Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Match target, precision rifle competition, varmint shooting |
| Bullet Type | ELD Match (Extremely Low Drag Match) — polymer-tipped boat-tail hollow point |
| Bullet Weight | 88 grains |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Centerfire, boxer-primed |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $32.99/box — $1.65/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady BLACK 22 ARC 75 Gr BTHP, Federal Premium Gold Medal 22 ARC 88 Gr Berger Hybrid, Nosler Match Grade 22 ARC 85 Gr Custom Competition |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published |
| Bullet Weight | 88 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | ELD Match | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published |
| BC G7 | — | Not published |
| Manufacturer SKU | — | Not published |
| UPC | — | Not published |
| Reloadable | Yes | Manufacturer (brass case, boxer primer) |
Note: Hornady has not published muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for this specific factory load in available retail or manufacturer documentation at time of writing. The ballistics table below uses calculated estimates derived from Hornady’s published projectile data for the 88 gr ELD Match bullet (G7 BC ≈ 0.304, G1 BC ≈ 0.597) at a conservative estimated muzzle velocity. These estimates should not be treated as manufacturer-confirmed specifications. Community submissions of chronograph data are encouraged.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.
Estimated muzzle velocity: ~2,650 fps (based on typical 22 ARC performance with 88 gr projectiles from a 24″ barrel). Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. Zero: 100 yards.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~2,650 | ~1,372 | -1.5 |
| 100 | ~2,449 | ~1,171 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | ~2,256 | ~995 | +3.6 |
| 300 | ~2,071 | ~838 | +4.2 |
| 400 | ~1,893 | ~700 | -3.8 |
| 500 | ~1,724 | ~580 | -22.1 |
Key takeaway: The 88 gr ELD Match projectile’s high ballistic coefficient makes this one of the flattest-shooting loads available in the 22 ARC chambering. Even without manufacturer-confirmed velocity figures, the estimated trajectory shows competitive performance out to 400 yards, with drift suppression that rivals heavier-caliber match offerings. Competitors shooting at 300–500 yards will find the retained velocity and energy meaningful for staying supersonic through extended ranges. Buyers should chronograph their specific barrel length and confirm actual drop figures before match day.
The ELD Match Bullet and the 22 ARC Platform
The 22 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) was developed by Hornady specifically to maximize the performance of high-BC, heavy-for-caliber .224-inch projectiles in a short-action AR-15 or bolt-gun platform. The cartridge’s case geometry and relatively steep shoulder were engineered to achieve higher chamber pressures efficiently, enabling it to push heavy bullets like the 88 gr ELD Match at velocities that would be unachievable in a standard .223 Remington case.
The ELD Match bullet uses Hornady’s Heat Shield tip — a polymer insert made from a thermoplastic that resists aerodynamic heating during flight. Standard polymer tips, including earlier Hornady A-MAX designs, were documented to deform at the velocities and distances encountered in long-range competition, altering the bullet’s ballistic coefficient mid-flight. The Heat Shield tip addresses this by maintaining its geometry from muzzle to target, preserving the bullet’s published BC across the full flight envelope.
At 88 grains, this is among the heaviest .224-caliber projectiles loaded in factory ammunition. The combination of high sectional density and the ELD Match’s optimized ogive profile produces a ballistic coefficient that is competitive with many 6mm and 6.5mm match bullets by weight class. This makes the Hornady Match 22 ARC 88 Gr ELD particularly well-suited to shooters who want to extract maximum long-range precision from the AR-15 platform without moving to a larger cartridge.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Precision rifle competition (PRS, NRL, F-Class) where the 22 ARC is chambered
- Long-range target shooting at 300–600 yards where high BC and consistent accuracy are prioritized
- Varmint shooting at extended distances where flat trajectory and wind resistance matter
- Bolt-action bench rest and accuracy testing for the 22 ARC platform
- Shooters transitioning from 6.5 Creedmoor who want comparable BC performance in a smaller, lighter package
Not the right tool for:
- Hunting medium or large game — the ELD Match bullet is not designed for controlled expansion on game animals and is not recommended for deer-sized or larger quarry
- Budget-conscious practice sessions — at $1.65/round, this is a match-day or precision-testing load, not a volume training round
- Rifles chambered in .223 Remington, .224 Valkyrie, or other .224-caliber cartridges — the 22 ARC is a distinct chambering and is not interchangeable
- Suppressor-focused subsonic applications — this load is designed for full-velocity supersonic performance only
- Hunters in jurisdictions requiring lead-free projectiles — the ELD Match contains a lead core
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source reporting, the Hornady Match line is manufactured to tighter dimensional tolerances than Hornady’s hunting or defensive lines, with specific attention to consistent powder charge weight and bullet seating depth. The ELD Match bullet’s cannelure-free design and the match-grade case preparation are intended to minimize concentricity variation across the 20-round box. Open-source shooter reports on 22 ARC platforms note that the 88 gr weight class generally requires a 1:7 or 1:7.5 twist rate to achieve full stabilization — buyers should confirm their barrel’s twist rate before purchasing. All notes above reflect manufacturer claims or open-source community reporting, not structured performance data collected by this site.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Premium Gold Medal 22 ARC 88 Gr Berger Hybrid | 88 gr | Berger Hybrid OTM | ~0.617 | Not published | ~$34–$38 | Premium alternative; Berger Hybrid is a direct competitor to ELD Match at same weight class |
| Nosler Match Grade 22 ARC 85 Gr Custom Competition | 85 gr | HPBT | ~0.545 | Not published | ~$30–$35 | Slightly lighter; HPBT design without polymer tip; competitive price point |
| Hornady BLACK 22 ARC 75 Gr BTHP | 75 gr | BTHP | ~0.480 | Not published | ~$24–$28 | Budget alternative from same manufacturer; lower BC, better for shorter-range applications |
| Hornady Varmint Express 22 ARC 55 Gr V-MAX | 55 gr | V-MAX | ~0.255 | Not published | ~$22–$26 | Not a match competitor; included as a same-platform varmint option at significant cost savings |
| Wilson Combat 22 ARC 88 Gr ELD Match | 88 gr | ELD Match (same bullet) | ~0.597 | Not published | ~$35–$42 | Uses the same Hornady ELD Match projectile; premium pricing for Wilson Combat branding and QC |
Note: Availability of factory 22 ARC ammunition remains limited relative to established cartridges. Competitor pricing and availability fluctuate significantly. The Federal Gold Medal and Nosler Match Grade loads represent the most direct head-to-head competition for precision applications.
