Cartridge vs cartridge
Two loads, side by side - drop, velocity, energy and wind drift at every range from the same zero. See which shoots flatter and which still hits hard downrange. For a full card from one load, use the DOPE Card Builder.
| Yds | Drop (in) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft·lb) | Wind (in) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | A | B | A | B | A | B | |
How this works
- Both cartridges run through the same G1 trajectory solver as our Dope Card, with a 1.5-1.6 in scope height, the zero you choose and sea-level standard air.
- Each cartridge is a named Hornady factory load; its muzzle velocity is Hornady's and its G1 BC reproduces Hornady's published table within 0.1 in, so the comparison is between two real boxes of ammunition, not between «typical» numbers.
What it leaves out:your rifle's real muzzle velocity, altitude and temperature, and bullet construction - two loads with the same drop can behave very differently on game.
Sources: Hornady, Precision Hunter product pages · Hornady, Superformance product pages
These are calculated numbers at standard sea-level atmosphere, not your rifle's truth. Advertised velocities and nominal ballistic coefficients vary from what your barrel and load actually do, and altitude and temperature shift everything. Use this to compare loads on paper, then confirm the winner at the range. Energy under about 1,000 ft·lb is shown in red as a rough floor for deer-sized game - always match the load to your quarry and hunt within a range where you can place every shot. See the cartridge & energy guide.
Range-day gear, whatever the cartridge
A cartridge only performs as well as the zero and the practice behind it. These are the tools for that part.
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