.224 Valkyrie vs. .22 ARC: A Detailed Comparison

The .224 Valkyrie and .22 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) are two high-performance .22-caliber centerfire cartridges designed for the AR-15 platform, offering impressive long-range ballistics and low recoil. Both are popular for varmint hunting, predator control, and long-range precision shooting, but they differ in design, performance, and reloading potential. This blog post compares these cartridges, focusing on factory ammunition, reloading capabilities, and ballistic performance with the same bullets, supported by charts for clarity.

Overview of the Cartridges

.224 Valkyrie

Introduced by Federal Premium in 2018, the .224 Valkyrie is based on a 6.8 SPC case necked down to .224 inches. It was designed to push heavy, high-ballistic-coefficient (BC) bullets at velocities that remain supersonic beyond 1,300 yards, making it ideal for long-range shooting with the AR-15. The cartridge uses a fast 1:7 or 1:6.5 barrel twist to stabilize bullets up to 90 grains or heavier.

.22 ARC

Hornady introduced the .22 ARC in 2023, derived from the 6.5 Grendel case necked down to .224 inches. It aims to deliver .22-250 Remington-like performance in a compact AR-15 package, with a focus on accuracy, low recoil, and versatility for varmint, deer, and match shooting. The .22 ARC typically uses a 1:7 twist rate, suitable for heavy bullets like the 88-grain ELD-Match.

Both cartridges prioritize long, heavy-for-caliber bullets to maximize BC and downrange performance, but their case designs and pressure limits lead to differences in velocity and energy.

Factory Ammunition Comparison

Factory ammo availability and performance are critical for shooters who don’t reload. Below, we compare popular factory loads for both cartridges, focusing on similar bullet weights and types where possible.

.224 Valkyrie Factory Loads

• Federal 90-grain Sierra MatchKing (SMK): Muzzle velocity of 2,700 fps, muzzle energy of 1,457 ft-lbs. Stays supersonic to ~1,300 yards, with 120 inches of wind drift at 1,000 yards in a 10 mph crosswind. Max hunting range (1,000 ft-lbs and 2,000 fps) is ~300 yards.

• Hornady 88-grain ELD-Match: Muzzle velocity of 2,675 fps, muzzle energy of ~1,400 ft-lbs. Wind drift at 500 yards is 22.69 inches in a 10 mph crosswind.

• Federal 60-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip: Muzzle velocity of 3,300 fps, designed for varmint hunting, with devastating terminal performance at shorter ranges.

• Federal 78-grain Barnes TSX: Muzzle velocity of 2,850 fps, suited for larger game like hogs or deer within 300 yards.

.22 ARC Factory Loads

• Hornady 88-grain ELD-Match: Muzzle velocity of 2,820 fps (18-inch barrel), muzzle energy of ~1,550 ft-lbs. Drops 378 inches at 1,000 yards when zeroed at 200 yards.

• Hornady 75-grain ELD-Match: Muzzle velocity of 3,136 fps (22-inch barrel), with excellent accuracy (sub-MOA groups reported in testing).

• Hornady 62-grain ELD-VT: Muzzle velocity of 3,300 fps, designed for varmint hunting with high velocity and flat trajectory.

Factory Ammo Observations

• Bullet Weight and Type: Both cartridges support heavy bullets (75–90 grains) with high BCs, like the 88-grain ELD-Match and 90-grain SMK. The .224 Valkyrie has a slight edge in variety, with loads like the 78-grain Barnes TSX for hunting larger game. The .22 ARC, being newer, has fewer options but is gaining traction with Hornady’s support.

• Velocity: The .22 ARC generally achieves higher velocities with lighter bullets (e.g., 3,300 fps with 62-grain ELD-VT vs. 3,300 fps for .224 Valkyrie’s 60-grain Nosler). For heavier bullets, velocities are comparable, with the .22 ARC’s 88-grain load at 2,820 fps slightly outpacing the .224 Valkyrie’s 88-grain at 2,675 fps.

• Energy: The .224 Valkyrie delivers higher muzzle energy with heavier bullets (e.g., 1,457 ft-lbs for 90-grain SMK vs. 1,550 ft-lbs for .22 ARC’s 88-grain ELD-Match). However, the .22 ARC retains energy better at 500 yards due to its higher velocity.

• Availability: .224 Valkyrie ammo is available from Federal, Hornady, Sierra, and Underwood, but its popularity has waned, making it harder to find locally. The .22 ARC, backed by Hornady, is seeing increasing availability, though it’s still new and may face supply constraints.

Ballistic Comparison Chart (Factory Loads)

The following chart compares ballistic performance for the 88-grain ELD-Match load in both cartridges, assuming a 200-yard zero and a 10 mph crosswind.

Data sourced from and. Wind drift for .22 ARC estimated based on similar BC and velocity.

Reloading Potential

Reloading allows shooters to tailor loads for specific purposes, optimize accuracy, and reduce costs. Both cartridges are reloadable, but their case designs and component availability impact the process.

.224 Valkyrie Reloading

• Brass Availability: .224 Valkyrie brass is available from Federal and Starline, but it’s not as common as .223 Remington brass. Reloaders can neck down 6.8 SPC brass, which is more accessible but requires additional effort. Brass life is a concern, with reports of primer pocket issues after a few reloads due to high pressures.

