Preforms for preparing lightweight stretch blow molded pet copolymer containers and methods for making and using same

An injection molded preform for making a stretch blow molded container, wherein the preform comprises a container grade PET Copolymer, wherein the container grade PET Copolymer has a free blow volume of from about 650 to about 800 ml measured at 100° C. and 90 psi using a 25 gram weight preform designed for a 500 ml container with a maximum diameter of 65 mm and a height of 200 mm from below the container finish and having a hoop stretch ratio of 5.5 and an axial stretch ratio of 2.6, wherein the preform is configured for making a stretch blow molded container having an overall stretch ratio of the container relative to the preform of from about 12 to about 16,

• wherein the overall stretch ratio is a product of a hoop stretch ratio and an axial stretch ratio,
• wherein the hoop stretch ratio of the container relative to the preform is from about 5.6 to about 6.5, and
• wherein the axial stretch ratio of the container relative to the preform is from about 2.4 to about 2.7.