Hornady Ammunition Ballistic Data

The Hornady Ballistics Chart is a shooter's best friend for referencing crucial ammo data that directly affects the performance of a rifle. This article reviews all the crucial data contained in the Hornady Ballistics Chart and breaks it down into fast-understandable bits for all shooters. Read on and figure out how you can save time and leverage data from this chart to improve your shooting performance.

What Is the Hornady Ballistics Chart & Why Use It?

The Hornady Ballistics Chart is a comprehensive resource tool that details crucial ammunition ballistics data, including ammo description, velocity, energy, and trajectory metrics. Target shooters, reloaders, marksmen, hunters, and gun enthusiasts reference the Hornady Ballistics Chart to choose the right loads befitting their intended firearm use, enabling them to finesse their shooting accuracy and precision. 

Shooters use Hornady Ballistic Chart data to fine-tune their firearms to match their rifle system and shooting environment, thereby boosting performance and improving how they shoot with precision. For instance, when hunting big game using the 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser, you can reference the data chart to calibrate your rifle using precise muzzle velocity, energy, and trajectory data for this cartridge. 

Better yet, browsing the Hornady Ballistics Chart provides all the information you need before purchasing ammunition at Able's, empowering you to make a data-informed purchase. This way, you buy the right loads tailored to your specific needs, be it varmint hunting or target shooting. 

Key Data Columns in the Hornady Chart

The Hornady Ballistics Chart consists of the following data points:

• Muzzle velocity & muzzle energy: These two parameters influence a bullet's terminal performance, range, and accuracy. The chart displays muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) and muzzle energy in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). 
• Yard velocity/energy or trajectory data (if provided): These parameters detail a bullet's projected velocity/energy across 100-500 yards. It helps shooters account for factors such as gravity, drag, and wind drift that impact a projectile's terminal performance. 
• Bullet weight/type: The chart includes ammo description details, such as cartridge and bullet type. This helps shooters select the right ammo matching their rifles to maximize shooting performance.

How Do Different Hornady Cartridges Compare (per the Chart)?

Let’s illustrate how different cartridges compare in terms of performance and typical application in real-world shooting, starting with the Hornady 243 ballistics chart.

.243 Winchester

The 243 Ballistics Chart Hornady lists these seven 243 Win bullet types:

1. 243 Win 58 gr. V-MAX w/Moly: It's suitable for varmint and predator hunting. It boasts an impressive muscle velocity increase of 100 to 200ft per second, which delivers deadly terminal results. Its muscle velocity is 3925 fps, and energy is 1984 ft-lb. 
2. 243 Win 75 gr. HP: It's customized for predator and varmint hunting. It has a high muzzle velocity of 3580 fps and energy of 2134 ft-lb, making it perfect for medium game hunting. 
3. 243 Win 85 gr. InterBond LM: With a muscle velocity of 3175fps and energy of 1902 ft-lb, this ammo is perfect for small to medium game hunting. 
4. 243 Win 95 gr. SST LM Interlock: It has a muscle velocity of 3100 fps and energy of 2027 ft-lb. It delivers high performance with manageable recoil, low chamber pressure, and muzzle blast, making it the right choice for medium game hunting. 
5. 243 Win 95 gr. SST InterLock: It features a muscle velocity of 2950 fps and energy of 1835 ft-lb. It's a top choice for deer hunters and other small game hunters who love flat-shooting.
6. 243 Win 100 gr. BTSP LM InterLock: It features a muscle velocity of 3100 fps and energy of 2133 ft-lb, perfect for hunting white-tailed deer. 
7. 243 Win 100 gr. BTSP InterLock: It features a muscle velocity of 2960 fps and 1945 ft-lb. This ammo is famed for its hard-hitting terminal performance and exceptional controlled expansion.

.223 Remington

Many .223 Remington loads are optimized for velocity, making them useful for varmint or target shooting. They're good for shooters using smaller rifles or wanting lower recoil, especially for training or small-game hunting. Some of the .223 Remington listed on the Hornady chart include:

• 222 Rem 50 gr. V-MAX w/Moly: Muscle velocity (3140fps), energy (1094ft-lb)
• 223 Rem 53 gr. HP W/C: Muscle velocity (3330fps), energy (1350ft-lb)
• 223 Rem 55 gr. V-MAX: Muscle velocity (3240fps), energy (1282ft-lb)
• 223 Rem 60 gr. TAP-FPD: Muscle velocity (3115fps), energy (1293ft-lb)
• 223 Rem 75 gr. BTHP Match: Muscle velocity (2790fps), energy (1296ft-lb)

22-250 Remington & .204 Ruger (Varmint/High-velocity Cartridges)

22-250 Remington ammo are flat trajectory loads with very high velocity. They're ideal for long-range predator and varmint hunting. Some of the 22-250 Remington loads listed on the Hornady Ballistics chart include:

• 22-250 Rem 40 gr. V-MAX: Muscle velocity (4150fps), energy (1529ft-lb)
• 22-250 Rem 50 gr. V-MAX: Muscle velocity (3800fps), energy (1603ft-lb)
• 22-250 Rem 55 gr. V-MAX: Muscle velocity (3680fps), energy (1654ft-lb)
• 22-250 Rem 60 gr. SP: Muscle velocity (3600fps), energy (1726ft-lb)

The list also includes 204 Ruger loads, which have extremely high muzzle velocity, making them ideal for varmints or small-game hunting at extended ranges that require top speed and flat shooting. Top 204 Ruger loads include:

• 204 Ruger 32 gr. V-MAX: Muscle velocity (4225fps), energy (1268ft-lb)
• 204 Ruger 40 gr. V-MAX: Muscle velocity (3900fps), energy (1351ft-lb)
• 204 Ruger 45 gr. SP: Muscle velocity (3625fps), energy (1313ft-lb)

.308 Winchester

The Hornady Ballistic Chart lists multiple 308 Winchester loads. They're a favorite of large-game hunters and tactical shooters who value their impressive barrel life, enhanced shooting accuracy over long ranges, and manageable recoil. Top 308 Winchester loads with high velocity include:

• 308 Win 110 gr. TAP-FPD: Muscle velocity (3165fps), energy (2446ft-lb)
• 308 Win 150 gr. SST LM InterLock: Muscle velocity (3000fps), energy (2997ft-lb)
• 308 Win 150 gr. InterBond: Muscle velocity (2820fps), energy (2648ft-lb)

How Do You Use the Hornady Ballistics Chart To Choose Your Ammo at Able Ammo?

Start by referencing the chart data to match cartridge, bullet type, and intended use (hunting, target, varmint). Doing so gives you a baseline to evaluate rifle, barrel length, and realistic shooting conditions. Finally, when browsing Able's inventory, use the chart side by side, so it's easier to pick loads that satisfy specific performance expectations before you place your order.

Practical Tips When Shopping for Ammo Online

For starters, you want to confirm bullet type (V-MAX, SP, match, etc.) and cartridge in the chart before ordering to ensure an error-free shopping process. Carefully review the trajectory and energy data listed in the Hornady Chart to pick the most effective range that matches your intended rifle use.

If your intended application is varmint or hunting, choose high-velocity and flat-trajectory loads. For big-game hunting, select heavier bullets, such as the .270 Winchester.

Where Can You Access the Official Hornady Ballistics Chart PDF?

Access the Hornady Ballistics Chart PDF here. Download the chart for convenient future reference. Keep a soft or print copy in case you need it when you're offline.