Quick Summary: The 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) is one of the flattest-shooting short-action cartridges at the moment. With its 143gr ELD-X load at 2,960 fps and a G1 BC of 0.625, it drops just 12 inches at 300 yards and stays supersonic well past 1,400 yards. This post compiles a full 6.5 PRC ballistics chart from 100 to 1,000 yards – including bullet drop, velocity, retained energy, and wind drift data for the two most popular factory loads.
Understanding the 6.5 PRC trajectory chart is non-negotiable really, if you’re dialing in a hunting rifle for elk season out west or chasing 1,000-yard steel in a Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competition.
That is because a miscalculated drop correction at 600 yards can be the difference between a clean kill and a missed opportunity.
This piece is going to cover more than just the average ballistics. We’ll break down the 6.5 PRC drop chart, velocity chart, energy chart, and wind drift data side by side for both the Hornady Precision Hunter 143gr ELD-X and Hornady Match 147gr ELD Match – the two flagship factory loads in this cartridge. We’ll also cover how zero distance, barrel length, and environmental conditions shift these numbers when you’re out in the field.
What Is the 6.5 PRC?
The 6.5 PRC originated back in 2013 when George Gardner of GA Precision set out to build the ideal cartridge for Precision Rifle Series competition. He needed a cartridge that pushed high-BC 6.5mm bullets fast enough to dominate targets past 1,000 yards while staying under the PRS velocity limit of 3,200 fps. Hornady formalized the design – based on the .300 Ruger Compact Magnum (RCM) case – and introduced it to the public at the 2018 SHOT Show. SAAMI approval also came later that year.
The result was a short-action cartridge with a larger case capacity than the 6.5 Creedmoor (62 gr H₂O vs. 52.5 gr), operating at 65,000 psi SAAMI max pressure. It fires the same 6.5mm (.264″) bullets as the Creedmoor but roughly 200-260 fps faster, producing a meaningfully flatter trajectory and better long-range energy retention.
A Glossary of Key Ballistics
Before starting with the numbers, here’s a quick look at the terms used throughout this post:
- Ballistic Coefficient (BC): A dimensionless number measuring how well a bullet resists aerodynamic drag. Higher BC = flatter trajectory and less wind drift. The 143gr ELD-X has a G1 BC of 0.625; the 147gr ELD Match has a G1 BC of 0.697.
- Bullet Drop: The vertical distance a bullet falls below the line of sight at a given range. Always measured relative to your zero distance.
- Extremely Low Drag (ELD): A Hornady bullet design using a heat-resistant polymer tip and aerodynamic shape to maintain high velocity and accuracy at long ranges.
- Muzzle Velocity (MV): The bullet’s speed as it exits the barrel, measured in feet per second (fps). Higher MV produces a flatter trajectory but increases recoil.
- Retained Energy: The foot-pounds of energy the bullet still carries at a given distance. Hunters favor a minimum of 1,000 ft-lbs for deer and 1,500 ft-lbs for elk.
- Wind Drift: The lateral displacement caused by a crosswind. All wind drift figures in this post assume a 10 mph full-value crosswind at sea level.
- Zero Distance: The range at which your bullet intersects the line of sight. All drop values in this post use a 100-yard zero unless noted otherwise.
6.5 PRC Ballistics Chart | From 100 to 1000 Yards
Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 PRC | 143gr ELD-X (100-Yard Zero)
MV: 2,960 fps | G1 BC: 0.625 | Muzzle Energy: 2,782 ft-lbs | 24″ barrel | Sea level | 59°F | 10 mph crosswind for drift column
| Range (yds) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Bullet Drop (in) | Wind Drift 10mph (in) | Time of Flight (s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2,809 | 2,508 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.105 |
| 200 | 2,663 | 2,252 | -3.1 | 1.9 | 0.215 |
| 300 | 2,521 | 2,016 | -12.0 | 4.3 | 0.330 |
| 400 | 2,382 | 1,801 | -27.5 | 7.9 | 0.452 |
| 500 | 2,247 | 1,603 | -49.8 | 13.2 | 0.581 |
| 600 | 2,116 | 1,421 | -79.4 | 20.3 | 0.718 |
| 700 | 1,988 | 1,254 | -117.6 | 29.3 | 0.864 |
| 800 | 1,863 | 1,102 | -165.9 | 40.2 | 1.020 |
| 900 | 1,742 | 963 | -225.8 | 53.2 | 1.187 |
| 1,000 | 1,624 | 838 | -299.0 | 62.3 | 1.366 |
Key takeaway: The 143gr ELD-X stays supersonic past 1,300 yards and retains 963 ft-lbs at 900 yards – comfortably above the 1,000 ft-lb ethical threshold for whitetail deer hunting.
