Hornady 308 Ballistics Chart

A Hornady 308 Ballistics Chart is a specialized numerical data table that meticulously tracks the velocity energy bullet drop and aerodynamic efficiency of premium Hornady factory ammunition across various shooting distances. This comprehensive visual reference helps precision marksmen and dedicated hunters understand exactly how different bullet weights and powder charges perform under realistic field conditions. By studying these specific flight metrics shooters can accurately calculate precise optical holdovers while ensuring massive terminal knockdown power on heavy big game animals. Utilizing this extensive ballistic data guarantees supreme accuracy and absolute ethical harvesting when deploying this universally trusted thirty caliber platform in the field.

Hornady 308 Ballistics Chart

Manufacturer	Bullet Weight	Bullet Type	Ballistic Coefficient	Sectional Density	Muzzle Velocity	Velocity At 100 Yards	Velocity At 200 Yards	Velocity At 300 Yards	Velocity At 400 Yards	Velocity At 500 Yards	Muzzle Energy	Energy At 100 Yards	Energy At 200 Yards	Energy At 300 Yards	Energy At 400 Yards	Energy At 500 Yards	Trajectory At 100 Yards	Trajectory At 200 Yards	Trajectory At 300 Yards	Trajectory At 400 Yards	Trajectory At 500 Yards
Hornady American Whitetail	150 gr	InterLock SP	0.338	0.226	2820 fps	2561 fps	2316 fps	2085 fps	1868 fps	1667 fps	2649 ft lbs	2184 ft lbs	1787 ft lbs	1448 ft lbs	1162 ft lbs	925 ft lbs	1.9 in High	0.0 in	8.4 in Low	24.9 in Low	51.3 in Low
Hornady Precision Hunter	178 gr	ELD X	0.552	0.268	2600 fps	2443 fps	2291 fps	2145 fps	2004 fps	1868 fps	2671 ft lbs	2358 ft lbs	2074 ft lbs	1818 ft lbs	1587 ft lbs	1379 ft lbs	2.2 in High	0.0 in	8.8 in Low	25.2 in Low	50.2 in Low
Hornady Custom	150 gr	SST	0.415	0.226	2820 fps	2601 fps	2393 fps	2194 fps	2005 fps	1826 fps	2649 ft lbs	2253 ft lbs	1907 ft lbs	1603 ft lbs	1338 ft lbs	1110 ft lbs	1.8 in High	0.0 in	7.9 in Low	23.1 in Low	46.9 in Low
Hornady Superformance	150 gr	SST	0.415	0.226	3000 fps	2772 fps	2556 fps	2350 fps	2153 fps	1966 fps	2997 ft lbs	2559 ft lbs	2176 ft lbs	1839 ft lbs	1543 ft lbs	1287 ft lbs	1.5 in High	0.0 in	6.8 in Low	20.0 in Low	40.7 in Low
Hornady Custom	165 gr	SST	0.447	0.248	2700 fps	2499 fps	2306 fps	2122 fps	1948 fps	1783 fps	2671 ft lbs	2288 ft lbs	1949 ft lbs	1650 ft lbs	1389 ft lbs	1164 ft lbs	2.0 in High	0.0 in	8.4 in Low	24.4 in Low	49.3 in Low
Hornady Match	168 gr	BTHP	0.450	0.253	2700 fps	2503 fps	2315 fps	2134 fps	1962 fps	1799 fps	2719 ft lbs	2337 ft lbs	1998 ft lbs	1699 ft lbs	1436 ft lbs	1207 ft lbs	2.0 in High	0.0 in	8.5 in Low	24.7 in Low	50.0 in Low
Hornady Superformance Match	168 gr	ELD Match	0.523	0.253	2840 fps	2665 fps	2496 fps	2334 fps	2177 fps	2027 fps	3009 ft lbs	2649 ft lbs	2324 ft lbs	2032 ft lbs	1769 ft lbs	1533 ft lbs	1.7 in High	0.0 in	7.3 in Low	21.0 in Low	42.0 in Low
Hornady Custom Lite	125 gr	SST	0.305	0.188	2675 fps	2389 fps	2121 fps	1871 fps	1642 fps	1437 fps	1986 ft lbs	1584 ft lbs	1248 ft lbs	971 ft lbs	748 ft lbs	573 ft lbs	2.3 in High	0.0 in	10.1 in Low	30.1 in Low	63.2 in Low
Hornady BLACK	168 gr	A MAX	0.475	0.253	2700 fps	2515 fps	2338 fps	2167 fps	2003 fps	1847 fps	2719 ft lbs	2360 ft lbs	2039 ft lbs	1751 ft lbs	1496 ft lbs	1273 ft lbs	2.0 in High	0.0 in	8.4 in Low	24.1 in Low	48.2 in Low
Hornady TAP Urban	110 gr	TAP	0.290	0.166	3165 fps	2841 fps	2540 fps	2258 fps	1996 fps	1755 fps	2446 ft lbs	1971 ft lbs	1575 ft lbs	1245 ft lbs	973 ft lbs	752 ft lbs	1.2 in High	0.0 in	6.7 in Low	20.5 in Low	43.9 in Low

