Legendary whitetails

Long range precision shooting, aka sniping, is a complex art that requires years of practice, professional instruction, and meticulous attention to detail. While the marksman’s shooting ability is crucial to making an accurate shot, picking the right cartridge is just as important.
The right cartridge can help a marksman extend their effective range, enhance accuracy, or deliver the necessary stopping power to take down their target. This article will provide an in-depth overview of the 10 best sniper cartridges available on the market today so you can make the best decision when purchasing your next long range shooting rifle.
If you simply cannot wait, the best overall sniper rifle cartridge is the 300 Winchester Magnum.
However, if you want to know a bit more, keep scrolling and check out our top 10 list!

Top 10 Best Sniper Rifle Cartridges

• 300 Winchester Magnum
• 6.5 Creedmoor
• 308 Winchester
• 300 PRC
• 7.62x54R
• 224 Valkyrie
• 338 Lapua Magnum
• 408 CheyTac
• 416 Barrett
• 50 BMG

.300 Winchester Magnum (300 Win Mag)

If you decide to scale the fence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and take an unscheduled stroll in the Rose Garden, it’s likely you’ll find yourself on the business end of a Secret Service Remington 700 chambered in 300 Winchester Magnum.
The .300 Winchester Magnum, also known as the 300 Win Mag, was released in 1963 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company initially as a big game hunting cartridge. Although not an immediate commercial success due to staunch competition from the 7mm Reminton Magnum, the 300 Win Mag steadily grew in popularity and has become the most popular 30-caliber magnum cartridge on the planet.
Winchester developed the 300 Win Mag using the venerable 375 H&H Magnum as a parent case. Capable of firing bullets between 110 and 220 grains, the 300 Win Mag offers shoots unparalleled levels of versatility when it comes to bullet selection to take on big game from whitetail to moose.
In terms of performance, the 300 Win Mag is widely accepted to have a 1,200 yard effective range on two-legged varmints. However, when using extremely low drag bullets like the 220 grain Sierra Matchking, military snipers have extended their range out to nearly 1,500 yards.
Offering a nearly 20% increase in muzzle energy over the 30-06 Springfield, the 300 Win Mag can take down any big game animal in North America and all but the largest game animals in Africa.
Although the 300 Win Mag is known for its flat trajectory and amazing terminal ballistics, shooters pay for this performance in terms of recoil. Capable of generating nearly 35 ft-lbs of free recoil or more depending on the load, the 300 Win Mag can be difficult for new or inexperienced shooters to handle.
However, compared to some of the heavy hitters we have on our top ten list (I’m looking at you 50 BMG!), the 300 Win Mag has relatively mild recoil especially when tamed with a muzzle brake or suppressor.
Given the popularity of the round, 300 Win Mag ammo is easy to find and match-grade custom loads are readily available. Furthermore, 300 Win Mag ammo won’t break the bank if you’re looking to buy factory loads while reloading components are readily available.
When you add it all up, it should be no surprise that the 300 Winchester Magnum is our top choice for the best sniper rifle cartridge. It offers precision rifle shooters and military snipers exceptional downrange performance, stopping power, and effective range at a price point that can’t be beat.

6.5 Creedmoor (6.5 CM)

The 6.5 Creedmoor is the cartridge that single-handedly started the 6.5mm cartridge love fest in North America. Introduced in 2007 by Hornady Ammunition, the 6.5 Creedmoor was the product of a gripe session between legendary shooter Dennis DeMille and Dave Emary, the senior ballistician of Hornady at the time.
What they produced was a cartridge that was low recoil, had a flatter trajectory than a 308 Winchester, and was capable of making 1,000 yard shots with relative ease. Extremely tight tolerances in the chamber throat design make the Creedmoor one of the most inherently accurate out of the box rounds available in the market today.
Although the 6.5 Creedmoor began its life as a competitive long range shooting round, it found itself pushed into service as a hunting cartridge as well. It is extremely effective against whitetail, mule deer, and antelope with impressive terminal ballistics on these medium-sized game animals at longer ranges. The 6.5 CM can be utilized against elk with proper shot placement and a proper hunting bullet. The Creedmoor’s long, aerodynamic projectiles have incredibly high ballistic coefficients and are typically found inside the 135 to 150 grain weight range.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has also received some attention by the U.S. military, as tests of the round by USSOCOM discovered that military snipers doubled their hit percentages at 1,000 yards when switching to the 6.5. Since the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to fit into a short-action rifle, it is suitable for use in the semi-automatic AR-10 as well as the Springfield M1A and the FN SCAR 20S.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the 6.5 CM is its low recoil impulse, making it easier for new or recoil-sensitive shooters to handle. Low recoil also aids in downrange accuracy, as shooters are less likely to develop a recoil-anticipation flinch.
Ammo for the 6.5 Creedmoor is easy to find and inexpensive, as it has quickly become the most popular 6.5mm cartridge in North America. Match-grade ammo is also readily available from multiple manufacturers and virtually every rifle company has multiple precision rifle options available chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Low recoil, inexpensive ammo, and an effective range of 1,000+ yards solidifies the 6.5 Creedmoor into our #2 spot for the best sniper rifle cartridge available on the market today.

308 Winchester (308 Win, 7.62x51mm NATO)

The development of the 308 Winchester (military designation - 7.62x51mm NATO) began after the Korean War to replace the long-serving 30-06 Springfield round. In 1954, the US Army officially adopted the 7.62x51mm NATO as their new cartridge and it saw limited service in Vietnam in the M1 combat rifle before being replaced by the 5.56x45mm NATO (223 Rem).
Winchester quickly saw the utility of the 7.62x51mm NATO round on the civilian market and introduced the new rifle cartridge as the 308 Winchester in its short action Model 70 rifle in 1952, two full years before the U.S. Military formally adopted the cartridge.
The 308 Winchester was almost an immediate commercial success for its astounding accuracy, stopping power, and an effective range out to 1,000 yards (with appropriate loadings). Since the 1950’s and even up to this day, the 308 Win has been a staple in deer hunting camps and in marksmanship competitions across the globe.
One of the appeals of the 308 Winchester for big game hunting is its versatility in bullet weight, typically ranging between 120 to 180 grains. This allows it to be a great all-around hunting cartridge for whitetail deer all the way up to elk and black bear.
The 308 Win is still in service to this day for use in machine guns as well as for precision work by military snipers. It is the preferred round for the US Marine Corps as well as the Army for their snipers. Law enforcement sharpshooters also utilize the 308 Winchester to great effect as they often do not need the extreme long range capabilities of heavier rounds.
For newer shooters, the 308 Winchester is relatively easy to handle as it has mild recoil compared to the 300 Win Mag but slightly more than the 6.5 Creedmoor. In terms of ammo availability, 308 Win can be found in all varieties of factory loads. From surplus 7.62 NATO to precision match-grade ammo, the sky is the limit when it comes to the 308!
Although the 308 Winchester might not be as powerful as the 300 Win Mag and has more recoil than the 6.5 Creedmoor, the 308 offers an excellent middle-of-the-road option for precision shooters who are looking for an inexpensive medium-range cartridge.

300 Precision Rifle Cartridge (300 PRC)

The Hornady 300 Precision Rifle Cartridge (PRC) was specifically designed with long range precision shooting in mind. Hornady developed the cartridge to fire long, aerodynamic, and high BC 30-caliber bullets to be everything long range shooters want but haven’t heard about yet.
The 300 PRC began when the ballisticians at Hornady wanted to bridge the gap between the 300 Winchester Magnum and 338 Lapua Magnum for extreme long range (ELR) shooters who wanted to air it out past 1,500 yards but not have to endure the shoulder punishing recoil of the 338.
Other cartridges had attempted this but fell slightly short of the mark, namely the 30 Nosler and 300 Norma Magnum. Barrel life for these cartridges is painfully short, and Hornady wanted to provide shooters with a cartridge that could fire 200+ grain 0.308” diameter bullet while maintaining an acceptable lifespan of the barrel.
Using the 375 Ruger as a parent case, Hornady necked down the cartridge to accept a 30-caliber bullet and set the shoulder angle at 30 degrees, and thusly the 300 PRC was born.
Hornady specifically built the 300 PRC to be a magnum cartridge and did not constrain themselves by using a long action like what happened with the 300 Winchester Magnum. Instead, they build the rifle around the cartridge, and what they got was an extremely accurate long range cartridge that can easily compete with the 338 Lapua in terms of trajectory.
The 300 PRC embodies everything amazing about the 6.5 Creedmoor and adapts it to 30 caliber. Hornady rolled out their new cartridge at 2019 SHOT Show and received SAAMI approval in August of 2018.
The initial design for the 300 PRC fires a 212 gr bullet at 2860 fps and 3850 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. Hornady also offers factory loads with 220, 225, and 250 grain bullets.
In terms of recoil, the 300 PRC will have around 10% higher recoil than a 300 Win Mag in the same rifle. This isn’t terrible by any stretch, but the 300 PRC does slap a bit harder both downrange and on the shooter’s shoulder.
Ammo availability is a real issue for the 300 PRC, as Hornady is the only manufacturer currently producing factory loads for the cartridge at the time of writing. However, Federal and Berger have plans to introduce their own lines of 300 PRC, which should help shooters acquire brass and match-grade ammo for the cartridge.
Unlike ammo availability, rifles are relatively easy to find chambered in 300 PRC. For out of the box accuracy, you can’t go wrong with a Ruger Precision Rifle, Browning X-Bolt, or Savage 110 Precision for a long-range turnkey setup.
Although ammo might be hard to find for the 300 PRC, the cartridge seems to be on the rise and is an excellent option for shooting a 30-caliber bullet over 1,000 yards.

7.62x54R

This one might be a bit of a surprise, as Russian ammunition has a bad rap for being inaccurate. However, when properly loaded and paired with an accurized rifle, the 7.62x54R rifle cartridge can be an incredibly accurate round.
The 7.62x54R was initially developed for the bolt-action Mosin Nagant rifle in 1891. However, it is currently in service to Eastern European armies in machine guns like the PKM and the PKP as well as the PSL and Dragunov sniper rifles.
The 7.62x54R finds itself put into service as a medium to long range sniper cartridge, as it is slightly more powerful than the 308 Win but less than the 300 Win Mag. This makes for a relatively enjoyable shooting experience that won’t inflict too much punishment to the shooter in terms of recoil.
The main issue when employing a 7.62x54R as a sniper round is finding appropriate long range ammo. Surplus 7N1 (Russian match-grade ammo) is hard to find these days, which means you’ll need to look to reloading your own rounds if you want to turn your Mosin Nagant or PSL into a precision shooting machine.
However, the long-range effectiveness of the 7.62x54R should not be overlooked as the round currently holds the #17 spot of the longest recorded sniper shots in history. Furthermore, the deadliest sniper in recorded history, Simo Häyhä, used a Finnish M28-30 Mosin Nagant and the 7.62x54R to claim the lives of over 500 Russian soldiers during the Winter War of 1939 (using iron sights no less!)
Although it might not be flashy or advanced as modern cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor or 300 PRC, the 7.62x54R is a formidable medium range sniper cartridge that can be had for a fraction of the cost.

224 Valkyrie

When you pick up an average, run-of-the-mill AR-15, you often don’t think of it as a rifle that can shoot upwards of 1,000 yards. The 224 Valkyrie was made to change that perception.
At 2018 SHOT Show, the 224 Valkyrie was released by Federal to provide AR-15 marksmen a soft-shooting semi-automatic cartridge that was capable of matching 6.5 Creedmoor levels of performance.
The 224 Valkyrie was developed around firing 90 grain Sierra Matchking bullets with a ridiculously high BC of 0.563, putting it on par with the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Grendel in terms of ballistic performance.
This high BC allows the 224 Valkyrie to shoot upwards of 1,300 yards, affording long range shooting competitors an incredibly low recoiling, economic cartridge that can achieve sub-MOA accuracy in a sport often dominated by larger calibers.
Although most sniper rifles are bolt-action, the 224 Valkyrie manages to transform the AR-15 semi-auto rifle into an incredibly versatile long range tack driver.

338 Lapua Magnum

Now we’re entering the world of the extremely long-range (ELR) shooting cartridges that are utilized in sniper rifles.
Development of the 338 Lapua Mag began in 1983 by US-based company, Research Armament Industries (RAI). Their goal was to create a cartridge that bridged the gap between the 300 Win Mag and the 50 BMG.
The design specification required that the cartridge be able to penetrate 5 layers of military-grade body armor at 1000 meters and fire a 0.338” bullet for its ideal sectional density and ballistic coefficient. The targeted muzzle velocity to achieve this requirement was 3,000 fps.
Initial designs for the 338 Lapua Mag utilized the 416 Rigby as a parent case, simply necking it down to accept a 250 grain Hornady A-MAX bullet. Sadly, the 416 Rigby case was not strong enough to withstand the pressures needed to achieve RAI’s ballistic goals.
For reference, the 416 Rigby was designed in 1911 to use cordite as a propellant, not smokeless powder. As such, the Rigby case walls simply could not withstand the savage pressures the new RAI cartridge needed and the first few batches of the new 338 ammo failed miserably.
At this point RAI was under pressure from the military to finish their work and they desperately reached out to the Finnish company, Lapua, in 1984. Straddled with debt, RAI had to drop out of the program and this left the fate of the new cartridge in the hands of the engineers at Lapua.
Never to back down from a challenge, the ballistics team at Lapua joined forces with Sako and Accuracy International to work on redesigning the 416/338 cases into something that could handle close to 60,000 psi of pressure.
At first the case web and walls were thickened, which helped somewhat. However, the real innovation by Lapua came in the form of hardness distribution (hard to soft) from the cartridge face to the mouth.
The final product was an extremely pressure resistant case that was able to achieve velocities just short of the initial 3,000 fps goal, but the finalized 338 Lapua Magnum cartridge submitted and accepted by the CIP (the European version of SAAMI) in 1989 and became a NATO cartridge shortly thereafter.
NATO standard 338 Lapua Mag ammo fires a 250 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3,000 fps and muzzle energy of 4892 ft-lbs.
If you’re familiar with long-range shooting, then you’re likely aware that the 338 Lapua has been responsible for some of the longest confirmed sniper rifle kills in history.
The #4 spot currently belongs to Corporal Craig Harrison of the British Army firing a 338 Lapua Magnum out of his Accuracy International L115A3. Taking down a Taliban insurgent at 2,707 yards (that’s about 1.5 miles) in 2009, Harrison held the #1 spot for 3 years until he was overtaken by an unnamed Australian sniper who popped another hostile in Afghanistan using a 50 BMG out of a Barrett M82A1.
As for American service men who wear the stars and stripes on their shoulders, I would be remiss if I did not mention American sniper legend Chris Kyle, who took down a hostile in the Iraq War at 2,100 yards (1.19 miles) using 338 Lapua Mag. He currently holds the #11 spot on the longest sniper shots in history.
The 338 Lapua Mag can take down every large game animal on the planet, including African elephants, cape buffalo, and rhinoceros with proper shot placement. It is becoming more popular in civilian long range shooting competitions since it can remain supersonic past 1,400 yards while maintaining MOA levels of accuracy with proper handloads.
Although the 338 Lap Mag has an amazing trajectory that would make any 6.5 Creedmoor or 300 Win Mag cry, it also has extremely punishing recoil that can be hard to handle without proper training. Furthermore, 338 Lapua ammo is very expensive when compared to a smaller round like the 308 Win.
The 338 Lapua rifles are also expensive as well, as the action requires reinforcement to handle the pressures generated by the massive round. However, ammo and rifle options are beginning to become more plentiful thanks to high civilian demand for the cartridge for competitive shooting.
If you’re looking to air it out past 1,000 yards, the 338 Lapua is an excellent option that offers incredible terminal ballistics. However, it is an advanced round that requires proper training to truly harness the full potential of and a lot of range time to get accustomed to the recoil. It’s an excellent round that will be utilized by military snipers and civilian marksmen for decades to come!

408 CheyTac

The 408 Cheyenne Tactical (CheyTac) round was developed to directly compete with the 338 Lapua and 50 BMG for military long-range sniper rifles. With an effective range of around 2,200 yards, the 408 CheyTac offers military and civilian shooters incredibly long range capabilities with equally stout recoil.
Development of the 408 CheyTac began in 2001, although the finalized cartridge was not standardized by the CIP until 2013. Designers John Taylor and William Wordman utilized the 400 Taylor Magnum cartridge as a parent case. This cartridge descended from the 505 Gibbs, which was an old English cordite big game hunting cartridge.
You shouldn’t be surprised if this story sounds somewhat similar to the 338 Lapua Magnum, which began its life from the cordite-fired 416 Rigby case.
Like the 338 Lapua, the older-style cordite cases could not handle the pressures generated by modern smokeless powder. To combat the potential for case-head separation or case rupture (a potentially fatal malfunction), the 408 CheyTac case was hardened in almost the exact same fashion as the 338 Lapua.
The resulting 408 CheyTac cartridge could fire a 305-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 3,500 fps and 8,295 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. This offers shooters an incredibly flat shooting rifle that easily surpasses the 338 Lapua in terms of ballistic performance (700 fps and 3,000 ft-lbs more to be exact!)
Although the 408 CheyTac is a clear upgrade over the 338 Lapua in terms of ballistics, its recoil is considerably heavier and can be hard to control without proper training and range experience. Although it is possible that the 408 CheyTac has been used in specialized military units, it has not been formally adopted by the US military or NATO at the time of writing.
The 408 CheyTac has not seen extensive military adoption outside of specialized units inside US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) such as Special Forces. However, the CheyTac Intervention sniper weapon system has been featured in multiple video games such as Call of Duty and Battlefield.
If you’re planning on shooting a 408 CheyTac or have need of its long range capabilities, you’re going to need deep pockets as ammo is extremely expensive. Handloading is virtually a must, as there are only a handful of factory loads available for this incredibly niche round. Bullets for the 408 CheyTac need to be custom ordered, as the cartridge typically fires solid copper projectiles instead of jacketed bullets with a soft lead core.
Rifles are equally difficult to locate and prohibitively expensive for most shooters. Most of the 408 CheyTac rifles on the market will be custom-built bolt-actions that can offer shooters 0.5 MOA accuracy or better. However, whenever the word “custom” is added to a firearm, the price typically goes through the roof.
Unless the 408 CheyTac is picked up as a military round, it is unlikely to see widespread use. However, if you’re looking for a sub-50 caliber sniper cartridge that can reach out past 2,000 yards with relative ease, the 408 CheyTac needs to be on your short list.

