6mm ARC Trajectory Calculator
See how 6mm ARC stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The 6mm ARC is Hornady's military-developed cartridge that brings long-range precision to the AR-15 platform. With a 105-grain bullet at 2,750 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 3.7 inches of drop at 200 yards, 13.4 inches at 300 yards, and 29.9 inches at 400 yards. The high-BC bullets retain over 1,036 ft-lbs of energy at 400 yards and 898 ft-lbs at 500 yards—effective on deer-sized game and excellent for precision rifle competition.
Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Match loads typically run 103-108 grain bullets with high BCs. You can also factor in wind, shooting angle, and atmospheric conditions.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (6mm ARC) is pre-selected for the first load.
6mm ARC Trajectory Chart
6mm ARC 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 | 2750.0 | 1763.64 |
| 25 | -0.67 | 2.53 | 0.735 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.028 | 2706.73 | 1708.58 |
| 50 | -0.13 | 0.26 | 0.075 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.056 | 2664.17 | 1655.27 |
| 75 | 0.09 | -0.12 | -0.034 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.084 | 2622.0 | 1603.29 |
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.113 | 2580.22 | 1552.6 |
| 125 | -0.42 | 0.32 | 0.092 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.142 | 2538.83 | 1503.19 |
| 150 | -1.17 | 0.74 | 0.217 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.172 | 2497.82 | 1455.02 |
| 175 | -2.27 | 1.24 | 0.36 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.202 | 2457.19 | 1408.07 |
| 200 | -3.73 | 1.78 | 0.518 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.233 | 2416.91 | 1362.28 |
| 225 | -5.57 | 2.36 | 0.687 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.264 | 2377.0 | 1317.66 |
| 250 | -7.79 | 2.97 | 0.865 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.296 | 2337.45 | 1274.17 |
| 275 | -10.4 | 3.61 | 1.05 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.329 | 2298.26 | 1231.81 |
| 300 | -13.43 | 4.27 | 1.243 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.362 | 2259.44 | 1190.55 |
| 325 | -16.88 | 4.96 | 1.442 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.395 | 2220.98 | 1150.36 |
| 350 | -20.77 | 5.66 | 1.648 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.429 | 2182.86 | 1111.22 |
| 375 | -25.12 | 6.39 | 1.86 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.464 | 2145.13 | 1073.13 |
| 400 | -29.94 | 7.14 | 2.078 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.499 | 2107.77 | 1036.07 |
| 425 | -35.25 | 7.92 | 2.303 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.535 | 2070.79 | 1000.04 |
| 450 | -41.06 | 8.71 | 2.534 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.571 | 2034.18 | 964.99 |
| 475 | -47.4 | 9.53 | 2.771 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.609 | 1997.95 | 930.93 |
| 500 | -54.29 | 10.37 | 3.015 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.647 | 1962.13 | 897.84 |
Take this table to the range
The 6mm ARC 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 6mm ARC Ammunition Ballistics
| Product | Velocity (fps) | BC | 100yd Drop | 200yd Drop | 300yd Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady BLACK 6mm ARC 105gr BTHP Ammo Ballistics | 2750 | 0.53 | 0.0" | -3.7" | -13.4" |
| Hornady Match 6mm ARC 108gr ELD Match Ammo Ballistics | 2750 | 0.536 | 0.0" | -3.7" | -13.4" |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 6mm ARC 103gr ELD-X Ammo Ballistics | 2800 | 0.512 | 0.0" | -3.6" | -12.9" |
| Hornady V-Match 6mm ARC 80gr ELD-VT Ammo Ballistics | 3000 | 0.41 | 0.0" | -3.1" | -11.5" |
| HSM Tipping Point 6mm ARC 95gr SST Ammo Ballistics | 3016 | 0.355 | 0.0" | -3.1" | -11.8" |
| HSM Trophy Gold 6mm ARC 95gr Berger VLD Ammo Ballistics | 2900 | 0.467 | 0.0" | -3.3" | -12.1" |
| HSM V-MAX 6mm ARC 75gr Ammo Ballistics | 3100 | 0.33 | 0.0" | -2.9" | -11.3" |
Zeroing the 6mm ARC
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 105gr G1 .530 at 2,750 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.
6mm ARC zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 61 yd | 30 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.1" | +1.9" |
| Max ordinate distance | 80 yd | 116 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–203 yd | 0–260 yd |
| Sight in at 100 yd | 0.0" (0.0 MOA) | +1.9" (+1.8 MOA) |
| Drop at 300 yd | -13.4" | -7.8" |
| Drop at 400 yd | -29.9" | -22.5" |
| Energy at 300 yd | 1,191 ft-lb | 1,191 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.
