6mm GT Ballistics — Velocity, Energy & Drop

Also known as: 6 GT, 6GT

Common uses: Competition, Long Range

Specifications

Type	rifle (centerfire)
Typical load	109gr ELD Match (polymer-tip BTHP, match)
Muzzle velocity	2870 fps
Muzzle energy	1993 ft-lb
G1 ballistic coefficient	0.585
Case length	43.82 mm
Overall length	67.06 mm
SAAMI max pressure	62000 PSI
Common twist rate	1:7.5"

6mm GT Trajectory Table

Range (yd)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lb)	Drop (in)
0	2870	1993	-1.5
100	2710	1777	0
200	2555	1580	-3.2
300	2406	1401	-11.8
400	2263	1239	-26.4
500	2125	1093	-47.8

6mm GT Extended Ballistics (to 1,000 yd)

At 1,000 yards, 6mm GT (109gr at 2870 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 28.1 MOA / 8.2 MIL, retaining 1503 fps (supersonic).

Range (yd)	Velocity (fps)	State	Drop (in)	Elev (MOA)	Elev (MIL)
300	2406	Supersonic	-11.8	3.8	1.10
400	2263	Supersonic	-26.4	6.3	1.83
500	2125	Supersonic	-47.8	9.1	2.65
600	1992	Supersonic	-76.9	12.2	3.56
700	1864	Supersonic	-114.7	15.7	4.55
800	1739	Supersonic	-162.7	19.4	5.65
900	1619	Supersonic	-222.0	23.6	6.85
1000	1503	Supersonic	-294.7	28.1	8.19

Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.

Hunting Energy Reference

Retains at least 1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized energy reference) through 500 yd — the end of the listed data.
Retains about 1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized energy reference) to roughly 245 yd.

A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.

Data & Sources

Representative load: 109gr Hornady Match ELD Match
Velocity & BC: manufacturer-published figures (24″ test barrel)
Trajectory: CaliberAtlas G1 point-mass model — validated against manufacturer centerfire tables to ~0.15 MOA at 500 yd
Conditions: 59°F · 29.92 inHg · sea level · 50% RH · 1.5″ sight height · 100 yd zero
Data updated: July 10, 2026

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

Overview

The 6mm GT is first and foremost a Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and NRL match cartridge: it was designed to slot between the 6mm Dasher's efficiency and the 6mm Creedmoor's magazine-friendly speed, and that is exactly where it lives. Factory Hornady Match ammunition drives a 109-grain ELD Match at 2,870 fps from a 24-inch barrel, giving flat elevation and strong wind performance to 1,000 yards and beyond while staying gentle enough to spot impacts through the scope. Handloaders commonly run 103–110-grain bullets over Varget-class powders. It sees some crossover use on varmints and light game, but its home is steel and paper at distance.

History

The 6mm GT was developed around 2019 by George Gardner of GA Precision and Tom Jacobs of Vapor Trail Bullets — the "G" and "T" in the name — as a purpose-built precision-competition cartridge. The goal was a 6mm that fed reliably from detachable magazines, burned mid-rate powders efficiently, and pushed 105–110-grain match bullets at competitive speeds with modest recoil and long barrel life. Alpha Munitions produced the original brass, and Lapua later added its own case based on the 6.5×47 Lapua parent. Hornady submitted the cartridge to SAAMI, which formally accepted it in January 2022 with a 62,000 psi maximum average pressure, moving the 6mm GT from semi-custom status to a standardized factory cartridge.

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