Rifle Trajectory Table
Rifle Trajectory Table By Chuck Hawks
In order to hit a distant target a rifle must be correctly sighted-in, and to accomplish that the shooter must have some working knowledge of the bullet's trajectory. Sighting-in a hunting rifle to hit a certain number of inches high at 100 yards (or 100 meters) maximizes the point blank range of the rifle and cartridge and is superior to zeroing at a fixed distance like 200 yards. This system maximizes the distance in which no "hold over" is necessary. Of course, the actual distance the bullet should hit above the point of aim at 100 yards (or 100 meters, which is about 108 yards) varies with the individual caliber and load.
The table below is designed to serve as a starting point from which a shooter can work. Used as such it can save a lot of trial and error experimentation. Of course, no trajectory table can possibly cover all loads for all calibers in all rifles. So after sighting-in, always check your individual rifle at various ranges to see how close its trajectory comes to the published data. (It may well vary.) This trajectory table can also serve as a comparative tool, allowing the reader to compare the trajectories of different cartridges or loads.
The trajectories in the table below were calculated for a maximum bullet rise of 1.5 inches above the line of sight for all small game and varmint loads, and three inches above the line of sight for all big game loads. In ballistics catalogs the point of maximum bullet rise is often called the mid-range trajectory, or sometimes the maximum ordinate. In the table below I used the term "mid-range trajectory," abbreviated "MRT."
A maximum bullet rise of 1.5 inches is appropriate for shooting small animals, as they present a small target, particularly if head shots are necessary. Allowing a greater mid-range trajectory might result in shooting over an animal at an intermediate distance.
A maximum rise of 3 inches is appropriate for hunting the smaller species of big game, creatures from perhaps 75 pounds to 150 pounds on the hoof, which typically have a kill zone of about 8 inches from top to bottom. More mid-range rise can be accepted when hunting larger animals (a 4 inch MRT might be appropriate when hunting mule deer, for example), but if a mixed bag hunt for larger and smaller species is envisioned, then the 3 inch rise used for this table is probably safer. A 3 inch MRT also allows for a little bit of human error, which is probably a good thing when shooting in the field.
The Maximum Point Blank Range (MPBR), which is shown in the last column of the table below, is the distance at which the bullet falls 3 inches below the line of sight. Thus between the muzzle and the distance given as the MPBR, the bullet never strays more than 3 inches above or below the line of sight (1.5 inches for varmint loads).
Most of the loads below are similar to popular factory loads for the selected cartridges. All trajectories were calculated for a rifle with a low mounted telescopic sight of moderate size whose line of sight is 1.5 inches above the bore axis of the barrel. If your scope is not 1.5 inches over the bore, and most scopes with oversize objectives require higher mounts, your trajectory will vary from those given below. All trajectory figures are rounded off to one decimal place. While environmental factors such as altitude and ambient air temperature affect trajectory, their effect is relatively minor. For the record, this table was calculated for an air temperature of 60 degrees F and an altitude of 1000 feet. The following data was taken from various sources including reloading manuals and the online Ballistics Calculator provided by BigGameInfo.
To save space, the following abbreviations are used in the table below: Wb = Weight of bullet (in grains); MV = Muzzle Velocity (in feet per second); BC = Ballistic Coefficient; MRT = Mid-Range Trajectory; yards = yds.; inches = "; MPBR = Maximum Point Blank Range; BT = Ballistic Tip; FP = Flat Point, HP = Hollow Point; RN = Round Nose; Sp = Spitzer; SP = Spire Point; SSp = Semi-Spitzer.
