7.62x39mm Trajectory Calculator
See how 7.62x39mm stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The 7.62x39mm is the standard cartridge for AK-pattern rifles and SKS carbines. With a 123-grain bullet at 2,365 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 6.8 inches of drop at 200 yards, 24.6 inches at 300 yards, and 57.4 inches at 400 yards. Muzzle energy runs around 1,528 ft-lbs, dropping to 637 ft-lbs at 300 yards. This makes the 7.62x39 effective for deer-sized game inside 200 yards.
Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Loads range from 122-grain military ball to 154-grain soft points for hunting. You can also factor in wind, shooting angle, and atmospheric conditions.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (7.62x39mm) is pre-selected for the first load.
7.62x39mm Trajectory Chart
7.62x39mm 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 | 2365.0 | 1528.0 |
| 25 | -0.46 | 1.76 | 0.511 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.033 | 2285.96 | 1427.57 |
| 50 | 0.15 | -0.28 | -0.083 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.066 | 2208.89 | 1332.93 |
| 75 | 0.32 | -0.4 | -0.117 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.101 | 2133.26 | 1243.22 |
| 100 | 0.01 | -0.01 | -0.002 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.136 | 2059.15 | 1158.34 |
| 125 | -0.82 | 0.62 | 0.181 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.173 | 1986.54 | 1078.09 |
| 150 | -2.19 | 1.39 | 0.405 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.212 | 1915.53 | 1002.4 |
| 175 | -4.15 | 2.26 | 0.659 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.252 | 1846.16 | 931.1 |
| 200 | -6.76 | 3.22 | 0.938 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.293 | 1778.5 | 864.11 |
| 225 | -10.05 | 4.26 | 1.239 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.336 | 1712.7 | 801.35 |
| 250 | -14.08 | 5.37 | 1.563 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.381 | 1648.91 | 742.77 |
| 275 | -18.9 | 6.56 | 1.909 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.427 | 1587.14 | 688.17 |
| 300 | -24.6 | 7.83 | 2.276 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.475 | 1527.5 | 637.42 |
| 325 | -31.22 | 9.17 | 2.667 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.525 | 1470.05 | 590.37 |
| 350 | -38.85 | 10.59 | 3.082 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.577 | 1415.02 | 547.0 |
| 375 | -47.56 | 12.11 | 3.522 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.631 | 1362.58 | 507.2 |
| 400 | -57.44 | 13.71 | 3.988 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.688 | 1312.98 | 470.95 |
| 425 | -68.58 | 15.41 | 4.481 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.746 | 1266.47 | 438.18 |
| 450 | -81.08 | 17.2 | 5.004 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.806 | 1223.3 | 408.82 |
| 475 | -95.03 | 19.1 | 5.556 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.868 | 1183.6 | 382.71 |
| 500 | -110.52 | 21.1 | 6.139 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.933 | 1147.51 | 359.73 |
Take this table to the range
The 7.62x39mm 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 7.62x39mm Ammunition Ballistics
| Product | Velocity (fps) | BC | 100yd Drop | 200yd Drop | 300yd Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Bear 7.62x39mm 125gr SP Ammo Ballistics | 2350 | 0.27 | 0.0" | -6.8" | -24.8" |
| Federal Fusion 7.62x39mm 123gr SP Ammo Ballistics | 2350 | 0.297 | 0.0" | -6.6" | -23.8" |
| Golden Tiger 7.62x39mm 124gr FMJ-BT Ammo Ballistics | 2330 | 0.3 | 0.0" | -6.7" | -24.1" |
| Hornady SST 7.62x39mm 123gr SST Ammo Ballistics | 2350 | 0.295 | 0.0" | -6.6" | -23.8" |
| PMC Bronze 7.62x39mm 123gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics | 2350 | 0.27 | 0.0" | -6.8" | -24.8" |
| Prvi Partizan 7.62x39mm 123gr PSP Ammo Ballistics | 2460 | 0.283 | 0.0" | -5.9" | -21.7" |
| Red Army Standard 7.62x39mm 124gr FMJ-BT Ammo Ballistics | 2350 | 0.3 | 0.0" | -6.6" | -23.6" |
| Tula 7.62x39mm 122gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics | 2330 | 0.3 | 0.0" | -6.7" | -24.1" |
| Winchester Super-X 7.62x39mm 123gr SP Ammo Ballistics | 2365 | 0.244 | 0.0" | -7.0" | -25.6" |
| Wolf Polyformance 7.62x39mm 123gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics | 2396 | 0.3 | 0.0" | -6.3" | -22.6" |
Zeroing the 7.62x39mm
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 123gr G1 .265 at 2,365 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.
7.62x39mm zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 42 yd | 20 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.3" | +3.5" |
| Max ordinate distance | 72 yd | 114 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–173 yd | 0–238 yd |
| Sight in at 100 yd | +0.0" (+0.0 MOA) | +3.4" (+3.2 MOA) |
| Drop at 200 yd | -6.8" | +0.0" |
| Drop at 300 yd | -24.6" | -14.4" |
| Energy at 200 yd | 864 ft-lb | 864 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 400 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.
