4 of 10 6mm ARC factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 400 yd (Hornady Precision Hunter 103 gr ELD-X). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Precision Hunter 103 gr ELD-X | 103 | 400 | 2,800 | 888 | yes |
| Barnes Harvest Collection 100 gr Sierra Tipped GameKing | 100 | 350 | 2,800 | 861 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes VOR-TX 90 gr TAC-TX BT | 90 | 300 | 2,935 | 764 | yes |
| Hornady Custom 90 gr CX | 90 | 300 | 2,950 | 733 | yes |
| Hornady Hornady BLACK 105 gr BTHP | 105 | wrong bullet | 2,750 | 886 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady 108 gr ELD Match | 108 | wrong bullet | 2,750 | 916 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes Precision Match 105 gr Match Burner OTM BT | 105 | wrong bullet | 2,675 | 808 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal Gold Medal Berger 108 gr Berger BT Target | 108 | wrong bullet | 2,650 | 832 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal American Eagle 110 gr TMJ | 110 | wrong bullet | 2,550 | 642 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady V-Match 80 gr ELD-VT | 80 | wrong bullet | 3,020 | 680 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 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.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.