Price Reality
- Typical retail: $32.99–$38.00 per 20-round box; case pricing (typically 10 boxes/200 rounds) not widely established at time of writing due to limited market maturity
- Per-round cost: $1.65–$1.90 depending on retailer and availability
- Versus Hornady BLACK 22 ARC 75 Gr: approximately $0.35–$0.45 more per round for the match-grade 88 gr load — a meaningful premium justified only for precision applications
- Versus Federal Gold Medal 22 ARC 88 Gr: roughly comparable pricing; buyers should evaluate on availability rather than price difference alone
- Versus Nosler Match Grade 22 ARC 85 Gr: the Nosler option may offer $0.10–$0.20/round savings with a slight trade-off in BC
- Fair price benchmark: $32.99–$36.00 per box is within normal market range. Prices above $40.00/box for this load should be considered elevated and worth waiting out unless supply is critically constrained.
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Hornady Match 22 ARC 88 Gr ELD (Box)
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FAQ
Does the 22 ARC require a new rifle, or can it be converted from an existing AR-15?
The 22 ARC is not a drop-in conversion from .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO. It requires a dedicated upper receiver with a 22 ARC barrel and a modified bolt face to accommodate the larger case head diameter. The lower receiver and magazine can remain standard AR-15 components in most configurations. Buyers should confirm compatibility with their specific platform before purchasing ammunition.
Why choose the 88 gr ELD Match over lighter 22 ARC loads for competition?
The primary advantage is ballistic coefficient. At 88 grains, the ELD Match bullet carries significantly more BC than lighter .224-caliber projectiles, resulting in less wind drift and a flatter trajectory at distances beyond 300 yards. In precision rifle competition formats where targets may be engaged at 400–600 yards, the difference in wind correction between a 75 gr and 88 gr bullet can be substantial enough to affect scoring. The trade-off is higher per-round cost and the requirement for a fast-twist barrel.
Can the Hornady Match 22 ARC 88 Gr ELD be used for deer hunting?
No. The ELD Match bullet is engineered for target accuracy, not terminal expansion on game. It will not perform reliably as a hunting projectile on deer-sized animals and may not meet legal requirements for hunting in jurisdictions that mandate expanding or controlled-expansion bullets. Hornady produces separate hunting-oriented loads — such as the ELD-X line — designed for ethical terminal performance on game. This load should be kept to its intended use: targets and varmints.
What barrel twist rate is required to stabilize the 88 gr ELD Match bullet in 22 ARC?
Stabilizing an 88 gr .224-caliber bullet generally requires a 1:7 or 1:7.5 twist rate. Slower twists — such as the 1:9 common in older .223 Remington barrels — are unlikely to provide adequate stabilization for this projectile weight, which can result in keyholing, poor accuracy, and inconsistent flight. Buyers should confirm their barrel’s twist specification before selecting this load. Most rifles purpose-built for the 22 ARC chambering are already configured with the appropriate fast-twist barrel.
How does the Heat Shield tip on the ELD Match differ from standard polymer tips?
Standard polymer tips — including earlier generations of Hornady’s own A-MAX bullets — are manufactured from materials that soften and deform under aerodynamic heating during high-velocity flight. This deformation alters the bullet’s nose profile mid-flight, degrading its ballistic coefficient at longer distances. Hornady’s Heat Shield tip is formulated from a more thermally stable polymer that retains its shape through the full flight envelope, preserving the bullet’s published BC from muzzle to target. This distinction is particularly relevant at ranges beyond 400 yards, where BC degradation in standard tips becomes measurable.