6mm ARC with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 105gr load first crosses the line of sight at 61 yards, peaks +0.1" at 80 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is -13.4" at 300 and -29.9" 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 | 2,750 | 1,764 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.7" | -2.53 | -0.73 | 2,707 | 1,709 | 0.1 |
| 50 | -0.1" | -0.26 | -0.07 | 2,664 | 1,655 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +0.1" | +0.12 | +0.03 | 2,622 | 1,603 | 0.4 |
| 100 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,580 | 1,553 | 0.7 |
| 125 | -0.4" | -0.32 | -0.09 | 2,539 | 1,503 | 1.0 |
| 150 | -1.2" | -0.74 | -0.22 | 2,498 | 1,455 | 1.5 |
| 175 | -2.3" | -1.24 | -0.36 | 2,457 | 1,408 | 2.0 |
| 200 | -3.7" | -1.78 | -0.52 | 2,417 | 1,362 | 2.6 |
| 225 | -5.6" | -2.36 | -0.69 | 2,377 | 1,318 | 3.3 |
| 250 | -7.8" | -2.97 | -0.86 | 2,337 | 1,274 | 4.1 |
| 275 | -10.4" | -3.61 | -1.05 | 2,298 | 1,232 | 5.0 |
| 300 | -13.4" | -4.27 | -1.24 | 2,259 | 1,191 | 6.0 |
| 325 | -16.9" | -4.96 | -1.44 | 2,221 | 1,150 | 7.1 |
| 350 | -20.8" | -5.66 | -1.65 | 2,183 | 1,111 | 8.3 |
| 375 | -25.1" | -6.39 | -1.86 | 2,145 | 1,073 | 9.6 |
| 400 | -29.9" | -7.14 | -2.08 | 2,108 | 1,036 | 11.0 |
| 425 | -35.3" | -7.92 | -2.30 | 2,071 | 1,000 | 12.5 |
| 450 | -41.1" | -8.71 | -2.53 | 2,034 | 965 | 14.2 |
| 475 | -47.4" | -9.53 | -2.77 | 1,998 | 931 | 15.9 |
| 500 | -54.3" | -10.37 | -3.02 | 1,962 | 898 | 17.8 |
105gr G1 .530 at 2,750 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.
6mm ARC with a 200-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 200 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 105gr load first crosses the line of sight at 30 yards, peaks +1.9" at 116 yards, returns to zero at 200, and is -7.8" at 300 and -22.5" 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 | 2,750 | 1,764 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.2" | -0.74 | -0.22 | 2,707 | 1,709 | 0.1 |
| 50 | +0.8" | +1.53 | +0.44 | 2,664 | 1,655 | 0.2 |
| 75 | +1.5" | +1.90 | +0.55 | 2,622 | 1,603 | 0.4 |
| 100 | +1.9" | +1.78 | +0.52 | 2,580 | 1,553 | 0.7 |
| 125 | +1.9" | +1.46 | +0.43 | 2,539 | 1,503 | 1.0 |
| 150 | +1.6" | +1.04 | +0.30 | 2,498 | 1,455 | 1.5 |
| 175 | +1.0" | +0.54 | +0.16 | 2,457 | 1,408 | 2.0 |
| 200 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,417 | 1,362 | 2.6 |
| 225 | -1.4" | -0.58 | -0.17 | 2,377 | 1,318 | 3.3 |
| 250 | -3.1" | -1.19 | -0.35 | 2,337 | 1,274 | 4.1 |
| 275 | -5.3" | -1.83 | -0.53 | 2,298 | 1,232 | 5.0 |
| 300 | -7.8" | -2.49 | -0.72 | 2,259 | 1,191 | 6.0 |
| 325 | -10.8" | -3.18 | -0.92 | 2,221 | 1,150 | 7.1 |
| 350 | -14.2" | -3.88 | -1.13 | 2,183 | 1,111 | 8.3 |
| 375 | -18.1" | -4.61 | -1.34 | 2,145 | 1,073 | 9.6 |
| 400 | -22.5" | -5.36 | -1.56 | 2,108 | 1,036 | 11.0 |
| 425 | -27.3" | -6.14 | -1.78 | 2,071 | 1,000 | 12.5 |
| 450 | -32.7" | -6.93 | -2.02 | 2,034 | 965 | 14.2 |
| 475 | -38.5" | -7.75 | -2.25 | 1,998 | 931 | 15.9 |
| 500 | -45.0" | -8.58 | -2.50 | 1,962 | 898 | 17.8 |
105gr G1 .530 at 2,750 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 6mm ARC
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) | 263 yd | 0 yd | 309 yd | +4.0" at 145 yd | 22 / 263 yd | Download |
| 10" (elk, moose) | 286 yd | 0 yd | 337 yd | +5.0" at 157 yd | 20 / 286 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
6mm ARC Ballistics Comparisons
Stock Up On 6mm ARC Ammo for the Range
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $29.59 | $10.99 | $40.58 |
$2.03
20 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $30.75 | $10.99 | $41.74 |
$2.09
20 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $31.32 | $10.99 | $42.31 |
$2.12
20 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $33.50 | $10.99 | $44.49 |
$2.22
20 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $38.11 | $10.99 | $49.10 |
$2.46
20 Rounds
|