HomeBrowse Calibers › 6.5 Grendel

6.5 Grendel Ballistics — Velocity, Energy & Drop

Also known as: 6.5mm Grendel

Specifications

Typerifle (centerfire)
Selected factory load123gr Hornady ELD Match
Published muzzle velocity2580 fps
Published muzzle energy1818 ft-lb
Published G1 ballistic coefficient0.506
Published G7 ballistic coefficient0.255
Manufacturer item81528
Case length38.61 mm
Overall length57.4 mm
Common twist rate1:8

6.5 Grendel Modeled Ballistics Table

Range (yd)Velocity (fps)Calculated Energy (ft-lb)Drop (in)Wind drift (in)Time of flight (s)
025801818-1.500
100240615812.270.740.121
2002239136903.070.25
30020801181-9.217.070.389
40019271014-26.4913.010.539
5001780865-53.1521.060.701
6001638732-90.7531.480.876
7001501615-141.4344.721.068
8001369512-207.4561.041.277
9001244422-292.281.061.507
10001127347-399.7105.311.761

Listed Use Context

The listed uses do not identify an explicit big-game hunting role, so deer- and elk-sized energy references aren't shown. Evaluate the named load using its available source data and any displayed trajectory, then verify the result for the listed target, competition, defensive, tactical, or duty context.

Data & Sources

Primary-source receipt

Publisher: Hornady Manufacturing · Manufacturer item: 81528 · Published test barrel: 24″

Source document: 2026 Hornady Product Catalog (PDF) · reviewed by CaliberAtlas .

  • Published G1 0.506 — manufacturer-class evidence, p. 75, 6.5mm 123 gr ELD Match bullet table, item 26176
  • Published G7 0.255 — manufacturer-class evidence, p. 75, 6.5mm 123 gr ELD Match bullet table, item 26176

Manufacturer-published inputs

Item 81528, 123 gr ELD Match, 2,580 fps, 1,818 ft-lb, G1 0.506, G7 0.255, and a 24″ test barrel.

CaliberAtlas-modeled outputs

Trajectory, retained velocity, calculated retained energy, drop, wind drift, and time of flight use the G7 point-mass model. These outputs are calculated by CaliberAtlas, not published by Hornady Manufacturing.

Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.

Related Cartridges

Learn the Fundamentals

How this data is produced · Model accuracy and limits