6.5mm Grendel Trajectory Calculator
See how 6.5mm Grendel stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The 6.5mm Grendel brings genuine long-range capability to the AR-15 platform. With a 110-grain bullet at 2,756 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 3.9 inches of drop at 200 yards, 14.2 inches at 300 yards, and 32.2 inches at 400 yards. The high-BC 6.5mm bullets retain over 924 ft-lbs of energy at 400 yards and 763 ft-lbs at 500 yards—effective on deer-sized game to 400 yards with proper bullet selection.
Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Match shooters often run 123-130 grain bullets for better wind resistance. You can also factor in wind, shooting angle, and atmospheric conditions.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (6.5mm Grendel) is pre-selected for the first load.
6.5mm Grendel Trajectory Chart
6.5mm Grendel Ballistics Data
| Range (yd) | Elevation (in) | Elevation (MOA) | Elevation (MIL) | Windage (in) | Windage (MOA) | Windage (MIL) | Time (s) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2756.0 | 1855.7 |
| 25 | -0.66 | 2.5 | 0.727 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.028 | 2700.21 | 1781.32 |
| 50 | -0.12 | 0.23 | 0.068 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.056 | 2645.48 | 1709.84 |
| 75 | 0.1 | -0.13 | -0.039 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.085 | 2591.39 | 1640.65 |
| 100 | 0.01 | -0.01 | -0.002 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.114 | 2537.95 | 1573.68 |
| 125 | -0.43 | 0.33 | 0.095 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.144 | 2485.15 | 1508.88 |
| 150 | -1.21 | 0.77 | 0.224 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.174 | 2432.96 | 1446.17 |
| 175 | -2.37 | 1.29 | 0.375 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.205 | 2381.37 | 1385.49 |
| 200 | -3.9 | 1.86 | 0.542 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.237 | 2330.38 | 1326.79 |
| 225 | -5.84 | 2.48 | 0.72 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.27 | 2280.0 | 1270.04 |
| 250 | -8.19 | 3.13 | 0.91 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.303 | 2230.23 | 1215.2 |
| 275 | -10.98 | 3.81 | 1.109 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.337 | 2181.03 | 1162.17 |
| 300 | -14.23 | 4.53 | 1.317 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.372 | 2132.46 | 1110.99 |
| 325 | -17.95 | 5.27 | 1.534 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.407 | 2084.51 | 1061.59 |
| 350 | -22.18 | 6.05 | 1.759 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.444 | 2037.19 | 1013.94 |
| 375 | -26.93 | 6.85 | 1.994 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.481 | 1990.51 | 968.0 |
| 400 | -32.22 | 7.69 | 2.237 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.519 | 1944.49 | 923.76 |
| 425 | -38.09 | 8.56 | 2.489 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.558 | 1899.14 | 881.17 |
| 450 | -44.56 | 9.45 | 2.75 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.598 | 1854.47 | 840.21 |
| 475 | -51.67 | 10.38 | 3.021 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.639 | 1810.52 | 800.86 |
| 500 | -59.44 | 11.35 | 3.301 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.681 | 1767.31 | 763.09 |
Take this table to the range
The 6.5mm Grendel reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.
Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.
Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.
Available 6.5mm Grendel Ammunition Ballistics
Zeroing the 6.5mm Grendel
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 110gr G1 .411 at 2,756 fps, with a 1.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). Intermediate cartridges are usually shot from a flat-top rifle with the optic well above the bore, which is why AR zeros are argued about more than any others. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.
6.5mm Grendel zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 60 yd | 29 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.1" | +2.1" |
| Max ordinate distance | 80 yd | 117 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–201 yd | 0–258 yd |
| Sight in at 100 yd | +0.0" (+0.0 MOA) | +2.0" (+1.9 MOA) |
| Drop at 300 yd | -14.2" | -8.4" |
| Drop at 400 yd | -32.2" | -24.4" |
| Energy at 300 yd | 1,111 ft-lb | 1,111 ft-lb |
How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 8" vital zone, ±4" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 500 yards.
Key terms
- Near zero
- Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
- Far zero
- Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
- Max ordinate
- The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
- Point blank range (MPBR)
- The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.
