.22 ARC Ballistics – Druid Hill Armory
.22 ARC Ballistics – Druid Hill Armory | 55gr Sierra TVK | 55gr Hornady SP | 60gr Hornady V-MAX Caliber: .22 ARC |ย Barrel Length: 20″
.22 ARC Assembled Complete Upper
From:ย $699.00
Your .22 ARC Upper. Your Way.
Most AR-15 complete uppers come with parts youโre just going to swap out as soon as you open the box. At Grendel Hunter, we donโt believe in making you pay for parts youโre just going to throw in a spare parts bin. Have it built your way from the beginning and skip the box of leftover parts.
How it Works
Our Custom Upper Builder lets you spec out your upper exactly how you want it from the start. We offer numerous options for barrels, handguards, BCG’s etc. The base price is for a complete, fully assembled upper. If you want to upgrade a componentโlike switching a mil-spec charging handle for an ambidextrous oneโjust select your preference and the total at the bottom of the page will update automatically.
A Note on BCG's
The base price includes a Bolt Carrier Group. However, if you already have a BCG for this caliber, we arenโt going to force you to buy another one. Selecting โNoneโย for that component will give you aย $100 discountย at checkout.
(Please Note: This $100 discount is applied in the cart and will not be reflected in the โGrand Totalโ at the bottom of this builder page.)
Product Details
At the bottom of this page we’ve included in-depth descriptions of various components as wellย videosย and FAQ’s.
Save with an Optics Bundle
SAVE! Get up to $250 off any Complete Upper with the purchase of an Optic
.22 ARC Barrels
Your barrel is the heart of the system. We offerย 18″, 20″, and 22″ lengths in a Medium Contour so you can find the perfect balance between velocity and portability for your application.
Material: 416R Stainless Steel for accuracy and durability.
Finishes: Choose between Uncoated Stainless, Black Cerakote, or a Bead Blastedย Stainless finish.
Fluting: All Lengths available in a Non-Fluted, classic profile or with Straight Flutes for weight savings.
Specifications
- Liberty Barrelsยฎ made by Saternยฎ
- .22 ARC
- 416R Stainless Steel
- Medium Contour
- 1-7 Twist 5R Rifling
- Rifle Length Gas
- 5/8ร24 Threads
- .750 Gas Block Journal
Grendel Hunter AR-15 Billet Upper Receivers
Forget standard, mass-produced mil-spec forgings. We designed our Grendel Hunter Billet uppers to move beyond the “basic” look of a standard AR. Billet allows us the design freedom to create sharper lines and a more modern aesthetic that you just can’t get from a forging.
We didn’t just design an upper; we designed a system. Our uppers and handguards are engineered to match up in an almost monolithic way, creating a seamless, integrated look.
Slick Side: For the minimalistโno forward assist, shell deflector, or dust cover.
Traditional: Includes all standard features for those who want a classic style upper.
Premium Finishing: Available in Black Hardcoat Anodized, Magpul FDE Cerakote, and Magpul OD Green Cerakote. Note: All Cerakoted uppers are anodized on the interior for maximum durability and smooth cycling.
Specifications
- 6061 T-6 (Slick Side Upper) or 7075 T-6 Aluminum (Traditional Upper)
- M4 Feed ramps
- .250 takedown pin holes
- Forward Assist with threaded roll pin (Traditional Upper)
- Dust Cover (Traditional Upper)
Grendel Hunter AR-15 Handguards: Form & Function
Every Grendel Hunter handguard is designed to integrate seamlessly with our billet uppers, creating a near-monolithic look and a rock-solid mounting platform. While they share the same rugged DNA, each version has a unique style.
Built-In Standards across all models:
Material: Lightweight, high-strength 6061-T6 Aluminum.
Rock-Solid Lockup: A heavy-duty Steel Barrel Nut and Steel Retention System ensure your rail doesn’t shift, even with heavy use.
Anti-Rotation Tabs: Integrated tabs prevent the rail from twisting under torque.