Hornady Match 6.5 PRC | 147gr ELD Match (100-Yard Zero)
MV: 2,910 fps | G1 BC: 0.697 | Muzzle Energy: 2,764 ft-lbs | 24″ barrel | Sea level | 59°F | 10 mph crosswind for drift column
| Range (yds) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Bullet Drop (in) | Wind Drift 10mph (in) | Time of Flight (s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2,779 | 2,519 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.107 |
| 200 | 2,651 | 2,291 | -3.2 | 1.8 | 0.218 |
| 300 | 2,527 | 2,082 | -12.4 | 4.1 | 0.336 |
| 400 | 2,405 | 1,887 | -27.7 | 7.5 | 0.459 |
| 500 | 2,286 | 1,705 | -49.9 | 12.3 | 0.589 |
| 600 | 2,170 | 1,535 | -79.1 | 18.9 | 0.728 |
| 700 | 2,057 | 1,379 | -116.4 | 27.1 | 0.874 |
| 800 | 1,946 | 1,235 | -162.6 | 37.1 | 1.029 |
| 900 | 1,837 | 1,101 | -218.7 | 49.0 | 1.193 |
| 1,000 | 1,731 | 977 | -285.0 | 62.3 | 1.368 |
Note on the 147gr ELD Match at 1,000 yards: The higher BC (0.697 vs. 0.625) of the ELD Match bullet partially offsets its lower starting velocity, resulting in approximately 50 inches less drop at 1,000 yards compared to the same bullet fired from a 6.5 Creedmoor.
6.5 PRC Wind Drift Chart – How Well Does It Resist Crosswinds?
Wind is the hardest variable to compensate for at long range – far harder than bullet drop, which is predictable and repeatable.
The 6.5 PRC is among the best short-action cartridges for resisting wind deflection. In a survey of 88 popular centerfire rifle cartridges (conducted by Backfire), the 6.5 PRC ranked #7 for the lowest wind drift at 500 yards. Its high-BC bullets combined with above-average muzzle velocity give the wind less time to act on the projectile.
6.5 PRC Wind Drift | 10 mph Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yds) | 143gr ELD-X Drift (in) | 147gr ELD Match Drift (in) | .308 Win 150gr Drift (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.8 |
| 200 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 3.0 |
| 300 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 7.0 |
| 400 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 12.6 |
| 500 | 13.2 | 12.3 | 20.5 |
| 600 | 20.3 | 18.9 | 31.0 |
| 700 | 29.3 | 27.1 | 44.5 |
| 800 | 40.2 | 37.1 | 60.1 |
| 1,000 | 62.3 | 60.1 | ~97.0 |
How Zero Distance Affects Your 6.5 PRC Drop Chart
Zero distance is one of the most misunderstood variables in ballistics. Your choice of zero fundamentally reshapes the entire drop chart.
People often disagree on the best zero for the 6.5 PRC, with 100-yard, 200-yard, and even 300-yard zeros all having their supporters.
6.5 PRC Bullet Drop at Different Zero Distances – 143gr ELD-X at 2,960 fps
| Range (yds) | 100-Yard Zero (in) | 200-Yard Zero (in) | 300-Yard Zero (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.0 | +1.5 | +2.9 |
| 200 | -3.1 | 0.0 | +1.4 |
| 300 | -12.0 | -8.5 | 0.0 |
| 400 | -27.5 | -23.7 | -14.6 |
| 500 | -49.8 | -45.7 | -36.2 |
| 600 | -79.4 | -75.0 | -65.3 |
| 800 | -165.9 | -161.2 | -150.8 |
| 1,000 | -299.0 | -294.0 | -283.5 |
Practical tip: A 200-yard zero is a pretty decent choice for hunting with the 6.5 PRC. It keeps the bullet within ±2″ of point of aim out to roughly 240 yards – meaning no holdover is required for most shots at game within that range.
6.5 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor: Ballistic Comparison
The 6.5 PRC is the natural step-up from the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Both cartridges fire identical 6.5mm bullets, which makes a clean, apples-to-apples comparison possible. The PRC fires the same projectile roughly 200-250 fps faster out of a factory rifle, and the numbers compound dramatically at distance.
6.5 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor – 143gr ELD-X, 200-Yard Zero
| Range (yds) | 6.5 PRC Drop (in) | 6.5 CM Drop (in) | PRC Advantage | 6.5 PRC Energy (ft-lbs) | 6.5 CM Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Even | 2,252 | 1,882 |
| 300 | -8.5 | -9.8 | 1.3″ | 2,016 | 1,671 |
| 400 | -23.7 | -27.4 | 3.7″ | 1,801 | 1,479 |
| 500 | -45.7 | -53.9 | 8.2″ (18%) | 1,603 | 1,302 |
| 700 | -111.6 | -136.0 | 24.4″ | 1,254 | 987 |
| 1,000 | -294.0 | -352.0 | 58″ (23%) | 838 | 648 |
👉 For a deeper look beyond the numbers here, see our full 6.5 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor breakdown.
