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Ballistics
May 16, 2026
Ballistics Chart & Calculator: 5.56 vs 300 BLK vs .308 Drop
Ballistics chart for 5.56, .300 Blackout, and .308: bullet drop, velocity, and energy at 100/200/300/500/800 yards. Includes a free trajectory calculator for custom loads, zero distances, and wind.
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- #3 Criterion CORE Mid-Length Barrel ($313): Hand-lapped chrome-lined bore for consistent velocity and accuracy
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AR-15BallisticsCalculatorIntermediate
Ballistics Chart & Calculator: 5.56 vs 300 BLK vs .308 Drop
The ballistics chart below compares bullet drop, velocity, and energy for 5.56 M193, .300 BLK 125gr supersonic, and .308 168gr Match from 100 to 800 yards. Below the chart, a physics-based calculator lets you generate a custom dope card for your barrel length, zero distance, wind, and altitude.
Ballistics Chart: 5.56 vs .300 BLK vs .308 by Range
Drop figures use a 50-yard zero for 5.56 and .300 BLK, a 100-yard zero for .308, and a 2.5-inch sight height. Velocities and energies are from common factory loads at typical chronographed muzzle velocities; your specific barrel and lot will vary by 50-100 fps. For exact numbers, use the calculator below.
| Range | 5.56 M193 (16") | .300 BLK 125gr (16") | .308 168gr Match (20") |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 3,130 fps / 1,196 ft-lbs | 2,215 fps / 1,360 ft-lbs | 2,650 fps / 2,620 ft-lbs |
| 100 yd | +1.5" / 2,730 fps / 910 ft-lbs | +0.5" / 1,935 fps / 1,040 ft-lbs | 0" / 2,455 fps / 2,250 ft-lbs |
| 200 yd | +0.8" / 2,365 fps / 683 ft-lbs | -5.9" / 1,680 fps / 782 ft-lbs | -3.3" / 2,275 fps / 1,925 ft-lbs |
| 300 yd | -6.2" / 2,030 fps / 503 ft-lbs | -25" / 1,450 fps / 585 ft-lbs | -13" / 2,095 fps / 1,640 ft-lbs |
| 500 yd | -49" / 1,455 fps / 258 ft-lbs | -117" / 1,115 fps / 346 ft-lbs | -59" / 1,770 fps / 1,165 ft-lbs |
| 800 yd | -256" / ~985 fps (subsonic) / 118 ft-lbs | -478" / ~895 fps (subsonic) / 223 ft-lbs | -216" / 1,355 fps / 685 ft-lbs |
Takeaway: 5.56 stays supersonic to ~650 yards from a 16" barrel; .300 BLK supersonic loads run out of energy past 300 yards; .308 Match carries nearly 1,000 ft-lbs to 600 yards and stays supersonic to roughly 1,000.
Assumes knowledge of
AR-15 Caliber Guide 2026->Best AR-15 Barrel Length->Quick Answer: What You'll Learn
Ballistic Coefficient (BC): Higher BC means less drop and wind drift. Use G1 for most shooting under 600 yards, G7 for precision beyond 600.
Environmental Factors: Higher altitude and temperature reduce air density, making bullets drop less. Humidity has minimal effect.
Practical Use: Use the calculator below to generate dope cards. Holdovers work for dynamic shooting inside 400 yards; dial turrets for precision beyond that.
Get Ballistics Data and Ammo Selection Guides
New ballistic charts, environmental correction data, and match ammo rankings go to subscribers before the guide refreshes.
What is External Ballistics?
External ballistics is the study of bullet behavior after leaving the barrel. Once the projectile exits the muzzle, it's subject to gravity, air resistance, and wind. These forces cause the bullet to drop below your line of sight and drift laterally in crosswinds.
Understanding these forces lets you predict where your bullet will impact at any distance. This knowledge is essential for making accurate shots beyond close range, whether you're shooting steel at 300 yards or hunting at 400. If you are starting from zero, the intro to long range shooting guide puts this math in context with the skills and gear stack a new precision shooter builds first.
Understanding Ballistic Coefficient (BC)
The ballistic coefficient measures how well a bullet resists air drag. A higher BC means the bullet retains velocity better, drops less, and drifts less in wind. BC depends on bullet weight, diameter, and shape.
G1 vs G7 Drag Models
Bullets are compared against standard projectile shapes. G1 is the traditional reference based on a flat-base bullet from the 1800s. G7 is based on a modern boat-tail bullet and is more accurate for today's projectiles.
- G1: Most commonly published. Works well for flat-base and shorter-range calculations. Most manufacturer specs use G1.
- G7: More accurate for boat-tail bullets at extended range. Better models transonic/supersonic transition. Preferred by precision shooters.