| Cartridge (Wb@MV) | Bullet BC | 100 yds. | 200 yds. | MRT@yds. | MPBR (yds.) |
| .17 HMR (17 SP at 2550) | .123 | +1.5" | -5.5" | 1.5"@100 | 165 |
| .17 Rem. (20 V-MAX at 4200) | .185 | +1.1" | +1.0" | 1.5"@150 | 275 |
| .204 Ruger (33 BT at 4225) | .185 | +1.1" | +1.0" | 1.5"@150 | 275 |
| .218 Bee (45 SP at 2800) | .202 | +1.6" | -1.5" | 1.5"@125 | 200 |
| .22 LR (40 HP at 1255) | .100 | -3.0" | -40.9" | 1.5"@45 | 90 |
| .22 WMR (40 HP at 1910) | .100 | +0.5" | -19.0" | 1.5"@65 | 123 |
| .222 Rem. (50 Sp at 3140) | .220 | +1.4" | -0.4" | 1.5"@118 | 222 |
| .223 Rem. (45 Sp at 3550) | .167 | +1.4" | +0.2" | 1.5"@130 | 235 |
| .223 Rem. (55 SP at 3240) | .235 | +1.4" | +/- 0" | 1.5"@120 | 230 |
| .22-250 Rem. (50 V-MAX at 3700) | .242 | +1.3" | +0.8" | 1.5"@140 | 260 |
| .22-250 Rem. (55 SP at 3600) | .235 | +1.3" | +0.6" | 1.5"@135 | 254 |
| .220 Swift (50 V-MAX at 3800) | .242 | +1.2" | +0.8" | 1.5"@140 | 265 |
| .220 Swift (55 SP at 3800) | .235 | +1.2" | +0.9" | 1.5"@140 | 264 |
| .223 WSSM (55 SP at 3800) | .235 | +1.2" | +0.9" | 1.5"@140 | 264 |
| .243 Win. (80 Sp at 3350) | .255 | +1.3" | +0.2" | 1.5"@125 | 237 |
| .243 Win. (95 BT at 3100)* | .379 | +2.5" | +2.3" | 3"@150 | 300 |
| .243 Win. (100 Sp at 2960) | .351 | +2.6" | +1.9" | 3"@140 | 283 |
| 6mm Rem. (100 Sp at 3100) | .351 | +2.5" | +2.2" | 3"@150 | 296 |
| .243 WSSM (100 Sp at 3100) | .351 | +2.5" | +2.2" | 3"@150 | 296 |
| 6x62mm Freres (100 Sp at 3300) | .351 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@150 | 312 |
| .240 Wby. Mag. (100 Sp at 3400) | .351 | +2.4" | +2.6" | 3"@160 | 322 |
| .25-20 Win. (86 FP at 1460) | .190 | +1.7" | -19.1" | 3"@65 | 139 |
| .25-35 Win. (117 RN at 2300) | .238 | +2.9" | -1.7" | 3"@108 | 212 |
| .250 Sav. (100 Sp at 2820) | .336 | +2.7" | +1.6" | 3"@125 | 270 |
| .257 Roberts (100 Sp at 3000) | .336 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@150 | 286 |
| .257 Roberts (120 Sp at 2780) | .391 | +2.7" | +1.6" | 3"@125 | 271 |
| .25 WSSM (120 Sp at 2990) | .391 | +2.5" | +2.0" | 3"@145 | 291 |
| .25-06 Rem. (100 Sp at 3210) | .336 | +2.5" | +2.4" | 3"@150 | 305 |
| .25-06 Rem. (120 Sp at 2990) | .391 | +2.5" | +2.0" | 3"@145 | 291 |
| .257 Wby. Mag. (100 Sp at 3600) | .336 | +2.2" | +2.8" | 3"@175 | 337 |
| .257 Wby. Mag. (120 Sp at 3305) | .391 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@155 | 317 |
| 6.5x55 (125 NP at 2875) | .449 | +2.6" | +1.9" | 3"@135 | 284 |
| 6.5x55 (140 Sp at 2645) | .435 | +2.7" | +1.2" | 3"@125 | 260 |
| .260 Rem. (120 Sp at 2890) | .433 | +2.6" | +1.9" | 3"@135 | 284 |
| .260 Rem. (140 Sp at 2750) | .435 | +2.7" | +1.6" | 3"@125 | 271 |
| 6.5-284 Norma (140 PSP at 2900) | .435 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@140 | 286 |
| 6.5mm Rem. Mag. (120 Sp at 3210) | .433 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@150 | 312 |
