22 ARC reloads

L

Lazer32

Well-known member
Hello everyone,
I'm in the middle of building a 22 ARC upper. I have all the parts ordered for the build but I was wondering what powder and bullets folks are using. I am using a 7 twist barrel. I have N140, Accurate 2230, Ramshot TAC, and maybe CFE223. I was thinking maybe the 62 grain Hornady ELD-VT or the 60 grain Bergers Varmit bullets. I am reading mixed reviews on both; people love them or hate them. I would like to hear from people who have loaded and shot the 22 ARC.

Edit: What dies are we using? I like Redding Type S dies but those are normally for my long range accuracy ammo. Thinking about getting just regular FL sizing dies.
 
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I see 7 twisted 22 ARC and automatically think long heavies for distance so accuracy would be a top goal. That said how accurate do you need/want?

Personally, with my 6mm ARC I bought a Lee FL sizer and a Hornady seater, I really like the sliding sleeve in the Hornady seater it makes seating bullets with these old arthritic paws so much easier. You can always upgrade.


I like the types S dies too. They save me a lot of money as I can use the samee FL die to load a number of different cartridge two die bodies cover six cartridges I load for. Used with Redding competition shell holders and full contact to the die body I don't have to ever adjust them.
 
That's going to be my 2026 project. Hornady specifically made the 62 Gr ELD-VT for it (same length as a 75gr ELD-M ) which I use in my 22 Creed but haven't shot anything with it. I know some like the 70 gr Berger VLD's, but I've never used them.

I like a different mix of dies for all my rifles. I use a Hornady seater with the click adjustable micrometer, Redding body die, Lee collet and crimp dies.
 
I got my 22ARC upper built. I have the 75 grain ELD-M and the Sierra 65 grain game king. I'm pumped to start the reloading process. I was able to find Starline 6.5 Grendel brass for pretty cheap and ran it through a Hornady FL sizer die.
 
I am just starting load ladders for the 22 ARC. Trying several bullets for velocity. 62 VT, 64TGK, 69 TMK and some 80 ELD-X. Trying LVR in the 62, 69 and 80. Trying AR-comp on the 64 TGK and TS 15.5 on the 80’s. I didn’t have much info on the AR Comp or 15.5 so will see when I finally have time to go shoot. Luckily the factory ammo shoots really good.
 
I shot a few yesterday. I can only shoot 50 yds here at the house, but it showed potential with them. I was getting into the 3300+ range with CFE, Leverevolution, and TAC out of an 18” barrel. Needs more testing though.
 
I went to the range on Sunday and shot several combinations with bullets and powders I haven’t used. I was a little bit nervous. Some were strictly guesses. I will fine tune in my next session. Shooting 2 shots per charge

22Arc bolt gun
20 inch Bart bbl
Zermatt arms TL3 action
KGM r65 suppressor
1:7 twist

80 Eld X
Alliant TS15.5 (new powder and bullet). 1.665 CBTO which is .15 off lands per Hornady oal gauge.

28.2. - 2869, 2865. 2.3sd. Touching
28.7 - 2934, 2940. 3.2 Sd touching (heavy bolt lift)
Going to play between these charges. I obviously didn’t start low enough

LVR
29.0. 2938, 2956 14.2 SD touching
29.3 3016, 2957. 29.4 SD
29.7. 2967, 3045 36.8 SD
30.0. 3040, 3047. 2.0 SD. Pressure heavy bolt lift.
Will work just below 30.0

64TGK. Ar Comp (haven’t used) and LVR
1.649 cbto which is .20 off lands

AR comp
26.8 3148, 3126 11sd touching
27.2 3173, 3205 16.3 SD
27.8 3259, 3253 3.0 sd touching (heavy bolt lift)
Will work between 27.2 and 27.8 did not shoot last load.

LVR
29.6 3120, 3088 15.7 SD touching
30.0 3236, 3140. 48.1SD
30.5. 3205, 3268 31.6 SD
31.0. 3312, 3328 8SD. Heavy bolt lift
Will work just below 31.

62VT LVR 1.667 cbto

31.8. 3354, 3352. 1.0 SD.
32.4. 3467, 3442. 6.0 SD heavy bolt. Not great groups. Will try seating depths. Other loads were over pressure did not shoot

69 TMK. LVR 1.665 CBTO .20 off

29.8. 3153, 3162. 4.6 SD
30.2. 3187, 3193. 3.0 SD
30.6. 3291, 3297. 3.0 SD
31.0. 3257, second bullet had feed problems but no pressure.

Lots of promise but the factory ammo shots great so lots of time to play. Got some Forrester sizing dies which may give me better neck tension. Will figure these out before playing with 60 TMK
 
22 ARC, 18” Liberty barrel. 62 ELD VT 29.3 gr TAC. Running around 3160. Worked just fine on this guy.

image000001.jpeg
 
I was able to get out and shoot my 22 ARC upper yesterday. The 65 grain Sierra Game Kings and the 75 grain ELD-M's are showing a lot of promise. My worry is the bolt face and hearing they can break but so far so good.
 
I’m pretty sure that the guys that were breaking bolts were pushing them to or beyond bolt gun pressures seeing what they could get out of that cartridge. Stick to the published data within reason and you’ll be fine. Just enjoy shooting it.
 
Lazer32 said:
Hello everyone,
I'm in the middle of building a 22 ARC upper. I have all the parts ordered for the build but I was wondering what powder and bullets folks are using. I am using a 7 twist barrel. I have N140, Accurate 2230, Ramshot TAC, and maybe CFE223. I was thinking maybe the 62 grain Hornady ELD-VT or the 60 grain Bergers Varmit bullets. I am reading mixed reviews on both; people love them or hate them. I would like to hear from people who have loaded and shot the 22 ARC.

Edit: What dies are we using? I like Redding Type S dies but those are normally for my long range accuracy ammo. Thinking about getting just regular FL sizing dies.
Click to expand...
I have found best luck with 29.2 gr of CFE 223 using a 80 gr. Bullet.
 
coyoteclyde said:
Has anyone tried any of the 55 grain bullets in the 22 ARC
Click to expand...
53 V-max shot outstanding out of my 18" Craddock RTR with Staball Match. I'm still fine-tuning the 62 ELDVT. If I can't get them to shoot to my liking, I'll go back to the 53s.

As a data point, the Factory Hornady 62 v-match shoots about 3/4 in my rifle at about 3140 FPS.
 
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