• Bullets: Uses standard .224-inch bullets (40–90 grains), compatible with .223 Remington and .22-250. Heavy bullets (77–90 grains) like the 88-grain ELD-Match or 90-grain SMK are popular for long-range shooting.

• Powders: Common powders include Reloder 17, H4895, CFE223, and Varget. A load example: 26.7 grains of Reloder 17 with an 88-grain ELD-Match achieves ~2,701 fps.

• Challenges: The .224 Valkyrie can be finicky to reload, with accuracy issues reported for some factory barrels and loads. Early adopters faced problems with 1:7 twist rates not stabilizing 90-grain bullets, though 1:6.5 twists perform better. Consistent accuracy often requires precise load tuning.

.22 ARC Reloading

• Brass Availability: .22 ARC brass is available from Hornady, and reloaders can neck down 6.5 Grendel brass, which is relatively common. Brass life is reported to be good, with fewer primer pocket issues compared to .224 Valkyrie.

• Bullets: Like the .224 Valkyrie, it uses standard .224-inch bullets. The 75-grain and 88-grain ELD-Match are popular, with the 75-grain achieving ~3,136 fps in early tests.

• Powders: Recommended powders include CFE223, Varget, H4350, Staball 6.5, and Staball Match. The .22 ARC’s SAAMI max pressure of 52,000 psi (lower than .224 Valkyrie’s 55,000 psi) requires careful load development for gas guns, but bolt guns can safely push higher velocities (~200 fps faster).

• Advantages: The .22 ARC is easier to reload, with Hornady reporting better consistency and accuracy compared to the .224 Valkyrie. Handloads with 75-grain ELD-Match have achieved sub-MOA groups in testing, and the cartridge’s design minimizes the accuracy issues seen with .224 Valkyrie.

Reloading Comparison Chart

This chart compares reloading data for the 88-grain ELD-Match bullet in both cartridges, based on reported handloads.

Note: .22 ARC velocity is estimated based on factory data and reloading trends. Always consult load manuals.

Reloading Observations

• Ease of Reloading: The .22 ARC is more forgiving, with Hornady noting it was designed to address the .224 Valkyrie’s accuracy challenges. Reloaders report consistent sub-MOA groups with less tuning.

• Component Cost: .224 Valkyrie brass is pricier and harder to source, while 6.5 Grendel brass for .22 ARC is more available. Both use the same bullets and similar powders, keeping projectile costs equal.

• Performance: The .22 ARC achieves higher velocities with handloads (e.g., ~2,900 fps vs. 2,701 fps for 88-grain ELD-Match), offering better energy retention. The .224 Valkyrie’s higher pressure can push heavy bullets but risks brass durability.

Ballistic Performance with Identical Bullets

To ensure a fair comparison, we focus on the 88-grain Hornady ELD-Match bullet, available for both cartridges. The following metrics are based on factory data and handload reports, assuming a 24-inch barrel and 1:7 twist.

• Muzzle Velocity:

  • .224 Valkyrie: 2,675 fps (factory) to 2,701 fps (handload).

  • .22 ARC: 2,820 fps (factory) to ~2,900 fps (handload).

• Muzzle Energy:

  • .224 Valkyrie: ~1,400 ft-lbs.

  • .22 ARC: ~1,550 ft-lbs.

• Drop at 1,000 Yards (200-yard zero):

  • .224 Valkyrie: 381 inches.

  • .22 ARC: 378 inches.

• Wind Drift at 500 Yards (10 mph crosswind):

  • .224 Valkyrie: 22.69 inches.

  • .22 ARC: ~22 inches (estimated, similar BC).

• Supersonic Range:

  • Both remain supersonic past 1,300 yards due to the high BC (.545 G1) of the 88-grain ELD-Match.

Analysis

The .22 ARC’s higher velocity gives it a slight edge in energy and a marginally flatter trajectory, but the difference is minimal at long range due to the identical bullet BC. The .224 Valkyrie’s performance is nearly identical for precision shooting, though it may require more load tuning to achieve sub-MOA accuracy.

Practical Applications

🐺 Varmint & Predator Hunting

🦌 Deer Hunting

🎯 Long-Range Precision

Pros and Cons

.224 Valkyrie

• Pros:

  • Wide range of factory ammo (60–90 grains).

  • Proven for long-range shooting (supersonic past 1,300 yards).

  • Effective for deer and hogs with heavier bullets.

• Cons:

  • Reloading can be challenging, with accuracy issues in some rifles.

  • Declining popularity reduces ammo availability.

  • Brass life is limited due to high pressures.

.22 ARC

• Pros:

  • Higher velocities and easier reloading.

  • Backed by Hornady, ensuring long-term support.

  • Excellent accuracy with factory and handloaded ammo.

• Cons:

  • Fewer factory ammo options due to newness.

  • Less proven for larger game like deer or hogs.

  • Limited availability of rifles and ammo.

Conclusion

Both are excellent choices for the AR-15 platform. If you're a reloader looking for consistent sub-MOA groups and Hornady-backed support, the .22 ARC is a clear winner. If you're hunting hogs or deer and already invested in .224 Valkyrie gear, it’s still a very capable option.

Note: Always verify ballistic data with manufacturer load manuals and test loads safely. Check local hunting regulations for cartridge restrictions.