Yet another new cartridge has hit the market. The .22 Creedmoor was designed by Hornady in 2023 and placed into production in 2024. While this is most likely not new for many readers, some shooters in my neck of the woods have still not heard of this new cartridge yet alone tried it out.
The .22 Creedmoor is SAAMI approved, but has been around for many years as a wildcat cartridge. The parent case is simply 6.5 Creedmoor ammo necked down to fire a .224-caliber bullet. It offers high velocities that many compare to the .22-250 Remington, and .220 Swift but is purpose-built to stabilize heavier, high-ballistic-coefficient bullets that are so often found in the modern cartridge design of today.
A 1:8 twist rate for the .22 Creedmoor is the most common. This allows for stabilizing the heavier, efficient 80-grain bullets like the Hornady ELD-X, and ELD-M. The eight-twist is also conducive for shooting lighter (and thin jacketed) .224 lead-core bullets at high velocity without spinning them apart.
.22 Creedmoor Specs & Ballistics
- Parent Case: 6.5mm Creedmoor
- Bullet Diameter: .224 inches
- Case Capacity: 52.6 grains of H2O
- Max Pressure (SAAMI): 62,000 psi
- Typical Bullet Weights: 65 to 90 grains (optimized for heavy, high-ballistic-coefficient bullets)
- Muzzle Velocity: 3,285 to 3,660 fps depending on bullet weight
Ammo Availability
As one would expect, the widest selection of ammo for the .22 Creedmoor is produced by Hornady whom designed the cartridge. However, companies like Federal, Nosler, Barnes, and others also produce ammo for this cartridge indicating it will most likely be around for a long time.
I tested the following four variations of .22 Creedmoor by Hornady:
- 65 gr Superformance
- 69 gr ELD-VT V-Match
- 80 gr ELD Match
- 80 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter
Ballistic results and comparisons for .22 Creedmoor
Load | 100-yd Group | Metric | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd |
Hornady Superformance 65 gr CX | 1.0" (3-shot @ 100 yds) | Velocity (fps) | 3650 | 3345 | 3061 | 2794 | 2543 | 2306 |
Energy (ft·lb) | 1922 | 1615 | 1352 | 1126 | 933 | 768 | ||
Bullet Drop (in) | -1.5" | -0.08" | zero | -4.6" | -13.6" | -28.0" | ||
Hornady V-Match 69 gr ELD-VT | 0.56" (3-shot @ 100 yds) | Velocity (fps) | 3550 | 3296 | 3057 | 2832 | 2617 | 2412 |
Energy (ft·lb) | 1931 | 1664 | 1432 | 1229 | 1049 | 892 | ||
Bullet Drop (in) | -1.5" | +0.9" | zero | -4.6" | -13.5" | -27.5" | ||
Hornady Match 80 gr ELD Match | 0.41" (3-shot @ 100 yds) | Velocity (fps) | 3285 | 3076 | 2877 | 2687 | 2505 | 2330 |
Energy (ft·lb) | 1917 | 1680 | 1470 | 1282 | 1114 | 964 | ||
Bullet Drop (in) | -1.5" | +1.1" | zero | -5.3" | -15.4" | -31.1" | ||
Hornady Precision Hunter 80 gr ELD-X | 0.44" (3-shot @ 100 yds) | Velocity (fps) | 3285 | 3076 | 2877 | 2687 | 2505 | 2330 |
Energy (ft·lb) | 1917 | 1680 | 1470 | 1282 | 1114 | 964 | ||
Bullet Drop (in) | -1.5" | +1.1" | zero | -5.3" | -15.4" | -31.1" |
Accuracy of the .22 Creedmoor
As you can see from the above results, all four of the variations of ammo tested produced 1 MOA groups or better at 100 yards. Both 80 grain Hornady loads, the ELD Match, and the ELD-X Precision Hunter provided sub ½ MOA groups at 100 yads.