For practical purposes under 600 yards with quality ammunition, G1 data works fine. For precision work beyond 600 yards, G7 values provide better accuracy. High-BC match bullets are where this matters most: the 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr ELD Match (0.646 G1) stays supersonic past 1,400 yards, while a typical 5.56 62gr load (0.304 G1) goes transonic around 800.
Environmental Factors
Air density affects how much drag the bullet experiences. Lower air density means less drag, so the bullet retains velocity better and drops less.
Altitude
Higher altitude means lower air pressure and density. At 5,000 feet, air density is about 85% of sea level. This reduces drag and can change your drop by several inches at long range. Shooters in Denver or Salt Lake City will notice their rifles shoot flatter than at sea level.
Temperature
Hot air is less dense than cold air. A 40-degree temperature swing can change point of impact by 1-2 inches at 300 yards. If you zero at 70F, expect to shoot slightly high on a 100F summer day and low in 30F winter conditions.
Humidity
Water vapor is lighter than the nitrogen and oxygen it displaces, so humid air is actually less dense. However, the effect is small, typically less than 1% change in air density. You can usually ignore humidity unless you're doing precision work at extreme range.
Ballistics Calculator
Calculate bullet drop, wind drift, and trajectory from 0-1000 yards. Select a preset ammunition profile or enter custom ballistic data.
Ammunition
BC: 0.243 (G1)
Velocity: 3240 fps
Weight: 55 gr
Standard military ball ammunition. High velocity, velocity-dependent fragmentation.
Zero Settings
Environment
Wind
Right Crosswind at 10 mph
Point Blank Range
225 yd
Hold center, stay inside 8" vitals
Supersonic Through
600+ yd
Accuracy degrades past the transonic zone
Velocity @ 600 yd
1282 fps
From 3240 fps at the muzzle
Energy @ 600 yd
201 ft-lbs
Retained kinetic energy at max range
Trajectory Table
| Range | Vel | Energy | TOF | Drop | MOA | Drift | MOA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 3240 | 1282 | 0.000s | -2.5" | 0.0 | 0.0" | 0.0 |
| 50 yd | 3030 | 1121 | 0.048s | -0.8" | 1.5 | +0.3" | +0.5 |
| 100 yd | 2829 | 977 | 0.099s | 0.0" | 0.0 | +1.2" | +1.1 |
| 150 yd | 2638 | 850 | 0.154s | -0.3" | 0.2 | +2.7" | +1.7 |
| 200 yd | 2454 | 736 | 0.213s | -1.9" | 0.9 | +4.9" | +2.3 |
| 250 yd | 2278 | 634 | 0.276s | -4.9" | 1.9 | +7.9" | +3.0 |
| 300 yd | 2109 | 543 | 0.345s | -9.6" | 3.0 | +11.8" | +3.8 |
| 350 yd | 1948 | 463 | 0.419s | -16.2" | 4.4 | +16.7" | +4.6 |
| 400 yd | 1794 | 393 | 0.499s | -25.2" | 6.0 | +22.7" | +5.4 |
| 450 yd | 1649 | 332 | 0.586s | -36.8" | 7.8 | +29.9" | +6.3 |
| 500 yd | 1515 | 280 | 0.681s | -51.7" | 9.9 | +38.4" | +7.3 |
| 550 yd | 1392 | 237 | 0.785s | -70.3" | 12.2 | +48.5" | +8.4 |
| 600 yd | 1282 | 201 | 0.897s | -93.4" | 14.9 | +60.1" | +9.6 |
Trajectory Chart
Line of sight = 0". Drop shown in inches.
Range in yards. Highlighted dot = zero distance (100 yd).
Prefer a dedicated workspace? The standalone ballistics calculator is the same solver on its own page, built for saving DOPE cards and running load comparisons back to back. To put that output on a physical card, the DOPE card generator prints a 4x6 range card with dial values rounded to your turret clicks.
Using Your Ballistic Data
Holdover vs Turret Adjustments
There are two ways to compensate for bullet drop: hold over the target with your reticle, or dial your turret to move the point of impact up.
- Holdovers: Faster for dynamic shooting. Use BDC reticle marks or estimate hold based on target size. Works best inside 400 yards where drops are manageable.
- Turret adjustments: More precise. Dial the exact MOA/MRAD correction and aim center. Essential for precision work beyond 400 yards.
MOA vs MRAD
Both are angular measurements used to quantify adjustments. Neither is inherently better: choose based on your optic.
- MOA (Minute of Angle): 1 MOA = 1.047" at 100 yards (roughly 1" per 100 yards). Common on American scopes. Typical clicks: 1/4 MOA or 1/2 MOA.