Reviewing this comprehensive table illustrates exactly how differences in bullet mass muzzle velocity and modern aerodynamic design affect the external flight path of premium factory ammunition over five hundred yards.

Understanding The Hornady 308 Ballistics Chart

Evaluating the data reveals that minor variations in bullet shape and factory powder charges create massive differences in downrange authority.

Every observation perfectly demonstrates why selecting the correct cartridge and projectile type remains absolutely essential for long range success.

Velocity Analysis

Evaluating the velocity metrics within the table shows that the Hornady TAP Urban 110 grain TAP is the absolute fastest factory load in the entire chart.

It leaves the muzzle at an incredible 3165 feet per second which gives it a massive advantage across the first two hundred yards of open air flight.

However examining the heavier bullets reveals that aerodynamic efficiency plays a crucial role in velocity retention over extreme distances.

Energy Analysis

Muzzle energy dictates the sheer physical shock delivered to a heavy target upon initial bullet impact.

The table data highlights that the Hornady Superformance Match 168 grain ELD Match produces the highest initial strike force with 3009 foot pounds of muzzle energy.

Heavy duty hunting options like the Hornady Superformance 150 grain SST also start incredibly strong generating 2997 foot pounds of energy at the barrel exit.

Downrange energy retention is where high ballistic coefficient bullets truly separate themselves from standard lightweight ammunition.

By the time the projectiles reach the five hundred yard line the Hornady Superformance Match retains a massive 1533 foot pounds of lethal kinetic force.

Meanwhile the Hornady Custom Lite 125 grain SST bleeds off power incredibly fast arriving at five hundred yards with only 573 foot pounds of energy remaining.

High retained energy values guarantee that heavy bullets maintain enough momentum to crush thick bones and ring heavy steel targets at extended distances.

Trajectory Analysis

Reviewing the trajectory profile with a standard two hundred yard zero demonstrates how flat modern cartridges can shoot across open terrain.

The flattest shooting factory load in the chart at five hundred yards is the Hornady Superformance 150 grain SST which exhibits a minimal bullet drop of only 40.7 inches.

The Hornady Superformance Match 168 grain ELD Match also provides a stellar trajectory dropping just 42.0 inches at the same half mile distance.

As distance increases beyond the three hundred yard line older blunt projectile designs begin to fall away rapidly due to massive air drag.

The Hornady Custom Lite 125 grain SST plunges drastically dropping a full 63.2 inches by the time it reaches the five hundred yard target.

Practical holdover estimates using these chart values indicate that shooters using modern magnum style ammunition require significantly less optical dialing than those utilizing reduced recoil rounds.

Ballistic Coefficient Analysis

The ballistic coefficient values listed in the table reveal a massive technological divide between traditional lightweight ammunition and modern aerodynamic heavy designs.

