Hornady publishes two factory loads for the 6.5 Grendel in its standard ballistics chart, and both use a 123 grain bullet at the same muzzle velocity. This page sets out the full factory load data for the pair: velocity, energy and trajectory from the muzzle to 500 yards, exactly as Hornady prints it. A third Grendel listing in the chart carries no ballistics figures at all, and it is covered in the notes below the chart.
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Hornady 6.5 Grendel Load Data Chart
Every figure comes from Hornady’s published factory data for these loads, shot from a 24 inch test barrel. Velocity is in feet per second (fps), energy in foot pounds (ft-lb) and trajectory in inches on a 200 yard zero. The chart prints no ballistic coefficient for these loads, so no BC column appears here.
| Load | Item No. | Test Barrel (in) | Velocity Muzzle (fps) | Velocity 100 yd (fps) | Velocity 200 yd (fps) | Velocity 300 yd (fps) | Velocity 400 yd (fps) | Velocity 500 yd (fps) | Energy Muzzle (ft-lb) | Energy 100 yd (ft-lb) | Energy 200 yd (ft-lb) | Energy 300 yd (ft-lb) | Energy 400 yd (ft-lb) | Energy 500 yd (ft-lb) | Trajectory Muzzle (in) | Trajectory 100 yd (in) | Trajectory 200 yd (in) | Trajectory 300 yd (in) | Trajectory 400 yd (in) | Trajectory 500 yd (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady BLACK 123 gr ELD® Match | 81528 | 24 | 2580 | 2409 | 2244 | 2086 | 1935 | 1791 | 1818 | 1585 | 1376 | 1189 | 1023 | 876 | -1.5 | 2.3 | 0 | -9.2 | -26.4 | -52.8 |
| Custom 123 gr SST® | 8152 | 24 | 2580 | 2410 | 2247 | 2090 | 1940 | 1796 | 1818 | 1586 | 1379 | 1193 | 1028 | 881 | -1.5 | 2.3 | 0 | -9.1 | -26.3 | -52.7 |
Two Loads, One Bullet Weight
Hornady builds its Grendel line around a single bullet weight. The Hornady BLACK load (item 81528) uses the 123 grain ELD Match bullet, a match design, while the Custom load (item 8152) uses the 123 grain SST, a polymer tipped hunting bullet. Both leave the muzzle at 2,580 fps with 1,818 ft-lb of energy, so the pairing lets a shooter switch between target and hunting ammunition without changing the starting point of the trajectory.
Velocity: Level at the Muzzle, SST Ahead Late
The two loads are tied at the muzzle and stay close all the way out. The SST edges in front from 100 yards onward, gaining one to five feet per second per step, and it reaches 500 yards at 1,796 fps against 1,791 fps for the ELD Match. Each load keeps a little over two thirds of its muzzle velocity at 500 yards, a sign of how efficiently the 123 grain 6.5mm bullets hold their speed.
Energy: A Five Foot Pound Gap at 500 Yards
Energy follows the same pattern as velocity. The loads start level at 1,818 ft-lb, and the SST pulls a small lead that grows to five foot pounds at 500 yards, 881 ft-lb against 876 ft-lb. Both loads stay above 1,000 ft-lb through 400 yards. For a cartridge that fits a standard AR-15 action, holding close to 900 ft-lb at 500 yards is the Grendel’s main calling card.
Trajectory on a 200 Yard Zero
Hornady prints the trajectory for both loads on a 200 yard zero, with the bullet 1.5 inches below the line of sight at the muzzle and 2.3 inches high at 100 yards. The SST flies a touch flatter past the zero, sitting 0.1 inch higher at 300, 400 and 500 yards. At 500 yards the pair has dropped 52.8 and 52.7 inches respectively, close enough that the same holdover works for either load.
The Third Listing and the Limits of This Data
The chart also lists a Frontier Cartridge 123 grain FMJ load, item FR700, but prints no velocity, energy or trajectory figures for it, directing readers to Hornady for the latest information, so it cannot be charted here. This page covers factory load data only. Hornady’s chart publishes no powder types or charge weights for these loads, and none are shown, because factory ammunition data and handloading data are two separate things.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 6.5 Grendel loads does Hornady publish data for?
Hornady’s standard chart lists three Grendel items, but only two carry full ballistics: the 123 grain ELD Match and the 123 grain SST. The Frontier 123 grain FMJ listing prints no figures.
What is the muzzle velocity of the Hornady 6.5 Grendel loads?
Both charted loads start at 2,580 fps from a 24 inch test barrel. They also share the same muzzle energy of 1,818 ft-lb.
Which Hornady Grendel load is faster at 500 yards?
The 123 grain SST is faster, holding 1,796 fps at 500 yards. The ELD Match is five feet per second behind at 1,791 fps.
How much energy do the loads keep at 500 yards?
The SST keeps 881 ft-lb and the ELD Match keeps 876 ft-lb at 500 yards. Both loads also stay above 1,000 ft-lb at 400 yards.
What zero are the trajectory figures based on?
Hornady prints both loads on a 200 yard zero. Each bullet sits 2.3 inches high at 100 yards and falls to about 52.7 inches low at 500 yards.
Does this load data include powder charges?
No. The data here is Hornady’s published factory ammunition ballistics, and the chart lists no powder types or charge weights for either load.
What test barrel length does Hornady use for this data?
The figures come from a 24 inch barrel, the standard test length Hornady states for its rifle chart unless a load notes otherwise. Shorter AR barrels will produce lower velocities.
Is a ballistic coefficient given for these loads?
No. Hornady’s standard ballistics chart prints no BC column for any of its rifle loads, so no coefficient is published in this data set.
How much do the two loads drop at 300 yards?
On the 200 yard zero, the ELD Match drops 9.2 inches at 300 yards. The SST drops 9.1 inches at the same distance.
Why is the Frontier FMJ load not in the chart?
Hornady lists the Frontier 123 grain FMJ, item FR700, without any ballistics figures in the chart. With no published velocity or energy, there is nothing to tabulate for it.