Load A · 6.5 Creedmoor
2,454 J
728 m/s · 78.2% of muzzle energy
143 gr ELD-X · Hornady Precision HunterMuzzle: 3,138 J
Within Range · Free reference library
Ballistic Energy Charts
Understand what a load retains.
Explore what a rifle gives back.
Compare actual factory ammunition, inspect the evidence and take a clear reference with you.
Find your cartridge · search the catalogue
Common hunting cartridges
Search aliases identify catalogue entries, never ammunition interchangeability. “6.5” is a search, not a specific cartridge.
Choose the evidence
Cartridge comparison
Every curve belongs to a named load. These examples compare the stated ammunition only; different bullets and factory loads can change the result.
Rifle mass includes optics and accessories. Factory powder charges are not published in these specifications. Optional powder inputs are your disclosed sensitivity scenarios; they are not factory data or load-development instructions. Blank means recoil is unavailable. Powder and rifle inputs always use grains and kg.
01 · In flight
Retained ballistic energy
A · 6.5 Creedmoor · 143 grB · 7mm PRC · 175 gr
Drag the distance control, use its arrow keys, or tap the chart. Modelled values are rounded for reading. No extrapolation beyond 400 m.
Load B · 7mm PRC
3,841 J
823 m/s · 81.0% of muzzle energy
175 gr ELD-X · Hornady Precision HunterMuzzle: 4,741 J
7mm PRC (175 gr Precision Hunter) differs from Load A by +1,387 J (+56.5%) at 200 m; at 400 m the difference is +62.5%.
02 · At the rifle
Estimated free recoil
Calculated only with an explicit powder-mass input. Adjust each rifle above to explore its influence.
A · 6.5 Creedmoor3.5 kg · powder charge not suppliedFree recoil unavailable
B · 7mm PRC3.5 kg · powder charge not suppliedFree recoil unavailable
Recoil differences are unavailable until powder charges are supplied for both loads.
Manufacturer powder charges are not published in the reviewed load specifications. No factory recoil numbers are inferred. At unchanged ammunition momentum, raising rifle mass from 3 to 4 kg lowers both free recoil energy and velocity by 25%.
This model does not estimate perceived recoil or muzzle-device effects. The recoil result does not change with target distance.
Inspect the numbers
Quick-reference tables
Calculated at exact 50 m intervals from the same velocity samples used by the chart. Imperial display converts those same distances.
| Distance | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| 0 m | 823 m/s | 3,138 J |
| 50 m | 799 m/s | 2,955 J |
| 100 m | 775 m/s | 2,780 J |
| 150 m | 751 m/s | 2,613 J |
| 200 m | 728 m/s | 2,454 J |
| 250 m | 705 m/s | 2,303 J |
| 300 m | 683 m/s | 2,159 J |
| 350 m | 661 m/s | 2,023 J |
| 400 m | 639 m/s | 1,893 J |
| Distance | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| 0 m | 914 m/s | 4,741 J |
| 50 m | 891 m/s | 4,503 J |
| 100 m | 868 m/s | 4,273 J |
| 150 m | 845 m/s | 4,053 J |
| 200 m | 823 m/s | 3,841 J |
| 250 m | 801 m/s | 3,637 J |
| 300 m | 779 m/s | 3,442 J |
| 350 m | 758 m/s | 3,256 J |
| 400 m | 737 m/s | 3,077 J |
Sources & assumptions
Same conditions for every load: 0 m altitude, 15°C, modelled standard pressure, dry air, no wind, horizontal bore. Shared 1 ms RK4 point-mass solver; G7 preferred when published, otherwise G1. Constant BC, interpolated velocity at exact metric distances; energy = ½mv². Reference domain 0–400 m only; no extrapolation. Spin drift and Coriolis are omitted. No barrel-length correction is applied.
Factory test-barrel lengths identify the published test setup. Your rifle may be faster or slower. Comparisons hold atmosphere constant; they do not pretend that all loads were fired from the same barrel. Constant BC is an approximation to drag that varies with velocity and, for some projectiles, twist.
6.5 Creedmoor · Hornady Precision Hunter · 143 gr
Hornady Precision Hunter · SKU 81499
Hornady 143 gr ELD-X · polymer-tipped expanding · manufacturer hunting intent only.
Published muzzle velocity: 823 m/s. Test barrel: 609.6 mm (24.0 in). Constant G7 BC: 0.314; G1 0.623 / G7 0.314.
Manufacturer load specification · Coefficient source
Verified 2026-10-24; publication/revision date not stated. Model check: maximum velocity difference 0.33% at the recorded manufacturer checkpoints (91.44, 457.20 m), using an assumed standard atmosphere. This is a numerical cross-check, not independent firing validation.
Constant BC approximation. Publisher does not specify atmosphere on this product page; standard sea-level conditions are assumed for the fixture check. Velocity and energy below are calculated, not manufacturer-published metric table values.
7mm PRC · Hornady Precision Hunter · 175 gr
Hornady Precision Hunter · SKU 80712
Hornady 175 gr ELD-X · polymer-tipped expanding · manufacturer hunting intent only.