| 6.5mm Rem. Mag. (140 PSP at 2900) | .435 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@140 | 286 |
| 6.5x68 S (140 Sp at 2990) | .435 | +2.6" | +2.1" | 3"@150 | 294 |
| .264 Win. Mag. (120 Sp at 3300) | .433 | +2.4" | +2.6" | 3"@160 | 321 |
| .264 Win. Mag. (140 Sp at 3100) | .435 | +2.5" | +2.3" | 3"@150 | 303 |
| 6.8mm Rem. SPC (110 BTSP at 2500) | .360 | +2.9" | +0.5" | 3"@125 | 243 |
| 6.8mm Rem. SPC (115 Sp at 2800) | .325 | +2.6" | +1.3" | 3"@130 | 267 |
| .270 Win. (130 Sp at 3140) | .416 | +2.5" | +2.4" | 3"@150 | 305 |
| .270 Win. (140 AB at 2950) | .496 | +2.6" | +2.1" | 3"@140 | 293 |
| .270 Win. (150 Sp at 2900) | .481 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@138 | 287 |
| .270 WSM (130 Sp at 3206) | .416 | +2.4" | +2.4" | 3"@150 | 311 |
| .270 WSM (150 Sp at 3150) | .481 | +2.5" | +2.4" | 3"@150 | 311 |
| .270 Wby. Mag. (130 Sp at 3375) | .416 | +2.3" | +2.6" | 3"@150 | 326 |
| .270 Wby. Mag. (150 Sp at 3245) | .481 | +2.4" | +2.6" | 3"@160 | 320 |
| 7x57 (140 BT at 2660) | .485 | +2.7" | +1.3" | 3"@125 | 264 |
| 7x57 (175 Sp at 2540) | .519 | +2.8" | +1.0" | 3"@125 | 256 |
| 7mm-08 Rem. (120 Sp at 3000) | .343 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@140 | 287 |
| 7mm-08 Rem. (140 BT at 2860) | .485 | +2.6" | +1.9" | 3"@140 | 285 |
| 7x64 (140 BT at 3000) | .485 | +2.6" | +2.2" | 3"@150 | 298 |
| .280 Rem. (140 BT at 3000) | .485 | +2.6" | +2.2" | 3"@150 | 298 |
| .280 Rem. (160 Sp at 2890) | .475 | +2.6" | +1.9" | 3"@140 | 287 |
| 7mm SAUM (150 Sp at 3110) | .456 | +2.5" | +2.3" | 3"@150 | 305 |
| 7mm WSM (150 Sp at 3200) | .456 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@150 | 314 |
| 7mm Rem. Mag. (140 BT at 3150) | .485 | +2.5" | +2.4" | 3"@150 | 310 |
| 7mm Rem. Mag. (150 Sp at 3110) | .456 | +2.5" | +2.3" | 3"@150 | 305 |
| 7mm Rem. Mag. (160 Sp at 2950) | .475 | +2.6" | +2.1" | 3"@140 | 292 |
| 7mm Wby. Mag. (154 SP at 3260) | .433 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@150 | 317 |
| 7mm Wby. Mag. (160 Sp at 3200) | .475 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@150 | 314 |
| 7mm STW (160 Sp at 3185) | .475 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@150 | 313 |
| 7mm Ultra Mag (160 Sp at 3200) | .475 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@150 | 314 |
| .30 Carbine (110 RN at 1990) | .144 | +2.8" | -8.2" | 3"@85 | 171 |
| .30-30 Win. (150 FP at 2390) | .268 | +2.9" | -0.6" | 3"@110 | 225 |
| .30-30 Win. (160 Evo at 2400) | .330 | +2.9" | -0.2" | 3"@110 | 232 |
| .30-30 Win. (170 FP at 2200) | .304 | +2.9" | -1.8" | 3"@105 | 211 |
| .300 Sav. (150 BT at 2630) | .435 | +2.8" | +1.2" | 3"@125 | 259 |
| .307 Win. (150 FP at 2600) | .268 | +2.8" | +0.5" | 3"@120 | 243 |
| .308 Marlin (160 EVO at 2660)* | .400 | +2.8" | +1.2" | 3"@130 | 261 |
| .308 Win. (150 BT at 2800) | .435 | +2.7" | +1.7" | 3"@135 | 275 |
