Blog

Common Calibre Ballistics: .22 LR, .223 Rem, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor and .300 Win Mag

By PROS Committee | 28 July 2026

A simple visual comparison of five common calibres from 100 metres to 1,000 metres, using a 100 metre zero and typical factory-load assumptions.

This article gives a broad visual comparison of five common sporting calibres often discussed around hunting, field shooting and long-range practice: .22 LR, .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor and .300 Winchester Magnum. The charts below are illustrative only. Real-world trajectory changes with rifle, barrel length, projectile, ballistic coefficient, muzzle velocity, sight height, weather, altitude, wind and confirmed zero. Always use manufacturer data, a verified ballistic calculator and live confirmation on an approved range before relying on any trajectory information. The comparison uses a 100 metre zero and typical factory-load style assumptions so readers can understand the general shape of each cartridge's performance, not exact firing solutions.

Chart assumptions

Zero: 100 metres. Drop values show approximate centimetres below the 100 m zero line.

Loads: representative factory-style loads only, not a promise of exact performance from any rifle.

Use: education and comparison. Confirm all real data on an approved range with safe procedures.

Centre-fire trajectory comparison

Approximate drop in centimetres from a 100 m zero.

.223 Rem.308 Win6.5 Creedmoor.300 Win Mag

Individual trajectory charts

Each chart uses its own scale so the curve shape remains readable.

.22 LR

40 gr high velocity style load

100-1,000 m

Included for scale only. This cartridge is strongly affected by wind and is not a normal 1,000 m choice.

.223 Rem

55 gr sporting load

100-1,000 m

Light recoil and common availability, but wind and retained energy become limiting factors at longer distance.

.308 Win

168 gr match or hunting style load

100-1,000 m

A common benchmark cartridge with broad rifle and ammunition support.

6.5 Creedmoor

140 gr high BC style load

100-1,000 m

Often valued for efficient long-range performance and moderate recoil.

.300 Win Mag

180 gr magnum hunting style load

100-1,000 m

Higher velocity and retained speed, usually with more recoil and ammunition cost.

Approximate drop table

Range	.22 LR	.223 Rem	.308 Win	6.5 Creedmoor	.300 Win Mag
100 m	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm	0 cm
200 m	-72 cm	-9 cm	-10 cm	-8 cm	-7 cm
300 m	-250 cm	-36 cm	-39 cm	-31 cm	-27 cm
400 m	-560 cm	-85 cm	-91 cm	-72 cm	-62 cm
500 m	-1,000 cm	-163 cm	-175 cm	-135 cm	-116 cm
600 m	-1,560 cm	-278 cm	-298 cm	-225 cm	-191 cm
700 m	-2,250 cm	-440 cm	-475 cm	-348 cm	-296 cm
800 m	-3,080 cm	-660 cm	-714 cm	-511 cm	-434 cm
900 m	-4,050 cm	-945 cm	-1,025 cm	-722 cm	-612 cm
1000 m	-5,200 cm	-1,300 cm	-1,410 cm	-990 cm	-840 cm

Approximate remaining velocity table

Range	.22 LR	.223 Rem	.308 Win	6.5 Creedmoor	.300 Win Mag
100 m	285 m/s	850 m/s	745 m/s	765 m/s	835 m/s
200 m	240 m/s	760 m/s	690 m/s	718 m/s	784 m/s
300 m	210 m/s	675 m/s	638 m/s	673 m/s	735 m/s
400 m	190 m/s	595 m/s	588 m/s	630 m/s	688 m/s
500 m	174 m/s	520 m/s	540 m/s	589 m/s	643 m/s
600 m	160 m/s	455 m/s	495 m/s	549 m/s	600 m/s
700 m	149 m/s	395 m/s	452 m/s	512 m/s	559 m/s
800 m	140 m/s	345 m/s	412 m/s	477 m/s	520 m/s
900 m	133 m/s	305 m/s	376 m/s	445 m/s	484 m/s
1000 m	127 m/s	275 m/s	344 m/s	415 m/s	450 m/s

Important note

These figures are general website education only. They are not legal, hunting, firearms safety or ballistic advice. PROS members must follow all applicable laws, licence conditions, range rules, landholder requirements and society safety standards.