The Hornady Precision Hunter 178 grain ELD X dominates this category with a highly impressive rating of 0.552.

Traditional lightweight configurations like the Hornady Custom Lite 125 grain SST feature a much lower aerodynamic rating of just 0.305.

The high rating of the heavy ELD X bullet allows the projectile to easily slice through dense atmospheric resistance without shedding precious velocity.

According to the chart data this massive aerodynamic advantage guarantees that high coefficient bullets arrive at distant targets with significantly flatter pathways and heavily reduced lateral wind drift.

Sectional Density Analysis

Sectional density directly influences how stable a hunting bullet remains during flight and how deeply it penetrates thick muscle and bone upon arrival.

The chart confirms that the Hornady Precision Hunter 178 grain projectile possesses the absolute highest sectional density rating of 0.268.

The incredibly light Hornady TAP Urban 110 grain option exhibits a noticeably lower sectional density value of just 0.166.

A higher sectional density means the bullet concentrates its massive physical weight over a relatively small cross sectional area forcing it incredibly deep into the vital cavity.

This specific data confirms that hunters pursuing massive animals must rely entirely on heavy projectiles with high sectional density ratings to maximize deep straight line penetration.

Best Factory Loads Based On The Chart

For Extreme Long Range Target Shooting the Hornady Superformance Match 168 grain ELD Match is the absolute best choice due to its massive velocity and excellent ballistic coefficient.

For Precision Long Range Hunting the Hornady Precision Hunter 178 grain ELD X provides perfectly balanced expansion with reliable terminal performance on massive game animals.

If Maximum Initial Velocity is your primary goal the Hornady TAP Urban 110 grain TAP takes the absolute top spot by reaching 3165 feet per second.

When seeking Maximum Retained Energy at extended distances the Hornady Superformance Match 168 grain ELD Match wins easily by preserving 1533 foot pounds of strike force at five hundred yards.

For General Purpose Deer Hunting the Hornady American Whitetail 150 grain InterLock SP offers incredibly reliable accuracy and highly manageable recoil profiles.

Key Takeaways From The Chart

The fastest factory load in the entire chart at the muzzle is the Hornady TAP Urban 110 grain TAP at 3165 feet per second.

The highest initial muzzle energy is produced by the Hornady Superformance Match 168 grain ELD Match at 3009 foot pounds.

The highest retained kinetic energy at five hundred yards belongs to the Hornady Superformance Match 168 grain ELD Match at 1533 foot pounds.

The flattest trajectory at five hundred yards is achieved by the Hornady Superformance 150 grain SST with 40.7 inches of total bullet drop.

Common Hornady 308 Bullet Weights

The specialized internal case capacity allows ammunition manufacturers to utilize an incredibly wide spectrum of projectile weights optimized for distinct shooting applications.

110 Grain

The 110 grain projectile weight is a highly specialized lightweight offering designed specifically for maximum muzzle velocity and extreme terminal fragmentation.

Typical muzzle velocity for this specific weight easily breaks the 3100 feet per second barrier creating a laser accurate flight path inside two hundred yards.

The primary advantage of this weight is the significantly reduced mid range bullet drop making it exceptionally easy to use on fast moving coyotes.

The main disadvantage is that the lighter overall mass limits deep penetration making it totally unsuitable for heavy quartering shots on large deer.

This specific weight is best applied in general target practice and open field predator hunting where extreme penetration is absolutely not required.

125 Grain

The 125 grain projectile represents an excellent reduced recoil option for smaller framed shooters wanting comfortable practice sessions.

Typical muzzle velocity sits comfortably around 2675 feet per second generating an immense hydrostatic shock upon initial target impact.

The primary advantages of 125 grain options are brilliant terminal expansion incredibly manageable recoil and highly reliable feeding from standard magazines.

The primary disadvantage is that these specific bullets still suffer from poor aerodynamics limiting their ethical hunting range to roughly two hundred and fifty yards.

This weight is the absolute ideal choice for dedicated youth hunters operating in restricted spaces who require absolute reliability without shoulder pain.

