Last updated October 2026 · By Nick Hall, who covers AR-15 cartridges and range ammo for USA Gun Shop readers
Quick take: Federal has added a 22 ARC load to its American Eagle line, a 75-grain TMJ at 2,975 fps that sells for $35.99 a box of 20 on Federal’s own store. It is a plain range load, which is exactly what a 22 ARC owner needs for zeroing and practice.
- What it is: American Eagle Rifle 22 ARC, part number AE22ARC1, a 75-grain Total Metal Jacket load at 2,975 fps with a .400 ballistic coefficient.
- Price: Federal lists it at $35.99 for a 20-round box, which works out to about $1.80 a round.
- Where: Federal says the load is shipping to dealers nationwide, and its own store shows it as available.
- Why it matters: It costs $7 less per box than Federal’s only other 22 ARC load, the 90-grain Fusion hunting round.
A cartridge lives or dies on what it costs to practice with. The 22 ARC has plenty of fans and a list of very good loads, and the ones on Hornady’s own list are match, varmint and hunting rounds. Federal just put a practice round on the table.
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Table of Contents
What Federal Put in the American Eagle 22 ARC Box
Federal announced on October 27, 2026 that it has expanded its American Eagle rifle line with a 22 ARC load, and that the new load “is currently shipping to dealers nationwide.” The AE22ARC1 product page carries a “New” tag and lists the box as available.
The recipe is simple. A 75-grain Total Metal Jacket bullet leaves the muzzle at 2,975 fps, with a ballistic coefficient of .400, and the box holds 20 rounds. Federal files it under Target Shooting, and the page lists it as “Ideal for target practice.”
Federal describes the whole American Eagle rifle family as ammo that “offers consistent, accurate, affordable performance for the range,” built with quality bullets, reloadable brass cases and dependable primers. That reloadable brass matters more than it sounds on a cartridge like this one.
TMJ is Federal’s term, and its catalog key defines it as a “totally encapsulated bullet.” In plain terms, the lead core is covered, so it is a target bullet. It is not built to expand.
Federal’s Own Ballistics Out to 500 Yards
Federal publishes the full table on the product page. Velocity drops from 2,975 fps at the muzzle to 2,740 fps at 100 yards, 2,516 fps at 200, 2,304 fps at 300, 2,102 fps at 400 and 1,909 fps at 500. Energy runs from 1,474 foot-pounds at the muzzle to 607 at 500 yards.
Wind is where the 22 ARC earns its keep. In a 10 mph crosswind, Federal shows 0.7 inches of drift at 100 yards, 3.1 at 200, 7.3 at 300, 13.6 at 400 and 22.0 inches at 500.
Put that next to the two 75-grain TMJ loads already in the American Eagle rifle tables of Federal’s 2026 catalog and the picture gets clearer, because the .223 Remington version (AE223T75) starts at 2,775 fps and shows 24.6 inches of drift at 500 yards, while the 224 Valkyrie version (AE224VLK1) starts at 3,000 fps and shows 21.8 inches. On Federal’s numbers, the 22 ARC load sits 25 fps behind the Valkyrie load at the muzzle and 20 fps behind it at 500 yards.
One caveat. Federal says its rifle ballistics come from testing “with a 24-inch test barrel in most cases,” and the catalog lists a 24-inch test barrel for these American Eagle loads. A 16- or 18-inch AR barrel is shorter than that, so expect less speed. When we chronographed American Eagle .223 for our Federal American Eagle ammo review, the 55-grain load ran 251 fps under its box from a 16-inch barrel.
Why a Cheap 22 ARC Practice Round Matters
Hornady designed the 22 ARC to fit the AR-15. Hornady’s 22 ARC page gives it a maximum overall length of 2.260 inches and a 1:7 twist “engineered to take full advantage of the heaviest 22 caliber bullets,” and says it follows the same design method as the 6mm ARC.