| .308 Win. (165 Sp at 2700) | .410 | +2.7" | +1.3" | 3"@130 | 264 |
| .308 Win. (180 Sp at 2610) | .483 | +2.8" | +1.2" | 3"@125 | 259 |
| .30-06 (150 BT at 2910) | .435 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@145 | 287 |
| .30-06 (165 Sp at 2800) | .410 | +2.7" | +1.7" | 3"@135 | 273 |
| .30-06 (180 Sp at 2700) | .483 | +2.7" | +1.5" | 3"@125 | 269 |
| .300 SAUM (165 Sp at 3075) | .410 | +2.5" | +2.3" | 3"@145 | 300 |
| .300 WSM (150 BT at 3300) | .435 | +2.4" | +2.6" | 3"@150 | 321 |
| .300 WSM (180 Sp at 2970) | .483 | +2.6" | +2.2" | 3"@150 | 294 |
| .300 Win. Mag. (150 BT at 3300) | .435 | +2.4" | +2.6" | 3"@150 | 321 |
| .300 Win. Mag. (165 Sp at 3120) | .410 | +2.5" | +2.3" | 3"@145 | 303 |
| .300 Win. Mag. (180 Sp at 3070) | .483 | +2.5" | +2.3" | 3"@150 | 303 |
| .300 H&H Mag. (180 Sp at 2880) | .483 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@140 | 286 |
| .300 Wby. Mag. (150 BT at 3540) | .435 | +2.2" | +2.8" | 3"@170 | 343 |
| .300 Wby. Mag. (180 Sp at 3250) | .483 | +2.4" | +2.6" | 3"@155 | 320 |
| .300 Ultra Mag (180 Sp at 3250) | .483 | +2.4" | +2.6" | 3"@155 | 320 |
| .30-378 Wby. Mag. (180 Sp at 3420) | .483 | +2.3" | +2.7" | 3"@160 | 336 |
| 7.62x39 (123 Sp at 2365) | .292 | +2.9" | -0.5" | 3"@110 | 225 |
| .303 British (150 Sp at 2723) | .411 | +2.8" | +1.5" | 3"@130 | 267 |
| .303 British (180 RN at 2460) | .328 | +2.9" | +0.1" | 3"@115 | 237 |
| 7.65x53 (180 RN at 2400) | .328 | +2.9" | +0.4" | 3"@115 | 241 |
| .32 Spec. (170 FP at 2250) | .297 | +3.0" | -1.3" | 3"@105 | 215 |
| 8x57JS (150 Sp at 2900) | .369 | +2.6" | +1.9" | 3"@135 | 280 |
| 8x57JS (200 Sp at 2650) | .426 | +2.8" | +1.2" | 3"@125 | 260 |
| .325 WSM (180 Sp at 2975) | .394 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@140 | 289 |
| .325 WSM (220 Sp at 2840) | .383 | +2.7" | +1.7" | 3"@130 | 276 |
| 8x68 S (150 Sp at 3300) | .369 | +2.4" | +2.5" | 3"@150 | 316 |
| 8x68S (220 Sp at 2800) | .448 | +2.7" | +1.7" | 3"@135 | 277 |
| 8mm Rem. Mag. (200 Sp at 2900) | .426 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@138 | 284 |
| .338 Marlin Express (200 FTX at 2565)* | .430 | +2.8" | +0.9" | 3"@125 | 254 |
| .338 Federal (180 BT at 2830) | .372 | +2.7" | +1.6" | 3"@135 | 274 |
| .338 Federal (200 Sp at 2400) | .448 | +2.9" | +0.3" | 3"@115 | 240 |
| .338 Federal (210 Sp at 2630) | .400 | +2.8" | +1.1" | 3"@120 | 258 |
| .338-06 (200 BT at 2800) | .414 | +2.7" | +1.7" | 3"@135 | 274 |
| .338 Win. Mag. (200 BT at 2960) | .414 | +2.6" | +2.1" | 3"@150 | 289 |
| .338 Win. Mag. (225 Sp at 2780)* | .454 | +2.7" | +1.8" | 3"@138 | 274 |
| .338 Win. Mag. (250 Sp at 2700) | .473 | +2.7" | +1.4" | 3"@126 | 268 |
| .338 Ultra Mag (250 Sp at 2860) | .473 | +2.7" | +1.9" | 3"@140 | 285 |
| .338 Lapua Mag. (225 Sp at 3000) | .454 | +2.6" | +2.2" | 3"@150 | 296 |
| .338-378 Wby. Mag. (250 Sp at 3000) | .473 | +2.6" | +2.2" | 3"@150 | 297 |
