22 ARC ballistics depend on two things: the bullet and the barrel. From a 24-inch test barrel, Hornady publishes its 88 gr ELD Match at 2,820 fps and its 62 gr ELD-VT at 3,300 fps. Shorter barrels give up velocity, so this guide also shows Chattahoochee Munitions calculations for the barrel lengths it manufactures: the CM15 22 ARC AR15 at 16, 18 and 20 inches, and the CM7S 22 ARC bolt action at 12.5 and 18 inches. Chattahoochee Munitions does not load 22 ARC ammunition, so every figure below is either a named published factory figure or a labeled calculation.
How These 22 ARC Ballistics Were Calculated
- Published figures: Hornady’s 24-inch test barrel velocities and downrange tables for the 88 gr ELD Match and 62 gr ELD-VT.
- Ballistic coefficient: a G7 value fitted to each published velocity table (.279 for the 88 gr, .199 for the 62 gr), so the calculated 24-inch numbers match the published ones.
- Barrel length: an assumed loss of 30 fps for each inch below 24 inches. That is an example rule of thumb, not chronograph data; your rifle and ammunition lot will differ.
- Conditions: point-mass calculation, standard sea-level atmosphere, 200-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 10 mph full-value crosswind (spin drift excluded).
22 ARC Ballistics: 88 gr ELD Match by Barrel Length
| Barrel | Muzzle velocity | 300 yd energy / drop | 500 yd energy / drop | 500 yd wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in (published test barrel) | 2,820 fps | 1,066 ft-lb / -7.3 in | 813 ft-lb / -42.1 in | 16.5 in |
| 20 in (CM15) | 2,700 fps | 969 ft-lb / -8.1 in | 736 ft-lb / -46.4 in | 17.6 in |
| 18 in (CM15, CM7S) | 2,640 fps | 923 ft-lb / -8.5 in | 698 ft-lb / -48.8 in | 18.2 in |
| 16 in (CM15) | 2,580 fps | 878 ft-lb / -9.0 in | 662 ft-lb / -51.4 in | 18.9 in |
| 12.5 in (CM7S) | 2,475 fps | 802 ft-lb / -9.9 in | 601 ft-lb / -56.4 in | 20.1 in |
Only the 24-inch muzzle velocity is published; every other row is calculated. Going from a 20-inch to a 16-inch barrel costs about 120 fps and about 5 inches of extra drop at 500 yards. The 12.5-inch CM7S still carries about 600 ft-lb at 500 yards with this bullet.
22 ARC Ballistics: 62 gr ELD-VT by Barrel Length
| Barrel | Muzzle velocity | 300 yd energy / drop | 500 yd energy / drop | 500 yd wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 in (published test barrel) | 3,300 fps | 913 ft-lb / -5.5 in | 633 ft-lb / -33.4 in | 19.3 in |
| 20 in (CM15) | 3,180 fps | 839 ft-lb / -6.1 in | 577 ft-lb / -36.5 in | 20.5 in |
| 18 in (CM15, CM7S) | 3,120 fps | 803 ft-lb / -6.4 in | 551 ft-lb / -38.2 in | 21.1 in |
| 16 in (CM15) | 3,060 fps | 769 ft-lb / -6.7 in | 525 ft-lb / -40.0 in | 21.8 in |
| 12.5 in (CM7S) | 2,955 fps | 710 ft-lb / -7.2 in | 482 ft-lb / -43.4 in | 23.0 in |
The light 62 gr bullet starts about 480 fps faster and drops less, but it has a lower ballistic coefficient, so it drifts more in wind and keeps less energy at 500 yards than the 88 gr bullet. It is a varmint bullet; the 88 gr is a match bullet.