Look at the loads Hornady lists on that page, though. A 62-grain ELD-VT, an 88-grain ELD Match, a 75-grain ELD Match Black, an 80-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter and a 70-grain CX Superformance. All match, varmint or hunting bullets. Great ammo, but not what you want to burn through on a zeroing day.
Federal’s site lists one other 22 ARC load: the Fusion Rifle 22 ARC, a 90-grain Fusion Soft Point at 2,700 fps that Federal labels Big Game and sells for $42.99 a box of 20. The American Eagle load is $7 cheaper per box, or about $1.80 a round against roughly $2.15.
Josh Vickers, Federal’s Centerfire Rifle Ammunition Product Manager, credited the cartridge’s popularity to heavy bullets, a flat trajectory and less wind drift at long range. “This new American Eagle addition offers the accuracy and reliability that shooters expect either plinking for fun or high-volume target practice,” he said in Federal’s announcement.
If you are still weighing the cartridge itself, our 22 ARC vs .223 Remington comparison covers where each one wins. Cheap practice ammo is still the .223’s biggest edge, and this load narrows it a little.
Who Should Buy AE22ARC1, and Who Should Not
If you already own a 22 ARC, this is the box for zeroing, drills, steel and learning your wind holds before you spend match ammo. And the reloadable brass means every box you shoot leaves you 20 cases for handloads later.
It is not a hunting load. Federal labels it Target Shooting, and a totally encapsulated bullet is the wrong tool for varmints or deer. Federal’s game option is the Fusion load, labeled Big Game, and Hornady’s page carries ELD-VT, ELD-X and CX options.
Still shopping for a rifle to feed it? Our best 22 ARC rifles list covers the AR and bolt options. The $35.99 figure is Federal’s own store price, and what a local dealer charges will vary once boxes reach the counter.
Twenty rounds, $35.99, reloadable brass. That is how a niche cartridge turns into one people actually shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Federal American Eagle 22 ARC load?
It is part number AE22ARC1, a 22 ARC rifle load with a 75-grain Total Metal Jacket bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,975 fps and a ballistic coefficient of .400. Federal sells it in 20-round boxes and labels it for target shooting.
How much does Federal American Eagle 22 ARC cost?
Federal lists it at $35.99 for a box of 20 on its own online store, or about $1.80 a round. Dealer prices can differ.
Is American Eagle 22 ARC good for hunting?
No. Federal labels it Target Shooting, and a TMJ bullet is a totally encapsulated target bullet that is not built to expand. Federal's 22 ARC hunting load is the 90-grain Fusion Soft Point.
What 22 ARC ammo does Federal make?
Federal's site lists two 22 ARC loads: the American Eagle 75-grain TMJ at 2,975 fps (AE22ARC1, $35.99) and the Fusion Rifle 90-grain Fusion Soft Point at 2,700 fps (F22ARCFS3, $42.99), both in 20-round boxes.
Is American Eagle 22 ARC brass reloadable?
Yes. Federal says its American Eagle rifle loads use reloadable brass cases.
How much does the 75-grain American Eagle 22 ARC drift in the wind?
Federal's table shows 3.1 inches of drift at 200 yards, 7.3 inches at 300 and 22.0 inches at 500 yards in a 10 mph crosswind.
Will I get 2,975 fps from my AR-15?
Probably not. Federal says its rifle ballistics come from a 24-inch test barrel in most cases, and a 16- or 18-inch AR-15 barrel is shorter than that, so expect a lower velocity than the box shows.
Who designed the 22 ARC?
Hornady designed the 22 ARC for the AR-15, with a maximum overall length of 2.260 inches and a 1:7 twist built for heavy 22 caliber bullets, following the same method it used for the 6mm ARC.
Related Reading
- 22 ARC vs .223 Remington: Which .224 Wins?
- Best 22 ARC Rifles for Varmint and Long Range
- Federal American Eagle Ammo Review: Chronograph and Groups
- Best 6mm ARC Rifles for AR and Bolt Action
- Best AR-15 Ammo: 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem Tested
- The State of Ammo Prices
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