| .340 Wby. Mag. (250 Sp at 2941) | .473 | +2.6" | +2.1" | 3"@150 | 291 |
| .348 Win (200 FP at 2520) | .246 | +2.9" | -0.1" | 3"@115 | 233 |
| .357 Mag. (158 FP at 1830) | .158 | +2.7" | -10.5" | 3"@85 | 163 |
| .35 Rem. (200 RN at 2080) | .180 | +2.9" | -5.1" | 3"@93 | 186 |
| .356 Win. (200 RN at 2400) | .180 | +2.9" | -1.8" | 3"@108 | 211 |
| .358 Win. (200 Sp at 2520) | .295 | +2.9" | +0.3" | 3"@115 | 239 |
| .35 Whelen (200 Sp at 2700) | .295 | +2.8" | +1.0" | 3"@125 | 254 |
| .350 Rem. Mag. (200 Sp at 2775) | .295 | +2.7" | +1.3" | 3"@125 | 260 |
| .350 Rem. Mag. (225 NP at 2550) | .430 | +2.8" | +0.8" | 3"@120 | 253 |
| .350 Rem. Mag. (250 SP at 2500) | .409 | +2.8" | +0.5" | 3"@120 | 246 |
| 9.3x62 (270 SSp at 2550) | .361 | +2.8" | +0.7" | 3"@125 | 247 |
| 9.3x62 (286 SP-RP at 2360) | .410 | +3.0" | +/- 0" | 3"@110 | 234 |
| 9.3x74R (286 SP-RP at 2360) | .410 | +3.0" | +/- 0" | 3"@110 | 234 |
| .375 Win. (220 FP at 2012) | .231 | +2.9" | -4.7" | 3"@91 | 187 |
| .375 H&H Mag. (270 SP at 2690) | .380 | +2.7" | +1.3" | 3"@130 | 260 |
| .375 H&H Mag. (300 Sp at 2550) | .398 | +2.8" | +0.8" | 3"@125 | 250 |
| .375 Wby. Mag. (300 Sp at 2800) | .398 | +2.7" | +1.7" | 3"@125 | 273 |
| .375 Ultra Mag (300 SP at 2800) | .398 | +2.7" | +1.7" | 3"@125 | 273 |
| .376 Steyr (270 SP at 2550) | .380 | +2.8" | +0.7" | 3"@115 | 248 |
| .378 Wby. Mag. (300 Sp at 2935) | .398 | +2.6" | +2.0" | 3"@140 | 285 |
| .404 Jeffery (400 RN at 2150) | .322 | +3.0" | -2.1" | 3"@100 | 207 |
| .405 Win. (300 FP at 2200) | .225 | +2.9" | -2.8" | 3"@100 | 203 |
| .416 Rigby (400 RN at 2400) | .316 | +2.9" | -0.1" | 3"@115 | 231 |
| .416 Rem. Mag. (400 RN at 2400) | .316 | +2.9" | -0.1" | 3"@115 | 231 |
| .416 Wby. Mag. (400 RN at 2650) | .316 | +2.8" | +0.9" | 3"@125 | 253 |
| .44 Rem. Mag. (240 FP at 1760) | .165 | +2.6" | -11.6" | 3"@75 | 159 |
| .44 Rem. Mag. (275 FP at 1580) | .199 | +2.2" | -14.7" | 3"@75 | 149 |
| .444 Marlin (240 FP at 2350) | .165 | +3.0" | -2.6" | 3"@100 | 203 |
| .444 Marlin (265 RN at 2200) | .191 | +3.0" | -3.3" | 3"@100 | 197 |
| .45-70 (300 HP at 1800) | .197 | +2.7" | -9.2" | 3"@85 | 166 |
| .45-70 (350 RN at 1900) | .189 | +2.9" | -7.6" | 3"@85 | 174 |
| .45-70 (405 FP at 1330) | .214 | +1.3" | -22.9" | 3"@65 | 131 |
| .450 Marlin (350 RN at 2100) | .189 | +3.0" | -4.5" | 3"@100 | 189 |
| .458 Win. Mag. (350 RN at 2100) | .189 | +3.0" | -4.5" | 3"@100 | 189 |
| .458 Win. Mag. (500 RN at 2100) | .295 | +3.0" | -2.9" | 3"@100 | 200 |
| .458 Lott (500 RN at 2300) | .295 | +2.9" | -1.0" | 3"@110 | 219 |
| .460 Wby. Mag. (500 RN at 2600) | .295 | +2.8" | +0.6" | 3"@116 | 246 |
| .470 N.E. (500 RN at 2150) | .321 | +3.0" | -2.1" | 3"@100 | 207 |
| .480 Ruger (325 FN at 1450) | .150 | +1.5" | -22.1" | 3"@68 | 134 |
| .50 BMG (750 Sp at 2700) | 1.07 | +2.6" | +1.8" | 3"@135 | 281 |