Additionally, I tried out the .22 Creedmoor on steel at 225 yards with the test rifle suppressed. Groups were also easily in the sub-MOA class at this distance from the bench. Felt recoil with this cartridge was negligible especially when utilizing a suppressor or muzzle brake.
One reason any shooter would gravitate toward the .22 Creedmoor is its accuracy. The .22 Creedmoor’s modern design allows for a flat trajectory, making it a viable cartridge choice at various distances. Both hunters and competitive shooters alike can find a niche for this new cartridge.
Ballistics
Again, the above table indicates the ballistics of the 22 Creedmoor are impressive. The cartridge provides high muzzle velocities meaning flatter trajectories and less wind drift. For long distance shooters and hunters the ability to shoot accurately over long distances without constant turret adjustments is a huge advantage.
My intentions are to put both the rifle and the cartridge to the test in the hunting field soon and will have more firsthand data on ballistics and performance to report soon.
Rifle and Optic
Courtesy of Bergara, I tried out the Bergara Cima CF (Carbon Fiber). This rifle is new on the market for 2026 and was an excellent choice for testing the .22 Creedmoor cartridge. For hunters who appreciate the balance and feel of a classic sporter-style rifle the Cima CF is just the ticket. Weighing in at just 5.8 pounds, it’s the lightest rifle in the Bergara B-14 lineup.
Specifications of the Bergara Cima B-14 Squared:
Barrel: CURE Carbon Barrel, No. 6 Barrel Taper, Threaded 5/8×24 with Omni Muzzle brake
Twist: 1:8
Finish: Sniper Grey Cerakote:
Stock: 100% Carbon Fiber with SMC Carbon Mini Chassis
Overall Length: 20 inches
Weight: 5.8 lbs (.22 Creedmoor)
Capacity: 4 rounds, M5 Hinged Floor Plate
Additional Calibers Offered .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .22-250 Rem, .25 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .300 Win Mag, 7 PRC, 300 PRC
With a hunting venture or two in mind, I mounted the Leupold VX 6HD 3×18-44mm Gen 2 scope courtesy of Leupold to the Bergara Cima CF B-14 Squared. There can be little debate, Leupold produces some of the finest hunting scopes on the market today.
This scope features Leupold’s Custom Dial System (CDS) and gives you the ability to customize your turret (adjustment dial) to your exact ballistics and environmental conditions. A very nice option to have.
Barrel Life
Barrel life is always a valid point of discussion with the higher velocity cartridges of today. For the average hunter that probably will not shoot 20-40 rounds per year in a big game hunting rifle, the .22 Creedmoor will last a life time. I would expect to get at least 1,500 to 2,000 rounds from a barrel in this cartridge.
If you intend to use the .22 Creedmoor as a steady varmint rifle or for long range competition your barrel life may certainly diminish quicker.
Versatility in Hunting
I have already seen firsthand the ability of the .22 Creedmoor on medium sized big game like whitetail and pronghorn while guiding hunters over the last year. Very adequate and effective is the bottom line. Additionally, it’s suitable for smaller game, such as coyotes and other varmints.
While I have read of taking game via the .22 Creedmoor along the lines of sheep, bear and larger game, there is a point where I personally would draw a line. Like any cartridge, shot placement is critical and while I know of folks who have taken elk with a .243, that does not mean I intend to run out and hunt elk with the .243 or the .22 Creedmoor for that matter. At the same time a poorly placed shot from a .30 Caliber or larger does no one any good either.
Each hunter must make decisions in the field based on their ability, hunting conditions, rifle and cartridge. As hinted, I will be putting both the rifle and the cartridge to the test in the field soon so stay tuned for a follow-up article.
Final Thoughts
There is little doubt the .22 Creedmoor provides both versatility and performance. The cartridge offers a wide range of uses for long range competition, big game and varmint hunting. Considering the ballistic performance, above average accuracy, minimal recoil and the diversity of uses for the .22 Creedmoor it is certainly worthy of a front row seat in your gun safe.