6.5mm Creedmoor Trajectory Calculator
See how 6.5mm Creedmoor stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The 6.5mm Creedmoor has become the go-to cartridge for long-range precision shooting and hunting. With a 120-grain bullet at 2,900 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 3.3 inches of drop at 200 yards, 12.4 inches at 300 yards, and 28.2 inches at 400 yards. The high-BC bullets retain over 1,150 ft-lbs of energy at 400 yards and still carry 962 ft-lbs at 500 yards—plenty for deer and even elk at moderate distances.
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 heavier 140-147 grain bullets for better wind resistance, while hunters may prefer lighter, faster-expanding options. You can also factor in wind, shooting angle, and atmospheric conditions.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (6.5mm Creedmoor) is pre-selected for the first load.
6.5mm Creedmoor Trajectory Chart
6.5mm Creedmoor 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 | 2900.0 | 2241.47 |
| 25 | -0.71 | 2.68 | 0.779 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.026 | 2843.71 | 2155.3 |
| 50 | -0.19 | 0.35 | 0.103 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.053 | 2788.52 | 2072.45 |
| 75 | 0.06 | -0.07 | -0.02 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.08 | 2734.0 | 1992.21 |
| 100 | 0.01 | -0.0 | -0.001 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.108 | 2680.16 | 1914.51 |
| 125 | -0.35 | 0.26 | 0.077 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.136 | 2626.95 | 1839.25 |
| 150 | -1.01 | 0.65 | 0.188 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.165 | 2574.36 | 1766.35 |
| 175 | -2.01 | 1.1 | 0.319 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.195 | 2522.38 | 1695.74 |
| 200 | -3.35 | 1.6 | 0.464 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.225 | 2471.01 | 1627.37 |
| 225 | -5.04 | 2.14 | 0.621 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.255 | 2420.21 | 1561.14 |
| 250 | -7.1 | 2.71 | 0.788 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.287 | 2369.98 | 1497.02 |
| 275 | -9.55 | 3.31 | 0.964 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.319 | 2320.33 | 1434.95 |
| 300 | -12.4 | 3.95 | 1.148 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.351 | 2271.26 | 1374.9 |
| 325 | -15.68 | 4.6 | 1.339 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.385 | 2222.76 | 1316.81 |
| 350 | -19.39 | 5.29 | 1.538 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.419 | 2174.81 | 1260.61 |
| 375 | -23.56 | 6.0 | 1.745 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.454 | 2127.47 | 1206.32 |
| 400 | -28.21 | 6.73 | 1.959 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.489 | 2080.72 | 1153.89 |
| 425 | -33.37 | 7.5 | 2.18 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.526 | 2034.57 | 1103.27 |
| 450 | -39.05 | 8.28 | 2.41 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.563 | 1989.02 | 1054.42 |
| 475 | -45.28 | 9.1 | 2.647 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.601 | 1944.11 | 1007.34 |
| 500 | -52.08 | 9.94 | 2.892 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.64 | 1899.83 | 961.99 |
Take this table to the range
The 6.5mm Creedmoor 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 Creedmoor Ammunition Ballistics
Zeroing the 6.5mm Creedmoor
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 120gr G1 .421 at 2,900 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). A hunting rifle with a scope in standard rings sits about 1.5" over the bore; the zero you choose sets how far you can hold on hair without thinking about the range. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.
6.5mm Creedmoor zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 66 yd | 32 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.1" | +1.8" |
| Max ordinate distance | 83 yd | 118 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–210 yd | 0–264 yd |
| Sight in at 100 yd | +0.0" (0.0 MOA) | +1.7" (+1.6 MOA) |
| Drop at 300 yd | -12.4" | -7.4" |
| Drop at 400 yd | -28.2" | -21.5" |
| Energy at 300 yd | 1,375 ft-lb | 1,375 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 Creedmoor with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 120gr load first crosses the line of sight at 66 yards, peaks +0.1" at 83 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is -12.4" at 300 and -28.2" 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 | 2,900 | 2,241 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.7" | -2.68 | -0.78 | 2,844 | 2,155 | 0.1 |
| 50 | -0.2" | -0.35 | -0.10 | 2,789 | 2,072 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +0.1" | +0.07 | +0.02 | 2,734 | 1,992 | 0.4 |
