When Hornady Manufacturing does something, they do it big. Why merely introduce a new bullet when you can introduce an entire category of ammunition? Oh, and while you’re at it, why don’t you throw in a brand-new cartridge, too, just for kicks? As the boys in red wear many hats, they can attack a simple idea from every angle, creating a whirlwind at events such as the 2024 NSSF SHOT Show (an industry-only trade show where the year’s new products tend to be introduced). This delivers a complete package to the consumer looking to excel at a certain task and then repeat the results with handmade ammunition.

Take a deep breath as I describe how all of these statements fit together.

By now, I’m sure that you have heard about the 6mm ARC or Advanced Rifle Cartridge. This stubby little 6mm round fits the standard AR-15 platform and delivers a heavy punch further than ever. Inherently accurate, it quickly gained popularity with varmint hunters. While there’s nothing wrong with using it for this purpose, .22-caliber bullets are always better suited for small game.

Therefore, by blending the two concepts, the .22 ARC was born. This necked-down version is touted as delivering .22-250 performance out of America’s favorite gas gun. Realizing it was destined to spend its days in pursuit of thin-skinned game, engineers concluded that a new, more accurate varmint bullet would certainly serve it well.

This started the ball rolling on the ELD-VT projectile, an Extremely Low Drag bullet that is match-accurate while being explosive on critters. As this bullet is configured for modern cartridges, it spun off a completely new line of factory ammo called V-Match. Aside from 22 ARC, loads are available for 6 ARC, 6 Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6.5 Grendel. These products join a brand-new click-adjust seating micrometer, which is a surefire way to replicate a factory round that you like when the time comes to roll your own.