416 Barrett

The 416 Barret is a proprietary cartridge that was developed in 2005 as an intermediate cartridge to bridge the gap between the 338 Lapua and 50 BMG. It was designed specifically for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division in response to a request for new medium/heavy rifle cartridge.
The designers of the 416 Barrett were Chris Barrett (son of Ronnie Barrett, the founder of Barrett Firearms) and Pete Forras. They developed the cartridge by shortening and necking down a 50 BMG case to accept a 0.416” diameter bullet. This means that the 50 BMG and 416 Barrett have the same base diameter, therefore all that is needed to convert a 50 BMG rifle to 416 Barrett is a barrel change.
Initially the 416 Barrett was only available in the single-shot bolt action Barrett Model 99. However, since its introduction, Noreen Firearms as well as Desert Tech also offer precision rifles chambered in 416 Barrett. Furthermore, the semi-automatic Barrett M82A1 is also available in 416 Barrett.
The 416 Barrett offers some shooters 50 BMG ballistics without the issue of actually owning a 50 BMG. Although the 50 BMG is an amazing cartridge, it is illegal in California and several countries like Austria, Belgium, and Argentina while the 416 Barrett is not.
Developed to fire a 398 gr solid brass bullet, the 416 Barret can achieve a muzzle velocity of 3,150 fps and a muzzle energy of 8,767 ft-lbs. This ensures the bullet remains supersonic out to 1,900 yards (1.2 miles).
Although the 416 Barrett offers shooters amazing ballistics that rival the 50 BMG, there are a few issues with the round. Those are namely recoil as well as ammo and rifle availability. As mentioned earlier, there are currently only 3 major rifle manufactures who offer the 416 Barrett chambering. And good luck when it comes to ammo!
The only manufacturer of factory ammo currently is Barrett Firearms themselves. Furthermore, they typically only manufacture small lots of ammo at a time, making it incredibly pricey. This means that if you plan to fire your 416 Barrett on any regular basis, you are required to start reloading your own ammo.
However, if you’re looking for a long-range sniper cartridge that can shoot well over a mile but don’t want to (or can’t) use a 50 BMG, then the 416 Barrett is an excellent option.

50 BMG

And now we’ve come to the granddad of them all, the mighty 50 BMG. The 50 Browning Machine Gun (BMG) is currently the oldest rifle cartridge is service to the US military. It was developed in WWI by John Moses Browning and was accepted in 1921.
Browning designed the 50 BMG at the behest of the Army to provide them with a round that fired heavy projectiles at 2,700 fps. The goal of the round was to penetrate light armored personnel carriers and tanks of the era; however, it was quickly adopted for use in aircraft, for anti-air guns, as well as being mounted on tanks.
Browning produced two firearms for the military that are still in used today almost 100 years later. The M2, also known as the “Ma Deuce”, saw its first action in World War II and has been a staple US military machine gun ever since.
More recently, the 50 BMG has been drafted into long range sniper rifle service for use as an anti-material cartridge. However, the 50 currently holds the record for the longest sniper rifle kill at 3,871 yards (2.2 miles) by an unnamed Canadian sniper during the Iraqi Civil War in 2017.
The 50 BMG simply dwarfs all the other rounds in our top 10 list. It’s a massive round firing 600+ grain bullets at over 13,000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. Furthermore, the 50 BMG is one of the few rounds that has a ballistic coefficient over 1.0, meaning it’s incredibly resistant to wind drift which is needed for extreme long range shooting.
However, without proper training, the 50 BMG has recoil that most shooters are not prepared to handle. Depending on the rifle weight, some 50 BMG loads can have upwards of 90 ft-lbs of free recoil. Compare that to 20 ft-lbs for the 308 Win and you can understand why many shooters prefer smaller rounds!
Ammo availability for the 50 BMG is better than some of the other large caliber rounds on our list, as many multiple ammo manufacturers make factory loads for the 50. Furthermore, military surplus 50 ammo is also available at a reasonable price.
For reloading, you’ll need specialized presses and dies, as normal metallic shell reloading presses cannot handle the length of the 50 BMG. The 50 BMG also requires special powders to accommodate for the massive charge and bullet weights it fires.
Rifle availability for the 50 BMG is also considerably higher than for rounds like the 416 Barrett or 408 CheyTac. Multiple rifle makers produce 50 BMG rifles and most all of them come with a muzzle brake and bipod installed at the factory to help mitigate the punishing recoil of the round.
Without question, the 50 BMG is not for beginners and requires a lot of practice to master. Practice can also be an issue, as many ranges forbid the use of the 50 BMG due to the potential for damage to range equipment as well as the comfort of other shooters.
There’s no doubt that the 50 BMG is a potent long range rifle round that is excellent for shooting at distances well over 1 mile. However, it is very cost-prohibitive for many shooters and specialized long distance shooting ranges are required to really train with the round. That being said, if you need to shoot over 2,000 yards and you have the coin to do it, you simply cannot beat a 50!

Parting Shots – The Best Sniper Calibers

There sure are a lot of different calibers for long range shooting! And finding the best long range sniper rifle round for you depends a lot on the terrain you live in and your shooting skill.
For the majority of shooters (and I include myself in this category), the specs of the 308 Winchester or 300 Winchester Magnum are more than enough. These rounds make for excellent long range target shooting as well as big game hunting, so your hunting rifle can double as a sniper rifle as well.
However, if you have the budget or you simply love shooting bigger calibers, you cannot argue with the power of the 338 Lapua or 50 BMG. Ammo availability is relatively high and there’s just a mystique about setting up your Barret MRAD bolt-action sniper rifle on the firing line at your local shooting range. Plus, all the looks you’ll get from your fellow shooters are well worth the price once you squeeze the trigger!
No matter which round you choose, make sure to stock up on all your sniper rifle ammo here at Ammo.com and we’ll see you out on the range!
Top 10 Best Sniper Rifle Cartridges for When You Need to Make the Shot originally appeared on Ammo.com

The 6.5 Creedmoor is an excellent choice for big game hunting thanks to its low recoil, reduced wind drift, and flat trajectory. But you can’t use just any old 6.5 Creedmoor ammo for hunting since some rounds are made for target shooting while others are designed to put down game animals quickly and humanely.
As the 6.5 Creedmoor was originally designed as a precision rifle cartridge, there’s a bunch of match-grade ammo that isn’t appropriate for use on game animals. But how do you know which ones are better for hunting?
To be honest, you’ll need to analyze the bullet type, velocity, ballistic coefficient, and a bunch of other ballistic data that could confuse even a seasoned marksman. But don’t worry! Because we’ve done all the hard work for you.
Below you’ll find our Top 5 list of the best 6.5 Creedmoor ammo for hunting available on the market right now. For those of you in a hurry, the Winchester Deer Season XP 125 grain Copper Impact is our top pick for the best 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting.
However, if you want a few more options for your brand new 6.5 Creedmoor hunting rifle, then scroll down and check out our complete list.
If you’re new to the 6.5 Creedmoor and aren’t sure what aspects make for better hunting ammo, check out this Buyer’s Guide HERE.
Otherwise, swipe up or roll that mouse wheel down just a little more for the complete list…

The Top 5 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Hunting

• Winchester Deer Season XP 125-grain Copper Impact
• Hornady American Whitetail 129 gr InterLock
• Federal Premium Power-Shok 140-Grain JSP
• Barnes VOR-TX 120 gr TTSX
• Sellier & Bellot 140 grain SP

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Hunting - Overall

Winchester Deer Season XP 125-Grain

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Copper Extreme Point
• Weight: 125-grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,850 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 2,254 ft-lbs

Pros

• Rapid expansion produces a wide wound cavity
• Polymer tipped bullet aids in expansion and reliable feeding
• Solid copper bullet designed for maximum weight retention
• Extremely accurate

Cons

• Not the best for elk

Why We Chose It

The Winchester Deer Season XP 125 gr Copper Impact offers hunters a cartridge that has impeccable accuracy, deep penetration, and creates a devastating wound channel to quickly harvest game.
Of all the ammo we considered, the Deer Season XP simply checks all the boxes. It’s a versatile round with a high ballistic coefficient and low price tag. It makes for an excellent long range hunting round that you can confidently carry into the field, knowing that your ammo will get the job done.
Winchester specifically designed the Deer Season XP for devastating terminal ballistics and rapid expansion. Copper Impact bullets are equipped with a large diameter hollow point and polymer tip that initiates expansion immediately upon impact. The resulting wound channel can put down all but the largest game with relative ease.
Although the lightweight 125 grain bullet does an amazing job on deer and similarly sized game animals, it’s not the best option for elk. However, the performance that Deer Season XP offers more than compensates for this.
Overall, the Winchester Deer Season XP meets all our criteria for an excellent hunting round for most long-range hunting as it can easily take home a whitetail, pronghorn, mule deer, or feral hog for a mere $2.25 per round (at the time of writing).

Honorable Mention

Fiocchi 129-grain SST: Fiocchi 129-grain SST 6.5 Creedmoor ammo is a close runner-up and excellent alternative if you can’t find Winchester. Loaded with a Hornady Super Shock Tip (SST), this Fiocchi ammo offers consistent expansion and weight retention to maximize damage to the internal organs. The only downside to Fiocchi is that it can be tricky to find sometimes. So, if you see a box, make sure you snatch it up as it’s a great hunting ammo and slightly cheaper than the Winchester Deer Season XP.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Deer Hunting Ammo

Hornady American Whitetail 129-Grain InterLock

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: InterLock Jacketed Soft Point
• Weight: 129 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,820 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 2,277 ft-lbs

Pros

• Controlled expansion annihilates deer
• Very affordable
• High availability

Cons

• Limited Versatility

Why We Chose It

Considering that Hornady invented the 6.5 Creedmoor, it should come as no surprise that Hornady American Whitetail ammo is one of the best deer hunting rounds on the market.
One of the keys to the round’s success is the patented InterLock design. This innovation in bullet technology uses the InterLock Ring, which locks the lead core and tapered jacket together while the bullet expands. This ensures that the lead core and jacket remain intact during expansion, maximizing penetration and kinetic energy delivered to the target.
Hornady American Whitetail ammo costs less than $2 per shot, and it’s pretty easy to find. While it isn’t great for hunting animals over 300 pounds at more than 250 yards, the American Whitetail cartridge is perfect for hunting a variety of creatures at shorter distances.

Honorable Mention

Remington Core-Lokt 140-grain: You simply can’t beat Big Green when it comes to reliability. For years, hunters have banked on the consistency and cost-effectiveness of Remington Core-Lokt bullets for deer season.
This 140 grain bullet offers massive expansion (roughly 2X its original size) and excellent weight retention (for better penetration). Although it might not be the most consistent ammo in terms of accuracy, Remington Core-Lokt will do the job and not break the bank when you’re looking to put venison in the freezer this fall.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor for Mule Deer

Barnes VOR-TX 120 Grain TTSX BT

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Tipped Tripple Shock X (TTSX)
• Weight: 120 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,910 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 2,257 ft-lbs

Pros

• Perfect for long-range hunting
• All-copper design
• Insane expansion thanks to the polymer tip

Cons

• Limited availability

Why We Chose It

When you need consistent long-range accuracy, Barnes VOR-TX ammo never seems to disappoint. Loaded with the proprietary 120 gr TTSX hunting bullet, Barnes VOR-TX offers hunters an incredibly flat shooting round that can easily knock down a mule deer at 500 yards.
Similar to the Deer Season XP and Hornady SST, the Barnes TTSX uses a polymer tip to increase their bullet’s ballistic coefficient, ensure rapid expansion, and quickly put down whatever game animal you aim it at.
The all-copper design means that this round is perfect for states or territories that restrict lead bullet usage, making it a perfect round for long range deer hunting across North America. And when it comes to accuracy, Barnes is on par with all the other big-name match-grade ammo companies like Sierra, Berger, Federal Premium, and Nosler.
The only downside to Barnes VOR-TX ammo is that it can sometimes be difficult to find. But when you get your hands on this ammo, you’ll quickly understand why hunters snatch it up so quickly!
Ultimately, we love the Barnes VOR-TX for mule deer hunting thanks to its incredible shot-to-shot consistency, terminal performance, and long-range capabilities. There’s no doubt in our minds that any mule deer you take aim at with this ammo will soon be in your freezer!

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Elk Hunting Ammo

Federal Power-Shok 140-Grain

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Soft Point (JSP)
• Weight: 140 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,750 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 2,350 ft-lbs

Pros

• Proven effectiveness in the field
• Inexpensive
• Easy to find

Cons

• Not amazing for long-range shots

Why We Chose It

The Federal Power-Shok line is a fan favorite, used by many avid hunters who don’t want a lot of bells and whistles. The 140 gr Federal Power-Shok bullet is a bit heavier than our other recommendations which is why it’s a great choice for elk.
This round hits hard and can easily penetrate deep enough to humanely put down larger game. The exposed lead tip and accompanying copper jacket gives hunters the rapid expansion necessary for hunting elk or smaller creatures.
Another awesome aspect of Federal Power-Shok ammo is its low cost. As one of the least expensive rounds on our list, Federal Power-Shock is a great choice to buy in bulk, so you always have plenty of ammo to both practice and hunt with.
While the Power-Shok is a great overall round, it’s JSP bullet design leaves something to be desired when it comes to long-range shooting. Although soft point ammo is great for expansion, it’s not ideal for long range shooting which limits this round’s effectiveness for shots over 300 yards.
However, the low overall cost makes 140 gr Federal Power-Shok a great choice for elk hunting as it allows hunters to practice with their field ammo and ensure they can put rounds on target when it matters most.

Honorable Mention

Hornady 143 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter: If you’re looking for one of the best long-range hunting rounds for 6.5 Creedmoor on the market today, then you’ve found it in the Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X 143 gr factory load. Optimized for maximum weight retention and sporting a match-grade streamlined design, the Hornady ELD-X bullet can easily knock down an elk out to 400 yards. The only reason this ammo isn’t our top choice is that it’s extremely difficult to find and a bit on the pricier side. But if you want top of the line 6.5 Creed performance, the Hornady ELD-X bullet is what you need!

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge for Hunting on a Budget

Sellier and Bellot 140-Grain SP

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Soft-Point (SP)
• Weight: 140 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,658 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 2,195 ft-lbs

Pros

• Low cost per round
• Easy to find
• Great terminal performance for the money

Cons

• Limited effective range

Why We Chose It

If you’re looking for one go-to round that’s easy to find, affordable, and meets all our hunting ammo criteria then look no further than the Sellier & Bellot 140 gr SP. Times are hard enough as it is, and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice the joy of hunting just to save a few pennies.
If you want a 6.5 Creedmoor round that efficiently takes down medium-sized game but you don’t want to spend $2/shot, then a box of Sellier & Bellot (S&B) is your ticket back into the woods.
The Sellier and Bellot 140-grain is an excellent deer hunting cartridge that’s affordable enough to take to the range, so you can hone your skills and go after bigger game. This semi-jacketed soft-point bullet gives us reliable expansion with exceptional weight retention to easily take down deer and other medium to large game.
Although SP bullets are great for terminal performance, they do lack somewhat in long range capabilities due to their less than aerodynamic design.
However, if you plan to hit targets within 200-300 yards for less than $1.50 per shot (in early 2023, at least) then you simply cannot go wrong with this S&B 140 gr SP 6.5 Creedmoor ammo!

Parting Shots: The Critics Have Met Their Match

The brilliant minds at Hornady initially brought us the 6.5 Creedmoor for competitive shooting, and it’s evolved into an amazing hunting cartridge that is perfect for hunters of all skill levels. You can choose any of the ammo above, grab your new Browning X-Bolt or Sig Sauer bolt action rifle, and bring home supper with relatively low recoil and exceptional terminal ballistics.
While there were plenty of skeptics early on, the 6.5 Creedmoor won over many hunters, competitive shooters, and gun enthusiasts in less than a decade.
To check out all the 6.5 Creedmoor ammo we have in stock, check out our full 6.5 Creedmoor ammo page or keep scrolling if you’d like to read our buyers guide to 6.5 Creed ammo.

Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Hunting

Surely, you’ve heard that the 6.5 Creedmoor is an excellent hunting caliber? While there is some debate about this, the 6.5 Creedmoor is only as good for hunting as the rounds you chamber.
For example, if you choose match-grade ammo like Nosler RDF in 140gr, you’re using ammo designed for accuracy, not terminal ballistics. Sure, you’ll hit your prey, but you may spend a few hours tracking it too. That isn’t how we want you to spend your time in the woods.
In this buyer’s guide we will explain some of the critical bullet features you need to consider when selecting your new favorite 6.5 Creedmoor hunting round.

Terminal Performance

You’ll hear a lot of hunters and gun enthusiasts talk about terminal performance. You’ll hear words like ballistic coefficient, sectional density, weight retention, and expansion radius. It’s enough to make your head spin!
But don’t worry; you don’t need a degree in calculus to understand how the rounds you choose relate to terminal performance (also referred to as terminal ballistics).
Terminal Ballistics, in simple terms, explains how a bullet reacts when it meets its target. When choosing your 6.5 Creedmoor hunting ammo, look at the velocity, bullet type, and weight.
A higher velocity equals more kinetic energy and, therefore, more damage. But that doesn’t always mean you should single out the fastest 6.5 Creedmoor and go elk hunting.
Bullet type matters as well. We’ll explain this more in detail below, but we need expansion and penetration. A bullet too soft will deform on impact. One too hard won’t expand at all.
Lastly, consider bullet weight (that’s right, size does matter!) A heavier bullet expands and penetrates better. However, a bullet that’s too heavy for your prey may fail to expand, and you’ll see your much-coveted prey scurry away wounded.
Unless you want to spend hours in the woods tracking an injured animal, you need a balance between high velocity, a soft-tipped cartridge (SP, polymer tip, JSP, etc.), and adequate weight.