Published muzzle velocity: 914 m/s. Test barrel: 609.6 mm (24.0 in). Constant G7 BC: 0.347; G1 0.689 / G7 0.347.
Manufacturer load specification · Coefficient source
Verified 2026-10-24; publication/revision date not stated. Model check: maximum velocity difference 0.34% at the recorded manufacturer checkpoints (91.44, 457.20 m), using an assumed standard atmosphere. This is a numerical cross-check, not independent firing validation.
Constant BC approximation. Publisher does not specify atmosphere on this product page; standard sea-level conditions are assumed for the fixture check. Velocity and energy below are calculated, not manufacturer-published metric table values.
Printable A4 cards · all supported loads · Individual cards for this selection
Read the trade-offs
Energy and recoil answer different questions
Energy carried downrange
Kinetic energy is ½mv². Velocity matters twice: at unchanged mass, 10% more velocity means 21% more energy. Bullet construction and impact velocity govern terminal behaviour; a higher energy line does not guarantee a humane outcome.
How fast, and how much energy?
Recoil velocity describes the rifle’s rearward speed in this free-motion model. Recoil energy describes its kinetic energy. Conservation of momentum includes both the bullet and propellant gases.
Rifle mass changes the result
For unchanged ammunition momentum, both recoil velocity and energy are inversely proportional to rifle mass. A change from 3 kg to 4 kg gives 25% less of each; these are illustrative masses, not measured factory setups.
Free recoil is not felt recoil
Stock geometry, fit, recoil pad, action, muzzle devices and shooting position affect what you feel. Recoil management can influence repeatability, but these estimates do not measure your capability or assign a confidence rating.
Recoil calculation and evidence
For projectile mass m, muzzle velocity v, powder mass p and rifle mass M: rearward velocity V = (mv + p × 1.75v) / M; free recoil energy = ½MV². All masses are converted to kilograms. The 1.75 gas-velocity factor is SAAMI’s high-powered-rifle approximation, not a measured gas velocity for each load. No brake or suppressor reduction factor is applied.
SAAMI · Gun Recoil — Technical · revision 9 July 2018. Factory powder values remain unavailable. User entries are explicitly labelled scenarios, including in copied, shared and printed results.
Coverage & data gaps
39 cartridges / 50 loads support charts. 5 more cartridges have partial load records or existing physical data that need completion or reconciliation. Other research leads are not counted as load records. The remaining 23 catalogue entries have no approved load curves.
Reference loads include Hornady, Sellier & Bellot and Federal Premium products, including documented European rimmed and rimless hunting cartridges. Further manufacturer loads need individual fixtures and provenance. Unavailable entries are research candidates; their presence does not claim solver validation.
The .308 Winchester 150 gr InterLock load is withheld after a 3.006% manufacturer-velocity discrepancy at 500 yd exceeded the 2% check. Other .308 loads remain available. .300 PRC is withheld here while the existing 212 gr ELD-X coefficient record is reconciled with Hornady’s current twist-dependent values. Existing calculator data is unchanged.
All catalogue entries and support status
- .17 HMR — No approved curve; research pending
- .17 Hornet — No approved curve; research pending
- .22 LR — No approved curve; research pending
- .22 WMR — No approved curve; research pending
- .22 Hornet — No approved curve; research pending
- .204 Ruger — 1 supported load(s)
- .222 Remington — 1 supported load(s)
- .223 Remington — 1 supported load(s)
- .22-250 Remington — 1 supported load(s)
- .243 Winchester — 2 supported load(s)
- 6mm Creedmoor — 1 supported load(s)
- .25-06 Remington — 1 supported load(s)
- 6.5 Creedmoor — 1 supported load(s)
- 6.5 PRC — 1 supported load(s)
- 6.5×55 Swedish — 2 supported load(s)
- .260 Remington — 1 supported load(s)
- .270 Winchester — 1 supported load(s)
- 7mm-08 Remington — 1 supported load(s)
- 7×57 Mauser — 1 supported load(s)
- 7mm Remington Magnum — 2 supported load(s)
- 7mm PRC — 1 supported load(s)
- .280 Remington — 1 supported load(s)
- .280 Ackley Improved — 1 supported load(s)
- .300 Blackout — No approved curve; research pending
- .30-30 Winchester — No approved curve; research pending
- .308 Winchester — 5 supported load(s)
- .30-06 Springfield — 3 supported load(s)
- .303 British — 2 supported load(s)
- .300 WSM — 1 supported load(s)
- .300 Winchester Magnum — 2 supported load(s)
- .300 PRC — No approved curve; research pending
- 8×57 IS — 1 supported load(s)
- .338 Federal — No approved curve; research pending
- .338 Winchester Magnum — No approved curve; research pending
- .35 Whelen — No approved curve; research pending
- 9.3×62 Mauser — 1 supported load(s)
- .375 H&H Magnum — 1 supported load(s)
- .45-70 Government — No approved curve; research pending
- 6mm ARC — 1 supported load(s)
- 6.5 Grendel — 1 supported load(s)
- 7.62×39 — No approved curve; research pending
- 5.56×45 NATO — No approved curve; research pending
- 7.62×51 NATO — No approved curve; research pending
- 8×57 I — No approved curve; research pending
- 8×57 IRS — 1 supported load(s)
- 7×57 R — 1 supported load(s)
- 9.3×74 R — 1 supported load(s)
- 6.5×57 — 1 supported load(s)
- 6.5×57 R — 1 supported load(s)
- 7×64 Brenneke — 1 supported load(s)
- .300 H&H Magnum — No approved curve; research pending
- .257 Roberts — No approved curve; research pending
- .257 Weatherby Magnum — 1 supported load(s)
- .264 Winchester Magnum — No approved curve; research pending
- .218 Bee — No approved curve; research pending
- .220 Swift — No approved curve; research pending
- .450 Marlin — No approved curve; research pending
- .444 Marlin — No approved curve; research pending
- .416 Rigby — No approved curve; research pending
- .416 Remington Magnum — No approved curve; research pending
- .458 Winchester Magnum — No approved curve; research pending
- 7mm Backcountry — 1 supported load(s)
- 8.6 Blackout — No approved curve; research pending
- 25 Creedmoor — 1 supported load(s)
- 7.62×54 R — 1 supported load(s)
- 7×65 R — 1 supported load(s)
- 8×64 S — No approved curve; research pending
Catalogue research uses SAAMI, C.I.P. and manufacturer designations. Unconfirmed candidates are labelled in the catalogue. Similar bore diameters and names do not establish interchangeability.
