24-inch barrel. Notably, the bullet boasts an unofficial G1 ballistic coefficient (BC) of .382 and a G7 of .191.
- The 75 grain black AR round is projected to have a velocity of 3,075 fps.
- The heavy 88 ELD match ammo is expected to register a velocity of 2,820 fps, suitable for long-range target shooting.
When comparing the 22 ARC to its predecessor, the 6mm ARC, the former promises superior external ballistics due to its enhanced velocity and BC.
Though it might not be ideal for hunting deer given its lighter bullet, it stands out for long-range target shooting.
Conclusion:
The 22 ARC is shaping up to be a promising offering from Hornady, playing to the needs of sport shooters and varmint hunters.
With a predicted long barrel life due to its modest powder consumption, the cartridge is expected to attract considerable interest.
Hornady has slated this as a 2024 product, with factory-loaded ammo anticipated by the end of the year. Click HERE to learn more!
*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! All Local Sales are FREE! ***
