How long is a 22 ARC bolt action rifle? A typical 22 ARC bolt action rifle with a 20-inch barrel is 40 to 41.25 inches long (101.6 to 104.78 cm). Across all common models, with barrels from 16.1 to 22 inches, overall length runs 37.35 to 43.25 inches (94.87 to 109.86 cm). It weighs about 5.8 to 8.9 pounds (2.63 to 4.04 kg) unloaded, with most hunting models between 6.5 and 7.7 pounds (2.95 to 3.49 kg).
The 22 ARC, short for 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge, was developed by Hornady and standardized by SAAMI in early 2024. It is built on the 6.5 Grendel case necked down to take a .224-inch bullet, and it was designed to deliver 22-250 level performance from a short-action rifle. Bolt-action rifles chambered in 22 ARC use a fast 1:7 twist barrel to stabilize long, heavy bullets in the 62 to 88 grain range, which is why most of them come with 20-inch or 22-inch barrels. Unlike an AR-15 with an adjustable stock, a bolt-action rifle has a fixed stock, so its overall length is set by the barrel and the stock — two rifles with the same barrel can still differ by an inch or two.
22 ARC Bolt Action Rifle Length at a Glance
| Measurement | Inches | Centimeters | Millimeters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel length (standard 20-inch model) | 20 in | 50.8 cm | 508 mm |
| Barrel length range | 16.1–22 in | 40.89–55.88 cm | 408.9–558.8 mm |
| Overall length, 20-inch barrel model | 40–41.25 in | 101.6–104.78 cm | 1016–1047.8 mm |
| Overall length, shortest (Ruger Ranch, 16.1 in barrel) | 37.35 in | 94.87 cm | 948.7 mm |
| Overall length, longest (Ruger Predator, 22 in barrel) | 43.25 in | 109.86 cm | 1098.6 mm |
| Overall length range (all models) | 37.35–43.25 in | 94.87–109.86 cm | 948.7–1098.6 mm |
| Cartridge overall length (max) | 2.26 in | 5.74 cm | 57.4 mm |
| Cartridge case length | 1.525 in | 3.87 cm | 38.7 mm |
| Bullet diameter | 0.224 in | 0.57 cm | 5.7 mm |
Quick tip: overall length changes with the barrel and the stock. Two 22 ARC bolt-action rifles with the same 20-inch barrel can differ by more than an inch, so always check the manufacturer’s listed overall length for the exact model.
How Long Is a 22 ARC Bolt Action Rifle with a 20-Inch Barrel?
A 22 ARC bolt action rifle with a 20-inch barrel is 40 to 41.25 inches long. That is 101.6 to 104.78 centimeters, or 3.33 to 3.44 feet. The 20-inch barrel itself is 50.8 centimeters (508 mm) long, which is 1.67 feet.
Most 20-inch 22 ARC bolt-action rifles on the market fall inside this range. For example, the Seekins Precision Havak Pro Hunter PH3 measures 40 inches, the Savage 110 Core Hunter measures 40.25 inches (102.24 cm), the Savage 110 Trailblazer measures 40.26 inches (102.26 cm), and the Ruger American Gen II and Ruger American Gen II Prairie both measure 41.25 inches (104.78 cm). The range is only 1.25 inches wide because these rifles all share the same layout: a 20-inch barrel, a short action sized for the 22 ARC cartridge, and a fixed hunting stock. The difference comes from the stock design — a slim sporter stock is shorter than a chassis-style or adjustable-comb stock.
22 ARC Bolt Action Rifle Barrel Lengths: 16 Inches, 18 Inches, 20 Inches and 22 Inches
The 22 ARC was designed around a fast 1:7 twist barrel and long, heavy bullets, so it works best with a barrel long enough to use its powder. The most common barrel lengths on bolt-action 22 ARC rifles are 16.1 inches, 18 inches, 20 inches and 22 inches.
- 16.1-inch barrel: the shortest common length, on the Ruger American Gen II Ranch. That rifle measures 37.35 inches overall (94.87 cm), the shortest 22 ARC bolt-action rifle on the market. A 16.1-inch barrel is 40.89 cm (408.9 mm) long.
- 18-inch barrel: the compact hunting length. The Savage 110 Ultralite Predator has an 18-inch carbon fiber wrapped barrel and measures 38.5 inches overall (97.79 cm), while the Savage 110 Core Tactical has an 18-inch barrel and measures 37.5 inches overall (95.25 cm). An 18-inch barrel is 45.72 cm (457.2 mm) long.
- 20-inch barrel: the most common length, and the sweet spot for most buyers. Rifles with a 20-inch barrel measure 40 to 41.25 inches overall (101.6 to 104.78 cm). A 20-inch barrel is 50.8 cm (508 mm) long.