Bullet Type

The type of bullet you use is a BIG deal for any shooting activity. But it’s especially critical when it comes to hunting. While a match shooter only cares about pristine shot placement, hunters have to penetrate hide, tissue, and bones to effectively get the job done.
This is where the bullet type comes into play.
Although the Hornady 147 gr ELD Match BTHP (Boat Tail Hollow-Point) is an amazing round to shoot a match with, it isn’t adequate for hunting big game. Why? Because it won’t expand on impact and will likely pass through the target, potentially missing vital organs and merely wound the game animal instead of putting it down.
Another bullet ill-equipped for hunting is a full metal jacket (FMJ). Although these bullets are extremely cost-effective (read: cheap) they don’t expand well either, if at all.
The last thing you want to do is nail an 8-point buck 500 yards away from your truck that runs for a few miles because you didn’t do enough damage to humanely put it down. That makes for a really long and unenjoyable day of tracking that you simply didn’t need to do!
Hunters need rounds that are designed to pierce the hide and expand, creating a wider wound channel and damaging internal organs. This ensures that hunters minimize the suffering of the animal and reduces the amount of distance they run before passing.
Effective 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet types include:

• SP (soft-point)
• Polymer tip (a hollow-point round with a polymer tip to help initiate expansion)
• JSP (jacketed soft point helps to keep the bullet from expanding on impact).

Bullet Weights

In long-range shooting, your bullet weight matters. A heavier bullet typically holds its velocity, penetrates deeply, and expands well. But too much of a good thing is bad when you consider that a hunting bullet needs a little time to work after making contact. A lighter bullet will lose its velocity faster (losing energy). This means you’ll have less penetration and expansion.
Essentially, a heavier bullet deals more kinetic energy (knock-down power). But only within a certain impact velocity. For example, the heavier Federal Power-Shok 140 gr SP has a muzzle velocity of 2,750 fps. It’s a jacketed soft-point, so it will penetrate and expand well. However, the 140 gr bullet is a bit much for a ground hog or other small varmint within 30-40 yards.
A good 6.5 Creedmoor bullet for hunting will weigh between 120-140 grain for deer, mule deer, feral hogs, and other medium-sized game between 51-300lbs.
If you’re going after larger game like Elk and Moose (300-1000lbs), we’re looking for a little more weight to get more penetration. These rounds are often somewhere between 140-160 grain.
But again, you can’t use just any 6.5 Creedmoor ammo like the 140-grain Berger target ammunition (which is an excellent round for target shooting). You’ll need one designed to maximize damage.
However, the lighter weights listed above will work for large game; just try to get them within 250 yards or so to keep your impact velocity within an acceptable range (if you’re an avid big game hunter, explore options in the 6.5 PRC line).

Accuracy

There are a few things play into a cartridge’s accuracy other than the shooter’s ability (which is the biggest part if we’re being honest!)
The 6.5 Creedmoor does a great job resisting wind drift within most standard hunting distances. This is one of the major advantages of the 6.5mm bullet, as it is long, sleek, and aerodynamic.
A bullet’s ability to resist wind drift is known as ballistic coefficient (or BC for short). Although a lot of shooters harp on the importance of BC, understand that the higher the number is the more effective a bullet is at resisting wind drift.
Another accuracy enhancer is having low recoil. Lower recoil means that it is less likely that a shooter will flinch when they squeeze the trigger, reducing the chance of throwing a shot off target.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is well known for its low recoil, as it has less recoil than other popular hunting rifle cartridges like the .308 Winchester. It’s a hunting round that shooters of all skill levels can enjoy.
Other factors like bullet weight and muzzle velocity also play a role in accuracy and shot placement.
A higher muzzle velocity means it takes less time for your bullet to get to its target. This means that it will have less time for gravity to affect its flight path to the target. This is known as trajectory and shooters typically measure this in inches of bullet drop at any given range.
The flatter your trajectory is, the more forgiving a round will be of ranging mistakes. This helps shooters avoid sending their rounds underneath the belly of that 12-point trophy buck they’ve been stalking all day.
Of course, don’t forget to get to the range too. This way you’ll be getting all those sub-MOA (minute of angle) groups you’ve always dreamed about and you’ll be ready to bag your next deer, antelope, or elk this fall!

Understanding the 6.5 Creedmoor

The 6.5 Creedmoor was born out of necessity in 2007. It was the brainchild of legendary competitive shooter, Dennis DeMille, and Hornady’s senior ballistician at the time, Dave Emary.
Frustrated with the competitive precision rifle cartridges of that era, the duo looked to create a cartridge that offered a flat trajectory (for long-range shooting) and a low recoil (for accuracy and shooter comfort).
What they developed was the 6.5 Creedmoor, and it has quickly become one of the most successful new rifle cartridges of the 21st Century.
Although the 6.5 Creedmoor was not initially developed as a hunting cartridge, it was quickly adapted to that role thanks to being an incredibly accurate and soft shooting round.
While competitive shooters look for a cartridge that is incredibly consistent and accurate, hunters needed that plus a few extra features. While Hornady has perfected their ELD-X hunting lineup for the 6.5 Creedmoor, there are many other amazing projectiles for 6.5 Creed like the Nosler AccuBond Trophy Grade, Barnes LRX, and Norma Whitetail.
Over fifteen years after its debut, the 6.5 Creedmoor is still the one-cartridge solution that many shooters use to bridge the gap between hunting and competitive shooting. Whether you want to use factory ammo or handloads, the 6.5 Creedmoor is still a game-changer for everyone with a passion for rifles.

Back to the Best 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Hunting

Thanks so much for making it all the way to the end of our exclusive buying guide! Now that you’re an expert in all things 6.5 Creedmoor, it’s time to go back to our Top Five List; just click HERE.
Best 6.5 Creedmoor Hunting Ammo: A Comprehensive Guide originally appeared on Ammo.com

I’m looking to buy some flannels. I know the big brands Paddleton, wrangler, Woolrich Avenidas tried legendary, whitetails? Or have suggestions

Hey folks.
So I like flannels, but I don't really like all those patterns... yeah, I know, it's probably sacrilegious in this community, but what do you want?
Legendary Whitetails' "Buck Camp" lineup has a few solid color flannels (I own gray, red, and green), but I'm wondering if y'all can recommend some more.
Side note, again, I know nothing about this community, therefore, if Legendary Whitetails is trash, please point me in a better direction. In turn, I can guide you towards quality, niche perfumery lol

In the world of magnum hunting cartridges, none are more ubiquitous than the 7mm Remington Magnum and 300 Winchester Magnum.
These two belted magnum cartridges have been at odds with each other since their release in the 1960’s as they both offer extremely impressive downrange performance that surpassed the most popular hunting rounds of the day, like the 30-06 Springfield.
The 300 Win Mag offers hunters higher kinetic energy and heavier bullet options while the 7mm Rem Mag provides shooters with comparable stopping power (albeit it slightly lower) with considerably less recoil.
Many hunters hem and haw about which round makes the better choice for their new rifle, as this caliber debate has been raging for well over half a century.
In this article, we will evaluate the mighty 7mm vs 300 Win Mag to help you understand the differences between the two and give you a clearer understanding of which cartridge is best for your shooting and big game hunting needs.

What is the difference between the 7mm Rem Mag and the 300 Win Mag?

The main difference between the 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Winchester Magnum is bullet diameter each cartridge fires and their recoil. The 300 Win Mag fires a 0.308” caliber bullets which are generally heavier and have higher recoil while the 7mm Rem Mag fires a 0.284” diameter bullet that is lighter and has less recoil.

Cartridge Specs

When evaluating centerfire cartridges, it’s a good idea to analyze the cartridge specs to gain more knowledge of each.
The 300 Winchester Magnum (300 WM) and 7mm Remington Magnum (7mm RM) are two rifle cartridges that have been at odds with each other since their release. It also didn’t help that they were released one year apart, as this only fueled their rivalry.
Both rounds are part of the belted magnum family of cartridges that descended from the legendary 375 H&H Magnum. The 7mm Rem Mag made it to market first in 1962 and was released alongside the company’s new bolt-action rifle, the Remington Model 700. The 7mm Magnum was touted as being a superior option to the 30-06 Springfield in every ballistic category for all bullet weights.
In contrast, the 300 Win Mag was released one year later in 1963 and was a late addition to Winchester’s belted magnum cartridge line that included the 264 Winchester Magnum, 338 Win Mag, and 458 Win Mag.
Although the 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag have the same parent case in the 375 H&H Magnum, this is where the similarities end for these two cartridges.
The first and one of the most significant differences is the bullet diameter each round fires. The 7mm Rem Mag fires a 0.284” diameter bullet while the 300 Win Mag fires a 0.308” bullet diameter.
The 300 Win Mag is typically loaded with bullet weights between 150-230 grains with the 150 gr, 165 gr, 180 gr, 200 gr, and 220 gr bullets being the most popular in factory ammo.
In contrast, the 7mm RM can fire bullets between 139 and 175 grains with the 140 gr, 150 gr, 160 gr, and 175 gr factory loads being the most popular.
When comparing these two magnum cartridges side-by-side, it’s clear that the 300 Win Mag is slightly taller than the 7mm RM. The 300 WM has a case length of 2.62” and overall length of 3.34” compared to 2.5” and 3.29” for the 7mm RM, respectively.
This overall length allows both cartridges to fit into a standard-length action. This is preferable to a magnum action, as a standard or long action is lighter and has a shorter bolt throw for faster follow-up shots.
The longer case length as well as shoulders that sit 0.156” further forward gives the 300 Win Mag approximately a 14% advantage in case capacity. The case capacity of the 7mm Rem Mag is 82 grains while the 300 WM can hold 93.8 grains of propellant.
As the 300 Win Mag can be loaded slightly hotter, it also is rated to handle more chamber pressure than the 7mm RM. Per SAAMI specs, the 300 Win Mag can safely handle 64,000 psi while the 7mm Rem Mag is rated slightly lower at 61,000 psi.
With all that extra case capacity, heavier projectiles, and higher pressures, it should come as no surprise that the 300 Win Mag has higher recoil. How much is the big question.

Recoil

Recoil is an important consideration when purchasing a new rifle as a round with heavy recoil will be more difficult to control and will slow your rate of follow up shots. The potential for flinching is also an issue for cartridges with heavy recoil.
Felt recoil will differ from shooter to shooter and is often dependent on firearm choice, stance, and your chosen factory ammo or handloads. However, free recoil is a more objective measure of how hard a cartridge hits based on firearm weight, muzzle velocity, powder charge, and bullet weight.
For the purpose of this recoil comparison, we selected two rounds that are excellent for long range shooting as well as harvesting a variety of game animals. The rounds selected were the Nosler 168 gr Accubond Long Range traveling at 2,880 fps for 7mm Rem Mag and the Hornady 200 gr ELD-X traveling at 2,850 fps for 300 WM.
The rifle for this comparison will be the Remington 700 SPS Stainless bolt-action rifle weighing 7.6 lbs. This rifle was chosen as it can fire both cartridges and provides a closer apples-to-apples recoil comparison.
Given this rifle and these two rounds, the 7mm Remington Magnum will have a free recoil measurement of 29 ft-lbs compared to 39 ft-lbs for the 300 Win Mag.
This is one of the main selling points that supporters of the 7mm Rem Mag often cling to, that the 7mm Magnum has about 25% less recoil than the 300 Win Mag.

Muzzle Velocity, Kinetic Energy, and Trajectory

The 300 Win Mag may have more recoil than the 7mm RM, but the 300 also has several ballistic advantages over the 7mm Magnum that can’t be ignored.
To analyze the ballistic performance of both magnum cartridges, four popular big game hunting rounds were selected for comparison.
For the 300 Winchester Magnum, the Hornady Precision Hunter 200 gr ELD-X and HSM Trophy Gold Ammunition firing a 168 gr Berger Hunting VLD bullet were selected. For 7mm Remington Magnum, the Browning 155 gr BXC and Nosler Trophy Grade 168 gr Accubond Long Range were our rounds of choice.
The 168 grain bullets were selected to illustrate performance differences in both cartridges for projectiles of similar bullet weight while the 155 gr and 200 gr bullets were selected to show performance on the high and low bullet weight spectrum for both rounds.
In terms of muzzle velocity, the 300 Win Mag projectiles will generally have higher velocity for similar bullet weights. This is clearly illustrated with the two 168 gr factory loads, as the 300 WM had nearly 300 fps more than the 7mm RM offering. The 168 gr VLD fired by the 300 Win Mag had the highest muzzle velocity at 3,154 fps.
The 200 gr ELD-X had a muzzle velocity of 2,850 fps, which is impressive as the 155 gr BXC was only 100 fps faster while being nearly 25% lighter.
For kinetic energy, the 300 Win Mag continues its dominance and earns its reputation as a heavy hitter. On average, the 300 WM factory loads had 3,650 ft-lbs of kinetic energy at the muzzle. Comparatively, the 7mm Rem Mag loads had on average around 3,000 ft-lbs of energy.
Both the 7mm and 300 WM are incredibly flat shooting and well-suited for long range shooting.
In terms of trajectory, all four rounds had nearly identical bullet drop out to 500 yards. However, at 800 yards we start to see some variations between the four factory loads.
At longer ranges, the 300 WM 168 gr VLD had the flattest trajectory with -144” of bullet drop while the 7mm RM 155 gr BXC had the most bullet drop at -176”. Of the two 168 grain loads, the 300 WM had the flatter trajectory while the 7mm Rem Mag Accubond had more bullet drop, measuring -153”.

Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density

Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how aerodynamic a bullet is and how well it will resist wind drift. Sectional density (SD) is a way to evaluate the penetration ability of a bullet based on its external dimensions, design, and weight.
In general, both bullets will have relatively similar ballistic coefficients. The 7mm bullet benefits from its slender and sleek design while the 308 bullet benefits from its heavier bullet weight.
From the bullets selected earlier, the 7mm RM 168 gr Accubond Long Range had the highest BC of 0.652 while the Hornady 200 gr ELD-X for 300 WM had a BC of 0.597. If we only consider these two bullets, it would be easy to say that the 7mm Rem Mag has higher BC values. However, on average the 300 Win Mag will have a slightly higher BC than the 7mm Rem Mag, but the difference is so low that most shooters will not notice any variation in ballistic performance between the two rounds.
The same is true for sectional density, on average the 300 Win Mag has slightly higher SD values than the 7mm Rem Mag.
Typically, smaller diameter bullets will have improved penetration ability, as more kinetic energy can be focused in a smaller area. However, as the 300 Win Mag is packing more kinetic energy, it will have a very minor SD advantage over the 7mm RM.
Will this affect terminal performance of the 7mm Rem Mag on big game? Not in the slightest, as I doubt the elk or mule deer on the business end of your hunting rifle will be able to tell much difference between either of these magnum cartridges.

Hunting

There is little debate that the 300 WM and 7mm RM are great cartridges for any sized four-legged varmint the North American continent has to offer. They are both hard hitting cartridges that can take down moose, elk, mule deer, whitetail, hogs, and anything else in between.
With proper shot placement, even the great bears can be harvested humanely.
However, the debate rages on between big game hunters about which cartridge is the better hunting round. It’s unlikely that we will resolve this debate anytime soon, however you can take solace that both magnum cartridges will get the job done so long as you do your part.
The 300 Win Mag has an advantage in kinetic energy and bullet weight. The 300 WM can fire bullets up to 220 grains while the 7mm Rem Mag tops out around 175 grains. Some hunters prefer heavier bullets of the 300 WM, with 180 grain bullets being extremely popular for both deer and elk hunting.
The 300 Win Mag also fires a wider bullet, which will leave a bigger hole. This aids in reducing suffering of the animal by increases the rate of blood loss.
On the other hand, the 7mm Rem Mag has significantly less recoil than the 300 Win Mag while only sacrificing a few hundred foot-pounds of kinetic energy. Low recoil makes for better trigger control and higher levels of accuracy for long range shooting.
Expanding hunting bullets like the Nosler Accubond, Barnes TSX, and Berger Hunting VLD also mitigate the minor differences in bullet diameter.
This makes bullet selection slightly more important for the 7mm Rem Mag, but with the right factory load it is unlikely that any hunter can detect the minor differences in terminal ballistics between a deer shot with a 300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag.
There are clearly benefits to each cartridge, so which one is the better choice?
In truth, the best hunting cartridge is the one that delivers enough kinetic energy to ethically harvest your targeted game animal and one that you shoot the most accurately.
Some shooters like the safety net of kinetic energy the 300 Win Mag provides, as it ensures a clean kill so long as they put their shot in the vitals. However, other hunters find they are more accurate with the 7mm Remington Magnum and they prefer the comfort of knowing their shot placement will be on point so long as they don’t get buck fever.
The best advice we have is to try both, see which rifle cartridge you shoot most accurately. Get plenty of practice before hunting season and you should have nothing to worry about, because no game animal on North America will survive a double-lung broadside shot from either.

Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability

The 300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Rem Mag consistently live in the top 5 most popular big game hunting cartridges on the market. However, the 300 Win Mag is slightly more popular thanks to its adoption as a sniper round for the U.S. military as well as many law enforcement agencies.
Ammunition manufacturers like Hornady, Remington, Federal, Winchester, Barnes, Nosler, Berger, and Sierra all make multiple factory loads with a variety of projectile weights for both cartridges.
In terms of price, both rounds are virtually the same. Inexpensive soft point practice ammo from Sellier & Bellot can be had for around $1.85/round for both 300 WM and 7mm RM. On the other hand, long range match-grade ammo or premium hunting rounds can fetch upwards of $3-5/round for each.
When it comes to firearm selection, bolt-action rifles are the name of the game as both cartridges are built for long range precision shooting.
All major rifle manufactures have rifles available in both calibers. Popular hunting rifles like the Tikka T3x, Savage 110, Remington 700, Ruger Hawkeye, and Weatherby Vanguard are all available chambered in both cartridges in multiple configurations.
If you fancy a semi-automatic hunting rifle, then the Browning BAR is also available in both chamberings as well as custom AR-10 rifles from Noreen and Nemo Arms.
Due to its military and law enforcement use, there will be slightly more rifles available chambered in 300 Win Mag. There are more than enough 7mm Rem Mag options out there for even the most discerning shooter, but the 300 Win Mag is slightly more popular and will have a marginal advantage in terms of availability.

