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.

For an expanded version of this table

showing more loads, including British,
European, wildcat, obsolescent American
and proprietary calibers, see the "Expanded
Rifle Trajectory Table" on the Tables, Charts
and Lists Page.

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 Bullet 100 200 MPBR

MRT@yds.
(Wb@MV) BC yds. yds. (yds.)
.17 HMR
(17 SP at .123 +1.5" -5.5" 1.5"@100 165
2550)
.17 Mach
IV (20 V-
.185 +1.2" +0.8" 1.5"@140 260
MAX at
4000)
.17 Rem.
(20 V-MAX .185 +1.1" +1.0" 1.5"@150 275
at 4200)
.204 Ruger
(33 BT at .185 +1.1" +1.0" 1.5"@150 275
4225)
.218 Bee
(45 SP at .202 +1.6" -1.5" 1.5"@125 200
2800)
.219 Zipper
+/-
(60 SP at .264 +1.4" 1.5"@120 230
0"
3200)
.22 LR (40 .100 -3.0" - 1.5"@45 90
HP at 1255) 40.9"
.22 WMR
-
(40 HP at .100 +0.5" 1.5"@65 123
19.0"
1910)
.22 Hornet
(45 Sp at .191 +1.5" -2.5" 1.5"@100 188
2690)
.22 K-
Hornet (45 .202 +1.6" -1.5" 1.5"@125 200
SP at 2800)
.221
Fireball (50 .238 +1.4" -0.7" 1.5"@116 214
BT at 2995)
.22 PPC (50 +/-
.254 +1.4" 1.5"@125 230
Sp at 3200) 0"
.222 Rem.
(50 Sp at .220 +1.4" -0.4" 1.5"@118 222
3140)
.223 Rem.
(45 Sp at .167 +1.4" +0.2" 1.5"@130 235
3550)
.223 Rem.
+/-
(55 SP at .235 +1.4" 1.5"@120 230
0"
3240)
.222 Rem.
+/-
Mag. (55 .235 +1.4" 1.5"@120 230
0"
SP at 3240)
5.6x50
+/-
Mag. (60 .264 +1.4" 1.5"@120 230
0"
SP at 3200)
.225 Win..
(55 SP at .235 +1.4" +0.5" 1.5"@130 245
3500)
.224 Wby.
(55 SP at .235 +1.3" +0.6" 1.5"@135 254
3600)
.22-250
Rem. (50
.242 +1.3" +0.8" 1.5"@140 260
V-MAX at
3700)
.22-250
Rem. (55 .235 +1.3" +0.6" 1.5"@135 254
SP at 3600)
.220 Swift
(50 V-MAX .242 +1.2" +0.8" 1.5"@140 265
at 3800)
.220 Swift
(55 SP at .235 +1.2" +0.9" 1.5"@140 264
3800)
.223 WSSM
(55 SP at .235 +1.2" +0.9" 1.5"@140 264
3800)
.224 TTH
(70 Sp at .290 +2.2" +2.7" 3"@165 333
3650)
5.6x52R (70
.288 +2.7" +1.2" 3"@125 260
Sp at 2777)
.243 Win.
(80 Sp at .255 +1.3" +0.2" 1.5"@125 237
3350)
.243 Win.
(95 BT at .379 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 300
3100)*
.243 Win.
(100 Sp at .351 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 283
2960)
6mm Rem.
(100 Sp at .351 +2.5" +2.2" 3"@150 296
3100)
.243 WSSM
(100 Sp at .351 +2.5" +2.2" 3"@150 296
3100)
.240 Apex
(100 Sp at .351 +2.6" +1.8" 3"@135 278
2900)
6x62mm
Freres (100 .351 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 312
Sp at 3300)
.240 Wby.
Mag. (100 .351 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 322
Sp at 3400)
.244 H&H
Mag. (100 .351 +2.3" +2.7" 3"@165 330
Sp at 3500)
.25-20 Win. -
.190 +1.7" 3"@65 139
(86 FP at 19.1"
1460)
.25-35 Win.
(117 RN at .238 +2.9" -1.7" 3"@108 212
2300)
.250 Sav.