150 Grain

The 150 grain projectile weight represents the absolute gold standard sweet spot for perfectly balanced medium game hunting utilizing traditional cup and core bullets.

Typical muzzle velocity is roughly 2820 feet per second which translates into incredibly consistent accuracy and heavy terminal bone crushing force.

The single biggest advantage of this weight is its traditional jacketed soft point design which holds together beautifully when encountering heavy shoulder muscles.

The primary disadvantage is that factory ammunition utilizing this specific weight generates slightly more felt recoil than the lighter target options.

This weight is the ultimate choice for marksmen carrying a precision bolt action rifle into the deep woods for versatile white tailed deer harvesting.

168 Grain

The 168 grain bullet is a premium target match option designed to guarantee absolutely perfect weight retention and massive energy transfer across open terrain.

Typical muzzle velocity hovers around 2700 feet per second maintaining immense structural momentum without fragmenting into small pieces upon striking heavy targets.

The advantage of the 168 grain match bullet is its unmatched ability to cleanly pass completely through thick atmospheric resistance while ignoring crosswinds.

The main disadvantage is that match grade hollow points are strictly designed for paper targets and should never be used for ethical hunting applications.

This extreme weight is universally recommended for pursuing incredibly tight groups at formal target competitions where deep reliable precision is absolutely essential.

178 Grain

The 178 grain bullet represents the absolute heaviest mainstream option for commercial factory loaded hunting ammunition in this classic caliber.

Typical muzzle velocity drops down to around 2600 feet per second yielding incredible long range momentum and massive resistance to lateral wind drift.

The major benefit is that it provides the highest ballistic coefficient available guaranteeing the bullet will absolutely ignore crosswinds across wide open valleys.

The disadvantage is the massive overall length of the projectile which requires specialized fast twist barrels to properly stabilize the bullet during flight.

This heavyweight class is universally recommended for dedicated extreme long range hunters pursuing incredibly tough animals at distances exceeding five hundred yards.

Effective Range

Understanding the realistic physical limits of this cartridge helps shooters select the correct equipment and optical setups for their specific field goals.

Target Shooting

For standard paper targets the effective range easily spans from one hundred yards all the way out to one thousand yards using quality factory match ammunition.

At these extreme distances the massive heavy projectile remains comfortably supersonic keeping its flight path highly predictable through varying atmospheric conditions.

Professional shooters highly recommend utilizing the heavy match bullets to guarantee maximum consistency when shooting across wide open mountain valleys.

Extreme Long Range Shooting

When participating in extreme long range shooting activities marksmen often push their precision platforms past twelve hundred yards.

Achieving success at this extremely distant marker requires premium heavy match ammunition to ensure the bullet resists total destabilization while flying through the air.

Firing at live game animals beyond six hundred yards is widely considered highly unethical due to the absolute necessity of perfect shot placement.

Military Applications

The standard military equivalent of this classic cartridge serves as the primary sniper platform for engaging targets at extreme distances.

The ballistic properties of these rounds offer a perfect balance of manageable recoil weapon durability and absolute high lethality in combat zones.

Modern military specification loads are specifically designed to ensure snipers can accurately deliver supersonic hits completely ignoring complex environmental variables.

Competition Shooting

Within local precision rifle matches and tactical shooting events modern cartridges perform admirably at all distances despite challenging course conditions.

At extreme distances the high ballistic coefficient of modern polymer tipped match ammunition allows veteran shooters to achieve incredible accuracy flawlessly.

Firing heavy calibers from barricades requires significant physical endurance and absolutely excellent fundamental recoil management techniques.

Factors That Affect Hornady 308 Ballistics

External environmental atmospheric variables and physical firearm attributes combine to completely alter how a bullet behaves once it leaves the muzzle.

Barrel Length

Barrel length plays a crucial role in determining how much velocity the powder charge can generate before the bullet exits into the open atmosphere.

A standard twenty four inch barrel allows the slow burning rifle powder inside large cases to completely ignite maximizing the initial velocity.