Reloading

Reloading is one method shooters use to reduce their overall cost per round and increase the consistency and accuracy of their ammo to sub-MOA levels. Furthermore, handloads can be tailored to your rifle to meet your specific shooting needs.
Handloaders have been reloading for both cartridges since their release in the 60s, as such there is a wealth of reloading data available for virtually any bullet profile.
In terms of bullet availability, 30-caliber bullets are one of the most popular in North America as it is also fired by the 308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, 300 WSM, and 300 Blackout. The 30-cal is nothing short of an American shooting tradition, so finding bullets for reloading will be relatively simple.
The 7mm bullet is not as popular as the 30-caliber, but there are still plenty of high-quality match and hunting projectiles available for it. Some popular cartridges that fire 0.284” bullet diameters are the 28 Nosler, 280 Remington, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, and 7mm-08.
Both cartridges utilize similar powders depending on the weight of the reloaded bullet. Lightweight bullets can use popular powders like Varget, IMR 4895, and H4831, while heavier bullets will utilize powders like Retumbo or H1000.
Regardless of what bullet weight you want to fire, there will be plenty of reloading options for your specific shooting requirements.

Final Shots: 300 Win Mag vs 7mm Rem Mag

If you’re looking for a magnum cartridge that can deliver exceptional downrange performance and has a storied pedigree of taking down big game, then look no further than the 300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum.
Both rounds deliver the kinetic energy needed to take down the largest animals North America has to offer and are incredibly flat shooting to boot.
The 300 Winchester Magnum has been a favorite of big game hunters since its release and is the most popular belted magnum cartridge on the market. The round has proven itself to be an excellent choice for long range shooting and has been adopted by the Secret Service as well as military and law enforcement snipers, which has only increased its popularity in the shooting community.
The 7mm Remington Magnum was developed to offer shooters a straight upgrade over the venerable 30-06 Springfield. The 7mm is a heavy hitting cartridge that fires efficient, high ballistic coefficient bullets with less recoil than the 300 Win Mag.
Deciding between these two cartridges is nothing short of splitting hairs, but our choice is the 300 Win Mag due to its popularity, ammo availability, and cool-factor of knowing you’re locked and loaded with the same cartridge that’s perched atop 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
That being said, for those shooters who want a more enjoyable shooting experience or are recoil sensitive, you cannot argue with 7mm Rem Mag ballistics in addition to having 25% less recoil than the 300 Win Mag.
No matter which cartridge you choose, make sure you stock up on ammunition here at Ammo.com and I’ll see you on the range!
7mm Rem Mag vs 300 Win Mag: Timeless Big Game Hunting Cartridges originally appeared on Ammo.com

Got attacked by a 9-legendary word with 39 trophy rating, didn’t know that at the time and I shot it with my rifle 3 times trying to kill it, then I harvested it and realized!! Then I found a nice whitetail which I never hunt and didn’t realize it would be a diamond, and I had my zero set to 328 when I was 100 yards away on accident and shot at the lungs but the bullet hit its spine which didn’t count as a vital organ!

When I get Jachs flannel I’m a XXL but after following the measurements for LWhitetails I’m a M to L.
I’m thinking of playing it safe and getting an XL, it’s 100% cotton so if it’s too big it should Shrink down some.

If you’re into precision rifle shooting, then chances are that you’ve heard of the 28 Nosler and 6.5 Creedmoor. These two modern centerfire rifle cartridges excel at long range shooting and can deliver sub-MOA levels of accuracy at ranges of 1,000 yards and more with proper loads.
However, each rifle cartridge was developed with a very different intended purposes in mind. The 6.5 Creedmoor was initially marketed as a long range competition round while the 28 Nosler was developed primarily for big game hunting.
With the widespread acceptance and meteoric rise in popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor, some shooters started taking it into the woods. Taking note of this change in perspective, several ammo companies started offering expanding bullets for the 6.5 CM as it started to transition into a hunting cartridge.
Most hunters would agree that the 6.5 Creedmoor is powerful enough for whitetail, mule deer, and pronghorn, but does it have the stopping power need to take down big game like elk? Or would you be better served with the potent terminal ballistics of the 28 Nosler for these larger animals?
In this article, we will evaluate the 6.5 Creedmoor vs 28 Nosler to help you understand the differences between the two and give you a clearer idea of which cartridge is best for your shooting and hunting needs.

What is the difference between 6.5 Creedmoor and 28 Nosler?

The main difference between the 6.5 Creedmoor and 28 Nosler is that the 6.5 Creedmoor fires 0.264” diameter bullets compared to 0.284” diameter bullets for the 28 Nosler. The 28 Nosler generally fires bullets between 150 and 175 grains while the 6.5 Creedmoor fires lighter bullets between 95 and 147 grains.

Cartridge Specs

When evaluating centerfire cartridges, it’s a good idea to analyze the cartridge specs to gain more knowledge of each.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is the older cartridge of the two, being released in 2007 in part due to a gripe session between legendary Service Rifle competitor, Dennis DeMille, and Dave Emary, the senior ballistician for Hornady Ammunition at the time.
The round was developed by necking down a 30 Thompson Center case to accept a 6.5mm or 0.264” diameter bullet.
Although developed more recently in 2015, the 28 Nosler draws its heritage from an older safari round, the 404 Jeffery, which was modified to accept a 7mm or 0.284” diameter bullet.
The 404 Jeffery sired the majority of Nosler’s cartridge line, namely the 30 Nosler, 26 Nosler, and 33 Nosler as well as other magnum cartridges like the 7mm Remington Magnum (7mm Rem Mag) and Winchester’s 300 WSM.
Perhaps the most obvious difference between these two rounds is their size, as the 28 Nosler stands almost a half inch taller than the 6.5 CM in terms of overall length (3.34” vs 2.825”). The case length of the 28 Nosler measures 2.59”, which is also considerably longer than the 6.5 Creedmoor’s case at 1.92”.
The 28 Nosler is also wider than the 6.5 CM with a base diameter of 0.534” compared to 0.47”, respectively.
The larger case of the 28 Nosler also gives it a considerably higher case capacity of 93 grains compared to 52.5 grains for the 6.5 CM. This roughly translates to 77% more case capacity for the 28 Nosler.
However, even with 77% more powder, the maximum chamber pressures for both rounds are similar per SAAMI specs. The 28 Nosler is rated at 65,000 psi compared to 62,000 psi for the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Based on all this data, what inferences can we draw? Looking at the two rounds, the 28 Nosler is clearly the larger of the two. It fires heavier bullets and has considerably higher case capacity. This disparity will likely give the 28 Nosler a slight edge in ballistics which will be paid for with heavier recoil.

Recoil

The 6.5 Creedmoor has considerably less recoil than the 28 Nosler.
Recoil is an important consideration when purchasing a new rifle as a round with heavy recoil will be more difficult to control and will slow your rate of follow up shots. The potential for flinching is also an issue for cartridges with heavy recoil.
Free Recoil is affected primarily by muzzle velocity (FPS), powder charge, bullet weight, and firearm weight.
For this comparison we will analyze two popular rounds for long range hunting, the 175 gr Accubond Long Range traveling at 3,125 fps for 28 Nosler and the Hornady 143 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter for the 6.5 Creedmoor with a muzzle velocity of 2,700 fps.
The hunting rifle selected for this comparison will be the Savage 110 High Country, as this is a popular bolt-action rifle for elk hunting and is offered in both cartridges for a true “apples to apples” comparison. The average weight for Savage 110 is 8.5 pounds.
Given these rounds, the 28 Nosler will have a free recoil of 34 ft-lbs while the 6.5 Creedmoor will have 14 ft-lbs of free recoil. That’s nearly a 2.5x difference in terms of recoil.
This drastic difference in recoil clearly illustrates the design differences between these two rifle cartridges.
The low recoil of the 6.5 CM makes it ideal for long range shooting competitions where the utmost levels of accuracy are needed. On the other hand, the heavier projectiles and larger powder charge of the 28 Nosler means its bullets can retain their kinetic energy more efficiently at range which is needed for big game hunting.

Muzzle Velocity, Kinetic Energy, and Trajectory

If you frequent any shooting or hunting forums, you are likely aware that proponents of the 6.5 Creedmoor proclaim that the round is perfect for all your shooting needs (just ask them). On the other hand, 28 Nosler supporters scoff at recoil, stating that the superior ballistics of the round are worth it.
To evaluate these claims, we will compare four of the most popular factory loads on the market and see how they stack up against each other!
For this comparison, we will analyze two popular options for each cartridge. For 28 Nosler, the 160 gr Ballistic Tip and 175 grain Accubond Long Range loads from Nosler were selected. For the 6.5 Creedmoor we will analyze the Hornady 143 gr ELD-X and the Barnes VOR-TX 127 gr LRX polymer tipped bullet.
BALLISTIC TABLE
The data from the table above is surprising, as the 28 Nosler simply dominates the 6.5 Creedmoor in all ballistic categories.
In terms of muzzle velocity, the 28 Nosler was approximately 300-400 fps faster for all loads. Although this difference was not massive, the disparity in kinetic energy was considerable.
The 175 gr Accubond factory ammo had the highest muzzle energy at 3,794 foot-pounds while the highest muzzle energy for the 6.5 Creedmoor came from the 143 gr ELD-X at 2,315 foot-pounds. This is about a 64% difference between the two.
In terms of trajectory, the 28 Nosler was flatter shooting by a wide margin especially at longer distances. All four rounds were within about 10” of each other out to 400 yards, however at the 800 yard maker the difference became dramatically apparent.
At 800 yards the two 28 Nosler rounds had -127.7” and -132.8” of bullet drop for the 175 gr Accubond and 160 gr Ballistic Tip bullets, respectively. On the other hand, the two 6.5 CM loads had -181” and -188.9” of bullet drop for the 143 gr ELD-X and 127 gr LRX, respectively.
To put some of these numbers for the 28 Nosler in perspective, the rifle cartridge surpasses the 300 Weatherby Magnum in terms of muzzle velocity while matching the 300 Winchester Magnum and 300 PRC in terms of muzzle energy.
You can read more about how the 28 Nosler compares to other rifle cartridges in these articles:

• 28 Nosler vs 300 Win Mag
• 300 PRC vs 28 Nosler

The 28 Nosler is clearly superior to the 6.5 Creedmoor from a ballistic standpoint, it is incredibly flat shooting with higher muzzle velocity and kinetic energy. However, those advantages are paid for in barrel life.

Barrel Life

The 6.5 Creedmoor will typically have a longer barrel life than the 28 Nosler.
When a cartridge is fired, the powder charge is ignited to push the bullet down the barrel. The resulting flame touches not only the base of the bullet, but the rifling as well. Particularly vulnerable is the rifling at the mouth of the chamber.
Heat is the enemy of barrel life, the hotter you get your barrel the faster the rifling will begin to wear out.
It should be noted that most hunters will not “shoot out” a barrel for multiple seasons with either cartridge. Those who report short barrel life are typically high-volume competition shooters that are shooting near maximum charge handloads to achieve as much muzzle velocity as possible.
To increase your barrel’s lifespan, it’s best to run either factory ammo or handloads below maximum charge. Furthermore, allowing the barrel to cool between strings of fire will also help extend your barrel life.
For a sub-MOA barrel, many shooters report a loss in peak accuracy for 28 Nosler around the 800-round mark, while a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel can hold accuracy until around 2,000-2,500 rounds on average.
The primary difference between the two is the 28 fires a considerably larger powder charge. This means that all the additional heat is focused on a smaller area which increases erosion of the rifling.
Handloaders can perform a technique called “chasing the lands” to help elongate the life of their barrels. As the lands of the barrel erode at the throat, a handloader can measure the levels of erosion and adjust their bullet seating depth to match it.
This helps maintain shot-to-shot consistency for a time, but it is a temporary fix as eventually they will reach the limit of how far out they can seat the bullet in the case.
The bottom line is that most hunters should not experience any appreciable difference in accuracy for multiple seasons, but if a high-volume shooter or hunter is concerned about barrel life then a 6.5 CM barrel will typically last longer.

Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density

Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how aerodynamic a bullet is and how well it will resist wind drift. Sectional density (SD) is a way to evaluate the penetration ability of a bullet based on its external dimensions, design, and weight.
One of the major benefits of 6.5mm and 7mm bullets is their incredibly high ballistic coefficients. The design of both bullets allows them to be incredibly sleek, streamlined, and aerodynamic which helps fight wind drift for longer range shots.
Of the bullets evaluated previously, the 7mm 175 gr Accubond Long Range has the highest BC measured at 0.648 while the 160 gr Ballistic Tip bullet measured a respectable 0.531. However, the 6.5 Creedmoor is right on the 28’s heels as the 143 gr ELD-X has a high BC of 0.625 while the 127 gr LTX measures in at a respectable 0.468 BC.
In terms of penetration and sectional density, both the 6.5 Creedmoor and 28 Nosler are fairly close to one another and are more than adequate for large game. The 175 gr Accubond has the highest SD at 0.310 followed closely by the 6.5mm 143 gr ELD-X at 0.293.
To summarize, the 28 Nosler will have slightly better resistance to wind drift and slightly deeper penetration than the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Hunting

There’s a lot of contention in the hunting community about which of these new cartridges is best for big game.
The 28 Nosler clearly has enough kinetic energy to take down almost any game animal in North America, while the 6.5 Creedmoor offers hunters a softer shooting rifle that allows for better shot placement.
Selecting the best cartridge for your hunting needs primarily depends on what animals and what ranges you plan to hunt.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is perfectly suitable for medium sized game like whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn, and antelope at ranges around 500 yards or less. However, the 28 Nosler is the better option for game animals like elk, moose, and caribou.
I’m sure that the devout 6.5 Creedmoor standard bearers are foaming at the mouth right about now as I did not pontificate the elk-slaying virtues of their beloved rifle cartridge. However, the 28 Nosler is simply the better choice for big game.
This is not to say that you cannot take elk with a 6.5 CM under 300 yards, as you certainly have enough kinetic energy to do so. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s the best choice. You can kill a grizzly bear using a .22 LR with proper shot placement, but that doesn’t mean I’m using a Ruger 10/22 as a guide gun in Alaska.
The 28 Nosler has the power that’s needed to ethically harvest elk and larger game at long range while firing a larger diameter bullet. The 28 Nosler is going to leave a bigger hole, hit harder, and reduce unnecessary suffering of the game animal should your shot placement not be spot on.
To summarize, the 6.5 Creedmoor offers hunters a low recoil, flat shooting package that is easy to carry through thick brush on deer or antelope hunts while the 28 Nosler offers the power needed for long range elk hunting.
Although the 6.5 CM does have the needed 1,500 foot-pounds of energy needed for elk at ranges below 300 yards, the 28 Nosler gives you the added security of ensuring you have enough kinetic energy for elk at all plausible hunting ranges.

Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability

The 6.5 Creedmoor cannot be beat when it comes to ammo availability and rifle options as it has become the most popular 6.5mm caliber cartridge on the market.
The popularity of the 6.5 CM and ammo availability cannot be understated, as there is no worse feeling then going out to the range and not having ammo available to shoot with.
The Creedmoor offers shooters an extreme amount of versatility, as there are lighter 95 grain bullets loaded for varmints and heavier projectiles that can easily take down whitetail or your next long range precision rifle competition.
Virtually every ammo manufacture like Hornady, Winchester, Remington, Norma, Berger, Barnes, Federal and Browning has some version of 6.5 Creedmoor hunting ammo available. On the other hand, the 28 Nosler currently only has factory ammo available from Nosler, Hornady, and Browning.
In terms of cost, 6.5 CM ammo will generally be less expensive with inexpensive practice ammo going for around $1.20/round and premium hunting ammo costing between $2-3.50/round.
In contrast, the 28 Nosler is more costly to shoot as the least expensive ammo from Nosler runs around $3/round. Hornady and Browning factory loads for 28 Nosler typically run around $4/round while the premium long range ammo from Nosler will punch holes in your wallet to the tune of $6/round.
When it comes to rifle options, the 6.5 Creedmoor continues its dominance as a multitude of bolt-action rifles are available in the caliber.
Entry level bolt-action rifles like the Ruger American and Savage Axis can be had for under $500, while more expensive hunting rifles like a Browning X-Bolt, Savage 110, and Winchester Model 70 can be had for a bit more.
For PRS competitive shooters, the Ruger Precision Rifle and Savage 110 Precision are two out of the box long range rifles ready for the 1,000 yard line. Semi-automatic options for the 6.5 CM are also available in the FN SCAR, Springfield M1A, and AR-10 pattern rifles.
For the 28 Nosler, bolt-action rifles are your only option circa summer 2022. Savage, Bergara, Browning and Christensen are the primary manufacturers of factory rifles for the 28 Nosler, all of which will cost you over $1,000 or more.

Reloading

Reloading is one method shooters use to reduce their overall cost per round and increase the consistency of their ammo to sub-MOA levels. Furthermore, handloads can be tailored to your rifle to meet your specific shooting needs.
Given the relative difficulty in sourcing ammo for the 28 Nosler, most shooters who opt for this cartridge will choose to reload for it to ensure a steady supply of ammo for the range.
Although 6.5 Creedmoor is considerably more common, shooters still enjoy reloading for the 6.5 to ensure the utmost levels of accuracy and consistency.
Bullets for 6.5mm are relatively easy to come by as this bullet diameter is also fired in the 6.5 Grendel, 6.5x55 Swiss, 264 Win Mag, 260 Remington, 6.5-.284 Norma, and 6.5 PRC.
On the other hand, the 7mm caliber bullets are not as common as the American classic 30-caliber. However, cartridges like the 7mm Rem Mag, 7x57 Mauser, 280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm-08 all fire the same bullets so there are options available.
Bullet manufacturers like Nosler, Barnes, Berger, and Hornady have a wide variety of bullet weights and profiles available for both calibers.
However, special care should be taken when ordering large quantities of bullets for the 28 Nosler to ensure that you are ordering the proper bullet diameter. It can be confusing to new handloaders that 0.284” diameter bullets are labeled as 7mm when they truly measure 7.2mm in diameter.
A true 7mm bullet (0.277”) fired by rounds like the 270 Winchester will often be labeled as “270 caliber” to avoid any confusion. Just make sure that you order the correct diameter bullet and contact the manufacturer if you have any questions.
Sourcing brass will be more difficult for the 28 Nosler as it is a newer cartridge. Nosler and Hornady are the primary suppliers of new, unprimed 28 Nosler brass while 6.5 Creedmoor cases are readily available from virtually every manufacturer that offers factory new brass.