(100 Sp at .336 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 270
2820)
.257
Roberts
.336 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@150 286
(100 Sp at
3000)
.257
Roberts
.391 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 271
(120 Sp at
2780)
.257 Rob.
Imp. (115 .453 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 286
BT at 2900)
.25 WSSM
(120 Sp at .391 +2.5" +2.0" 3"@145 291
2990)
.25-06 Rem.
(100 Sp at .336 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 305
3210)
.25-06 Rem.
(120 Sp at .391 +2.5" +2.0" 3"@145 291
2990)
.257 Wby.
Mag. (100 .336 +2.2" +2.8" 3"@175 337
Sp at 3600)
.257 Wby.
Mag. (120 .391 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@155 317
Sp at 3305)
6.5x54 (140
PSP at .435 +2.9" +0.2" 3"@115 238
2400)
6.5x55 (125
.449 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@135 284
NP at 2875)
6.5x55 (140
.435 +2.7" +1.2" 3"@125 260
Sp at 2645)
6.5x57 (140
.465 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@130 272
SP at 2740)
.260 Rem. .433 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@135 284
(120 Sp at
2890)
.260 Rem.
(140 Sp at .435 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 271
2750)
6.5-284
Norma (140
.435 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 286
PSP at
2900)
6.5mm
Rem. Mag.
.433 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 312
(120 Sp at
3210)
6.5mm
Rem. Mag.
.435 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 286
(140 PSP at
2900)
6.5x65
RWS (127 .449 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 323
Sp at 3313)
6.5x68 S
(140 Sp at .435 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 294
2990)
.264 Win.
Mag. (120 .433 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 321
Sp at 3300)
.264 Win.
Mag. (140 .435 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 303
Sp at 3100)
6.8mm
Rem. SPC
.360 +2.9" +0.5" 3"@125 243
(110 BTSP
at 2500)
6.8mm
Rem. SPC
.325 +2.6" +1.3" 3"@130 267
(115 Sp at
2800)
.270 Win.
(130 Sp at .416 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 305
3140)
.270 Win.
(140 AB at .496 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@140 293
2950)
.270 Win.
(150 Sp at .481 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@138 287
2900)
.270 WSM
(130 Sp at .416 +2.4" +2.4" 3"@150 311
3206)
.270 WSM
(150 Sp at .481 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 311
3150)
.270 Wby.
Mag. (130 .416 +2.3" +2.6" 3"@150 326
Sp at 3375)
.270 Wby.
Mag. (150 .481 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 320
Sp at 3245)
7-30 Waters
(120 FP at .195 +2.9" +0.4" 3"@125 238
2700)
7x57 (140
.485 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 264
BT at 2660)
7x57 (175
.519 +2.8" +1.0" 3"@125 256
Sp at 2540)
7mm-08
Rem. (120 .343 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 287
Sp at 3000)
7mm-08
Rem. (140 .485 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 285
BT at 2860)
7x64 (140
.485 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 298
BT at 3000)
7x65R (175
.465 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 262
Sp at 2650)
.284 Win.
(150 Sp at .456 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@130 272
2750)
.280 Rem.
(140 BT at .485 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 298
3000)
.280 Rem.
(160 Sp at .475 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 287
2890)
7mm
.456 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 305
SAUM (150
Sp at 3110)
7mm WSM
(150 Sp at .456 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
3200)
.275 H&H
Mag. (160 .475 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@145 301
Sp at 3050)
7x61 S&H
(154 SP at .433 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 300
3060)
7mm Rem.
Mag. (140 .485 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 310
BT at 3150)
7mm Rem.
Mag. (150 .456 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 305
Sp at 3110)
7mm Rem.
Mag. (160 .475 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@140 292
Sp at 2950)
7mm Wby.
Mag. (154 .433 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 317
SP at 3260)
7mm Wby.
Mag. (160 .475 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
Sp at 3200)
7mm STW
(160 Sp at .475 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 313
3185)
7mm Ultra
Mag (160 .475 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
Sp at 3200)
7.5x55 (180
.431 +2.8" +0.9" 3"@125 252
Sp at 2566)
.30 Carbine
(110 RN at .144 +2.8" -8.2" 3"@85 171
1990)
.30-30 Win.