- 22-inch barrel: the longest common length, for maximum velocity. The Howa M1500 Mini Action Yote measures 41.5 inches overall (105.41 cm), the Savage 110 Core Predator measures 42.25 inches (107.32 cm), and the Ruger American Gen II Predator measures 43.25 inches (109.86 cm), the longest 22 ARC bolt-action rifle on the market. A 22-inch barrel is 55.88 cm (558.8 mm) long.
Factory velocity figures for the 22 ARC are measured with a 24-inch test barrel, which is 60.96 cm (609.6 mm) long. That is the SAAMI test barrel length, not a barrel you will find on a factory hunting rifle.
How Much Does a 22 ARC Bolt Action Rifle Weigh?
A 22 ARC bolt action rifle weighs about 5.8 to 8.9 pounds (2.63 to 4.04 kg) unloaded. The exact weight depends on the barrel, the stock and the action. The lightest model is the Savage 110 Ultralite Predator at 5.8 pounds (2.63 kg), thanks to its carbon fiber wrapped barrel. The heaviest models are the Savage 110 Core Predator and the Savage 110 Core Tactical, both at 8.9 pounds (4.04 kg), because of their heavier chassis-style stocks. Most hunting models fall in between: the Ruger American Gen II with a 20-inch barrel weighs 6.5 pounds (2.95 kg), the Ruger American Gen II Predator with a 22-inch barrel weighs 6.7 pounds (3.04 kg), the Savage 110 Trailblazer weighs 7.1 pounds (3.22 kg), and the Savage 110 Core Hunter weighs 7.7 pounds (3.49 kg).
A loaded magazine adds roughly half a pound, so a ready-to-shoot rifle is about 6.3 to 9.4 pounds (2.86 to 4.26 kg). The 22 ARC is a light-recoiling cartridge, so even the heavier rifles are easy to carry and shoot all day.
How Big Is the 22 ARC Cartridge?
The 22 ARC cartridge is short and fat compared with a 223 Remington round. Its official SAAMI name is the 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge, and it is built on the 6.5 Grendel case necked down to take a .224-inch bullet.
- Bullet diameter: 0.224 inches (5.7 mm)
- Case length: 1.525 inches (38.7 mm)
- Overall cartridge length: 2.26 inches maximum (57.4 mm)
- Case head diameter: 0.441 inches (11.2 mm)
- Maximum pressure (SAAMI): 52,000 psi
- Rifling twist: 1:7
- Common bullet weights: 62 to 88 grains (62 grain ELD-VT, 75 grain and 88 grain ELD Match)
The short case is the clever part. Because the case is only 1.525 inches long, even a long, heavy .224-inch bullet fits inside the same 2.26-inch overall length as a 223 round, so the cartridge feeds from an AR-15 magazine with no changes. Hornady also publishes separate load data for bolt-action rifles that runs up to 62,000 psi, which is higher than the 52,000 psi SAAMI limit for gas-operated rifles.
22 ARC vs 223 Remington: Same Bullet, Different Case
A 22 ARC rifle and a 223 Remington rifle fire the same size bullet, but the cartridges behind it are different. Both fire a .224-inch bullet, and both cartridges have the same maximum overall length of 2.26 inches (57.4 mm), which is why they both fit in an AR-15 magazine.
The cases tell the real story. A 223 Remington case is 1.76 inches long (44.7 mm) and a 22 ARC case is 1.525 inches long (38.7 mm), so the 22 ARC case is 0.235 inches shorter. But the 22 ARC case is fatter: its case head is 0.441 inches wide, about 0.065 inches wider than the 223 case head at 0.3759 inches. That extra width gives the 22 ARC about 10 to 15 percent more case capacity than the 223, even with the shorter case. The 22 ARC also uses a fast 1:7 twist to stabilize long, heavy bullets in the 62 to 88 grain range, while the 223 was designed around a 1:12 twist for lighter bullets.
The rifles are different sizes too. A 223 AR-15 with a 16-inch barrel is about 32.5 to 35.75 inches long, while a 22 ARC bolt-action rifle is 37.35 to 43.25 inches long — 1.6 to 10.75 inches longer, because bolt-action rifles use 20-inch or 22-inch barrels and fixed stocks instead of the AR-15’s 16-inch barrel and adjustable stock. The 22 ARC gives up that compact size in exchange for more speed and energy at long range.
Everyday Size Comparisons: How Long Is a 22 ARC Bolt Action Rifle Really?
A number like 41.25 inches is hard to picture on its own. Here is how a typical 20-inch barrel 22 ARC bolt action rifle, at 40 to 41.25 inches long, compares with things you already know.
Acoustic Guitar
A standard full-size acoustic guitar is about 40 inches long (101.6 cm). A 22 ARC bolt action rifle is about the same length as a guitar, from exactly the same length to 1.25 inches longer. If you stand the rifle next to a guitar case, the rifle ends right at the top of the case, or a finger’s width above it.