Slim Profile: A 1.3โณ inside diameter provides a modern, ergonomic “C-clamp” grip and a sleek look.
- Premium Finishing: Available in Black Hardcoat Anodized, Magpul FDE Cerakote, and Magpul OD Green Cerakote
Which Version is Right for Your Build?
V1:ย
Front Profile: Aggressive Slant-Cut
Top Rail: Competition Style (Rails at front and back only)
M-LOK Slots: Sides and Bottom
Weight: Our Lightest Option
The V1 is our lightest handguard. By utilizing a competition-style top rail and a sleek slant-cut front, weโve shed every unnecessary ounce without sacrificing mounting space.
V2:ย
Front Profile: Traditional Squared-Off
Top Rail: Competition Style (Rails at front and back only)
M-LOK Slots: Sides and Bottom
Weight: Balanced
If you prefer a more traditional look, the V2 features a squared-off front end. It maintains the competition-style top rail for weight savings.
V3:ย
Front Profile: Aggressive Slant-Cut
Top Rail: Full Picatinny (Continuous top rail)
M-LOK Slots: Full 360ยฐ (All sides)
Weight: Built for utility, but our heaviest option
The V3 is our most capable rail. It features a full-length Picatinny top rail and M-LOK slots surrounding the entire circumference. This is the go-to choice for hunters running thermal clip-ons, IR illuminators, or side-mounted accessories.
The Grendel Hunter BCG: Precision-Tuned Reliability
Headspace Check: We perform a manual headspace check for every upper using the specific barrel and bolt youโve selected.
Optimized Extractor Tension: Excessive tension is a leading cause of malfunctions and extractor failure. We are meticulous about our extractor tension being at the “sweet spot”โensuring reliable cycling without putting unnecessary stress on the steel.
Radiused Extractor Geometry: We avoid the “sharp fangs” found on most extractors. By having smooth corners on the extractor claw, we prevent the steel from digging into the brass case rim, ensuring the ejector can “kick” the brass out at the exact right microsecond for a clean ejection cycle.
Built to Last: Our bolts are machined from 9310 Steel, shot-peened for fatigue resistance, and Magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI).
Professional Grade Finishes
We offer four distinct finishes, each offering a significant upgrade over the old Mil-Spec phosphate in terms of lubricity, hardness, and ease of cleaning.
BCG Finish Specifications
Black Nitride
Surface Hardness: ~740 HV (Vickers)
The Process: A salt-bath thermo-chemical treatment that hardens the steel.
The Benefit: Far more durable and smoother than original Mil-Spec magnesium phosphate with excellent corrosion resistance.
Nickel Boron (NiB)
Surface Hardness: ~1800 HV (Vickers)
The Process: UCT EXOยฎ (High Boron content).
The Benefit: An extremely hard, durable finish with a very low friction coefficient. Itโs smooth and wipes clean easily.
DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon)
Surface Hardness: ~2300 HV (Vickers)
The Process: Next-level Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD)
The Benefit: High hardness, Excellent abrasive wear resistance, Low thermal conductivity, Ultra-Low friction level.
P51+ High Polish Black
- Surface Hardness: ~2300 HV (Vickers)
- The Benefit: The same attributes of our DLC, but it receives extra polishing cycles to give it an EXTREMELY smooth and deep, black finish.ย
BCG Technical Specifications:
Carrier: M16 Auto Profile (8620 Steel) for smooth cycling and increased mass.
Gas Key: 4130 Steel with properly staked Grade 8 fasteners.
Bolt: 6.5 Grendel / 6mm ARC / .22 ARC
Small Parts: 4140 Steel Cam Pin and Hard Chrome Firing Pin.
Grendel Hunter Gas Blocks
We exclusively use adjustable blocks in our uppers. With the explosion in popularity that suppressors have enjoyed in recent years, it just makes sense to have the ability to tune the gas. There are two models to choose from.
Note: Every upper is test-fired and shipped pre-set for reliable unsuppressed firing.
