.22 ARC

[Mungo]

I have just taken possession of what may be the first .22 ARC in Scotland, and probably one of quite a small handful in the UK.

It’s a remarkable thing. No brass yet available, so @Edinburgh Rifles made some from 6.5 Grendel cases, and then did some educated guesswork based on 22BR loads to come up with a load. Below was the VERY FIRST GROUP I shot at 100m. 52gr eldm bullet, from a 22” Pendragon 1:7 barrel.

[The apparent flier to the right of the target was from the initial shots at 50 to get it roughly zeroed. The main group by my thumb is 3 shots. I can’t shoot any better than that].

 

[andyk]

Very nice.

I’ve got a 6PPC and this is a thought for when the lead ban bites. Just waiting to see how it catches on.

 

[Mungo]

Very nice.

I’ve got a 6PPC and this is a thought for when the lead ban bites. Just waiting to see how it catches on.

I tested a 45gr Fox (non lead) bullet through it as well.

It didn’t register on the chrono! Possibly because it was too fast…

 

[kenbro]

What is the point of the 22 ARC?
Looks like something trying to be a 22-250?
Serious question.
KB.

 

[Mungo]

What is the point of the 22 ARC?
Looks like something trying to be a 22-250?
Serious question.
KB.

I think it’s exactly that: an attempt to replicate .22-250 in a case that will fit in an AR15 action.

I wanted a fast .22 centrefire with the option to shoot long bullets and future proof against the lead ban. So I wanted something with a 7 or 8 twist barrel.

.22-250s aren’t easily available in 7 or 8 twist - you usually have to get one custom made.

Once you’re down the custom route, you might as well have some fun and try something different.

I’m also optimistic that Hornady’s marketing might and ability to generate an enthusiastic following for their cartridges will mean that there will quickly be a good range of factory rounds available.

Finally, though the performance seems similar to a .22-250, the recoil and noise are not: it’s substantially quieter than a .22-250. Much closer to a .223. This is important to me: I have one bit of ground in particular that is on windy, exposed hillside but has very hostile neighbours - so something that can shoot to 250 or so, but also be as unobtrusive as possible is very useful.

 

[kenbro]

I think it’s exactly that: an attempt to replicate .22-250 in a case that will fit in an AR15 action.

I wanted a fast .22 centrefire with the option to shoot long bullets and future proof against the lead ban. So I wanted something with a 7 or 8 twist barrel.

.22-250s aren’t easily available in 7 or 8 twist - you usually have to get one custom made.

Once you’re down the custom route, you might as well have some fun and try something different.

I’m also optimistic that Hornady’s marketing might and ability to generate an enthusiastic following for their cartridges will mean that there will quickly be a good range of factory rounds available.

Finally, though the performance seems similar to a .22-250, the recoil and noise are not: it’s substantially quieter than a .22-250. Much closer to a .223. This is important to me: I have one bit of ground in particular that is on windy, exposed hillside but has very hostile neighbours - so something that can shoot to 250 or so, but also be as unobtrusive as possible is very useful.

Ha, once you bring the ARs into play it makes more sense to me.
I suppose the difference in performance to the ‘250 is just academic.
Thanks much for reply.
Ken.

 

[Mungo]

Ha, once you bring the ARs into play it makes more sense to me.
I suppose the difference in performance to the ‘250 is just academic.
Thanks much for reply.
Ken.

Realistically, I don’t think there is much difference in performance.

I got mine built on a standard T3 action, but the other appealing thing about them is that they will fit in mini actions. So if you wanted, you could put them in a Sako 75 or Howa 1500 mini action and create a delightful little gun with real punch.

 

[Jelen]

Very nice.

I’ve got a 6PPC and this is a thought for when the lead ban bites. Just waiting to see how it catches on.

Not wishing to spoil anyones morning, but there's also the .22 Creedmoor?

 

[Mungo]

Not wishing to spoil anyones morning, but there's also the .22 Creedmoor?

Yeah.

I think this may actually be the one that really takes off. It’s possible I backed the wrong horse

 

[Jelen]

Yeah.

I think this may actually be the one that really takes off. It’s possible I backed the wrong horse

I am in the process of renewing my FAC and looking at hedging my bets too .

 

[andyk]

Not wishing to spoil anyones morning, but there's also the .22 Creedmoor?

Indeed, were it not that the PPC bolt face lends itself nicely to the ARC!

 

[Mungo]

I am in the process of renewing my FAC and looking at hedging my bets too .

I don’t think there’s lot between them.

The easiest option for a hot 22 is always going to be .22-250, but that’s limited by the slow twist factory barrels.

.22 Creedmoor seems to be .22-250 Taste the Difference while .22ARC seems to be .22-250 Economy Edition.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

What is the point of the 22 ARC?
Looks like something trying to be a 22-250?
Serious question.
KB.

Shorter action (see above)
Designed for a much faster twist (the one above is a 1:7" ) specifically for 80-88gr bullets
Much more efficient, Less Powder so more potential
Never produced a 22-250 round that was so fast with so little powder
You are looking at 5gr more at least to get close, it will be a compressed load and you will be closer to 3400 with 34-35gr of powder

 

[Mike1979]

Nice group there mate...and when it comes to the point of different calibres...who cares if you want one and they are fun

 

[User00056]

Will they feed reliably from a magazine? Or is it a single shot platform?

 

[kenbro]

AR….i don’t think Americans would entertain single shot straight pull.
KB.

 

[Mungo]

Shorter action (see above)
Designed for a much faster twist (the one above is a 1:7" ) specifically for 80-88gr bullets
Much more efficient, Less Powder so more potential
Never produced a 22-250 round that was so fast with so little powder
You are looking at 5gr more at least to get close, it will be a compressed load and you will be closer to 3400 with 34-35gr of powder

And this was a 22" barrel. You generally need a 24" to get the best out of a .22-250.

 

[Mungo]

Will they feed reliably from a magazine? Or is it a single shot platform?

Absolutely no problem at all feeding from a standard T3 magazine that @Edinburgh Rifles plucked off the shelf.

 

[takbok]

Enjoy!

Hope it's a nice lightweight T3.

 

[Mungo]

Enjoy!

Hope it's a nice lightweight T3.

But of course, in a PSE stock.

Just need to find the right scope for it.