(150 FP at .268 +2.9" -0.6" 3"@110 225
2390)
.30-30 Win.
(160 Evo at .330 +2.9" -0.2" 3"@110 232
2400)
.30-30 Win. .304 +2.9" -1.8" 3"@105 211
(170 FP at
2200)
.300 Sav.
(150 BT at .435 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 259
2630)
.307 Win.
(150 FP at .268 +2.8" +0.5" 3"@120 243
2600)
.308 Marlin
(160 EVO .400 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@130 261
at 2660)*
.308 Win.
(150 BT at .435 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 275
2800)
.308 Win.
(165 Sp at .410 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@130 264
2700)
.308 Win.
(180 Sp at .483 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 259
2610)
.30-06 (150
.435 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@145 287
BT at 2910)
.30-06 (165
.410 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 273
Sp at 2800)
.30-06 (180
.483 +2.7" +1.5" 3"@125 269
Sp at 2700)
.300 SAUM
(165 Sp at .410 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@145 300
3075)
.300 WSM
(150 BT at .435 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@150 321
3300)
.300 WSM
(180 Sp at .483 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 294
2970)
.308 Norma
Mag. (150 .435 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@150 321
BT at 3300)
.300 Win.
Mag. (150 .435 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@150 321
BT at 3300)
.300 Win.
.410 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@145 303
Mag. (165
Sp at 3120)
.300 Win.
Mag. (180 .483 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 303
Sp at 3070)
.300 H&H
Mag. (180 .483 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 286
Sp at 2880)
.300 Wby.
Mag. (150 .435 +2.2" +2.8" 3"@170 343
BT at 3540)
.300 Wby.
Mag. (180 .483 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@155 320
Sp at 3250)
.300 Ultra
Mag (180 .483 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@155 320
Sp at 3250)
.30-378
Wby. Mag.
.483 +2.3" +2.7" 3"@160 336
(180 Sp at
3420)
7.62x39
(123 Sp at .292 +2.9" -0.5" 3"@110 225
2365)
.303 British
(150 Sp at .411 +2.8" +1.5" 3"@130 267
2723)
.303 British
(180 RN at .328 +2.9" +0.1" 3"@115 237
2460)
7.65x53
(180 RN at .328 +2.9" +0.4" 3"@115 241
2400)
.32 Spec.
(170 FP at .297 +3.0" -1.3" 3"@105 215
2250)
8x56 M-S
(200 RN at .253 +3.0" -2.6" 3"@100 202
2170)
8x57JS
(150 Sp at .369 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@135 280
2900)
8x57JS
.426 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 260
(200 Sp at
2650)
.325 WSM
(180 Sp at .394 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 289
2975)
.325 WSM
(220 Sp at .383 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@130 276
2840)
8x68S (150
.369 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 316
Sp at 3300)
8x68S (220
.448 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 277
Sp at 2800)
8mm Rem.
Mag. (200 .426 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@138 284
Sp at 2900)
.338-57
O'Connor
.200 +2.9" -0.3" 3"@110 214
(200 FP at
2400)
.338 Marlin
Express
.430 +2.8" +0.9" 3"@125 254
(200 FTX at
2565)*
.338 Federal
(180 BT at .372 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@135 274
2830)
.338 Federal
(200 Sp at .448 +2.9" +0.3" 3"@115 240
2400)
.338 Federal
(210 Sp at .400 +2.8" +1.1" 3"@120 258
2630)
.338-06
(200 BT at .414 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 274
2800)
.338 Win.
Mag. (200 .414 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 289
BT at 2960)
.338 Win.
Mag. (225
.454 +2.7" +1.8" 3"@138 274
Sp at
2780)*
.338 Win.
.473 +2.7" +1.4" 3"@126 268
Mag. (250
Sp at 2700)
.340 Wby.
Mag. (250 .473 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 291
Sp at 2941)
.338 Ultra
Mag (250 .473 +2.7" +1.9" 3"@140 285
Sp at 2860)
.338 Lapua
Mag. (225 .454 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 296
Sp at 3000)
.338-378
Wby. Mag.
