A .30-06 bullet drop chart provides the essential trajectory data required for ethical hunting and precision shooting at extended ranges. Your exact bullet drop relies entirely on your chosen ammunition load, bullet weight, muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient, zero distance, and current environmental conditions. By reviewing established ballistic tables, shooters can make fast and accurate optic adjustments to compensate for gravity over distance. The chart below details the critical flight metrics needed to master the classic .30-06 Springfield cartridge.
.30-06 Bullet Drop Chart
| Distance (Yards) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Bullet Drop (Inches) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) |
| 100 | 2596 | 2469 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | 2401 | 2112 | -3.3 | 1.6 | 0.5 |
| 300 | 2215 | 1797 | -12.6 | 4.0 | 1.2 |
| 400 | 2038 | 1521 | -29.0 | 6.9 | 2.0 |
| 500 | 1869 | 1280 | -54.0 | 10.3 | 3.0 |
| 600 | 1711 | 1073 | -89.5 | 14.2 | 4.1 |
| 700 | 1565 | 897 | -137.5 | 18.8 | 5.5 |
| 800 | 1432 | 752 | -201.0 | 24.0 | 7.0 |
The parameters for the table above are based on standard ballistic data for the popular Hornady Custom 165-grain SST load. This offers a highly reliable baseline for modern .30-06 Springfield hunting ammunition.
Ballistic Parameters:
- Ammunition Load: Hornady Custom 165-grain SST
- Bullet Weight & Type: 165-grain Super Shock Tip (Polymer Tip)
- Muzzle Velocity: 2800 feet per second (fps)
- Ballistic Coefficient (G1): 0.447
- Zero Distance: 100 Yards
- Sight Height: 1.5 inches above bore
- Test Barrel Length: 24 inches
- Environmental Assumptions: Sea level altitude, 59 degrees Fahrenheit
Note: Velocity and energy figures are sourced from standard manufacturer ballistic charts for this specific load. Drop figures and extended data out to 800 yards are calculated using a 0.447 ballistic coefficient under standard atmospheric conditions.
Understanding The .30-06 Bullet Drop Chart
.30-06 Bullet Drop At 100 Yards
At 100 yards, the 165-grain projectile reaches its zero distance, meaning it perfectly intersects your line of sight with zero bullet drop. The bullet travels at a fast 2596 fps and carries a punishing 2469 foot-pounds of energy. This immense stopping power is why the .30-06 has remained a premier hunting cartridge for over a century.
.30-06 Bullet Drop At 200 Yards
When the bullet reaches 200 yards, the flat trajectory of the .30-06 becomes obvious. It drops a mere 3.3 inches, requiring a small correction of 1.6 MOA or 0.5 MIL. Retaining over 2100 foot-pounds of energy, this distance is well within the cartridge’s optimal performance window for taking down elk, moose, and large deer cleanly.
.30-06 Bullet Drop At 300 Yards
At 300 yards, the .30-06 bullet drops 12.6 inches below the line of sight. You will need to dial your optic up by 4.0 MOA or 1.2 MIL to guarantee a center hit. The velocity is 2215 fps, and the kinetic energy remains exceptionally high at 1797 foot-pounds, providing excellent terminal ballistics for medium to large game.
.30-06 Bullet Drop At 400 Yards
Crossing into 400 yards, the trajectory steepens and the bullet falls 29.0 inches. Shooters must compensate by dialing 6.9 MOA or 2.0 MIL. Even at this extended hunting distance, the 165-grain bullet hits with 1521 foot-pounds of energy. Reading the wind becomes critical here, as crosswinds will significantly push the projectile off its center path.
.30-06 Bullet Drop At 500 Yards
At 500 yards, the bullet drop reaches 54.0 inches. You will need a precise elevation adjustment of 10.3 MOA or 3.0 MIL. The energy drops to 1280 foot-pounds, which is still plenty for harvesting whitetail deer and similar sized game. However, many hunters view this as the maximum ethical range for standard .30-06 factory loads.
.30-06 Bullet Drop At 600 Yards
Reaching 600 yards transitions the .30-06 into dedicated long-range shooting. The bullet plunges 89.5 inches, demanding an elevation shift of 14.2 MOA or 4.1 MIL. Velocity slows to 1711 fps, and the energy hovers just above 1000 foot-pounds. Hitting targets at this distance requires exact rangefinding, perfect trigger control, and an accurate atmospheric dope chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors change my .30-06 bullet drop chart?
Your specific bullet drop will shift based on your exact ammunition and rifle setup. A barrel shorter than 24 inches will yield a lower muzzle velocity, which increases the bullet drop at every distance. Environmental factors play a huge role as well. High altitude, warm temperatures, and low barometric pressure reduce air density, allowing your bullet to fly flatter and faster than it would at sea level.
How does a 150-grain .30-06 compare to a 180-grain bullet?
A 150-grain bullet exits the muzzle much faster, offering a flatter trajectory and less bullet drop out to roughly 400 yards. It is ideal for deer-sized game. A heavier 180-grain bullet starts slower and drops more at closer ranges, but it typically has a higher ballistic coefficient. This means the 180-grain bullet retains its energy better, pushes through wind drift more effectively, and provides the deeper penetration needed for large animals like elk and moose.
What is the best zero distance for a .30-06 rifle?
A 100-yard zero is the standard recommendation for most modern optics, as it creates a simple baseline for dialing turrets at longer ranges. However, many hunters utilizing traditional scopes prefer a 200-yard zero. Because the .30-06 is a relatively flat-shooting cartridge, a 200-yard zero allows a hunter to aim directly at the vitals of a deer from 50 yards out to about 250 yards without holding over the target.
How far can you ethically hunt with a .30-06?
The ethical hunting range of a .30-06 depends on the animal and the shooter’s skill. For medium game like deer, the bullet needs to deliver around 1000 foot-pounds of energy upon impact. A standard 165-grain .30-06 load maintains this energy out to about 600 yards. For larger game like elk, experts recommend 1500 foot-pounds of energy, which limits the ethical range to roughly 400 yards.