Helping Responsible Firearm Owners Make Informed Decisions
701 Knowledge exists to help responsible firearm owners make informed decisions through honest, practical, and experience-driven guidance. Our goal isn't to sell you a product — it's to help you choose the right one with confidence.
The Question
One of the most common questions we hear at 701 Enterprises is: “Should I buy a 22 ARC or a 22 Creedmoor?” Both cartridges fire .224-caliber bullets and both are excellent. The better question is: what rifle are you building, and what do you want it to accomplish?
Quick Answer
Choose the 22 ARC if you want an AR-15, a short-barreled bolt-action rifle, efficiency, light recoil, high round counts, predator/varmint performance, and longer barrel life.
Choose the 22 Creedmoor if you are building a dedicated bolt gun, want maximum velocity, flatter trajectory, and regularly shoot longer distances.
Understanding the Difference
The 22 ARC emphasizes efficiency while the 22 Creedmoor emphasizes maximum performance. Neither is universally better — they were designed with different missions in mind.
Platform Matters
The 22 ARC was engineered around the AR-15 platform while still excelling in bolt-action rifles. The 22 Creedmoor was designed to maximize bolt-action performance, where greater case capacity can be put to use.
Short-Barreled Bolt Guns
The 22 ARC is especially attractive in 16–20 inch suppressed bolt-action rifles because it gives up less practical performance as barrel length decreases.
Velocity
The 22 Creedmoor generally produces about 150–250 fps more velocity than the 22 ARC with comparable heavy bullets, resulting in a flatter trajectory, less wind drift, and more retained energy.
Efficiency
The 22 ARC achieves excellent performance with less powder, producing lower recoil, less heat, and potentially longer barrel life.
Barrel Life
The 22 Creedmoor generally experiences faster throat erosion because it burns more powder through the same bore diameter. Actual life depends on shooting habits and maintenance.
Accuracy
Both cartridges are capable of outstanding accuracy. The rifle, optic, ammunition, and shooter matter more than the cartridge itself.
Ballistic Snapshot
- 22 ARC: ~3,000 fps · lower powder use · lower recoil · longer barrel life
- 22 Creedmoor: ~3,250–3,300 fps · higher powder use · flatter trajectory · more retained energy
Which One Would We Recommend?
- AR-15 predator rifle: 22 ARC
- Compact suppressed bolt gun: 22 ARC
- Dedicated long-range coyote rifle: 22 Creedmoor
- High-volume prairie dog shooting: 22 ARC
- Long-range steel: 22 Creedmoor
- New shooter: 22 ARC
- Experienced handloader: Either
The 701 Perspective
We don't start with velocity. We start by understanding what you're hunting, your realistic shooting distances, your rifle platform, and your goals. Then we recommend the cartridge that best fits your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 22 Creedmoor worth the extra velocity? Often yes, for long-range shooters.
Is the 22 ARC only for AR-15s? No.
Which recoils less? 22 ARC.
Which shoots flatter? 22 Creedmoor.
Which costs less to reload? Generally the 22 ARC.
Final Thoughts
The internet wants a winner. We don't. The 22 ARC is one of the most efficient modern .22-caliber cartridges available. The 22 Creedmoor is one of the highest-performing. Choose the cartridge that best fits your rifle, your hunting style, and your intended use.
Knowledge before the purchase. Confidence after the sale.
Precision. Performance. Trust.