Hockey Stick
A senior hockey stick is about 60 inches long (152.4 cm). A 22 ARC bolt action rifle at 40 to 41.25 inches is about 67 to 69 percent as long as a hockey stick, or 18.75 to 20 inches shorter. Two rifles end to end would be 80 to 82.5 inches, about 20 to 22.5 inches longer than one hockey stick.
Golf Driver
A standard men’s golf driver is 45 inches long (114.3 cm). A 22 ARC bolt action rifle is 3.75 to 5 inches shorter than a driver, or about 89 to 92 percent of a driver’s length. The rifle’s 20-inch barrel alone is 25 inches shorter than a driver.
Umbrella
A large stick umbrella is about 36 inches long when closed (91.44 cm). A 22 ARC bolt action rifle is 4 to 5.25 inches longer than a closed stick umbrella, so if you hold the rifle next to the umbrella, the rifle sticks out by about a hand’s width.
Tennis Racket
A standard adult tennis racket is 27 inches long (68.58 cm). A 22 ARC bolt action rifle is 13 to 14.25 inches longer than a tennis racket, or about one and a half rackets long. The rifle’s 20-inch barrel alone is 7 inches shorter than a tennis racket.
Broom Handle
A standard household broom is 52 to 57 inches long in total (132.08 to 144.78 cm), and the handle alone is about 48 inches (121.92 cm). A 22 ARC bolt action rifle is 10.75 to 17 inches shorter than a whole broom, and 6.75 to 8 inches shorter than just the broom handle. The rifle’s 20-inch barrel is about 42 percent of a 48-inch broom handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a 22 ARC bolt action rifle?
A 22 ARC bolt action rifle with a 20-inch barrel is 40 to 41.25 inches long (101.6 to 104.78 cm). Across all common models, with barrels from 16.1 to 22 inches, overall length runs 37.35 to 43.25 inches (94.87 to 109.86 cm), and weight runs about 5.8 to 8.9 pounds (2.63 to 4.04 kg).
What is the shortest 22 ARC bolt action rifle?
The shortest is the Ruger American Gen II Ranch, with a 16.1-inch barrel and an overall length of 37.35 inches (94.87 cm). The next shortest is the Savage 110 Core Tactical, with an 18-inch barrel and an overall length of 37.5 inches (95.25 cm).
How long is the 22 ARC cartridge?
The 22 ARC cartridge is 2.26 inches long at maximum (57.4 mm), with a case length of 1.525 inches (38.7 mm) and a bullet diameter of 0.224 inches (5.7 mm). Its case head is 0.441 inches wide (11.2 mm).
Is 22 ARC the same as 223 Remington?
No. Both fire a .224-inch bullet and both cartridges have the same maximum overall length of 2.26 inches, but the 22 ARC has a shorter, fatter case (1.525 inches long, 0.441-inch case head) with about 10 to 15 percent more capacity, a faster 1:7 twist, and heavier 62 to 88 grain bullets. The 223 Remington case is 1.76 inches long with a 0.3759-inch case head.
How much does a 22 ARC bolt action rifle weigh?
A 22 ARC bolt action rifle weighs about 5.8 to 8.9 pounds (2.63 to 4.04 kg) unloaded. The lightest is the Savage 110 Ultralite Predator at 5.8 pounds (2.63 kg), and most hunting models weigh 6.5 to 7.7 pounds (2.95 to 3.49 kg).
Conclusion
A 22 ARC bolt action rifle with a 20-inch barrel is 40 to 41.25 inches long (101.6 to 104.78 cm) and weighs about 5.8 to 8.9 pounds (2.63 to 4.04 kg). That makes it about the same length as an acoustic guitar, a little shorter than a golf driver, and roughly two-thirds of a hockey stick. Its real advantage is not its size but its design: a short 1.525-inch case and a .224-inch bullet that deliver long-range performance from a short-action rifle, with a fast 1:7 twist that handles heavy 62 to 88 grain bullets. If you want a modern bolt-action rifle that reaches out past 500 yards without the weight and recoil of a magnum, the 22 ARC earns its size.
Related Guides
- How Long Is a Bolt Action Rifle? Length by Model & Barrel
- How Long Is a .243 Winchester Rifle? Is It Good for Deer Hunting?
- How Long Is a 300 Blackout Rifle? Length, Barrel & Size Guide
- How Long Is a Hunting Rifle? 14 Lengths Explained
- How Long Is a 41 Great Lakes Rifle? Length, Barrel & Size Guide
Hi, I’m Michael Carter, I write simple, everyday size guides so you can picture any measurement in seconds.
[…] How Long Is a 22 ARC Bolt Action Rifle? Length, Barrel & Size Guide […]
[…] How Long Is a 22 ARC Bolt Action Rifle? Length, Barrel & Size Guide […]