.473 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 297
(250 Sp at
3000)
.348 Win
(200 FP at .246 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 233
2520)
.357 Mag.
-
(158 FP at .158 +2.7" 3"@85 163
10.5"
1830)
.35 Rem.
(200 RN at .180 +2.9" -5.1" 3"@93 186
2080)
.356 Win.
(200 RN at .180 +2.9" -1.8" 3"@108 211
2400)
.358 Win.
(200 Sp at .295 +2.9" +0.3" 3"@115 239
2520)
.35 Whelen
(200 Sp at .295 +2.8" +1.0" 3"@125 254
2700)
.350 Rem.
Mag. (200 .295 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 260
Sp at 2775)
.350 Rem.
Mag. (225 .430 +2.8" +0.8" 3"@120 253
NP at 2550)
.350 Rem.
Mag. (250 .409 +2.8" +0.5" 3"@120 246
SP at 2500)
.358 Norma
.409 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@125 274
Mag. (250
SP at 2800)
9.3x62 (270
SSp at .361 +2.8" +0.7" 3"@125 247
2550)
9.3x62 (286
+/-
SP-RP at .410 +3.0" 3"@110 234
0"
2360)
9.3x74R
(250 BT at .494 +2.8" +1.0" 3"@125 256
2550)
9.3x74R
+/-
(286 SP-RP .410 +3.0" 3"@110 234
0"
at 2360)
.375 Win.
(220 FP at .231 +2.9" -4.7" 3"@91 187
2012)
.375 H&H
Mag. (270 .380 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@130 260
SP at 2690)
.375 H&H
Mag. (300 .398 +2.8" +0.8" 3"@125 250
Sp at 2550)
.375 Wby.
Mag. (300 .398 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@125 273
Sp at 2800)
.375 Ultra
Mag (300 .398 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@125 273
SP at 2800)
.376 Steyr
(270 SP at .380 +2.8" +0.7" 3"@115 248
2550)
.378 Wby.
Mag. (300 .398 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 285
Sp at 2935)
.404 Jeffery
(400 RN at .322 +3.0" -2.1" 3"@100 207
2150)
.405 Win.
(300 FP at .225 +2.9" -2.8" 3"@100 203
2200)
.416 Rem.
Mag. (400 .316 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 231
RN at 2400)
.416 Rigby
(400 RN at .316 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 231
2400)
.416 Wby.
Mag. (400 .316 +2.8" +0.9" 3"@125 253
RN at 2650)
.44 Rem.
-
Mag. (240 .165 +2.6" 3"@75 159
11.6"
FP at 1760)
.44 Rem.
-
Mag. (275 .199 +2.2" 3"@75 149
14.7"
FP at 1580)
.444 Marlin
(240 FP at .165 +3.0" -2.6" 3"@100 203
2350)
.444 Marlin
(265 RN at .191 +3.0" -3.3" 3"@100 197
2200)
.45 Colt
-
(250 FP at .146 +1.7" 3"@68 136
20.6"
1500)
.45-70 (300
.197 +2.7" -9.2" 3"@85 166
HP at 1800)
.45-70 (350
.189 +2.9" -7.6" 3"@85 174
RN at 1900)
.45-70 (405 -
.214 +1.3" 3"@65 131
FP at 1330) 22.9"
.450 Marlin
(350 RN at .189 +3.0" -4.5" 3"@100 189
2100)
.458 Win.
Mag. (350 .189 +3.0" -4.5" 3"@100 189
RN at 2100)
.458 Win.
Mag. (500 .295 +3.0" -2.9" 3"@100 200
RN at 2100)
.458 Lott
(500 RN at .295 +2.9" -1.0" 3"@110 219
2300)
.460 Wby.
Mag. (500 .295 +2.8" +0.6" 3"@116 246
RN at 2600)
.470 N.E. .321 +3.0" -2.1" 3"@100 207
(500 RN at
2150)
.480 Ruger
-
(325 FN at .150 +1.5" 3"@68 134
22.1"
1450)
.50 BMG
(750 Sp at 1.07 +2.6" +1.8" 3"@135 281
2700)