The 22 Creedmoor

Brendan O'Neil Jan 30, 2026

CM Creedmoor

.22 Creedmoor: The High-Velocity Precision Cartridge Taking Over Long-Range Shooting

The .22 Creedmoor is one of the fastest-growing modern rifle cartridges, earning a reputation for extreme velocity, flat trajectories, and outstanding long-range accuracy. Designed for shooters who demand speed and precision, this round bridges the gap between traditional .22-caliber cartridges and larger 6mm or .30-caliber long-range performers.

Whether you’re a competitive shooter, varmint hunter, or ballistic enthusiast, the .22 Creedmoor offers a compelling mix of performance, efficiency, and reach.

Origins of the .22 Creedmoor

The .22 Creedmoor is a necked-down version of the 6.5 Creedmoor, optimized to fire high-BC .224-caliber bullets at very high velocities. While not officially standardized by SAAMI, it has gained widespread popularity among custom rifle builders, competitive shooters, and precision reloaders.

Its goal is simple:
maximize velocity and ballistic efficiency while maintaining excellent accuracy and manageable recoil.

Performance and Ballistics

The .22 Creedmoor excels at pushing heavy-for-caliber .224 bullets extremely fast while retaining great downrange performance.

Typical Specs:

Bullet Weights: 75–95 grains (common), up to 115 grains in some builds
Muzzle Velocity: ~3,200–3,600+ fps (depending on load)
Effective Range: 1,000+ yards
Recoil: Light, similar to smaller .22 calibers
Trajectory: Exceptionally flat
Wind Drift: Lower than many comparable rounds due to high BC bullets

Thanks to modern bullet designs (like high-BC match projectiles), the .22 Creedmoor resists wind drift better than many traditional varmint rounds, making it ideal for long-range precision.

Why Shooters Love the .22 Creedmoor

1. Extreme Speed

The cartridge delivers some of the fastest velocities available in a factory-sized bolt-action rifle, offering minimal bullet drop and excellent target engagement at distance.

2. Outstanding Accuracy

With the right rifle and load, sub-MOA and even quarter-MOA performance is common in competition setups.

3. Minimal Recoil

Lower recoil allows shooters to:

Spot their own impacts
Stay on target between shots
Maintain faster follow-up times

4. Long-Range Efficiency

High-BC .224 bullets retain velocity and energy well, giving the round excellent downrange consistency.

Hunting Applications

While popular in competition, the .22 Creedmoor is also highly effective for hunting:

Varmints & Predators

Coyotes
Prairie dogs
Groundhogs
Fox

Its high velocity and explosive terminal performance make it devastating on small game.

Medium Game (Where Legal)

With proper bullet selection, some hunters use it for:

Deer
Antelope

However, ethical use requires controlled-expansion bullets and careful shot placement due to the smaller caliber.

Competition & Precision Shooting

The .22 Creedmoor is increasingly seen in:

PRS (Precision Rifle Series)
NRL
Long-range benchrest
Steel target competitions

Its low recoil, flat trajectory, and excellent wind performance give shooters a competitive edge — especially when spotting hits and making rapid corrections.

Barrel Life Considerations

One trade-off of the .22 Creedmoor is barrel life.

Because it pushes small bullets with large powder charges, it can be harder on barrels than slower cartridges.

Estimated Barrel Life:

1,200–2,500 rounds, depending on load intensity and maintenance

For many precision shooters, this is an acceptable trade-off for its performance.

Comparison: .22 Creedmoor vs Other .22 Cartridges

Cartridge	Velocity	Wind Drift	Recoil	Barrel Life
.223 Remington	Moderate	Moderate	Very Low	Long
.22-250	High	Moderate	Low	Medium
.224 Valkyrie	High	Low	Low	Medium
.22 Creedmoor	Very High	Very Low	Low	Shorter

The .22 Creedmoor stands out as a top-tier long-range performer, especially where speed and wind resistance matter most.

Is the .22 Creedmoor Right for You?

The .22 Creedmoor is an excellent choice if you want:

A flat-shooting long-range cartridge
Low recoil with magnum-like velocity
A competitive edge in precision shooting
A high-performance varmint or predator rifle

Final Thoughts

The .22 Creedmoor represents the modern evolution of high-speed, high-precision shooting. It combines blistering velocity, excellent ballistic performance, and low recoil into a cartridge that excels at long-range competition and varmint hunting.

For shooters chasing speed, accuracy, and cutting-edge performance, the .22 Creedmoor is one of the most exciting .22-caliber rounds available today.