Final Shots: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 28 Nosler

The 6.5 Creedmoor and 28 Nosler are two centerfire rifle cartridges that were developed for long range target shooting and hunting.
The 28 Nosler is the younger and larger of the two. Superior to the 6.5 Creedmoor in every ballistic category, the 28 Nosler is viewed by many as the ideal 1,000 yard cartridge and can easily be utilized for elk hunting past 800 yards.
Although the 28 Nosler has numerous ballistic advantages, these come at the cost of punishing recoil and criminally short barrel life.
On the other hand, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a round that built a rock-solid following in the long range shooting community. With minimal recoil and a flatter trajectory than a 308 Winchester, the 6.5 Creedmoor has cemented its competition circles and has successfully transitioned into a hunting cartridge as well.
Although the 6.5 CM is an excellent cartridge for deer hunting, its kinetic energy leaves something to be desired when it comes to hunting elk and larger game.
Most shooters will opt for the 6.5 Creedmoor, as low recoil and ammo versatility are appealing to hunters and long range marksmen alike. However, if you want the most power you can possible attain with a 7mm bullet, then look no further than the mighty 28 Nosler as it won’t let you down so long as your shot placement is on point.
No matter which cartridge you choose, make sure you stock up on ammunition here at Ammo.com and I’ll see you on the range!
28 Nosler vs 6.5 Creedmoor: A Long Range Hunting Cartridge Comparison originally appeared on Ammo.com

The 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser are two centerfire rifle cartridges that fire the exact same 6.5mm bullets but were developed over 100 years apart.
This caliber debate can be summed up from one of the more famous lines from the 1997 move “Men in Black” starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. In the scene, Will Smith says to Tommy Lee Jones, “You know what the difference is between you and me? I make this look good!” Then Smith puts on his Ray-Ban sunglasses and Jones simply grimaces, un-phased by Smith’s bravado.
This scene parallels the 6.5 Swede vs 6.5 Creedmoor caliber debate in a way that only the silver screen can display. Two rounds (Smith and Jones) firing the exact same bullets (Ray-Bans), yet the newer Creedmoor is all the rage while the older Swedish round is nary a blip on many shooters’ radars.
This begs the question if the Creedmoor round really “makes 6.5mm bullets look good”? Or is the old 6.5 Swedish warhorse relatively comparable to the overly confident newcomer?
In this article, we will evaluate the 6.5 Swede vs 6.5 Creedmoor to help you understand the differences between the two and give you a clearer understanding of which cartridge is best for your target shooting and/or big game hunting needs.

What is the difference between the 6.5x55 and the 6.5 Creedmoor?

The main difference between the 6.5x55 and the 6.5 Creedmoor is that the 6.5x55 has a longer overall length and fits into a long action rifle while the 6.5 Creedmoor has a shorter overall length and fits into a short action rifle. Furthermore, the 6.5 Swede has slightly higher case capacity than the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Cartridge Specs

When evaluating centerfire cartridges, it’s a good idea to analyze the cartridge specs to gain more knowledge of each.
Development of the 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser (6.5 Swede) began in 1891 as part of the Swedish-Norwegian Rifle Commission which did extensive ballistic testing on various bullet diameters. In the end, the 6.5mm bullet was selected for its high ballistic coefficient and flat trajectory.
The 6.5 Swede was designed from scratch and has no parent case. It was eventually adopted for military use in 1894 by the Swedish and Norwegian armed services but used in different rifles. In Norway the round was chambered in the 1894 Krag–Jørgensen rifle while the Model 1896 Swedish Mauser was the selection by Sweden’s armed forces.
The 6.5x55mm Swedish is also know as the 6.5 Swede, 6.5x55 SE, 6.5x55mm SKAN, or simply the 6.5x55.
BALLISTICS CHART
In contrast, the 6.5 Creedmoor was released in 2007 in part due to a gripe session between legendary Service Rifle competitor, Dennis DeMille, and Dave Emary, the senior ballistician for Hornady Ammunition at the time.
The Creedmoor was developed by necking down a 30 Thompson Center case to accept a 6.5mm or 0.264” diameter bullet and was initially developed for long range shooting competitions.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is also called the 6.5 CM, 6.5 Creed, or can be misspelled as “Creedmore”.
One major difference between the 6.5 Swede and the Creedmoor is in their case length. The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge case measures 1.92” in length, while the Swedish round measures 2.165” long. In terms of overall length, the 6.5 Swede is the longer of the two measuring 3.15” compared to 2.825” for the Creedmoor.
The difference in overall length means that the 6.5 Creedmoor will fit into a short action similar to that of a 308 Winchester, while the 6.5x55 fits into a standard or long action like a 30-06 Springfield.
A short action is often preferred for hunters as the action requires less material, resulting in a lighter rifle. Furthermore, the bolt throw of a short action is less than that of a standard action, meaning follow-up shots from a Creedmoor rifle will typically be slightly faster than those from a 6.5 Swede rifle.
The differences in case length directly relate to case capacity. The 6.5 Swede has a greater case capacity at 57.9 gr compared to 52.5 gr for the 6.5 Creed.
Although the 6.5 Swedish has a higher case capacity, the Creedmoor was designed for modern rifles and can handle higher pressures than the Swede round. The 6.5 Creedmoor chamber is rated to 62,000 psi per SAAMI specs compared to 51,000 psi for the 6.5 Swede.
Although these rounds were developed over a century apart, they both fire the same 6.5mm bullets for their high ballistic coefficients and long-range shooting capabilities. Both rounds can fire bullets between 100 and 150 grains, however 140 grain bullets are by far the most popular factory loads for both calibers.

Recoil

Recoil is an important consideration when purchasing a new rifle as a round with heavy recoil will be more difficult to control and will slow your rate of follow up shots. The potential for flinching is also an issue for cartridges with heavy recoil.
Felt recoil will differ from shooter to shooter and is often dependent on firearm choice, stance, and your chosen factory ammo or handloads. However, free recoil is a more objective measure of how hard a cartridge hits based on firearm weight, muzzle velocity, powder charge, and bullet weight.
For the purposes of this comparison, we will consider Sellier & Bellot ammunition firing 140 grain FMJ bullets for both cartridges. This provides the closest apples-to-apples comparison in terms of recoil.
The Creedmoor factory load has a muzzle velocity of 2,657 fps compared to 2,582 fps for the 6.5 Swede.
The test rifle will be the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight weighting 6.8 lbs, as this rifle has been chambered in both calibers (though the 6.5 Swede version is currently not in production).
Given these parameters, the 6.5 Creedmoor will have a free recoil of 15.3 ft-lbs compared to 14.7 ft-lbs for the 6.5 Swede. Although the 6.5 Swede technically has slightly less free recoil, it is unlikely that even the most recoil sensitive shooter will be able to tell the difference between these two rounds.
In general, the 6.5 Swede and 6.5 Creed will have roughly equivalent recoil.

Muzzle Velocity, Kinetic Energy, and Trajectory

Many long range shooters claim that 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics are superior to virtually any round in existence short of a 50 BMG or cruise missile (just ask them!) However, the seasoned European hunter scoffs at such garish claims as he gestures to a wall of trophies all taken by his trusty 6.5x55.
Let’s see which rifle cartridge has an edge in terms of ballistics.
For this comparison we will select two factory loads for each cartridge. For the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser we selected the Lapua 155gr soft point (SP) and the Nosler 140 gr Accubond hunting load. For the 6.5 Creedmoor, the Hornady 143 gr ELD-X and Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter cartridges were selected.
There are obviously many more factory loads that we could have selected for this comparison, however we felt that these bullets represent some of the most popular 140 grain options as well as heavier projectiles that could be used for larger game like Scandinavian moose or North American elk.
BALLISTICS CHART
Looking at the 6.5 Swede vs 6.5 Creedmoor ballistic table above, we see some impressive numbers across the board for both rifle cartridges.
In terms of muzzle velocity, the 6.5 Creedmoor rules the roost with the top two slots at 2,700 fps for the 143 gr ELD-X and 2,680 fps for the 156 gr Berger Elite Hunter. However, the 140 gr Accubond for the 6.5 Swede is a mere 30 fps slower than the Elite Hunter, clocking in at 2,650 fps. The 155 gr Lapua soft point had the slowest muzzle velocity at 2,559 fps.
For long distance, the Creedmoor was more efficient at conserving its velocity, as both rounds averaged around 1,500 fps at 1,000 yards. The Accubond was only slightly slower at 1,252 fps while the soft point bullet had gone subsonic and was traveling at 1,000 fps at 1,000 yards.
The story repeats itself when it comes to muzzle energy, as the 6.5 Creedmoor enjoys a slight advantage here as well. The Berger Elite Hunter had the highest muzzle energy at 2,488 ft-lbs while the ELD-X came in second at 2,315 ft-lbs. The two Swede cartridges measured 2,254 ft-lbs for the Lapua soft point while the Accubond came in last at 2,183 ft-lbs of kinetic energy.
At 1,000 yards both Creedmoor rounds were able to remain above 650 ft-lbs of kinetic energy while the Swede rounds fell below 500 ft-lbs.
In terms of short to medium term trajectory, both rounds were relatively equivalent out to 500 yards. The Creedmoor rounds experienced -53.8” and -54” of bullet drop for the 143 gr and 156 gr loads, respectively. The 140 gr Accubond for 6.5 Swede was relatively close to the Creedmoor rounds with -60” of bullet drop at 500 yards but the 155 gr soft point had the highest bullet drop of -73.9”.
At 1,000 yards the differences between the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Swede were exacerbated considerably with the Creedmoor coming out on top again. The 140 gr Swede factory load had approximately -60" more bullet drop at 1,000 yards than the ELD-X Creedmoor load. The Lapua soft point had the worst bullet drop at -539.2” as the round had dropped below supersonic speeds around 800 yards.
Given this data, what conclusions can we draw?
The one thing that is blatantly obvious is that bullet selection really matters with these rounds. As both of the 6.5mm cartridges can fire the exact same bullets, it’s fair to say that you see similar performance in a 6.5 Swede firing the same bullets as the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Another issue that plagues the 6.5 Swede is its maximum pressure, which is considerably lower than the 6.5 Creedmoor. It’s important to remember that the max pressure for the 6.5 Swede was set using an older Swedish Mauser, which cannot handle higher pressures like modern rifles can. This is one reason why the Creedmoor can produce slightly better ballistics as it can be loaded hotter.
If we only consider factory ammo of similar bullet weights, the 6.5 Creedmoor will come out on top most of the time. However, if you handload for your 6.5x55 you should see similar performance from both 6.5mm cartridges.

Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density

Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how aerodynamic a bullet is and how well it will resist wind drift. Sectional density (SD) is a way to evaluate the penetration ability of a bullet based on its external dimensions, design, and weight.
As both of these 6.5mm cartridges can fire the same bullets, there is will be no difference between them in terms of ballistic coefficient and sectional density.
One of the major benefits of shooting 6.5mm projectiles is that they have an incredibly high ballistic coefficient for their weight. Take for example the 140 grain Berger VLD Hunting bullet with a BC of 0.6 or the Nosler 140 gr RDF with a BC of 0.658.
To put this in perspective, my favorite 0.308” caliber bullet, the Sierra 175 gr Matchking, that we lovingly call the “Dwulet load” on our Ammunition Guides Podcast, only has a BC of 0.505.
In terms of sectional density, the 6.5mm bullet is extremely effective at penetration as it focuses all of its energy into a small cross-sectional area. Most high-end hunting projectiles will have a SD around 0.28 which is more than enough for deer, elk, and moose.

Hunting

Both the 6.5 CM and 6.5x55 make an excellent choice for your next big game hunting rifle.
Shortly after its release in 1894, Scandinavian hunters quickly took a liking to the new 6.5x55 cartridge for its effectiveness on reindeer and moose. It packed enough kinetic energy and stopping power to get the job done on big game and a flat trajectory that every hunter likes.
It should be noted that European moose are smaller than those found in the northern continental United States, Canada, and Alaska. FYR, European moose are typically closer in size to American Elk.
Although the ballistic performance of the 6.5 Creed is like that of its Swedish counterpart, the Creedmoor was not an immediate hunting success. One of the major reasons for this was North America’s devout love affair with the 0.308” diameter bullet, as rounds like the 300 Win Mag and 30-06 Springfield were not easily unseated as the undisputed kings of the woods.
However, as American shooters started warming up to the sub-MOA groups and low free recoil the 6.5 Creedmoor had to offer, they were more open to testing the round on medium sized game like whitetail and pronghorn.
There is a lot of debate among hunters about the effectiveness of the 6.5 Creedmoor for elk.
There’s no debating that the round has the kinetic energy needed to take down an elk (1,500 ft-lbs) within 300-400 yards, depending on your chosen load. However, some hunters feel the 0.264” diameter bullet lacks the penetration ability and higher kinetic energy that a 300 Win Mag, 300 Weatherby Magnum, or 300 PRC can bring to bear.
The main sticking point for 6.5mm cartridge aficionados is the age-old debate of shot placement vs stopping power. If you can slip the bullet between the ribs and straight through both lungs and the heart, there’s little need for a heavy-recoiling 30-caliber.
However, if your shot placement is not perfect and the animal will have to expire via blood loss, a 30-caliber bullet will obviously leave a bigger hole than a 0.264” diameter one.
Without a doubt, practicing with your hunting rifles is the key to success. Being able to put rounds on target where they need to be is the best way to ensure a clean and ethical kill on any big game animal.
In our opinion, both of these 6.5mm cartridges are more than enough for elk within their effective range. Just make proper bullet selection and be able to put rounds on target where they need to go and you should have little problem putting elk in your freezer.

Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability

The 6.5 Creedmoor outstrips the 6.5x55 in both ammo and rifle availability due to its widespread popularity in North America.
In terms of ammo availability, the 6.5 CM currently holds an approximate 5:1 advantage over the 6.5 Swede. Every major ammo manufacturer like Hornady, Winchester, Federal, Remington, Norma, Berger, and Barnes make some form of 6.5 Creedmoor ammo.
On the other hand, there are only a few 6.5 Swede manufacturers that currently load for the round, Lapua and Sellier & Bellot have the most diverse ammo lines while Federal, Hornady, and Nosler have limited offerings for the cartridge.
As far as price is concerned, inexpensive plinking FMJ ammo can be had for 6.5 Creedmoor at around $1.40/round while premium match-grade or hunting ammo will run around $2-3/round. The Swede is similarly priced with practice ammo going for about $1.30/round while premium hunting loads typically punch holes in your wallet at a rate of $2.50-4/round.
In terms of firearms, there are bolt-action rifles aplenty for the 6.5 Creedmoor. Every manufacturer has some offering in the 6.5 CM as it has become one of the most successful new rounds to hit the market in many years. If you’re into long range target shooting, Ruger and Savage have competition-ready rifles available at a reasonable price point.
In terms of semi-auto capability, the 6.5 Creedmoor is also available in the AR-10 platform, as well as being offered in the Springfield M1A and the FN SCAR 20S.
For the 6.5x55 I hope you like bolt-action rifles, Swedish Mausers in particular, because this will be your main option. The M96 Mauser is the most popular and least expensive firearm for the caliber, but older military surplus rifles are typically not the best options for big game hunting as they are setup for iron sights and not magnified options.
However, there are several European modern rifle companies who have not given up on the 6.5 Swede and have new rifles available. Those companies being Sako, Carl Gustaf Mauser, Steyr, and Tikka.
CZ USA is one of the few North American companies who currently offer a bolt-action rifle in 6.5x55. Many years ago, you could get a Winchester Model 70 chambered in 6.5 Swede but those have been out of production for many years and finding one will be tricky (and expensive).
You can also find several custom rifle makers who still chamber for 6.5x55 but be ready to pay a premium if you go this route.

Reloading

Reloading is one method shooters use to reduce their overall cost per round and increase the consistency and accuracy of their ammo. Furthermore, handloads can be tailored to your rifle to meet your specific shooting needs.
Handloading is really where both rounds shine, as reloaders can routinely achieve sub-MOA groups with proper load development and bullet selection.
The 6.5 Swede offers about a 10% case capacity increase over the 6.5 Creedmoor, which gives it a lot of room for customization. Many handloaders have achieved exceptional results using modern 6.5mm bullets in the 6.5 Swede case, allowing them to have nearly identical ballistic results when compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor.
However, we cannot ignore the fact that these two 6.5mm cartridges are not the only two 6.5’s in town.
Prior to the release of the 6.5 Creedmoor there was the 260 Remington. Sadly, the 260 Rem was a little bit ahead of its time and did not see the same success as the 6.5 Creed. Then of course there is the 6.5x55 Ackley-Improved wildcat that adjusts the shoulder angle of the Swede to increase its case capacity.
However, the two newest hotrod 6.5’s are unquestionably the 26 Nosler and 6.5 PRC. These magnum loads push the ballistic performance of 0.264” diameter bullets to a new level at the cost of reduced barrel life.
To read more about the 26 Nosler and 6.5 PRC, check out this article: 26 Nosler vs 6.5 PRC
However, all these 6.5mm cartridges fire the same bullets, which means they will be plentiful and easy to find. Reloading data can be found for both rounds in newer reloading manuals (remember the 6.5 CM was released in 2007) and there are plenty of powders to choose from for both cartridges.
Sourcing brass will be easier for the Creedmoor due to its popularity, but 6.5x55 brass is not difficult to find on the secondary market if you cannot find factory ammo.
Reloading is one way to ensure that you always have ammo to practice with, and it allows you to really achieve the true potential of both the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Swede.