GH .750 Adjustable (Set & Forget)
Best For: Those who donโt plan to suppress or shooters who will suppress and want to tune their gas once and leave it. Generally requires handguard removal for adjustment since cutouts in handguards donโt always align with the adjustment screw. Handguard removal is as simple as removing two hex bolts, but it is an extra step.
Design: Side-access adjustment (1/16โ Hex) with a front-facing locking screw.
Material: 4140 Steel with a Black Nitride finish.
GH .750 Click Adjustable (Premium)
Best For: Those who suppress or who like to really fine tune their rifles.
Design: Ball-detent system with 22 audible clicks of adjustment across the gas port and zero-shutoff.
Ease of Use: Front-access adjustment screw (1/8″ Hex) allows for tuning without removing the handguard.
Performance: Eliminates the “violent” over-gassed cycle common with suppressors, reducing carrier speed and heat.
Materials: 4140 PHT or 303 Stainless Steel.
Finishes: Black Nitride, Stainless, or Bead Blasted Stainless.
What is the optimal barrel length for the .22 ARC?
It depends on how you define “optimal.” In theory, if it takes 24″โ26″ to get 100% of the powder burn inside the bore, then anything less is technically a compromise. But for most of us, carrying a “musket” in the field isn’t exactly optimal, either.
Ultimately, the right length comes down to your specific requirements. For example:
If youโre running a suppressor, getting in and out of a side-by-side, or trekking long distances, the portability of an 18″ barrel is hard to beat.
If youโre calling coyotes a couple hundred yards from the truck and shooting off a tripod, you might prioritize the higher velocity and flatter trajectory of a 22″ barrel over weight savings.
Choose the length that fits how you actually hunt, not the one that strangers on the internet tell you is “optimal.”
Will my upper come assembled and test fired?
Yes. You choose the components above and we assemble and test fire with those parts.ย
Will my upper receive a headspace check?
Yes. For every upper we build, we take the specific barrel and bolt the customer has selected and perform a headspace check prior to assembly.
What is the performance difference between the various barrel lengths?
Velocity differences between different length barrels can vary somewhat depending on the load and how quickly a specific powder burns. In our testing, we generally see ~ 35 – 45 fps of velocity gained per inch of barrel length between 18″ and 22″ with the .22 ARC.
What is the lead time on an upper?
We ship the same or next business day. Since our website has a live inventory and we only sell things that actually exist on our shelves, we do not have lead times.ย
If a specific component I want is out of stock, can I place the order anyway?
Unfortunately, we do not accept backorders. It’s Grendel Hunter’s policy to only take a customer’s money for things that exist.ย
If a specific component is out of stock, you can go to that item’s individual product page and join the “Back in Stock” email notification list.
What length handguard should I choose?
When it comes to choosing a handguardโs length, a lot of it is personal preference. Here are a few things to consdier though:
- You will want 14โณ or longer to cover a rifle length gas system. 13โณ or less is best for mid length gas.
- The 14โณv.2 and 15.3โณv.1 & v.3ย justย cover the gas block on a rifle length gassed barrel, so that should give you an idea of how much barrel will be showing.ย
- For unsuppressed rifles, showing 3โณ-4โณ of barrel is the most popular look. For example, a 17โณ handguard on 20โณ barrel. On suppressed rifles, since a suppressor almost looks like an โextensionโ of the barrel, a lot of guys go a bit longer, for example, a 17โณ handguard on an 18โณ barrel.ย
- Our 15.3โณ handguards had that specific length chosen with two things in mind. First, to cover a rifle length gas system. Second, to still allow the direct threading of a suppressor when installed with a 16โณ barrel.ย
Click here to browse our other Uppers. Don’t forget magazines!
Maurice Taylor (verified owner) –
Received the upper, disassembled, cleaned, lubed the BCG and mounted on my lower. Adjusted the gas port for my suppressor while zeroing at the range with Hornady 62gr v-match All groups were sub MOA. Gas block worked well , upper functioned smoothly, a pleasure to shoot!