6.5mm Grendel with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 110gr load first crosses the line of sight at 60 yards, peaks +0.1" at 80 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is -14.2" at 300 and -32.2" at 400 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,756 | 1,856 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.7" | -2.50 | -0.73 | 2,700 | 1,781 | 0.1 |
| 50 | -0.1" | -0.23 | -0.07 | 2,645 | 1,710 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +0.1" | +0.13 | +0.04 | 2,591 | 1,641 | 0.5 |
| 100 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 2,538 | 1,574 | 0.8 |
| 125 | -0.4" | -0.33 | -0.09 | 2,485 | 1,509 | 1.3 |
| 150 | -1.2" | -0.77 | -0.22 | 2,433 | 1,446 | 1.9 |
| 175 | -2.4" | -1.29 | -0.38 | 2,381 | 1,385 | 2.6 |
| 200 | -3.9" | -1.86 | -0.54 | 2,330 | 1,327 | 3.4 |
| 225 | -5.8" | -2.48 | -0.72 | 2,280 | 1,270 | 4.3 |
| 250 | -8.2" | -3.13 | -0.91 | 2,230 | 1,215 | 5.4 |
| 275 | -11.0" | -3.81 | -1.11 | 2,181 | 1,162 | 6.6 |
| 300 | -14.2" | -4.53 | -1.32 | 2,132 | 1,111 | 7.9 |
| 325 | -18.0" | -5.27 | -1.53 | 2,085 | 1,062 | 9.4 |
| 350 | -22.2" | -6.05 | -1.76 | 2,037 | 1,014 | 11.0 |
| 375 | -26.9" | -6.85 | -1.99 | 1,991 | 968 | 12.8 |
| 400 | -32.2" | -7.69 | -2.24 | 1,944 | 924 | 14.7 |
| 425 | -38.1" | -8.56 | -2.49 | 1,899 | 881 | 16.8 |
| 450 | -44.6" | -9.45 | -2.75 | 1,854 | 840 | 19.0 |
| 475 | -51.7" | -10.38 | -3.02 | 1,811 | 801 | 21.4 |
| 500 | -59.4" | -11.35 | -3.30 | 1,767 | 763 | 24.0 |
110gr G1 .411 at 2,756 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.
6.5mm Grendel with a 200-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 200 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 110gr load first crosses the line of sight at 29 yards, peaks +2.0" at 117 yards, returns to zero at 200, and is -8.4" at 300 and -24.4" at 400 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,756 | 1,856 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.2" | -0.63 | -0.18 | 2,700 | 1,781 | 0.1 |
| 50 | +0.9" | +1.64 | +0.48 | 2,645 | 1,710 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +1.6" | +2.00 | +0.58 | 2,591 | 1,641 | 0.5 |
| 100 | +2.0" | +1.88 | +0.55 | 2,538 | 1,574 | 0.8 |
| 125 | +2.0" | +1.55 | +0.45 | 2,485 | 1,509 | 1.3 |
| 150 | +1.7" | +1.10 | +0.32 | 2,433 | 1,446 | 1.9 |
| 175 | +1.1" | +0.58 | +0.17 | 2,381 | 1,385 | 2.6 |
| 200 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 2,330 | 1,327 | 3.4 |
| 225 | -1.4" | -0.60 | -0.18 | 2,280 | 1,270 | 4.3 |
| 250 | -3.3" | -1.26 | -0.37 | 2,230 | 1,215 | 5.4 |
| 275 | -5.6" | -1.94 | -0.56 | 2,181 | 1,162 | 6.6 |
| 300 | -8.4" | -2.66 | -0.77 | 2,132 | 1,111 | 7.9 |
| 325 | -11.6" | -3.40 | -0.99 | 2,084 | 1,062 | 9.4 |
| 350 | -15.3" | -4.18 | -1.22 | 2,037 | 1,014 | 11.0 |
| 375 | -19.6" | -4.98 | -1.45 | 1,990 | 968 | 12.8 |
| 400 | -24.4" | -5.82 | -1.69 | 1,944 | 924 | 14.7 |
| 425 | -29.8" | -6.68 | -1.94 | 1,899 | 881 | 16.8 |
| 450 | -35.7" | -7.58 | -2.21 | 1,854 | 840 | 19.0 |
| 475 | -42.4" | -8.51 | -2.48 | 1,811 | 801 | 21.4 |
| 500 | -49.6" | -9.48 | -2.76 | 1,767 | 763 | 24.0 |
110gr G1 .411 at 2,756 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.
Maximum Point Blank Range for the 6.5mm Grendel
Maximum point blank range (MPBR) is the zero that keeps the bullet inside a vital zone, never more than half its height above or below the line of sight (an 8" zone is ±4"), for as far as possible. Zero at the distance in the table and you can hold dead-on from the muzzle to the far edge of the window.
| Vital zone | Zero at | Hold dead-on from | To (MPBR) | Max ordinate | Near / far zero | CSV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" (whitetail, pronghorn) | 256 yd | 0 yd | 301 yd | +4.0" at 143 yd | 22 / 256 yd | Download |
| 10" (elk, moose) | 280 yd | 0 yd | 329 yd | +5.0" at 155 yd | 20 / 280 yd | Download |
MPBR assumes a centred hold, a level shot and no wind; it is a ceiling, not a licence to skip ranging. The far edge of the window is where the bullet has already fallen half the vital zone.
Similar Calibers
6.5mm Grendel Ballistics Comparisons
Stock Up On 6.5mm Grendel Ammo for the Range
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky Gunner | 500 | $360.00 | $21.38 | $381.38 |
$0.76
500 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $542.88 | $0.00 | $542.88 |
$1.09
500 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $650.95 | $0.00 | $650.95 |
$1.30
500 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $742.32 | $0.00 | $742.32 |
$1.48
500 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $819.10 | $0.00 | $819.10 |
$1.64
500 Rounds
|