- MRAD (Milliradian): 1 MRAD = 3.6" at 100 yards. Popular in military and long-range precision. Typical clicks: 0.1 MRAD. Math is simpler (base-10 system).
Creating a Dope Card
A "dope card" is a quick-reference chart of your drop and drift corrections at various distances. Use the calculator above to generate your data, then record it on a card taped to your stock or stored in a scope cover.
Verify your calculated dope at the range. Real-world performance may vary slightly from calculated values due to lot-to-lot ammo variation, chronograph accuracy, and shooting conditions. A real muzzle velocity from a shooting chronograph is the single biggest accuracy unlock for the calculator above; box-velocity numbers routinely miss true MV by 50-100 fps.
Limitations & Accuracy
This calculator uses a point-mass trajectory model with atmospheric corrections. It provides accurate predictions for most shooting scenarios but has limitations:
- Doesn't account for spin drift (significant only beyond 800+ yards)
- Doesn't model Coriolis effect (relevant only for extreme long range 1000+ yards)
- Assumes constant wind speed and direction (real wind is variable)
- BC values are approximations: actual performance varies by lot
For practical rifle shooting to 600 yards, these limitations are negligible. Always verify your data at the range before relying on it in the field.
Recommended Optics for Long-Range Shooting
Precision at distance requires quality glass. These optics offer the turret tracking and reticle systems discussed above. For a broader comparison, see our best LPVO guide or the zeroing guide to dial in your new optic.
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Match Ammunition for Consistent Ballistics
Ballistic calculations are only as good as your ammo consistency. Match-grade loads minimize lot-to-lot velocity variation. See our 5.56 ammo selection guide and best .308 ammo guide for detailed load comparisons. The .30-06 vs .308 comparison breaks down how the two .30-caliber loads differ on velocity, energy, and recoil.
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- Drop-in bolt replacement, no gun modification
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Frequently Asked Questions
▶How much does a 5.56 bullet drop at 200 yards?
With a common 50/200-yard zero, a 55gr .223/5.56 load is roughly on at 200 yards. With a 100-yard zero, expect the bullet to be low at 200. Confirm with your actual load, barrel velocity, optic height, and atmospheric conditions.
▶How much does a 5.56 bullet drop at 300 yards?
With a common 50/200-yard zero and a 55gr load around 3,240 fps, expect roughly 7-8 inches of drop at 300 yards. Your exact hold depends on sight height, ballistic coefficient, velocity, and conditions, so use the calculator above for your specific load and zero distance.
▶Is 223 or 556 more powerful?
5.56 NATO is more powerful, loaded to approximately 58,000 psi versus .223 Remington's 55,000 psi. The 5.56 NATO chamber also has a longer throat (.125 inches longer), allowing higher pressure loads. Never fire 5.56 in a .223-only chamber due to pressure concerns. .223 Wylde chambers safely shoot both.
▶What is the best zero distance for AR-15?
A 50/200-yard zero is practical for general-purpose carbines: it keeps midrange rise modest and brings many 5.56 loads back near line of sight around 200 yards. A 100-yard zero works well for range use and optics with clear holds, but requires more deliberate holdover past 200 yards.
▶What is ballistic coefficient (BC)?
BC measures how well a bullet retains velocity against air drag. Higher BC = less drop and wind drift. Match bullets (0.4-0.6 G1 BC) perform better at distance than budget FMJ (0.25-0.35 BC). BC is measured using G1 or G7 drag models.
▶How much does wind affect bullet trajectory?
At 300 yards with a 10 mph crosswind, M193 drifts about 10-12 inches. Wind has more effect than most shooters realize, and it compounds with distance. At 500 yards, the same wind pushes M193 roughly 40 inches. Use our calculator to practice wind holds.
▶What is the effective range of 5.56 NATO?
Point target (torso): 300-400 yards. Area target: 500-600 yards. Maximum ballistic range: 3,600 meters. Effective range depends on barrel length, ammo, and shooter skill. From a 16-inch barrel, M193 stays supersonic to about 650 yards.
▶How do I convert MOA to MRAD?
1 MOA = 0.29 MRAD (roughly 1/3 mil). 1 MRAD = 3.44 MOA. At 100 yards: 1 MOA = 1.047 inches, 1 MRAD = 3.6 inches. Our calculator outputs both. Choose MRAD if your optic is in mils, MOA if it uses MOA adjustments.
ABAuthor
Avid shooter with 10+ years of experience including competition shooting, an associate member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), and a member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Built 10+ AR-pattern rifles and several handgun platforms for home defense, competition, and suppressed night shooting.
10+ years shooting experienceCompetition shooterBuilt 10+ AR-pattern riflesAssociate member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)Member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)
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