WITHIN RANGE withinrange.nz · Ballistic reference
Cartridge comparison
Selected distance: 200 m
A · 6.5 Creedmoor · Hornady Precision Hunter 143 gr · #81499
B · 7mm PRC · Hornady Precision Hunter 175 gr · #80712
Load A · 6.5 Creedmoor
2,454 J
728 m/s · 78.2% of muzzle energy
143 gr ELD-X · Hornady Precision HunterMuzzle: 3,138 J
Load B · 7mm PRC
3,841 J
823 m/s · 81.0% of muzzle energy
175 gr ELD-X · Hornady Precision HunterMuzzle: 4,741 J
| Distance | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| 0 m | 823 m/s | 3,138 J |
| 50 m | 799 m/s | 2,955 J |
| 100 m | 775 m/s | 2,780 J |
| 150 m | 751 m/s | 2,613 J |
| 200 m | 728 m/s | 2,454 J |
| 250 m | 705 m/s | 2,303 J |
| 300 m | 683 m/s | 2,159 J |
| 350 m | 661 m/s | 2,023 J |
| 400 m | 639 m/s | 1,893 J |
| Distance | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| 0 m | 914 m/s | 4,741 J |
| 50 m | 891 m/s | 4,503 J |
| 100 m | 868 m/s | 4,273 J |
| 150 m | 845 m/s | 4,053 J |
| 200 m | 823 m/s | 3,841 J |
| 250 m | 801 m/s | 3,637 J |
| 300 m | 779 m/s | 3,442 J |
| 350 m | 758 m/s | 3,256 J |
| 400 m | 737 m/s | 3,077 J |
Free recoil · disclosed input scenarios
A · 6.5 Creedmoor3.5 kg · powder charge not suppliedFree recoil unavailable
B · 7mm PRC3.5 kg · powder charge not suppliedFree recoil unavailable
Recoil differences are unavailable until powder charges are supplied for both loads.
Manufacturer powder charges are not published in the reviewed load specifications. No factory recoil numbers are inferred. At unchanged ammunition momentum, raising rifle mass from 3 to 4 kg lowers both free recoil energy and velocity by 25%.
Same conditions for every load: 0 m altitude, 15°C, modelled standard pressure, dry air, no wind, horizontal bore. Shared 1 ms RK4 point-mass solver; G7 preferred when published, otherwise G1. Constant BC, interpolated velocity at exact metric distances; energy = ½mv². Reference domain 0–400 m only; no extrapolation. Spin drift and Coriolis are omitted. No barrel-length correction is applied.
6.5 Creedmoor: 823 m/s muzzle; 609.6 mm (24.0 in) test barrel; BC G7 0.314. Verified 2026-10-24; source revision not stated; hunting intent. https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/6-5-creedmoor-143-gr-eld-x-precision-hunter · https://www.hornady.com/BC
7mm PRC: 914 m/s muzzle; 609.6 mm (24.0 in) test barrel; BC G7 0.347. Verified 2026-10-24; source revision not stated; hunting intent. https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/7mm-prc-175-gr-eld-x-precision-hunter · https://www.hornady.com/BC
Ballistic reference only. Energy does not establish terminal effectiveness, an ethical distance or a humane outcome. Bullet construction and impact velocity matter. Factory velocity is not a chronograph measurement from your rifle; barrel length, atmosphere and ammunition variation change results. Free recoil is not felt recoil. SAAMI gas approximation: 1.75× muzzle velocity; https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gun-Recoil-Formulae-2018-07-9.pdf
Generated 26 Oct 2026 · Source verification dates are listed above. Original modelled chart, not field-verified DOPE.