Final Shots: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 6.5x55

The 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser are two rifle cartridges that take full advantage of the extremely aerodynamic 0.264” diameter bullet. They offer exceptional ballistics with low recoil that is ideal for long-range shooting and hunting.
The 6.5 Swede is one of those rifle cartridges that refuses to fade away. It is beloved by European hunters for its efficacy on big game as well as long range capability for benchrest target shooting.
The 6.5 Creedmoor was the breakthrough round of the 2000’s that brought the efficacy of the 6.5mm bullet to the forefront for American shooters. It has quickly become one of top 5 rifle cartridges sold in North America and is only gaining in popularity with every passing year.
Although its performance is slightly eclipsed by hotrod rounds like the 6.5 PRC or 26 Nosler, the 6.5 Creedmoor provides MOA accuracy at 1,000 yards while chambered in a short action, which is a feat that few rounds can lay claim to.
Although the 6.5 Swede can be optimized through reloading, our choice is the 6.5 Creedmoor as it has considerably higher ammo availability and finding a new hunting rifle is a relatively simple task.
This is not to say that the Swedish round is obsolete, quite the opposite as it fells countless reindeer and European moose every year. However, the Creedmoor offers slightly improved ballistic performance with factory ammo that we cannot ignore.
No matter which cartridge you choose, make sure you stock up on ammunition here at Ammo.com and I’ll see you on the range…And don’t forget your Ray-Bans!
6.5x55 vs 6.5 Creedmoor: The 6.5mm New Hotness originally appeared on Ammo.com

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If you love long-range rounds, then the 300 Win Mag vs 300 Norma is the perfect place for you.
Despite being designed and released decades apart, these calibers are similar in many ways but distinct in others, which makes comparing them an exciting task.
300 Win Mag vs 300 Norma
Though the names are similar, there are a few differences between the calibers that help differentiate the two making them perform better in specific scenarios.
First, we will discuss the differences in the cartridges. Then we will compare them in several categories that matter most to the average shooter and determine a winner by the end of the article.
Let's get started!
Cartridge Specs
The differences in the cartridges are minimal, but when long-distance shooting, minimal changes matter.
The 300 Winchester Magnum and the 300 Norma Magnum have an identical bullet diameter of 0.308".
The neck diameter of the 300 Win Mag is 0.339", which is slightly smaller than the 300 Norma neck diameter of 0.342".
The 300 Win Mag has a base diameter of 0.532", and the base diameter of the 300 Norma Mag is 0.585".
The case length of the 300 Win Mag is 2.62" while the 300 Norma case length is slightly shorter at 2.492".
Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the overall length. The 300 Win Mag is 3.34" overall, while the 300 Norma is 3.618". That's a slight difference of just over a quarter of an inch, 0.278" to be exact.
The case capacity is the most significant difference in these magnum cartridge specs we will talk about, but that's hard to judge by merely looking at the cartridges unless you're some kind of genius.
The 300 Win Mag has a case capacity of 93.8 gr, whereas the 300 Norma has a larger case capacity of 104.2 gr H2O.
The maximum pressure (SAAMI) of the 300 Win Mag is 64,000 psi, and the max pressure for the 300 Norma is 63,817 psi.
As you can tell, these cartridges and bullets are very similar, but how do they translate to real-world situations?
Recoil: 300 Norma vs 300 Win Mag
Many factors determine felt recoil, such as gun weight, shooter, and bullet weight.
It's essential to consider the recoil because many shooters prefer less recoil. That's why you'll see muzzle brakes on a precision rifle to reduce the recoil as much as possible without sacrificing the bullet's effectiveness.
A rifle with lower recoil is easier to be more accurate with, and it's more enjoyable to shoot because your shoulder isn't sore after a few rounds down range.
The 300 Norma Mag has a typical recoil energy of 25.9 ft-lbs; however, that can increase to as much as 35.5 foot-pounds of energy when you increase the bullet's muzzle velocity.
The 300 Winchester Magnum's recoil energy can get as low as 23.5 ft-lbs, but it averages 37 ft-lbs under most circumstances.
Neither rifle is known for low recoil, but that's what you should expect when you're trying to fire a chunk of metal long distances.
The winner is the 300 Norma. However, the average shooter won't be able to tell much of a difference between the rounds when shooting comparable loads.
Trajectory
The trajectory is the bullet's path to the target. It's an arch due to gravity, so every shooter prefers a flat shooting round.
The flatter the trajectory, the easier it is to be accurate at long distances because you don't have to compensate for as much bullet drop.
Both calibers have a flat trajectory because they are intended for long-range purposes.
The 195 gr Hornady ELD-M 300 Winchester Magnum at 600 yards drops 74". At 1,500 yards, it will have experienced -885 inches of bullet drop.
The 215 Berger 300 Norma Mag at 600 yards drops 54.7". It will have -610.5" of bullet drop at 1,500 yards.
The 300 Norma easily wins this section with a much flatter trajectory.
Accuracy: 300 Win Mag vs 300 Norma Mag
The accuracy of a round is dependent upon many factors; however, for the sake of keeping things simple, we're basing our judgments on recoil, bullet trajectory, and the shooter.
If the same person were to shoot each caliber at the exact distances, they would find that the 300 NM is much easier to be accurate with because the 300 Win Mag doesn't have as flat of a trajectory, and it has more recoil.
The 300 Norma Magnum wins this section.
Ballistic Coefficient
The ballistic coefficient (BC) measures how well a bullet resists wind.
It's how aerodynamic a bullet is. A high BC is preferred because the bullet will fight the wind better.
Generally, a heavier bullet will have a higher BC because it takes more force to move the heavier bullet off of its flight path.
Bullets of the same caliber will have differing ballistic coefficients, so I'll list a couple of examples to give us a good idea of what we can expect.
A 300 Win Mag 200 gr Berger Hybrid Target has a BC of 0.64, this is one of the heaviest bullets that can be reliably fired from a 300 Winchester Magnum, so this is also one of the highest BCs of any 300 Win Mag bullet.
A 300 Norma Mag 230gr Berger Hybrid bullet has a BC of 0.743.
The 300 Winchester Magnum is blown out of the water, despite having a high ballistic coefficient.
As another comparison, the two primary loads for the 300 PRC (another long-range caliber) are the 212-grain ELD-X with a BC of 0.663 and the 225 gr ELD match with a BC of 0.777.
The winner is the 300 Norma.
Stopping Power: 300 Norma Mag vs 300 Win Mag
The sectional density (SD) is the measure of how well a bullet penetrates a target. This is extremely important when hunting big game because you need a bullet that can puncture through thick hide, bone, and sinew to have an ethical kill.
Sectional density is calculated by comparing the bullet diameter and the bullet weight. The higher the SD, the better the bullet penetrates the target.
Since both rifle cartridges fire the same diameter bullet, they will have similar sectional densities. However, the advantage goes to the 300 Norma because of its heavier bullets.
The 300 Norma Magnum wins this section.
Barrel Life
Barrel life is something precision shooters track meticulously. The most significant factor affecting barrel life is the ammo's powder charge.
A higher powder charge will typically shorten barrel life.
The 300 Norma Magnum and the 300 Remington Ultra Magnum are called "barrel burners" since their 95+ grain powder charges are hard on barrels.
Heavy powder charges, such as these, quickly erode the rifling at the barrel's throat, reducing downrange accuracy.
The average 300 Win Mag barrel will maintain peak accuracy between 2500 to 2000 rounds.
The 300 Norma Magnum barrel will only maintain peak accuracy between 1100 to 1200 rounds, ouch.
The clear winner with over double the barrel life is the 300 Winchester Magnum.
Hunting
Shot placement is the most critical part of the shot while hunting. This means you need an accurate round.
While the 300 Norma is more accurate, when we consider the maximum range for most hunters is 500 yards, the differences in accuracy don't matter nearly as much.
The reason I would choose the 300 Norma for big game hunting is because of its increased knockdown power with less recoil.
However, the downside is finding ammo and a rifle you're willing to carry through rough terrain. We will discuss this in more detail a bit later.
I would choose the 300 Win Mag because of the availability of the hunting ammo.
You can hunt any game species in North America with a 300 Norma or a 300 Win Mag, from whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, bear, and moose.
Honestly, the animal will not be able to tell which caliber you used, and it ultimately comes down to how much money you want to spend.
I'm giving this section to the 300 Win Mag because the ammo and rifles are more available to hunters.
Home Defense: 300 Winchester Magnum vs 300 Norma
When it comes to home defense, I prefer not to use a rifle. While an AR-15 chambered in 5.56 or 223 is an outstanding urban combat weapon, it still runs the risk of overpenetration when defending your home against an intruder.
Now step that up in power to a 300 WM or 300 NM, and you can easily penetrate the neighbor's walls.
This is why I recommend using a shotgun for home defense. It doesn't put your family or neighbors at such a high risk of being accidentally shot due to overpenetration.
For self-defense, I recommend using a pistol chambered in .45 ACP or 9mm.
I'm not saying I wouldn't use either of these calibers to defend my home. Because if I only had one option and the 300 Norma was it, then you better believe I'm using it to protect my family, but I must be aware of the dangers it poses.
This section is a tie because neither caliber is ideal for home or self-defense.
Ammo Cost & Availability
If you were starting to think I'm just a fanboy of the 300 Norma, then you're about to learn why I won't be buying one anytime soon.
Ammo for the 300 Norma Magnum is nearly twice the price of 300 Win Mag ammo, and it's regularly out of stock.
One round of Berger Match Grade Ammunition 300 Norma Magnum 215 Grain Hybrid Target will cost you $6.00 if you can find it.
The reason is that the 300 Norma is not as widely used. It's a specialty gun primarily used by long-range shooters and the military, so the military gets priority on receiving ammo.
The primary brands that manufacture ammo for the 300 Norma are Norma Ammunition, Federal, and Berger.
The 300 Win Mag is a much more affordable round.
A round of Berger Match Grade Ammunition 300 Winchester Magnum 185 Grain Classic Hunter will cost $4.00, with many other options even cheaper.
The typical brands that make 300 Win Mag ammo are Nosler, Barnes, Norma, Hornady, Federal, Remington, Berger, Browning, Fiocchi, and Winchester.
With so many more manufacturers making ammo for the 300 WM, it's easy to see why it's so much cheaper and more abundant.
The 300 Winchester Magnum wins this category.
Rifle Cost & Availability: 300 Norma vs 300 Winchester Magnum
The high-price trend continues when we discuss guns chambered in 300 Norma.
Most 300 NM rifles are custom built, so instead of finding them for hundreds of dollars, be prepared for thousands of dollars.
Barrett Firearms and Christensen Arms are two primary firearms manufacturers making a rifle chambered in 300 NM.
A new rifle will cost anywhere from $2,700 for a Christensen Arms BA Tactical to $5,000 for a Barrett MRAD to $15,500 for a Barrett MK22.
The number of rifle manufacturers willing to make a 300 Win Mag is substantially larger.
Bergara, Christensen Arms, Howa, Weatherby, Savage, Tikka, Browning, Mossberg, Remington, Franchi, Ruger, Benelli, and Winchester make rifles chambered for 300 WM.
The price ranges from a $300 Mossberg Patriot or $2,000 for a Browning X-Bolt or $2,500 for a Christensen Arms MPR.
The 300 Winchester Magnum is more widely available at a price more firearms enthusiasts can afford.
Reloading
If you're looking to save money, then reloading is often the way to go. Even if you buy 300 Win Mag ammo in bulk, you can still save money by reloading the brass once you've used it.
Handloading is the best way to control the variables within your ability to control; this is why precision shooters always prefer handloading their ammo over factory ammo.
The 300 NM and 300 WM are both reloadable, meaning you can find the equipment and supplies you need to reload them.
It will be a little easier to find the supplies for the 300 Win Mag but not enough to declare it the clear winner.
This section is a tie.
300 Win Mag History
Introduced in the 1960s, the .300 Winchester Magnum is a descendant of the legendary .375 H&H. With a reputation for being able to take any game animal in North America; the .300 Win Mag quickly gained popularity amongst hunters.
The enthusiasm for this caliber didn't stop with the average citizen. Competitive shooters enjoy the 300 Win Mag, thanks to its flatter trajectory compared to the 308.
The U.S. Army converted its sniper rifles from .308 Winchester to the .300 WM cartridge because it can engage human-size targets up to 1,200 meters away. That's 50% farther than the reach of the .308 Winchester, which is itself a highly effective sniper rifle cartridge.
300 Norma History
The 300 Norma Magnum is a relatively new cartridge since it was released in 2012 by Norma Ammunition. Its parent cartridge is the .338 Norma Magnum (a wildcat cartridge of the 338 Lapua Magnum) necked down to accept .30 caliber bullets.
It's quickly gaining popularity in competitive shooting circles as a top-notch long-distance rifle.
The United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) chose the MK22 Advanced Sniper Rifle chambered in .300 Norma Magnum as one of their primary sniper rifles.
Though it hasn't stood the test of time as the 300 WM has, it's off to a great start.
Parting Shots
When we compared the 300 Win Mag vs the 300 Norma Magnum, the 300 NM won 4/11 categories, and the 300 WM won 4/11, with the remaining three categories ending in a draw.
It's no surprise since they're so similar.
However, I would purchase the 300 Winchester Magnum for hunting or long-range shooting now and then.
If you're a serious precision shooter, then the 300 Norma Magnum is the way to go.
300 Win Mag vs. 300 Norma: Battle of the Sniper Rounds originally appeared on Ammo.com