Shorter tactical rifle barrels can cause a massive loss of velocity which noticeably diminishes stopping power and increases bullet drop at long range.

Bullet Weight

Bullet weight dictates the core relationship between quick initial exit speed and deep terminal penetration inside heavy muscle tissue.

Lighter bullets leave the barrel much faster but lack the physical mass required to retain their velocity through heavy dense atmospheric drag.

Heavier bullets start noticeably slower but hold their forward momentum incredibly well guaranteeing a flat trajectory curve across extreme distances.

Bullet Construction

The physical design of the projectile whether it is an exposed lead core soft point or a highly aerodynamic boat tail match bullet heavily affects performance.

Expanding hunting bullets dump all their kinetic energy rapidly creating massive wound channels which is perfect for bringing down heavy game animals quickly.

Solid match bullets maintain their sleek shape entirely allowing them to punch straight through the air with absolutely minimal aerodynamic drag.

Ballistic Coefficient

The ballistic coefficient measures exactly how easily a bullet overcomes raw air resistance during its long journey across the open field.

A higher ballistic coefficient directly reduces vertical bullet drop mathematically and minimizes the lateral drift caused by harsh sweeping crosswinds.

Professional competitive shooters always prioritize high ballistic coefficient bullets because cheating the wind always supersedes raw muzzle velocity during long range matches.

Altitude

High altitude mountain environments feature incredibly thin air which drastically reduces the aerodynamic drag forces acting against a flying bullet.

Shooters operating in elevated mountain ranges will notice significantly flatter overall pathways and much higher retained velocities than those shooting near sea level.

Temperature

Air temperature heavily impacts atmospheric density with freezing cold temperatures creating denser air that slows down flying projectiles much faster over distance.

Additionally extreme ammunition temperature fluctuations under the hot summer sun can completely alter powder burn rates causing unexpected pressure spikes and velocity changes.

Wind

Due to the massive distances involved in precision shooting crosswinds have a profound and massive effect on the downrange trajectory of the bullet.

A strong continuous crosswind will push the bullet sideways by several feet over long distances requiring precise windage alignment based on detailed ballistic chart evaluations.

Zero Distance

The specific distance at which a heavy rifle is physically zeroed determines the entire mathematical arc of the flight trajectory relative to the optical sights.

An inappropriate zero distance can require excessive physical adjustments on an optics turret when suddenly moving between close targets and distant steel plates.

Best Zero Distance

Choosing the absolute correct zero distance establishes an incredibly efficient baseline for dialing massive elevation holdovers during high stress shooting situations.

100 Yard Zero

A one hundred yard zero is highly popular and considered the absolute gold standard among civilian precision shooters and modern military snipers.

The primary advantage is that wind interference is practically eliminated during the critical sight in process ensuring a perfectly centered and flawless rifle alignment.

The main disadvantage is that you must dial a massive amount of vertical elevation adjustment when transitioning to extremely distant long range targets.

This zero is best for general target practice baseline rifle testing and ensuring total mathematical simplicity when calculating complex ballistic drop charts.

200 Yard Zero

A two hundred yard zero serves as an exceptional general purpose baseline for a wide variety of open country hunting conditions and practical rifle matches.

Utilizing a two hundred yard zero keeps the bullet path incredibly flat through the first two hundred and fifty yards of travel.

The disadvantage is a very slight mid range rise near one hundred yards though it remains small enough to completely ignore when aiming at large vital zones.

This zero is highly recommended for field marksmen who require instant readiness inside three hundred yards without touching their optical elevation turrets.

500 Yard Zero

A five hundred yard zero is an incredibly specialized configuration utilized only by extreme long range specialists testing the absolute maximum limits of optical mounts.

The massive advantage is that it completely eliminates the need to dial massive elevation corrections when engaging distant steel targets right at the half mile mark.

The severe disadvantage is that the bullet flies significantly higher than the line of sight at two hundred yards which guarantees massive embarrassing misses on close targets.