| 100 | +0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,680 | 1,915 | 0.8 |
| 125 | -0.4" | -0.26 | -0.08 | 2,627 | 1,839 | 1.2 |
| 150 | -1.0" | -0.65 | -0.19 | 2,574 | 1,766 | 1.7 |
| 175 | -2.0" | -1.10 | -0.32 | 2,522 | 1,696 | 2.3 |
| 200 | -3.4" | -1.60 | -0.46 | 2,471 | 1,627 | 3.1 |
| 225 | -5.0" | -2.14 | -0.62 | 2,420 | 1,561 | 3.9 |
| 250 | -7.1" | -2.71 | -0.79 | 2,370 | 1,497 | 4.9 |
| 275 | -9.6" | -3.31 | -0.96 | 2,320 | 1,435 | 6.0 |
| 300 | -12.4" | -3.95 | -1.15 | 2,271 | 1,375 | 7.2 |
| 325 | -15.7" | -4.60 | -1.34 | 2,223 | 1,317 | 8.5 |
| 350 | -19.4" | -5.29 | -1.54 | 2,175 | 1,261 | 9.9 |
| 375 | -23.6" | -6.00 | -1.74 | 2,127 | 1,206 | 11.5 |
| 400 | -28.2" | -6.73 | -1.96 | 2,081 | 1,154 | 13.3 |
| 425 | -33.4" | -7.50 | -2.18 | 2,035 | 1,103 | 15.1 |
| 450 | -39.1" | -8.28 | -2.41 | 1,989 | 1,054 | 17.1 |
| 475 | -45.3" | -9.10 | -2.65 | 1,944 | 1,007 | 19.3 |
| 500 | -52.1" | -9.94 | -2.89 | 1,900 | 962 | 21.6 |
120gr G1 .421 at 2,900 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 Creedmoor with a 200-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 200 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 120gr load first crosses the line of sight at 32 yards, peaks +1.8" at 118 yards, returns to zero at 200, and is -7.4" at 300 and -21.5" 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 | 2,900 | 2,241 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.3" | -1.07 | -0.31 | 2,844 | 2,155 | 0.1 |
| 50 | +0.7" | +1.25 | +0.36 | 2,789 | 2,072 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +1.3" | +1.67 | +0.49 | 2,734 | 1,992 | 0.4 |
| 100 | +1.7" | +1.61 | +0.47 | 2,680 | 1,915 | 0.8 |
| 125 | +1.8" | +1.34 | +0.39 | 2,627 | 1,839 | 1.2 |
| 150 | +1.5" | +0.96 | +0.28 | 2,574 | 1,766 | 1.7 |
| 175 | +0.9" | +0.51 | +0.15 | 2,522 | 1,696 | 2.3 |
| 200 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 2,471 | 1,627 | 3.1 |
| 225 | -1.3" | -0.53 | -0.16 | 2,420 | 1,561 | 3.9 |
| 250 | -2.9" | -1.11 | -0.32 | 2,370 | 1,497 | 4.9 |
| 275 | -4.9" | -1.71 | -0.50 | 2,320 | 1,435 | 6.0 |
| 300 | -7.4" | -2.34 | -0.68 | 2,271 | 1,375 | 7.2 |
| 325 | -10.2" | -3.00 | -0.87 | 2,223 | 1,317 | 8.5 |
| 350 | -13.5" | -3.69 | -1.07 | 2,175 | 1,261 | 9.9 |
| 375 | -17.3" | -4.40 | -1.28 | 2,127 | 1,206 | 11.5 |
| 400 | -21.5" | -5.13 | -1.49 | 2,081 | 1,154 | 13.3 |
| 425 | -26.2" | -5.89 | -1.71 | 2,035 | 1,103 | 15.1 |
| 450 | -31.5" | -6.68 | -1.94 | 1,989 | 1,054 | 17.1 |
| 475 | -37.3" | -7.50 | -2.18 | 1,944 | 1,007 | 19.3 |
| 500 | -43.7" | -8.34 | -2.43 | 1,900 | 962 | 21.6 |
120gr G1 .421 at 2,900 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 Creedmoor
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) | 270 yd | 0 yd | 317 yd | +4.0" at 151 yd | 23 / 270 yd | Download |
| 10" (elk, moose) | 295 yd | 0 yd | 346 yd | +5.0" at 163 yd | 21 / 295 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.
Which Zero Should You Use for the 6.5mm Creedmoor?
Most 6.5 Creedmoor rifles wear a scope with exposed turrets, and for those a 100-yard zero is the right one. The 120gr load climbs only 0.07" above the line of sight, so the dope from 100 outward is clean: 12.4" low at 300, 28.2" at 400, and the bullet still doing about 2,270 fps at 300 yards with the high ballistic coefficient the cartridge is known for.
If the rifle is a hunting rig you hold with rather than dial, the 200-yard zero is the better choice. It sits 1.8" high at 118 yards, stays inside an 8" vital zone to 264 yards, and is 7.4" low at 300. The 300-yard zero is the old western "three inches high at 100" approach: 5.3" high at 165 yards, dead-on at 300 and 11.7" low at 400. It works in open country but the peak is enough to shoot over a pronghorn's vitals at 150 if you forget.
The maximum-point-blank-range figures show why the Creedmoor is liked for deer: a 270-yard zero holds inside an 8" zone all the way to 317 yards, and a 295-yard zero inside a 10" zone to 346. Heavier 140 to 147gr loads start slower but hold velocity better, so their windows are within a few yards of these; run your own load above to see the difference.
Guidance reviewed 2026-09-13.
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Stock Up On 6.5mm Creedmoor Ammo for the Range
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Ammo | 400 | $364.42 | $39.99 | $404.41 |
$1.01
400 Rounds
|
|
| Fast Ammo | 400 | $454.20 | $36.99 | $491.19 |
$1.23
400 Rounds
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|
| Sentry Ammo | 200 | $232.95 | $13.99 | $246.94 |
$1.23
200 Rounds
|
|
| Sentry Ammo | 200 | $364.84 | $13.99 | $378.83 |
$1.89
200 Rounds
|
|
| Sentry Ammo | 200 | $389.18 | $13.99 | $403.17 |
$2.02
200 Rounds
|