Understanding bullet drop is crucial for accurate long-range shooting with the 6.5 Creedmoor. This guide provides a sample 6.5 Creedmoor drop chart in MOA (Minute of Angle) for 140-grain ammunition. Remember, this is a sample chart, and actual bullet drop will vary based on several factors. Always conduct your own zeroing and data collection for optimal accuracy in your specific rifle and environmental conditions.
Factors Affecting Bullet Drop
Before diving into the chart, it's vital to understand the variables influencing bullet trajectory:
- Ammunition: Even within the same grain weight (140 grains in this case), different manufacturers' ammunition will exhibit varying ballistic coefficients (BC), affecting drop. The BC describes the bullet's ability to overcome air resistance. Higher BC generally means less drop.
- Rifle Twist Rate: The rate of twist in your rifle's barrel influences bullet stability. An improperly stabilized bullet will experience more erratic flight and increased drop.
- Muzzle Velocity: The speed at which the bullet leaves the barrel directly impacts its trajectory. Higher muzzle velocity generally translates to less drop at longer ranges.
- Environmental Conditions: Wind speed and direction, temperature, altitude, and humidity all significantly affect bullet drop. Higher altitudes and lower temperatures generally lead to slightly increased velocity and reduced drop, while headwinds obviously increase drop.
- Sight Height: The height of your scope's optical center above the bore will impact the point of impact at various ranges.
Sample 6.5 Creedmoor Drop Chart (MOA) - 140 Grain
This chart provides estimated drop values in MOA for a 140-grain 6.5 Creedmoor bullet. It assumes a muzzle velocity of approximately 2700 fps and a standard 1.5" scope height. Do not rely on this chart for precision shooting without rigorous testing and verification with your specific rifle and ammunition.
| Range (Yards) | Drop (MOA) | Windage (MOA) (10mph Crosswind) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
| 300 | 1.5 | 1.0 |
| 400 | 3.5 | 1.5 |
| 500 | 6.5 | 2.0 |
| 600 | 10.5 | 2.5 |
| 700 | 15.5 | 3.0 |
| 800 | 21.5 | 3.5 |
Note: Windage values are estimates and highly dependent on wind speed and direction. They're included to illustrate the significant effect wind has on bullet trajectory.
Creating Your Own Drop Chart
For accurate long-range shooting, creating your own drop chart using your specific rifle, ammunition, and environmental conditions is essential. This involves:
- Zeroing your rifle: Establish a zero at a known distance (e.g., 100 yards).
- Shooting at various ranges: Fire several shots at increasing ranges (e.g., 200, 300, 400 yards).
- Measuring bullet drop: Calculate the vertical difference between your point of aim and point of impact at each range.
- Recording data: Maintain detailed records of environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, wind) for each shot group.
- Analyzing results: Use ballistics software or online calculators to analyze your data and generate a custom drop chart.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always prioritize safety when handling firearms. Consult a qualified firearms instructor for proper training and safe handling techniques. Improper use of firearms can lead to serious injury or death.
