Hornady Custom 6.5mm Grendel 123gr SST Ammo Ballistics
Brass Case • SST
Hornady Custom 6.5mm Grendel 123gr SST Ammo Ballistics
Brass Case • SST
Trajectory @ 100yd Zero
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2580 fps | 1818 ft-lb | — |
| 25 yds | 2536 fps | 1757 ft-lb | -0.6" |
| 50 yds | 2494 fps | 1699 ft-lb | -0.0" |
| 75 yds | 2451 fps | 1642 ft-lb | +0.2" |
| 100 yds ⊕ | 2410 fps | 1586 ft-lb | +0.0" |
| 125 yds | 2368 fps | 1532 ft-lb | -0.5" |
| 150 yds | 2327 fps | 1480 ft-lb | -1.4" |
| 175 yds | 2287 fps | 1428 ft-lb | -2.8" |
| 200 yds | 2246 fps | 1379 ft-lb | -4.5" |
| 225 yds | 2206 fps | 1330 ft-lb | -6.7" |
| 250 yds | 2167 fps | 1283 ft-lb | -9.3" |
| 275 yds | 2128 fps | 1237 ft-lb | -12.3" |
| 300 yds | 2089 fps | 1193 ft-lb | -15.9" |
| 325 yds | 2051 fps | 1149 ft-lb | -19.9" |
| 350 yds | 2013 fps | 1107 ft-lb | -24.5" |
| 375 yds | 1976 fps | 1067 ft-lb | -29.6" |
| 400 yds | 1939 fps | 1027 ft-lb | -35.3" |
| 425 yds | 1902 fps | 989 ft-lb | -41.5" |
| 450 yds | 1866 fps | 952 ft-lb | -48.3" |
| 475 yds | 1831 fps | 916 ft-lb | -55.8" |
| 500 yds | 1795 fps | 881 ft-lb | -63.9" |
Product Overview
Hornady Custom 6.5mm Grendel launches the 123-grain SST at 2,580 fps with 1,818 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. The Super Shock Tip bullet pairs a polymer tip with an InterLock ring that mechanically binds the jacket to the core. With a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.510, this load maintains velocity at distance better than conventional soft points or hollow points designed for the caliber.
Hornady's Custom line bridges their match and hunting offerings. The SST bullet delivers hunting terminal performance—controlled expansion with weight retention—while the polymer tip and boat tail provide the aerodynamics normally found in target ammunition. The InterLock ring prevents core-jacket separation during expansion, keeping the bullet together through muscle and bone. This design philosophy gives hunters accuracy for precise shot placement and terminal performance that finishes the job.
Deer and hog hunting from 0-300 yards showcases this ammunition's strengths. The polymer tip ensures expansion begins immediately on impact, even at the reduced velocities encountered at longer ranges where hollow points might fail to open. AR-15 hunters using the Grendel for whitetail, mule deer, or feral hogs get a versatile load that shoots flat enough for field accuracy while hitting hard enough for clean kills.
- The 0.510 G1 BC gives this hunting bullet trajectory comparable to match ammunition, reducing guesswork at 200+ yards
- InterLock ring mechanically locks the jacket to the core, preventing the fragmentation that plagues cheaper hunting bullets
- Polymer tip initiates expansion reliably even at Grendel velocities at 250+ yards where hollow points may fail to open
- Hornady's widespread availability means this ammunition stays in stock when specialty loads sell out
- Custom line pricing exceeds American Whitetail and other budget hunting ammunition without reaching Match-grade consistency
- The SST is designed for controlled expansion on medium game—using it on smaller varmints wastes the bullet's capabilities
- Some hunters report aggressive expansion at close range, which can limit penetration on quartering shots
- Polymer tips can occasionally deform in magazine feeding, though this is rare with quality AR-15 builds
All Hornady Custom 6.5mm Grendel 123gr SST Ammo Prices
| DEALER | QTY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $664.67 | $0.00 | $664.67 | $1.33 |
| Black Basin Outdoors | 200 | $288.88 | $0.00 | $288.88 | $1.44 |
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $35.00 | $17.68 | $52.68 | $2.63 |