In 2007, Hornady took the competitive long-range shooting community by storm with the release of their new cartridge, the 6.5 Creedmoor. Since its release, the 6.5 Creedmoor has seen its popularity grow every year to the point where it is now a household name in the shooting community.
After finding success on the competitive firing line thanks to a flat trajectory and low recoil, many shooters and ammo manufacturers sought to transition the 6.5 into the woods and make it into a big game hunting cartridge.
Since then, comparisons were drawn between two of the most stalwart deer hunting cartridges on the market that are not 30-caliber, the 270 Winchester and the 25-06 Remington.
This has led many hunters to question if a competition round like the 6.5 Creedmoor offered any real ballistic advantages over rounds like the 25-06 Rem and 270 Win that had proven themselves in the woods for over 90 years.
In this article, we will evaluate the 6.5 Creedmoor vs 270 vs 25-06 to help you understand the differences between the two and give you a clearer understanding of which cartridge is best for your target shooting and/or big game hunting needs.
What is the difference between the 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 Winchester, and 25-06 Remington?
The primary difference between the 6.5 Creedmoor, 270 Winchester, and 25-06 Remington is their intended purpose. The 25-06 and 270 were specifically designed for hunting game animals while the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed for competitive shooting first and has been adapted for big game hunting.
Cartridge Specs
When evaluating centerfire cartridges, it’s a good idea to analyze the cartridge specs to gain more knowledge of each.
The 25-06 Remington (25-06 Rem or 25 06 for short) is a rifle cartridge that was developed ahead of its time. As the eldest of the three cartridges, the 25-06 began its life as a wildcat cartridge known as the .25 Niedner. Developed by A.O. Niedner in 1920, the 25-06 is essentially a 30-06 case necked down to take a 0.257” diameter bullet.
Although the 25 Niedner offered some advantages over the 30-06, it lacked the slow burning powders needed to maximize its performance. Therefore, it lived in relative obscurity for nearly 50 years until Remington standardized the cartridge in 1969 and chambered it in its hugely successful Model 700 bolt-action rifle.
In contrast, the 270 Winchester (or 270 Win for short) was released in 1923 and received almost instant commercial success. The 270 was developed using the 30-03 as a parent case, which was the progenitor to the 30-06 Springfield. This means the 270 Win is essentially a 30-06 case necked down to accept a 0.277” (7mm) diameter bullet.
As the youngest of the three, the 6.5 Creedmoor was released in 2007 and became extremely popular in long range competitive shooting circles. The Creedmoor was developed in part due to a gripe session between legendary Service Rifle competitor, Dennis DeMille, and Dave Emary, the senior ballistician for Hornady Ammunition at the time.
Instead of using the 30-06 as a parent cartridge, the 6.5 Creedmoor was developed by necking down a 30 Thompson Center case to accept a 6.5mm or 0.264” diameter bullet and was initially developed for long range shooting competitions.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is also called the 6.5 CM, 6.5 Creed, or can be misspelled as “Creedmore”.
When looking at these three cartridges side-by-side there is an obvious size difference between them. The 270 and 25-06 tower over the 6.5 CM by over half an inch. The 270 Win has an overall length of 3.34” compared to 3.25” for the 25-06 and 2.825” for the 6.5 CM.
In terms of case length, the 270 and 25 06 are nearly identical at 2.54” and 2.494”, respectively. However, the 6.5 CM case is considerably shorter at 1.92”.
The difference in overall length means that the 6.5 CM can fit into a short action rifle like a 308 Winchester, which are often lighter and have a shorter bolt throw. In contrast, the larger 270 Win and 25-06 Rem require a long action like their older cousin, the 30-06 Springfield.
This massive difference in case length translates directly to case capacity as the 270 Win and 25-06 can hold approximately 15% more powder than the 6.5 Creed. The case capacity for the 270 measures 67 gr, 65.8 gr for the 25-06, and 52.5 grains for the 6.5.
All three rounds have similar maximum pressures per SAAMI specs. The 270 is rated to handle the most chamber pressure at 65,000 psi, compared to 63,000 psi for the 25-06 and 62,000 psi for the 6.5 CM.
However, the biggest difference between these rounds is the bullets they fire.
The 270 Win fires the widest bullets of the bunch measuring 0.277” in diameter. Bullet weights for the 270 range between 85 and 180 grains with the 130 gr, 140 gr, and 150 gr projectiles being the most popular.
The 6.5 Creedmoor sits between the 270 and 25-06 in this case as it was designed to fire a bullet diameter of 6.5mm or 0.264”. The Creedmoor can fire bullets between 95 and 160 grains with the 120, 130, and 140 grain bullets being the most prevalent.
Finally, the 25-06 Rem was designed to fire the thinnest bullets of the three, measuring 0.257” in diameter. Capable of firing lighter bullets between 75 and 120 grains, the 100 gr, 117 gr, and 120 grain factory loads are the most common to find.
In general, the 270 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor can fire heavier bullets than the 25-06, but does this mean that the 25-06 will have less recoil than the other two rounds? Let’s find out!
Recoil
Recoil is an important consideration when purchasing a new rifle as a round with heavy recoil will be more difficult to control and will slow your rate of follow up shots. The potential for flinching is also an issue for cartridges with heavy recoil.
Felt recoil will differ from shooter to shooter and is often dependent on firearm choice, stance, and your chosen factory ammo or handloads. However, free recoil is a more objective measure of how hard a cartridge hits based on firearm weight, muzzle velocity, powder charge, and bullet weight.
For this recoil comparison, it will be impossible to provide a true apples-to-apples comparison as the 6.5 CM and 270 Win fire considerably heavier bullets than the 25-06. All three calibers are offered by Hornady in their Precision Hunter line of ammo; therefore, these cartridges were selected for comparison.
All three rounds fire the Hornady ELD-X bullet that is popular with big game hunters for its controlled expansion and weight retention. The 6.5 Creedmoor load fires a 143 gr bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,700 fps, the 270 Winchester load fires a 145 gr bullet traveling at 2,970 fps, while the 25-06 load fires a 110 gr bullet at 3,140 fps.
The rifle used for this comparison will be the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight which is a popular bolt-action rifle used for big game hunting. It is offered in all three calibers and weighs 6.5 lbs on average.
Given these rounds, the 270 Win will have 26.01 ft-lbs of free recoil, 18.51 ft-lbs for the 25-06, and 17.19 ft-lbs for the 6.5 CM. This means the 6.5 Creedmoor will have around 50% less recoil than the 270 when comparing similar bullet weights.
The low recoil of the 6.5 Creedmoor is one reason it has been so successful in the long-range target shooting community, as it delivers excellent ballistics and a flat trajectory with minimal impact to the shooter’s shoulder.
However, are those ballistics superior to the 270 Winchester or the 25-06? In the next section we will compare 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics to the 270 and 25-06 to see who comes out on top.
Muzzle Velocity, Kinetic Energy, and Trajectory
There’s a lot of hype surrounding the long range capabilities and 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics, but can the new cartridge take down the deer hunting stalwarts, the 270 Win and 25-06 Rem? To compare the ballistics of each cartridge we’ve selected two different rounds for each caliber.
For the 6.5 Creedmoor we’ve selected the Hornady Superformance 129 gr SST and 143 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter. For the 270 Winchester we’ve selected the 145 gr ELD-X factory ammo as well as the Nosler 150 gr Accubond Long Range load. Lastly, for the 25-06 Rem we selected the 100 gr Barnes TTSX hunting ammo as well as the 110 gr ELD-X from the recoil section.
Although a 1,000 yard shot is not typical (or advisable) for big game hunting, it was included in the ballistics table to display the long-range target shooting capability of all three rifle cartridges.
In terms of muzzle velocity, the 25-06 rounds clearly dominated the field with the 100 gr TTSX bullet having the highest velocity at 3,225 fps followed closely by the 110 gr ELD-X at 2,140 fps. The 143 gr ELD-X for the 6.5 Creedmoor had the lowest muzzle velocity at 2,700 fps.
Both 270 cartridges and the 130 gr SST for 6.5 CM were roughly equivalent in terms of muzzle velocity being separated by just over 100 fps for all three factory loads.
On impressive aspect to note is that all six factory loads were still supersonic at 1,000 yards. However, the 100 gr TTSX was just barely so at 1,154 fps.
In terms of muzzle energy, the 270 dominates holding around a 300 ft-lbs advantage of the Creedmoor and 400 ft-lb advantage over the Remington rounds. The 270 Win 145 gr ELD-X had the highest muzzle energy at 2,840 ft-lbs followed closely by the Accubond at 2,705 ft-lbs. Both Creedmoor and 25-06 loads shot below 2,500 ft-lbs at the muzzle.
The 150 gr Accubond LR was the most efficient bullet at conserving kinetic energy at range, measuring 830 ft-lbs at 1,000 yards while the 143 gr ELD-X and 145 gr ELD-X were relatively equivalent averaging 700 ft-lbs.
Of the six factory loads analyzed, the 110 gr ELD-X for the 25-06 had the flattest trajectory at all ranges over 200 yards. This should not come as a surprise, as lighter bullets traveling at higher velocities typically have a flatter trajectory than heavier bullets traveling at slower speeds.
At 1,000 yards, the 25-06 110 gr ELD-X had the lowest bullet drop of all loads at -276.7”. Both 270 Win loads had relatively identical trajectories at 1,000 yards and had slightly less than -10” more bullet drop than the 110 gr ELD-X. As the 25-06 100 gr TTSX was approaching transonic speeds at 1,000 yards, it had the most bullet drop of all factory loads analyzed at -330.7”
As much as shooters hype up the 6.5 Creedmoor for its trajectory, the 270 Win had less bullet drop than the 6.5 at all ranges.
So, what conclusions can we draw from this data?
There’s no denying that the 25-06, 270 Win, and 6.5 Creedmoor have impressive ballistics. All six rounds were incredibly flat shooting, but the 25-06 clearly had an advantage in this area thanks to firing lighter bullets at higher muzzle velocities.
The 270 Winchester is the obvious choice when kinetic energy is needed, as it fires similarly weighted bullets to the 6.5 CM at higher velocities.
This begs the question as to why the 6.5 Creedmoor is so popular? If the 270 Win has more case capacity, why then do we see the firing line at F-Class long range target shooting competitions flooded with 6.5 Creedmoor shooters?
The answer lies in the barrel and bullet selection.
Twist Rate and Bullet Selection
One of the major upsides of the 6.5 Creedmoor is its faster twist rate barrel and wide bullet selection range.
Though not talked about nearly enough, twist rate plays a huge role in what bullet weights can be stabilized in your barrel. Heavier bullets typically require faster twist rates while lighter bullets prefer slower twist rates.
The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to shoot the incredibly long, high B.C. bullets 0.264” caliber has to offer. Long, heavy bullets require a faster twist rate to stabilize properly. Therefore, a 1:8 twist barrel was standardized for the caliber.
On the other hand, we need to remember what the 270 Winchester and 25-06 Rem was designed to do; which is provide a flatter shooting alternative to its parent case, the 30-06 Springfield. Back in the 1920’s, it’s highly unlikely that ballistic coefficients were weighing heavily on the minds of rifle makers.
Back then, velocity was king and the 130 grain Spitzer fired by the 270 Win quickly became known as a hotrod, flat shooting bullet.
Therefore, the manufacturers standardized the 1:10 twist rate for the 270, which is amazing for bullets up to 150 grains, but not much heavier than that. The 25-06 Remington was also standardized for a 1:10 twist rate, however this is perfectly acceptable for the 90-120 grain bullets the 25-06 fires.
The slow twist rate of the 270 is one of the biggest roadblocks for bullet manufactures, as extremely long 0.277” bullets would require a faster twist rate to stabilize properly. Custom barrel makers do offer 270 Win in a 1:8 twist option; however, this is a route that most shooters won’t take when they could just as easily purchase a 6.5 Creedmoor instead.
This gives the 6.5 Creedmoor a clear advantage in terms of bullet selection thanks to its faster twist rate.
Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density
Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how aerodynamic a bullet is and how well it will resist wind drift. Sectional density (SD) is a way to evaluate the penetration ability of a bullet based on its external dimensions, design, and weight.
If there’s one thing the 6.5 Creedmoor is known for, it’s high B.C. bullets. For example, the 143 gr ELD-X analyzed in the ballistics section has a BC of 0.697 while the 129 gr SST has a BC of 0.485.
Although the 6.5 CM has some high BC values, the 270 Win is no slouch when it comes to ballistic coefficient. The 150 gr Accubond LR has an incredibly respectable BC of 0.625 while the 145 gr ELD-X measures at 0.536.
In general, the 25-06 has the lower BC values of the three calibers as it fires lighter bullets than the 270 and 6.5. The 110 gr Hornady ELD-X has a BC of 0.465 while the 100 gr Barnes TTSX has a BC of 0.357.
For sectional density, the 270 Win and 6.5 CM are considerably closer, while both rounds outstrip the 25-06. This is primarily due to its higher kinetic energy values for the 0.277” and 0.264” diameter bullets, allowing the bullet to punch through thick hide and bone more effectively.
The 145 gr ELD-X has a SD of 0.270 while the 150 gr Accubond measured 0.279. In contrast, the 6.5 CM loads had SD values of 0.264 and 0.301 for the SST and ELD-X bullets, respectively. Lastly, the 100 gr TTSX had a SD of 0.216 while the 110 gr ELD-X measured 0.238.
To summarize, the 6.5 Creedmoor will generally have higher BC bullets thanks to its slender design and faster twist rate. This means it will resist wind drift slightly more effectively than the 270 and 25-06. For penetration, the 6.5 and 270 are relatively equivalent with the 6.5 having a slight advantage.
The 25-06 has lower BC and SD values primarily due to its lower bullet weight. However, it has more than enough penetration to ethically take down a whitetail, pronghorn, or antelope.
Hunting
When it comes to ethically hunting game animals, selecting the proper hunting round is critical to success. Hunters have been debating the efficacy of the 25-06 and 270 Win for decades, but as the newer cartridge, the 6.5 Creedmoor has also been tossed into the ring.
This leaves some new hunters confused as to which round is better suited for their new hunting rifle.
For thin skinned medium game like whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn, and antelope, all three rounds make an excellent choice. The 25-06 offers the flattest trajectory of the three and is a compelling option for medium sized game.
However, as shot placement is the most important aspect of ethically harvesting a game animal, consideration needs to be given to the 6.5 Creedmoor. Many shooters report being more accurate with the Creedmoor, most likely due to it having the lowest recoil of all three hunting cartridges. Low recoil means less likelihood of flinching, which and easily throw a round off target when shooting at longer ranges.
For whitetail and similarly sized game animals, my pick is the 6.5 Creedmoor as it allows hunters to focus more on their marksmanship and less on heavy recoil. To add to this, the Creedmoor is a short action rifle, meaning it will be lighter and easier to carry afield during long hunts or stalks.
For varmints, the 25-06 is clearly the better option as it offers a flat trajectory with lighter bullets. For small game animals like woodchucks, groundhogs, or coyotes, a heavy bullet like those fired by the 270 and 6.5 isn’t needed. For these pests, a lightweight, flat shooting bullet typically works best. As the 25-06 fires the lightest bullets, it is clearly the better choice for vermin hunting.
There is little question in the hunting community as to the efficacy of the 270 Winchester on large game. Hunters and gun writers, such as the late Jack O’Connor of Outdoor Life magazine, have been praising the accuracy, trajectory, and stopping power of the 270 Win for decades. This praise is well-deserved, as 270 has proven itself extremely effective against elk, black bears, and even moose.
However, many hunters question the abilities of the 6.5 Creedmoor when it comes to elk.
Looking at the ballistics, there is no question that the 6.5 is powerful enough to take down an elk. Most all hunting rounds for the 6.5 have well over the recommended kinetic energy of 1,500 ft-lbs at 300 yards. The primary questions surrounding the 6.5 center around its wounding and exsanguination potential.
There’s no denying the fact that the 0.277” bullet diameter is going to leave a bigger hole than a 0.264” bullet. A bigger hole means faster blood-loss and less suffering to the game animal that wandered into your sights. That being said, the 270 Win bullet is only 0.013” wider than the 0.264” bullet, which leads me to believe that shot placement is the key to taking big game as the 6.5 Creedmoor has proven it is more than up to the task for elk.
However, although the 6.5 CM is more than enough for elk, if you’re looking for a cartridge that can take both medium and large sized game, you cannot go wrong with the 270 Win.
Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability
When it comes to ammo and rifle availability, the 6.5 Creedmoor is by far the most popular. Hornady has done an excellent job in marketing its long-range cartridge to numerous ammo and rifle makers, making it one of the hottest new rounds of the 21st Century.
Not far behind it is the 270 Winchester with over 90 years of proven performance. Although not quite as popular in recent years as the 6.5, the 270 still holds a strong share of the hunting cartridge space and continues to fill bag limits on whitetail and mule deer every hunting season. The 25-06 Remington is the least popular round of the three.
However, all of the major ammo manufactures like Federal, Remington, Hornady, Winchester, Barnes, Berger, and Normal make hunting rounds for each cartridge.
In terms of cost, all hunting cartridges for the 25-06, 6.5, and 270 average between $2-4/round. Practice ammo is generally cheaper for the 6.5 CM at $1.25/round, followed by the 270 at $1.45/round and $1.60/round for 25-06.
Just like with ammo availability, the 6.5 CM and 270 Winchester dominate rifle availability with 25-06 bringing up the rear. This is not to say that 25-06 rifles are rare (they aren’t), but there are considerably more options available for the 6.5 and 270.
Except for the 6.5 Creedmoor being chambered in the semi-auto AR-10, Springfield M1A, and FN SCAR 20S, bolt-action rifles make up the majority of rifle options for these three calibers.
Rifles like the Remington 700, Weatherby Vanguard, Winchester Model 70, and Savage Axis are available in all three chamberings. On the other hand, rifles like the Tikka T3, Weatherby Mark V, and Ruger American are not available in 25-06 Rem.
Reloading
Reloading is one method shooters use to reduce their overall cost per round and increase the consistency and accuracy of their ammo. Furthermore, handloads can be tailored to your rifle to meet your specific shooting needs.
Although not as popular as 30-caliber cartridges like the 308 Winchester or 300 Win Mag, there are a glut of different bullet options available for the 0.257”, 0.264”” and 0.277” bullet diameters. The 25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 270 Win also use the same bullet diameters as rounds like the 270 WSM, 6.5 PRC, 257 Roberts, 6.8 SPC, 260 Remington, and 257 Weatherby.
In terms of reloading data, there is a wealth of recipes available online as well as in old-fashioned printed reloading manuals for all three calibers. However, if you want a printed reloading manual with 6.5 Creedmoor data, you’ll likely need to invest in a newer manual since the 6.5 was not released until 2007 while the 270 and 25-06 have been around since the 1920’s.
For brass, 6.5 Creedmoor and 270 cases are relatively easy to come by on the secondary market or fresh from the factory. In contrast, finding 25-06 brass might be a little trickier as it does not have as devout a following as the other two rifle cartridges.
Factory new brass for the 25-06 is available from Hornady, Nosler, Norma and others if you can find it. Or you could always neck down 30-06 cases (which are very plentiful) to make your own 25-06 cases if you were short on reloading brass.
Final Shots: 270 vs 6.5 Creedmoor vs 25-06 Remington
The 25-06 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 270 Winchester are all exceptional rifle cartridges which are incredibly flat shooting and ideal for hunting medium sized game animals like whitetail, mule deer, and pronghorn.
The 25-06 Remington is the least popular of the three, but has the flattest trajectory. It is an excellent option for varmint or deer hunting where you might need to take longer range shots in the open field. Although a great choice for deer, the 25-06 is ill-suited for elk or big game hunting due to its lack of bullet selection and being limited to a maximum bullet weight of 120 grains.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is at its heart a long-range target shooting cartridge. It’s an excellent option for recoil-sensitive shooters as it has the lowest free recoil of the three and offers exceptional ballistics in a short action rifle. With proper shot placement, the 6.5 Creedmoor is more than enough for elk and even moose if you know what you’re doing.
However, if you need a hunting cartridge that can handle everything from deer to moose, the 270 Winchester should be your go-to caliber. With higher kinetic energy and a wide variety of bullet profiles, you’ll rarely need to wonder if you have enough stopping power to put down Bullwinkle or Bambi.
No matter which cartridge you choose, make sure you stock up on ammunition here at Ammo.com and I’ll see you on the range.
6.5 Creedmoor vs 270 vs 25-06: From the Firing Line to the Tree Stand originally appeared on Ammo.com