7.62x39mm with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 123gr load first crosses the line of sight at 42 yards, peaks +0.3" at 72 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is -6.8" at 200 and -24.6" at 300 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 | 2,365 | 1,528 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.5" | -1.76 | -0.51 | 2,286 | 1,428 | 0.1 |
| 50 | +0.2" | +0.28 | +0.08 | 2,209 | 1,333 | 0.4 |
| 75 | +0.3" | +0.40 | +0.12 | 2,133 | 1,243 | 0.9 |
| 100 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 2,059 | 1,158 | 1.6 |
| 125 | -0.8" | -0.62 | -0.18 | 1,987 | 1,078 | 2.6 |
| 150 | -2.2" | -1.39 | -0.40 | 1,916 | 1,002 | 3.8 |
| 175 | -4.2" | -2.26 | -0.66 | 1,846 | 931 | 5.2 |
| 200 | -6.8" | -3.22 | -0.94 | 1,779 | 864 | 6.9 |
| 225 | -10.1" | -4.26 | -1.24 | 1,713 | 801 | 8.9 |
| 250 | -14.1" | -5.37 | -1.56 | 1,649 | 743 | 11.2 |
| 275 | -18.9" | -6.56 | -1.91 | 1,587 | 688 | 13.8 |
| 300 | -24.6" | -7.83 | -2.28 | 1,528 | 637 | 16.7 |
| 325 | -31.2" | -9.17 | -2.67 | 1,470 | 590 | 19.9 |
| 350 | -38.9" | -10.59 | -3.08 | 1,415 | 547 | 23.5 |
| 375 | -47.6" | -12.11 | -3.52 | 1,363 | 507 | 27.4 |
| 400 | -57.4" | -13.71 | -3.99 | 1,313 | 471 | 31.7 |
123gr G1 .265 at 2,365 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.
7.62x39mm with a 200-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 200 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 123gr load first crosses the line of sight at 20 yards, peaks +3.5" at 114 yards, returns to zero at 200, and is +0.0" at 200 and -14.4" at 300 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 | 2,365 | 1,528 | 0.0 |
| 25 | +0.4" | +1.47 | +0.43 | 2,286 | 1,428 | 0.1 |
| 50 | +1.9" | +3.51 | +1.02 | 2,209 | 1,333 | 0.4 |
| 75 | +2.9" | +3.63 | +1.06 | 2,133 | 1,243 | 0.9 |
| 100 | +3.4" | +3.24 | +0.94 | 2,059 | 1,158 | 1.6 |
| 125 | +3.4" | +2.61 | +0.76 | 1,987 | 1,078 | 2.6 |
| 150 | +2.9" | +1.84 | +0.53 | 1,916 | 1,002 | 3.8 |
| 175 | +1.8" | +0.97 | +0.28 | 1,846 | 931 | 5.2 |
| 200 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 1,778 | 864 | 6.9 |
| 225 | -2.4" | -1.03 | -0.30 | 1,713 | 801 | 8.9 |
| 250 | -5.6" | -2.14 | -0.62 | 1,649 | 743 | 11.2 |
| 275 | -9.6" | -3.33 | -0.97 | 1,587 | 688 | 13.8 |
| 300 | -14.4" | -4.60 | -1.34 | 1,527 | 637 | 16.7 |
| 325 | -20.2" | -5.94 | -1.73 | 1,470 | 590 | 19.9 |
| 350 | -27.0" | -7.37 | -2.14 | 1,415 | 547 | 23.5 |
| 375 | -34.9" | -8.88 | -2.58 | 1,363 | 507 | 27.4 |
| 400 | -43.9" | -10.48 | -3.05 | 1,313 | 471 | 31.7 |
123gr G1 .265 at 2,365 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 7.62x39mm
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) | 211 yd | 0 yd | 246 yd | +4.0" at 119 yd | 19 / 211 yd | Download |
| 10" (elk, moose) | 229 yd | 0 yd | 267 yd | +5.0" at 128 yd | 17 / 229 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 7.62x39mm?
The 7.62x39mm is a 300-yard cartridge only in the sense that the bullet arrives; with the 123gr load it is 23 to 25 inches low at 300 whichever of the three zeros you choose, and about 57 inches low at 400. So the question is not which zero reaches furthest but which one is easiest to live with inside 200 yards on an AK, SKS or AR.
At this page's 1.5" sight height a 100-yard zero is the sensible default: it climbs 0.3" at 72 yards, holds inside an 8" vital zone to 173 yards, and matches the way most 7.62x39 rifles are sighted. The 50-yard zero crosses back at only 86 yards, and the 36-yard zero at 116, so neither gives you a longer dead-on window. On iron sights, where the sight line is closer to the bore than 1.5", the numbers get flatter still and 100 remains the right answer.
For deer hunting with a scoped rifle, the maximum-point-blank-range zero is worth the trouble: zero at 211 yards, about 4" high at 120, and hold on the centre of an 8" zone out to 246 yards. Beyond that the 123gr bullet is down to about 1,650 fps and both drop and drift are growing fast, so the practical limit of the cartridge and the far edge of the window arrive together.
Guidance reviewed 2026-09-13.
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7.62x39mm Ballistics Comparisons
Stock Up On 7.62x39mm Ammo for the Range
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