No 5.56 NATO factory load we have sourced carries 1,500 ft·lb for elk past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX 62 gr TSX BT | 62 | not enough | 3,000 | 353 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 70 gr TSX BT | 70 | not enough | 2,850 | 394 | yes |
| Hornady Superformance 55 gr CX | 55 | not enough | 3,175 | 316 | yes |
| Winchester Defender 64 gr Bonded Solid Base | 64 | not enough | 2,800 | 145 | yes |
| Barnes Precision Match 69 gr Match Burner OTM BT | 69 | wrong bullet | 2,900 | 417 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes Precision Match 85 gr Match Burner OTM BT | 85 | wrong bullet | 2,600 | 477 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal American Eagle 55 gr FMJBT | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,165 | 270 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal American Eagle 55 gr FMJBT | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,165 | 270 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal Federal Training 55 gr FMJBT | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,165 | 270 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 55 gr FMJ | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,240 | 280 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 55 gr FMJ | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,240 | 280 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 55 gr FMJ | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,240 | 280 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 55 gr HP Match | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,240 | 302 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 55 gr HP Match | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,240 | 302 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 55 gr HP Match | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,240 | 302 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 62 gr FMJ | 62 | wrong bullet | 3,060 | 331 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 62 gr FMJ | 62 | wrong bullet | 3,060 | 331 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Hornady BLACK 62 gr FMJ | 62 | wrong bullet | 3,060 | 331 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 68 gr BTHP Match | 68 | wrong bullet | 2,960 | 471 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Frontier 75 gr BTHP Match | 75 | wrong bullet | 2,910 | 498 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Hornady BLACK 75 gr InterLock HD SBR | 75 | wrong bullet | 2,321 | 178 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Superformance Match 75 gr BTHP Match | 75 | wrong bullet | 2,910 | 560 | behind the shoulder only |
| SIG Sauer Elite Match Grade 77 gr OTM | 77 | wrong bullet | 2,750 | 456 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester USA 55 gr Full Metal Jacket | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,270 | 335 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester USA 55 gr Full Metal Jacket | 55 | wrong bullet | 3,180 | 273 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 77 gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 77 | wrong bullet | 2,750 | 423 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Super Match 77 gr Match BTHP | 77 | wrong bullet | 2,750 | 423 | behind the shoulder only |
1,500 ft·lb is the number most repeated (Guns & Ammo, Backfire); Hawks says 1,200, Boddington floats 2,000. Avoid quick-opening and match bullets. Legal: SD: ≥ .243 and 1,700 ft·lb at muzzle · CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.gunsandammo.com, www.chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com, regulations.justia.com.