This approach is best reserved for dedicated medium to long range field experiments where steel target distances are consistently uniform and always far away.

1000 Yard Zero

A one thousand yard zero is entirely theoretical for a standard hunting rifle and is used exclusively by extreme experimental open class long range marksmen.

The major benefit of attempting this zero is exploring the absolute maximum trajectory arc that heavy projectiles can physically achieve before hitting the dirt.

The disadvantage is that the shooter must use specialized sloped optical bases just to dial the massive amount of internal elevation required to reach this distance.

This zero is strictly an academic target exercise and should never be applied to practical tactical shooting scenarios or standard hunting operations.

Hornady 308 Compared To Similar Cartridges

To understand exactly where different calibers stand it helps to compare their performance metrics against other prominent extreme long range options.

Cartridge	Velocity	Energy	Trajectory At 500 Yards	Ballistic Coefficient	Effective Range	Recoil	Overall Performance
308 Winchester	2600 fps	2671 ft lbs	50.2 in Low	0.552	1000 yd	Moderate	Legendary Proven Consistency
6.5 Creedmoor	2700 fps	2315 ft lbs	44.5 in Low	0.625	1200 yd	Low	Supreme Match Precision
270 Winchester	3060 fps	2702 ft lbs	40.5 in Low	0.372	800 yd	Moderate Heavy	Extremely Flat Flight Path
300 Winchester Magnum	2960 fps	3502 ft lbs	37.5 in Low	0.484	1400 yd	Heavy	Massive Knock Down Power
7mm Remington Magnum	3110 fps	3221 ft lbs	38.5 in Low	0.361	1200 yd	Heavy	Ultimate Long Range Speed

After reviewing the comparison table above shooters will notice that while modern specialized cartridges offer vastly superior aerodynamic profiles the classic thirty caliber provides significantly more absolute kinetic energy on target. Standard short action rounds deliver incredible barrel life and ubiquitous ammunition availability making them the absolute premier choice for volume target shooters worldwide. When compared to massive heavy magnums the standard hunting cartridge uses significantly less powder and generates perfectly manageable recoil while still accurately ringing steel targets at impressive extended distances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the main purpose of this ballistic chart?

It is used to predict exactly how much a Hornady bullet will fall due to gravity at specific distances allowing shooters to adjust their aim accordingly in the field.

Why do some heavy bullets drop much faster than others at long range?

Bullets with lower velocities and poor aerodynamic blunt shapes experience more atmospheric drag causing them to slow down and fall towards the earth much quicker.

Does a heavy hunting bullet always drop more than a light varmint bullet?

Not necessarily because heavy sleek bullets maintain their velocity incredibly well over long distances resulting in flatter trajectories than light blunt projectiles.

How does wind affect the numbers listed on a standard drop chart?

A drop chart strictly measures vertical gravitational pull but shooters must also calculate horizontal wind deflection separately using specialized windage data tables.

Do I absolutely need a completely different chart for different barrel lengths?

Yes because shorter tactical barrels generate significantly lower muzzle velocities which mathematically alters the entire trajectory profile across all measured distances.

Can I completely trust the ballistic data printed on an ammunition box?

Factory printed data provides an excellent baseline estimate but actual real world environmental conditions and specific rifle variations require shooters to physically verify the exact drops.

What does the term ballistic coefficient specifically mean on these charts?

It is a specific mathematical numerical value representing exactly how efficiently a bullet slices through the dense air and resists atmospheric drag during its flight.

Why is retained energy retention incredibly important for hunting applications?

High retained kinetic energy ensures the bullet hits the animal with enough physical force to penetrate deeply and expand reliably creating a highly ethical harvest.

Does the temperature of my ammunition change the drop chart numbers significantly?

Yes extremely hot ammunition generates much higher internal chamber pressures which increases muzzle velocity and makes the bullet strike slightly higher than expected.

How often should I manually update my personal ballistic drop chart?

You should completely update your specific drop chart whenever you change your ammunition brand zero distance optical scope or travel to a drastically different geographic altitude.