Two popular 22 caliber rifle cartridges that are renowned for their ability to take game are the 22 Nosler and the 22 Creedmoor. But there are many things to consider when choosing between these 22 caliber cartridges such as ballistics, availability, cost, and velocity. So in this article, we will compare these two with these metrics and more.
Here is the short answer:
The 22 Creedmoor has a flatter trajectory and higher velocity, making it a better choice for varmint hunting and long-range shooting competitions. The 22 Nosler will also be harder to find and cost more per round.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closely at each cartridge, their ballistics, and how they compare in-depth.
In-depth Look at the 22 Nosler
The 22 Nosler is a relatively new cartridge that was introduced in 2017. It is based on a modified 6.8 SPC case, necked down to .22 caliber. The 22 Nosler is capable of pushing a 55-grain bullet at velocities up to 3,500 feet per second, making it one of the fastest .22 caliber cartridges available.
The high velocity and flat trajectory of the 22 Nosler make it an excellent choice for varmint hunting and long-range shooting competitions. However, the high velocity also results in increased barrel wear and shorter barrel life compared to other cartridges.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 22 Nosler with a 40-grain Spitzer bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3500 | 1088 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.3 | 3258 | 943 |
| 100 | 0 | 1.1 | 3029 | 815 |
| 150 | -0.6 | 2.6 | 2812 | 702 |
| 200 | -2.3 | 4.9 | 2606 | 603 |
| 250 | -5.3 | 7.8 | 2408 | 515 |
| 300 | -9.8 | 11.7 | 2219 | 437 |
| 350 | -16.1 | 16.6 | 2039 | 369 |
| 400 | -24.4 | 22.5 | 1866 | 309 |
| 450 | -35.4 | 29.9 | 1706 | 258 |
| 500 | -49.5 | 38.6 | 1556 | 215 |
In-depth Look at the 22 Creedmoor
The 22 Creedmoor is a modified version of the popular 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, necked down to .22 caliber. It was developed by George Gardner of GA Precision in 2018. The 22 Creedmoor has a heavier bullet than the 22 Nosler, typically ranging from 50 to 70 grains. The heavier bullet, combined with a higher ballistic coefficient, allows the 22 Creedmoor to retain more energy at longer ranges and deliver more terminal performance on larger game animals. The 22 Creedmoor has a slower velocity than the 22 Nosler, typically ranging from 2,900 to 3,200 feet per second, but it still has a flat trajectory that is suitable for long-range shooting.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 22 Creedmoor with a 55-grain Hornady V-Max:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3870 | 1829 |
| 50 | -0.4 | 0.2 | 3638 | 1616 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.9 | 3418 | 1426 |
| 150 | -0.3 | 2 | 3209 | 1257 |
| 200 | -1.5 | 3.7 | 3010 | 1106 |
| 250 | -3.6 | 5.9 | 2820 | 971 |
| 300 | -6.8 | 8.8 | 2638 | 850 |
| 350 | -11.3 | 12.3 | 2463 | 741 |
| 400 | -17.2 | 16.6 | 2295 | 643 |
| 450 | -24.8 | 21.8 | 2133 | 556 |
| 500 | -34.3 | 27.8 | 1978 | 478 |
In-depth Comparison
When comparing the 22 Nosler and the 22 Creedmoor, there are several factors to consider. The 22 Creedmoor has a heavier bullet and higher ballistic coefficient, making it a better choice for hunting larger game at longer distances. The 22 Nosler has a shorter barrel life due to its high velocity, while the 22 Creedmoor has a longer barrel life due to its lower velocity. The 22 Creedmoor has a wider range of available bullet weights, making it a more versatile cartridge for different applications.
One large downside to both these rounds is that they aren’t very popular and can be very costly to shoot. So if you shoot a lot you may want to consider a more popular option.
Conclusion
Overall the 22 Creedmoor is going to outperform the 22 Nosler. However, both these round do have their disadvantages and will suit very specialty needs. Overall the most important factor is personal preference.