22 ARC Ballistics Chart: 16-Inch CM15, 88 gr
A full calculated 22 ARC ballistics chart for the 16-inch CM15 22 ARC (assumed 2,580 fps), the length many AR15 shooters choose:
| Range | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) | Wind, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2,580 | 1,301 | -1.5 | 0.0 |
| 100 yd | 2,421 | 1,145 | +2.2 | 0.7 |
| 200 yd | 2,267 | 1,004 | 0.0 | 2.7 |
| 300 yd | 2,120 | 878 | -9.0 | 6.4 |
| 400 yd | 1,978 | 764 | -25.7 | 11.7 |
| 500 yd | 1,841 | 662 | -51.4 | 18.9 |
22 ARC Effective Range
Effective range is the distance where a shooter can still place the bullet and the bullet still does its job. For 22 ARC ballistics, the limit is usually wind reading and target size, not the bullet. With the 88 gr bullet, every Chattahoochee Munitions barrel length stays well above the speed of sound at 500 yards, so the bullet stays stable. For steel and paper, skilled shooters take the 22 ARC well past 600 yards. For hunting, the limit is the bullet’s expansion and your shot placement; see 22 ARC for coyotes and hogs and 22 ARC for deer.
22 ARC Ballistics Compared
- Against 223: similar drop, about 2.7 times the energy at 500 yards with the 88 gr. See 22 ARC vs 223.
- Against 22 Creedmoor: about 10 inches more drop at 500 yards, from a lighter rifle. See 22 ARC vs 22 Creedmoor and 22 Creedmoor ballistics.
- Against 6mm ARC: slightly flatter, less energy. See 22 ARC vs 6mm ARC.
- Against 22-250: more drop, much less wind drift past 300 yards. See 22 ARC vs 22-250 and What Is 22-250?.
Twist Rate and Heavy Bullets
Velocity is only half of 22 ARC ballistics; the bullet must also be stable. The CM15 22 ARC uses a 1:7 twist and the CM7S uses a 1:8 Mos-Tek barrel. See 22 ARC twist rate for which bullets suit each. The 22 ARC was standardized by SAAMI in 2024 with a 75 gr bullet at 3,075 fps (SAAMI announcement).
22 ARC Firearms by Barrel Length
- CM7S 22 ARC SBR, 12.5-inch
- CM7S 22 ARC pistol, 12.5-inch
- CM15 22 ARC AR15, 16-inch
- CM15 22 ARC DMR, 18-inch
- CM7S 22 ARC bolt action rifle, 18-inch
- CM15 22 ARC hunting rifle, 20-inch
See every configuration in Flight Deck 22 or read the 22 ARC rifle guide.
22 ARC Ballistics FAQ
How fast is 22 ARC?
Hornady publishes 2,820 fps for the 88 gr ELD Match and 3,300 fps for the 62 gr ELD-VT, both from a 24-inch test barrel.
How much velocity does 22 ARC lose in a 16-inch barrel?
No published figure exists for every barrel. Using an example loss of 30 fps per inch, a 16-inch barrel gives about 2,580 fps with the 88 gr load. Chronograph your own rifle to confirm.
What is the 22 ARC drop at 500 yards?
With a 200-yard zero, Hornady publishes about 42 inches for the 88 gr ELD Match from 24 inches. A 16-inch barrel calculates to about 51 inches.
What is the effective range of 22 ARC?
For target shooting, well past 600 yards for a skilled shooter. For hunting, it depends on the bullet’s expansion, the animal and your shot placement.
Is 22 ARC good at long range?
Yes. Long-range 22 ARC ballistics are its strength. Its heavy, high ballistic coefficient bullets resist wind far better than common 223 loads.
Does Chattahoochee Munitions publish chronograph data for 22 ARC?
No. Chattahoochee Munitions does not load 22 ARC, so it uses named published factory figures and clearly labeled calculations.
Who makes a short-barrel 22 ARC?
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM7S 22 ARC bolt action with a 12.5-inch, 1:8 twist Mos-Tek barrel, as a pistol or SBR, and a 12.5-inch CM7S 22 ARC barreled action.