Ammo Reports Team
| Official Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hornady |
| Cartridge | 6.5 Creedmoor |
| Product Line | American Gunner |
| Bullet Name / Bullet Type | BTHP Match |
| Bullet Weight | 140 gr |
| SKU / Part Number / Item Number | 81482 |
| UPC | 090255814828 |
| Rounds per Box | 50 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,690 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,249 ft-lb |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | 0.580 |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer | Not found |
| Reloadable | Yes |
| Test Barrel Length | 24 in |
| Zero Distance | 200 yd |
| Sight Height | Not found |
| Intended Use | Target shooting, training, competition, and general-purpose use |
| Product Status | Current |
| Closest Competitors | PPU Supreme 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT; Federal Gold Medal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Open Tip Match; Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD Match; Remington Premier Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP; Nosler Match Grade 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr RDF HPBT |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Official Ballistics
Hornady publishes the following data for this exact 81482 load from a 24-inch test barrel with a 200-yard zero. Wind drift is omitted because Hornady does not publish an exact wind table for this product.
| Distance (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2,690 | 2,249 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2,536 | 2,000 | +2.0 |
| 200 | 2,388 | 1,773 | 0.0 |
| 300 | 2,245 | 1,566 | -8.1 |
| 400 | 2,106 | 1,379 | -23.0 |
| 500 | 1,972 | 1,209 | -45.8 |
Official Hornady product and ballistics source.
Product Overview
American Gunner pairs a 140 gr BTHP Match bullet with a 50-round package. Hornady positions the line for broad use, with the hollow-point boat-tail geometry focused on consistent accuracy rather than controlled hunting expansion.
Best Uses
- Target practice and training
- Club-level precision competition
- Shooters who prefer a 140 gr BTHP in a 50-round box
Reliability Notes
- The 2,690 fps specification comes from a 24-inch test barrel; shorter barrels will commonly produce lower velocity.
- The official trajectory is based on a 200-yard zero and must be verified in the individual rifle.
- BTHP Match bullets are built for accuracy; do not assume hunting-bullet terminal behavior.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC (G1) | Muzzle Velocity | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPU Supreme 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT | 140 gr | Sierra MatchKing HPBT | 0.617 | 2,690 fps | Same-weight match alternative |
| Federal Gold Medal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Open Tip Match | 140 gr | Sierra MatchKing OTM | 0.617 | 2,650 fps | Federal premium match load |
| Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD Match | 140 gr | ELD Match | 0.646 | 2,710 fps | Higher-BC Hornady match option |
| Remington Premier Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 140 gr | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 0.617 | Approx. 2,700 fps | Remington premium match option |
| Nosler Match Grade 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr RDF HPBT | 140 gr | RDF HPBT | Not found | Approx. 2,650 fps | Nosler match alternative |
FAQ
Why does American Gunner come in 50-round boxes instead of 20?
Hornady packages American Gunner rifle ammunition in 50-round boxes to match the buying pattern of their target customer — a shooter who goes through more rounds per session than a hunter. A 20-round box is practical for a hunting trip; a 50-round box is practical for a range day or club match. The per-round cost is lower in the 50-round format, which reinforces the value positioning. For casual or infrequent shooters a 50-round box may be more than they need in one session, but the economics favor buying by the box regardless.
BTHP vs ELD-M — what’s the difference and does it matter for practice?
The BTHP (Boat-Tail Hollow Point) is Hornady’s legacy match bullet design — accurate and proven, with BC 0.580. The ELD-M uses Hornady’s Heat Shield tip which maintains meplat consistency at high velocity (unlike standard polymer tips that can deform in flight), producing BC 0.646 and measurably better long-range performance. For practice inside 400 yards, the BC difference between 0.580 and 0.646 produces less than 2 inches of additional drop — not practically meaningful for most shooters. For competition at 500–1,000 yards, the ELD-M’s advantage grows. For everyday practice and club-level matches, BTHP is sufficient.
Can I use American Gunner for deer or elk hunting?
No — BTHP Match bullets are not designed for terminal expansion on game. The hollow point is a manufacturing precision feature for concentricity, not an expansion mechanism for hunting. For hunting in 6.5 CM, Hornady makes the Precision Hunter line with the ELD-X bullet (expanding, designed for deer through elk) and the Outfitter line with CX (lead-free). Using match bullets for hunting is not recommended.
Is the BC 0.580 accurate — some sources say 0.617?
BC 0.580 is confirmed for the American Gunner 140 gr BTHP (SKU 81482) across multiple retailers (Palmetto State Armory, Shooting Targets USA, Starlight Tactical). The BC 0.617 figure belongs to the Sierra MatchKing 140 gr used in other loads (PPU Supreme, Federal Gold Medal, Remington Premier Match). These are different bullets. Hornady’s BTHP Match bullet has a BC of 0.580 — lower than Sierra MatchKing’s 0.617, but still competitive for a match-grade load in this price range.
Submit Your Data · Real-World Results
Manufacturer velocity figures are measured under controlled lab conditions — barrel length, temperature, and lot number all affect real-world performance. The data below comes from community submissions tied to specific test conditions and reviewed before publishing.
Once this page reaches 3 approved submissions, aggregate velocity and confidence level will appear here automatically.
| UPC # | Firearm | Barrel (in) | Avg Velocity (fps) | Shots | Temp (°F) | Chronograph | Lot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 090255814828 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet |
Shot this load? Share your results — firearm type, barrel length, average velocity, shots fired, temperature. No account required.
ES and SD data are especially valuable for this practice/match load — include them in Notes if your chronograph captures them.
All submissions are manually reviewed before appearing on this page.
You need to login first.Results vary by firearm, barrel condition, ammunition lot, and environmental factors. Submitted data is for reference only. AmmoReports does not guarantee accuracy of user-submitted results.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions) · Specs verified against Hornady official ballistics chart and multiple established retailers. Velocity from 24″ test barrel.
