22 Creedmoor ballistics in short: a published 88 gr ELD Match at 3,300 fps from a 24-inch barrel carries about 1,160 ft-lb and 2,430 fps to 500 yards, drops about 30 inches with a 200-yard zero, and drifts about 13 inches in a 10 mph crosswind. From the 22-inch barrel on the CM10 22 Creedmoor that Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures, the calculated figures are within a few percent. This page lays out 22 Creedmoor ballistics to 600 yards and compares them with the 22-250, 223 and 243.
How These 22 Creedmoor Ballistics Were Calculated
Chattahoochee Munitions does not load 22 Creedmoor ammunition and has no chronograph data for it. The muzzle velocity in the 24-inch rows is Hornady’s published factory figure for its 88 gr ELD Match load. Everything else is a Chattahoochee Munitions calculation: a point-mass trajectory using the published G7 ballistic coefficient of 0.274, a 200-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, standard atmosphere and a 10 mph full-value crosswind. The 22-inch velocity is an estimate of 30 fps per inch of barrel below 24 inches. Your rifle, ammunition lot and conditions will differ, so confirm your own data on paper. For background on ballistic coefficients, see Berger Bullets on BC.
22 Creedmoor Ballistics Chart: 24-Inch Barrel
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (200 yd zero) | 10 mph wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,300 fps | 2,128 ft-lb | -1.5 in | 0 in |
| 100 yd | 3,117 fps | 1,899 ft-lb | +1.0 in | 0.5 in |
| 200 yd | 2,939 fps | 1,688 ft-lb | 0 in | 1.9 in |
| 300 yd | 2,765 fps | 1,494 ft-lb | -5.1 in | 4.4 in |
| 400 yd | 2,597 fps | 1,318 ft-lb | -14.7 in | 8.1 in |
| 500 yd | 2,434 fps | 1,158 ft-lb | -29.5 in | 13.1 in |
| 600 yd | 2,277 fps | 1,013 ft-lb | -50.1 in | 19.6 in |
22 Creedmoor Ballistics Chart: 22-Inch CM10
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (200 yd zero) | 10 mph wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,240 fps | 2,051 ft-lb | -1.5 in | 0 in |
| 100 yd | 3,059 fps | 1,828 ft-lb | +1.1 in | 0.5 in |
| 200 yd | 2,882 fps | 1,623 ft-lb | 0 in | 2.0 in |
| 300 yd | 2,710 fps | 1,435 ft-lb | -5.3 in | 4.6 in |
| 400 yd | 2,543 fps | 1,264 ft-lb | -15.3 in | 8.4 in |
| 500 yd | 2,382 fps | 1,109 ft-lb | -30.8 in | 13.5 in |
| 600 yd | 2,228 fps | 969 ft-lb | -52.3 in | 20.2 in |
Losing two inches of barrel costs about 60 fps and a little over an inch of extra drop at 500 yards. The 22-inch CM10 keeps nearly all of the 22 Creedmoor’s reach.
22 Creedmoor Ballistics Compared
Same method, each load’s published muzzle velocity from a 24-inch barrel and its published BC. The 223 row uses a .223 Remington load; see the note on .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO in 22 Creedmoor vs 223.
| Load (24-inch) | Muzzle | Energy at 500 yd | Drop at 500 yd | Wind at 500 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Creedmoor 88 gr ELD Match | 3,300 fps | 1,158 ft-lb | -29.5 in | 13.1 in |
| 22-250 Rem 55 gr V-MAX | 3,680 fps | 421 ft-lb | -34.4 in | 29.8 in |
| 223 Rem 55 gr V-MAX | 3,240 fps | 304 ft-lb | -46.5 in | 35.9 in |
| 243 Win 90 gr ELD-X | 3,150 fps | 850 ft-lb | -36.7 in | 19.8 in |
The 22-250 starts faster, but its light, low-BC bullet sheds speed quickly. By 300 yards the 88 gr 22 Creedmoor bullet is ahead in velocity, and at 500 yards it carries almost three times the energy with less than half the wind drift. Read 22 Creedmoor vs 22-250 and 22 Creedmoor vs 243.
What 22 Creedmoor Ballistics Mean in the Field
- Coyotes to 500 yards: a 200-yard zero keeps the bullet within about 5 inches of the line of sight to 300 yards, so many shots need no holdover.
- Wind: about 13 inches of drift at 500 yards in a 10 mph crosswind is the main reason long-range varmint shooters move from light .224 bullets to the 22 Creedmoor.
- Game size: retained energy is not the only test. Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend the 22 Creedmoor for deer; see 22 Creedmoor for deer.
Barrel Twist and 22 Creedmoor Ballistics
The figures above assume a stable bullet. The 88 gr ELD Match is long for its weight, and the CM10’s 1:8 barrel stabilizes it. Read 22 Creedmoor twist rate.
The CM10 22 Creedmoor
The CM10 22 Creedmoor uses a 22-inch 416R stainless HBAR barrel, straight fluted, with a 1:8 twist and 1/2×28 muzzle threads, rifle-length gas with a .750-inch Superlative Arms adjustable gas block, an Odin adjustable buffer and a TriggerTech Duty trigger. It weighs 9 lb 8 oz with an unloaded magazine. Choose the 22 Creedmoor semi auto rifle, the 22 Creedmoor AR10 or the 22 Creedmoor AR rifle, or see What is 22 Creedmoor? and the Predator Plains hub.
More Predator Plains Guides
- What is 22 Creedmoor?
- 22 Creedmoor twist rate
- 22 Creedmoor vs 22-250
- 22 Creedmoor vs 243
- 22 Creedmoor vs 223
- 22 Creedmoor for deer
- What is 22-250?
- 22-250 for coyotes
- 22-250 vs 223
- What is 6mm Creedmoor?
- 6mm Creedmoor vs 243 Winchester
- 6mm Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- 6mm Creedmoor vs 6mm ARC
- What is 243 Winchester?
- 243 for deer
- 243 vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- High velocity rifle cartridges
- Predator hunting cartridges
- 22 ARC vs 22 Creedmoor
- 22 ARC vs 22-250
- 6mm ARC vs 243
22 Creedmoor Ballistics FAQ
How fast is 22 Creedmoor?
Hornady publishes 3,300 fps for its 88 gr ELD Match from a 24-inch barrel. Lighter bullets run faster.
How much does 22 Creedmoor drop at 500 yards?
About 30 inches with a 200-yard zero for the 88 gr ELD Match, by Chattahoochee Munitions calculation.
How far can 22 Creedmoor shoot?
The 88 gr bullet stays well above the speed of sound past 1,000 yards. Practical range depends on the shooter, the wind and the target.
Is 22 Creedmoor flatter than 22-250?
Past about 300 yards, yes. The 22-250 starts faster but its light bullet slows sooner and drifts more.
Does barrel length matter for 22 Creedmoor ballistics?
Yes. Chattahoochee Munitions estimates about 30 fps per inch; the 22-inch CM10 is about 60 fps slower than a 24-inch test barrel.
Are these 22 Creedmoor ballistics chronograph data?
No. Muzzle velocities are published factory figures; all downrange values are calculated.
Who makes a 22 Creedmoor rifle?
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM10 22 Creedmoor semi-automatic rifle with a 22-inch 1:8 barrel.
Who makes 22 Creedmoor ammunition?
Hornady loads it, along with other makers. Chattahoochee Munitions does not load 22 Creedmoor ammunition.