Hornady Frontier 6.5mm Grendel 123gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics
Brass Case • FMJ
Hornady Frontier 6.5mm Grendel 123gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics
Brass Case • FMJ
Trajectory @ 100yd Zero
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2580 fps | 1818 ft-lb | — |
| 25 yds | 2527 fps | 1745 ft-lb | -0.6" |
| 50 yds | 2475 fps | 1674 ft-lb | -0.0" |
| 75 yds | 2424 fps | 1606 ft-lb | +0.2" |
| 100 yds ⊕ | 2374 fps | 1540 ft-lb | +0.0" |
| 125 yds | 2324 fps | 1476 ft-lb | -0.6" |
| 150 yds | 2275 fps | 1414 ft-lb | -1.5" |
| 175 yds | 2226 fps | 1354 ft-lb | -2.9" |
| 200 yds | 2178 fps | 1296 ft-lb | -4.7" |
| 225 yds | 2131 fps | 1240 ft-lb | -7.0" |
| 250 yds | 2084 fps | 1186 ft-lb | -9.7" |
| 275 yds | 2037 fps | 1134 ft-lb | -12.9" |
| 300 yds | 1992 fps | 1084 ft-lb | -16.7" |
| 325 yds | 1947 fps | 1035 ft-lb | -21.0" |
| 350 yds | 1902 fps | 989 ft-lb | -25.9" |
| 375 yds | 1859 fps | 944 ft-lb | -31.4" |
| 400 yds | 1815 fps | 900 ft-lb | -37.5" |
| 425 yds | 1773 fps | 859 ft-lb | -44.3" |
| 450 yds | 1731 fps | 819 ft-lb | -51.8" |
| 475 yds | 1691 fps | 781 ft-lb | -60.0" |
| 500 yds | 1650 fps | 744 ft-lb | -68.9" |
Product Overview
Hornady Frontier 6.5mm Grendel pushes a 123-grain FMJ bullet at 2,580 fps, producing 1,818 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. The G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.420 provides respectable performance for a training round. Frontier represents Hornady's value tier—Lake City brass loaded with Hornady bullets at prices designed for volume shooting.
The Frontier line emerged from Hornady's partnership with military brass suppliers, giving shooters access to proven components without premium pricing. Lake City cases are manufactured to military specifications, which means consistent dimensions and primer pockets that handle the pressures of semi-automatic cycling. Hornady loads these with their own projectiles rather than military-surplus bullets, giving better accuracy potential than pure surplus ammunition.
Training, practice, and rifle familiarization define the use case. Shooters sighting in new optics, running carbine courses, or practicing fundamentals can burn through Frontier without watching costs spiral. The 123-grain weight matches the point of impact of most premium Grendel loads, so zeroing with Frontier and hunting with Custom or Match ammunition requires minimal adjustment.
- Hornady bullets in Lake City brass deliver better accuracy than surplus FMJ at competitive pricing
- The 123-grain weight matches premium Grendel loads, allowing zero confirmation without burning expensive match ammunition
- Military-spec brass cases are built for reliable feeding and extraction in semi-automatic actions
- Hornady's quality control exceeds typical budget ammunition, reducing the chance of squibs or misfires
- FMJ design limits this to range use only—no expansion means no hunting application
- Lake City brass may have crimped primer pockets, requiring an extra step for reloaders
- Accuracy typically runs 1.5-2 MOA rather than sub-MOA, so this won't reveal your rifle's true potential
- Frontier stock can be inconsistent as Hornady prioritizes their premium lines during high-demand periods
All Hornady Frontier 6.5mm Grendel 123gr FMJ Ammo Prices
| DEALER | QTY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $470.37 | $0.00 | $470.37 | $0.94 |
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $25.00 | $17.68 | $42.68 | $2.13 |