Bullet Drop & Ballistics Calculator
Hunting-focused ballistics for common rifle cartridges. Simplified model for field use.
Leave blank to use caliber default
Standard scope: 1.5". Iron sights: 0.9"
Trajectory Table
| Range (yds) | Drop (in) | Wind (10 mph) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | — | 0.0" | 2700 | 2267 |
| 50 | ↓0.5" | 0.5" | 2472 | 1899 |
| 100 | ↓2.6" | 1.9" | 2268 | 1600 |
| 150 | ↓6.3" | 4.4" | 2087 | 1355 |
| 200 | ↓12.1" | 7.8" | 1924 | 1152 |
| 250 | ↓20.0" | 12.3" | 1774 | 979 |
| 300 | ↓30.4" | 17.9" | 1624 | 820 |
| 350 | ↓44.9" | 25.4" | 1473 | 675 |
| 400 | ↓62.7" | 34.3" | 1324 | 545 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Drop at 300 yards depends heavily on the caliber and zero distance. A 6.5 Creedmoor zeroed at 200 yards drops about 6–7 inches at 300 yards. A .30-30 drops dramatically more — nearly 15+ inches. Flat-shooting magnums like 7mm Rem Mag drop less than 4 inches at 300 when zeroed at 200 yards.
A 200-yard zero is popular for most big game hunting — it keeps the bullet within 3 inches high from 0–225 yards, then drops at longer range. A 100-yard zero is better for timber hunting where most shots are under 150 yards. Use the chart above to see how different zeros affect your trajectory.
Most hunters and wildlife agencies recommend a minimum of 1,000–1,500 ft-lbs of energy for clean kills on whitetail deer. The calculator shows energy by distance — stay within the range where your cartridge delivers at least 1,000 ft-lbs (shown in yellow/green).
The ballistic coefficient (G1 BC) measures a bullet's ability to overcome air resistance. Higher BC bullets retain velocity and energy at longer ranges and drift less in wind. Long, heavy, boat-tail bullets have high BCs (0.500+). Short, blunt bullets like the .30-30 have low BCs (~0.240) and drop rapidly at distance.
Wind drift is roughly proportional to wind speed and time of flight. A 10 mph full crosswind causes 1–2 inches of drift at 100 yards for most rifle cartridges. At 300 yards, drift can be 6–10 inches for lower BC bullets. High BC, high velocity bullets drift significantly less at the same wind speed.