What This All Means for Hunters & Long-Range Shooters
On paper, the 6.5 PRC is an outstanding performer. In the field, its numbers do translate into real wins – but not without the real-world limits that you need to respect.
- Deer hunters can confidently take shots out to 812 yards, where the 143gr ELD-X still delivers the 1,000 ft-lbs minimum energy pro hunters recommend for an ethical harvest.
- Elk hunters should treat 500-600 yards as the maximum ethical range with standard factory loads, where the bullet retains roughly 1,500 ft-lbs – the most common threshold for large-bodied game. Shot angle matters greatly; quartering-to shots on elk are not recommended with any 6.5mm cartridge.
- PRS competitors will appreciate the 147gr ELD Match remaining supersonic past 1,400 yards in standard conditions, with 961 ft-lbs of retained energy at 1,000 yards – sufficient to ring steel reliably.
- Recoil is approximately 20 ft-lbs – more than the 6.5 Creedmoor (~15 ft-lbs) but far less than a .300 Win Mag (~30 ft-lbs). Hunters find it very manageable for extended range sessions.
👉 Want to see how the 6.5 PRC fares against other popular hunting rounds? Check out our rifle caliber chart for a side-by-side look.
One variable that doesn’t show up in any chart: environmental conditions compound errors at extreme range. Altitude, temperature, and humidity all shift your actual impact point relative to your ballistic table. At 1,000 yards, even a 15°F temperature swing can shift the impact by several inches. Always confirm your dope on paper before trusting any ballistic calculator at distance.
Bottom Line
The 6.5 PRC is one of the most ballistically capable short-action cartridges on the market today. Its combination of high muzzle velocity, excellent ballistic coefficients, manageable recoil, and flat trajectory make it equally at home on an elk hunt in Wyoming and a 1,000-yard PRS stage. The charts above give you a solid baseline – but remember, no ballistic table replaces confirmed, real-world drop data from your specific rifle, load, altitude, and conditions. Zero at your chosen distance, chrono your load, and go shoot.
👉 Check out our full piece on rifle calibers to find the right cartridge for your next hunting trip!
Disclaimer: Ballistic data in this post is derived from manufacturer-published specs and verified ballistic calculators. Actual performance varies with rifle, barrel length, ammunition lot, and environmental conditions. Always follow safe shooting practices and applicable regulations.
With a 100-yard zero, the 143gr ELD-X drops approximately 49.8 inches at 500 yards. With a 200-yard zero – a more common hunting zero – that figure improves to about 45.7 inches. Most 6.5 PRC factory loads drop less than 40 inches at 500 yards when zeroed at 200 yards.
FAQs about 6.5 PRC Ballistics Chart
How much does a 6.5 PRC drop at 500 yards?
With a 100-yard zero, the 143gr ELD-X drops approximately 49.8 inches at 500 yards. With a 200-yard zero – a more common hunting zero – that figure improves to about 45.7 inches. Most 6.5 PRC factory loads drop less than 40 inches at 500 yards when zeroed at 200 yards.
What is the effective range of the 6.5 PRC for hunting?
The maximum effective hunting range depends on the quarry. For deer-sized game (1,000 ft-lbs minimum): approximately 810 yards. For elk (1,500 ft-lbs minimum): approximately 510 yards. The practical limit for most hunters, accounting for wind and shooter error, is typically at 700-750 yards.
How does the 6.5 PRC compare to the 6.5 Creedmoor at 1,000 yards?
With a 200-yard zero, the 6.5 PRC has approximately 58 fewer inches of bullet drop at 1,000 yards – about a 23 % advantage. It also carries roughly 23 % more retained energy at distance. The 6.5 PRC also stays supersonic about 175 yards longer than the Creedmoor (1,650 yards vs. 1,475 yards for typical factory loads).
What ballistic coefficient do 6.5 PRC bullets have?
The two most common 6.5 PRC factory loads have G1 BCs of 0.625 (143gr ELD-X) and 0.697 (147gr ELD Match). These are among the highest BCs available in any short-action factory cartridge, which is the primary reason the 6.5 PRC performs so well at long range.
Does barrel length significantly affect 6.5 PRC ballistics?
Yes. Hornady’s published velocity data is based on a 24-inch barrel. A 22-inch barrel typically costs 30-50 fps; a 26-inch barrel can add a similar amount. This shifts your drop chart by 1-3 inches at 500 yards – meaningful at long range, which is why confirming your actual muzzle velocity with a chronograph before building a drop card is highly recommended.
