SAAMI Accepts Two Cartridges from Hornady

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute, Inc., also known as SAAMI, has announced two new rifle cartridges have been accepted into its list of standardization. SAAMI has long been the official voice for uniform firearm standards for safety and reliability across firearm platforms, components, and ammunition. The two newly accepted cartridges, both originally introduced by Hornaday Manufacturing Co, are the 22 Advanced Rifle cartridge and the 22 Creedmoor cartridge.

The first cartridge to be accepted was the 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge. Originally introduced by Hornady, the 22 ARC is ideal for the AR-15 platform. Hornady states the cartridge was developed with a 1:7 twist rate and works great with the heavier .22-caliber bullets for excellent functioning and optimal performance in that weapon system. The company also states the 22 ARC has tighter groups with increased accuracy for a better overall shooting experience.

The cartridge has been accepted by SAAMI, meaning the 75-grain projectile in the casings will have a set standard for all future rounds claiming the 22 ARC designation. The projectile for the cartridge has a travel velocity of 3,075 fps with a Maximum Average Pressure of 52,000 psi. Also included in the SAAMI acceptance are standards for all the components of the full cartridge, including the brass thickness and length, in addition to the projectile information.

The other cartridge accepted into SAAMI from Hornady is the 22 Creedmoor. Hornady hasn’t begun delivering the round to the consumer market just yet, but the company has stated the round will be an 80-grain projectile in the ELD-Match and ELD-X product lines. The 22 CM has been proven through testing to have better production when the projectile is limited in weight to achieve the right pressure maximum of 62,000 psi. According to the SAAMI acceptance, the round standard is 3,250 fps for the velocity of the 80-grain bullet.