The 450 Bushmaster and 30-06 Springfield are two hard-hitting centerfire rifle cartridges that are popular for big game hunting and target shooting.
The 30-06 Springfield is nothing short of a legendary cartridge in the shooting community, serving the U.S. military during both World Wars and through Korea. It is the cartridge by which all other big game hunting cartridges are measured by.
The 450 Bushmaster, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer to the hunting community and looks to transform the AR-15 into a rifle capable of taking down a whitetail in a single shot.
Although the 450 Bushmaster does an admirable job increasing the stopping power of the AR platform, 30-06 ballistics are simply better in virtually every category. For this reason, most hunters will stick with their tried-and-true bolt-action rifles chambered in 30-06.
However, for those hunters that live in Midwestern states like Indiana and Ohio that required a straight-walled cartridge for deer hunting, the 450 Bushmaster offers these shooters a semi-automatic option for putting venison in the freezer.
In this article, we will evaluate the 450 Bushmaster vs 30-06 Springfield to help you understand the differences between the two and give you a clearer idea of which cartridge is best for your shooting and big game hunting needs.
What is the difference between the 450 Bushmaster and the 30 06?
The main difference between the 450 Bushmaster and the 30 06 Springfield is in their case design and bullet diameter. The 30-06 uses a more traditional bottle-neck case design and fires 0.308” diameter bullets while the 450 Bushmaster is a straight-walled cartridge and fires wider 0.452” diameter bullets.
Cartridge Specs
When evaluating centerfire cartridges, it’s a good idea to analyze the cartridge specs to gain more knowledge of each.
One of the major differences between these two rifle cartridges is the time period when they were developed. The 30-06 Springfield was released at the turn of the 20th Century in 1906 as the U.S. military’s answer to the 7mm Mauser round. It served the American armed forces from WWI all the way through Korea and parts of Vietnam before being replaced by the 308 Winchester.
In contrast, the 450 Bushmaster was designed by LeMAG Firearms LLC in 2007 following the Thumper Concept set forth by American shooting legend, Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper. The goal of a Thumper round was to increase the lethality of the AR-15 rifle to the point where it can take down a whitetail deer in a single shot.
To read more about the most popular Thumper rounds, check out this article: 450 Bushmaster vs 458 SOCOM vs 50 Beowulf.
One major difference is the caliber bullet each cartridge fires. The 30-06 Springfield fires the stalwart 0.308” diameter bullet while the 450 Bushmaster is designed to fire the heftier 0.452” diameter bullets.
The 30-06 can fire bullet weights between 110 and 225 grains with the 150, 165, and 180 grain bullets being the most popular. In contrast, the 450 Bushmaster can fire heavier bullets ranging between 158-300 grains while the 250 and 260 grain bullets are the most popular factory loads.
Perhaps the most obvious visual difference between the 450 and the 30 06 is the design of the cartridge case itself. The 450 Bushmaster is a straight-walled cartridge while the 30-06 is a more traditional bottle-necked cartridge.
The 30-06 towers over the 450 with a case length of 2.494” and an overall length of 3.34” for the old warhorse compared to 1.7” case length and 2.26” overall length for the 450 Bushmaster.
The 450 Bushmaster is constrained to a shorter overall length (OAL) due to the dimensions of AR-15 magazines that allow for a maximum OAL of 2.26”. On the other hand, the 30-06 was designed to fit into a standard action or long action rifle, so it has considerably more flexibility in terms of OAL.
Although the 30-06 is a taller round, the 450 Bushmaster is a bit wider with a base diameter of 0.5” compared to 0.471” for the 30 06. However, the massive disparity in case length means that the 30 06 Springfield will have a higher case capacity of 68 gr compared to 59.5 gr for the 450 BM.
The final difference between these two hunting cartridges is their maximum chamber pressures per SAAMI specs. The 30 06 can handle considerably higher pressures, rated at 60,200 psi compared to 38,500 psi for the 450 Bushmaster.
Recoil
Recoil is an important consideration when purchasing a new rifle as a round with heavy recoil will be more difficult to control and will slow your rate of follow-up shots. The potential for flinching is also an issue for cartridges with heavy recoil.
Felt recoil will differ from shooter to shooter and is often dependent on firearm choice, stance, and your chosen factory ammo or handloads. However, free recoil is a more objective measure of how hard a cartridge hits based on firearm weight, muzzle velocity, powder charge, and bullet weight.
Although the 450 Bushmaster and 30 06 are very different cartridges in terms of maximum pressure and case capacity, both rounds have nearly equivalent free recoil.
Even though the 450 Bushmaster was designed for use in the AR-15, several rifle makers offer the cartridge in a bolt-action option such as the Ruger American and Savage 110.
For the purpose of this comparison, we will consider the budget-friendly Ruger American which is offered in both cartridges and weighs 6.6 pounds. The rounds selected are popular for deer hunting and are the Hornady 250 gr FTX traveling at 2,200 fps for 450 BM and the Winchester Super-X 165 gr Power Point traveling at 2,800 fps for the 30-06.
Given these parameters, the 30-06 will have a free recoil of 24 foot-pounds compared to 27 foot-pounds for the 450 Bushmaster. To put these numbers into context, both rounds have roughly the same recoil as a 1 oz. 12 gauge shotgun slug.
The 30-06 technically has slightly less recoil for this particular load, however if a higher bullet weight like a 180 grain bullet is used, the free recoil is virtually identical.
Often 450 Bushmaster rifles will come equipped with a muzzle brake from the factory to help tame the recoil of the round. The use of a muzzle brake on a 30-06 rifle is considerably less common as shooters will often want to conserve muzzle velocity for longer range shots.
Although the 450 Bushmaster has slightly higher recoil than the 30-06, most shooters will not be able to tell the difference between the two.
Muzzle Velocity, Kinetic Energy, and Trajectory
If you frequent any shooting or hunting forums, you are likely aware that proponents of the 30 06 proclaim that the round is perfect for all your shooting needs (just ask them). On the other hand, 450 Bushmaster supporters like to point out the round's low recoil and amazing short-range terminal ballistics.
To evaluate these claims, we will compare four of the most popular factory loads on the market and see how they stack up against each other!
Four popular hunting cartridges were selected for this comparison. For the 30-06 Springfield we chose the Hornady Superformance 150 gr SST and the Winchester Ballistic Silver Tip 180 gr factory load. For the 450 BM we selected the Hornady 250 gr FTX and Federal Power-Shok 300 gr jacketed hollow point (JHP) hunting ammo.
Looking at the ballistic data, we can see that the 30-06 outperforms the 450 Bushmaster in every category.
In terms of muzzle velocity, both bullets for the 30-06 left the barrel at a considerably higher speed than the 450 Bushmaster with the 150 gr SST being the fastest at 3,080 fps and the 180 gr Silver Tip clocking in at 2,750 fps. For the 450 BM, the 250 gr FTX had a muzzle velocity of 2,200 fps while the 300 gr JHP left the barrel at 1,900 fps.
Not only does the 30-06 have higher muzzle velocity, but it conserves its velocity much more efficiently at range than the 450 Bushmaster. At 500 yards, both 30-06 bullets were still supersonic (speed of sound = 1,125 fps) while the 450 BM had gone subsonic around the 250-350 yards.
In terms of muzzle energy, the 30-06 continues its dominance as both bullets selected had over 3,000 ft-lbs of kinetic energy when they left the barrel. The 450 BM is no slouch when it comes to kinetic energy, as the 250 gr FTX round had 2,687 ft-lbs of energy while the 300 gr JHP hit with 2,405 ft-lbs.
Like muzzle velocity, the 30-06 was more efficient at conserving kinetic energy at range than the 450 Bushmaster. At 500 yards, both 30 06 loads were well above the 1,000 ft-lbs threshold needed for harvesting a whitetail. On the other hand, the 450 BM loads dipped below 1,000 ft-lbs around 200 yards for the 300 gr JHP and 250 yards for the 250 gr FTX.
In terms of bullet drop, the 450 Bushmaster cannot even hold a candle to the 30-06’s flat trajectory. Even at 300 yards the 30-06 simply dominates the 450 with almost two feet (24”) less bullet drop, and the disparity only gets more dramatic the further downrange these bullets travel.
Looking at this ballistic data, what conclusions can we draw?
The 30-06 Springfield ballistics clearly show how the round was designed long distance shooting. The 30 06 has a very flat trajectory and uses projectiles that are effective at retaining their kinetic energy and velocity at distance. This gives the 30 06 a longer effective range than the 450 BM.
On the other hand, the 450 Bushmaster seems to excel at shorter ranges, as it has over double the kinetic energy of a 5.56 NATO round but lacks the long-range capabilities of the 30 06. However, the 450 has the added benefit of being fired from the semi-auto AR-15 carbine while the 30 06 is typically fired from bolt-action rifles. This means that follow-up shots will generally be faster from a 450.
Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density
Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how aerodynamic a bullet is and how well it will resist wind drift. Sectional density (SD) is a way to evaluate the penetration ability of a bullet based on its external dimensions, design, and weight.
The 30-06 Springfield was designed to fire longer, more aerodynamic Spitzer bullets while the 450 Bushmaster must fire short, chunkier bullets to meet the overall length requirement of 2.26” of AR-15 mags.
This means that the 30-06 will generally always have a higher BC than the 450 BM despite the 450 firing heavier bullets.
Given the bullets analyzed in the previous section, the 150 gr SST and 180 gr Silver Tip 30-06 bullets will have a BC of 0.415 and 0.507, respectively. On the other hand, the 250 gr FTX and 300 gr JHP for 450 Bushmaster will have a BC of 0.210 and 0.203.
This massive difference shows how important bullet design is when calculating ballistic coefficient. The 0.308” caliber bullets fired by the 30-06 are more effective at fighting against wind drift and air resistance than the heavier bullets fired by the 450 Bushmaster.
In terms of sectional density, the difference between 30-06 and 450 BM is considerably closer although the 30-06 edges out the 450 again.
Typically, smaller diameter bullets will have higher penetration potential, as they can focus all of their kinetic energy into a smaller cross-sectional area. This holds true in the case of the 30-06 and 450 BM as the 150 gr SST has a SD of 0.226 compared to 0.175 for the 250 gr FTX.
Hunting
When it comes to hunting, deciding between the 30-06 and 450 BM primarily comes down to your state and local laws as well as the expected engagement ranges.
The 30-06 Springfield is the big game hunting cartridge that all others are measured by, so if you can use a 30-06 in your area then it will often be the better option. The 30-06 simply has longer effective range and better terminal ballistics than the 450 Bushmaster.
However, all those advantages are irrelevant if you aren’t allowed to hunt with the 30-06 in your area.
If you live in a state like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois that have a straight-walled cartridge requirement for deer hunting, then clearly the 450 Bushmaster is the better option since the 30-06 is not a choice at all.
However, the 450 Bushmaster has some other benefits that you might not have considered.
Although the effective range of the 30-06 is well north of 500 yards, in thick brush or heavily wooded areas, you might not get a shot that is any further away than 250 yards. This is right in the wheelhouse for the 450 BM as the round is more than powerful enough to take deer-sized game animals at those ranges.
Another benefit of the 450 Bushmaster is its adaptation to the AR-15 carbine. Having a light weight hunting rifle with a 16 inch barrel makes for an easier time navigating over rough terrain or thick brush. This was an area in the hunting world that was previously held by something like a Marlin lever action rifle but is quickly being taken over by the lightweight AR platform.
Although a heavier rifle with a standard action and longer barrel length might be ideal for hunting at greater distances, it is a pain when you have to carry it on an all-day stalk or through the brush.
Another benefit of the 450 Bushmaster is its semi-automatic capability with the AR-15. This allows for faster follow-up shots when engaging multiple game animals when hunting hogs or when calling in coyotes. Plus, there’s no denying that a semi-auto AR-15 is a straight upgrade compared to something like a muzzleloader when it comes to multiple shot engagements.
This is not to say that there are not viable semi-automatic options for the 30-06. The M1 Garand and Browning BAR are two extremely popular options for semi-auto fire with a 30-06. However, they are very heavy, bulky rifles where the AR platform is considerably lighter and easier to handle.
The late and great Jack O’Connor said it best when he described the 30-06 Springfield as the most versatile hunting round in the world. Most hunters will prefer the power the 30 06 offers as it has taken down countless whitetail, elk, pronghorn, and black bears.
However, if a 30-06 is not a legal cartridge in your area for deer hunting, then the 450 Bushmaster offers you almost double the kinetic energy of the 44 Remington Magnum and 1,000 ft-lbs more than a smaller round like the 350 Legend.
Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability
When it comes to factory ammo availability and rifle options, the 30-06 Springfield is clearly the superior option.
As the 30-06 has been on the market for over a century, there are obviously a lot of different factory loads available for the cartridge. Being a two-time World War champion also hasn’t hurt the round’s popularity and after it was phased out of military service, the 30-06 transitioned perfectly into the big game hunting world.
As such, the 30-06 consistently ranks in the top three calibers on the market when it comes to variety.
Like the 223 Rem, 30-06 shooters enjoy a multitude of inexpensive ammo options like cheap FMJ practice ammo to military surplus ammo that can be had for even cheaper. As it stands at the time of writing, the 30-06 holds a nearly 7:1 advantage over the 450 Bushmaster in terms of factory loads.
Even though there are considerably more 30-06 ammo options available, both rounds are very close in terms of price.
On average, FMJ practice factory ammo typically runs around $1.40/round while top shelf hunting ammo goes for around $2-4/round for the 30-06.
Although the 450 Bushmaster is not nearly as popular as the 30-06, it has become one of the most popular Thumper rounds on the market and is SAAMI certified. This has allowed multiple ammo manufacturers like Federal, Barnes, Remington, and Winchester to pick up the 450 BM as an addition to their factory ammo offerings.
As of current pricing, inexpensive Remington UMC FMJ ammo can be had for around $1.40/round while hunting loads typically run around $2-3/round for the 450 Bushmaster.
When it comes to rifle selection, there are considerably more options available for the 30-06 then almost any other caliber except perhaps the 223 Rem.
Not only do you have access to virtually every modern bolt-action hunting rifle in production, as all of them are chambered in 30-06, but you also have access to military surplus rifles as well. The M1 Garand and 1903 Springfield are two amazing pieces of American military history that can easily double as a 30-06 hunting rifle.
For the 450 Bushmaster, the AR-15 is the primary rifle chambered in the cartridge. This means that any AR chambered in 5.56 NATO is a potential host for the 450 BM. All that’s required to perform a conversion is a barrel swap, a bolt change, and a single stack magazine follower.
However, given the cartridge’s rise in popularity, there are several bolt-action rifles available in 450 Bushmaster should your state not allow hunting with a semi-auto. Ruger, Bergara, Savage, Christensen, Howa, and CVA all have bolt-action 450 Bushmaster rifles available.
Reloading
Reloading is one method shooters use to reduce their overall cost per round and increase the consistency of their ammo to sub-MOA levels. Furthermore, handloads can be tailored to your rifle to meet your specific shooting needs.
Handloaders have been reloading the 30-06 for decades, so there is a plethora of load data with numerous powder options available at your fingertips. Load data for the 450 is available but can be a little more tricky to locate.
In terms of reloading components, the 30-06 fires the ubiquitous 0.308” diameter bullet that is also used for the 308 Winchester, 300 Winchester Magnum, 300 Blackout, and 300 PRC. The 450 Bushmaster fires a 0.452” diameter bullet, which is the same as fired by the 45 Raptor or handgun rounds like the 45 ACP and 45 Colt.
All the major bullet manufacturers like Barnes, Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, and Federal have multiple bullet options available for both calibers.
Finding 30 06 Springfield brass is typically a relatively simple task, while 450 Bushmaster brass can be a little more difficult to source. As the 30 06 is a former military cartridge, there is considerably more brass cases available, just make sure that they are not Berdan primed before you run them through your dies.
To learn more about the differences between Berdan and Boxer primers, check out this article: Berdan vs Boxer Primes.
Final Shots: 30 06 vs 450 Bushmaster
The 30-06 Springfield and 450 Bushmaster are two hunting cartridges can easily harvest whitetail and hogs with relative ease.
The 450 Bushmaster is a relative newcomer to the shooting world and offers hunters in cartridge-restrictive states access to a powerful round that is designed for use in the AR-15. Combined with a muzzle brake, the 450 BM offers hunters a lightweight, semi-auto hunting rifle that works extremely well at ranges under 250 yards.
The 30-06 Springfield is the sporting cartridge by which all other hunting rounds are measured. It is a great all-around option for deer, elk, caribou, and bears. Its powerful muzzle energy and flat trajectory make it ideal for close or long range shots and its 30-caliber bullets and ammo are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.
For all intents and purposes, the 30-06 Springfield is a better round than the 450 Bushmaster as the 30-06 offers improved ballistics with slightly less or equal recoil. However, for those hunters who need a straight-walled cartridge for deer hunting due to state laws, then the 450 Bushmaster is a great choice.
No matter which cartridge you choose, make sure you stock up on ammunition here at Ammo.com and I’ll see you on the range!
450 Bushmaster vs 30 06: Heavy Recoil Hunting Cartridges Collide originally appeared on Ammo.com

The 6.8 Remington Special Purpose Cartridge (SPC) and 6.5 Creedmoor are two centerfire rifle rounds that were developed for drastically different purposes.
The 6.5 Creedmoor (or 6.5 CM for short) was initially developed for competitive long range shooting while the 6.8 SPC was developed by the U.S. military to increase the lethality of the AR-15 platform and replace the 5.56 NATO.
Although the 6.8 SPC is inferior to the 6.5 Creedmoor in virtually every ballistic category, it is a hard-hitting semi-auto round that is effective against whitetail and hogs at closer ranges.
This leads many new shooters to question if they should invest in a bolt-action 6.5 Creedmoor hunting rifle or if a 6.8 SPC is good enough for their area.
In this article, we will evaluate the 6.5 Creedmoor vs 6.8 SPC to help you understand the differences between the two and give you a clearer idea of which cartridge is best for your shooting needs.
What is the difference between 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.8 SPC?
The primary difference between the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.8 SPC is their intended rifle and use. The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed for use in bolt-action rifles for long range shooting competitions while the 6.8 SPC was designed to increase the power level of the AR-15 carbine.
Cartridge Specs
When evaluating centerfire cartridges, it’s a good idea to analyze the cartridge specs to gain more knowledge of each.
Perhaps one of the biggest differences between the 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Creedmoor is how they came into being and their intended purpose.
The 6.8SPC is the elder of the two rifle cartridges being released in 2004 as part of a joint effort between Remington Arms, US Special Operations Command (USCOCOM), and the U.S. Army Marksmanship unit.
The round was developed by modifying the lesser known 30 Remington cartridge to fit into a standard M4 magazine and accept a 0.277” bullet diameter.
On the other hand, the 6.5 Creedmoor was released in 2007 in part due to a gripe session between legendary Service Rifle competitor, Dennis DeMille, and Dave Emary, the senior ballistician for Hornady Ammunition at the time.
The round was developed by necking down a 30 Thompson Center case to accept a 6.5mm or 0.264” bullet diameter.
In terms of bullet weight, the 6.5 Creedmoor will generally fire heavier bullets. The 6.8 SPC can fire bullets between 85 and 140 grains, however the 110 and 115 grain bullets are the most popular. In contrast, the 6.5 Creedmoor can fire bullets between 95 and 153 grains with the 120, 130, and 140 grain options being the most prevalent.
Perhaps one of the most striking differences between these two rounds is the massive difference in size. The 6.5 Creedmoor simply towers over the 6.8 SPC in terms of case length and overall length. The 6.5 CM case measures 1.92” long with an overall length of 2.825” compared to 1.687” and 2.26” for the 6.8 SPC, respectively.
Although the 6.5 CM is the longer of the two cartridges, it is still short enough to fit into a short-action rifle. This is advantageous to the Creedmoor as short-action rifles are typically lighter and have a shorter bolt throw than standard action or long action rifles.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is a wider case as well with a base diameter of 0.470” compared to 0.422” for the 6.8 SPC.
These major differences in case dimensions means that the 6.5 Creedmoor will have a substantially higher case capacity than the 6.8 SPC. The SPC has a capacity of 34.8 gr but the 6.5 CM can hold a whopping 52.5 grains of powder. This means that the 6.5 Creedmoor can hold nearly 50% more powder than the 6.8SPC.
The final difference between these two rounds is the maximum chamber pressure each cartridge is rate for based on SAAMI specs. The 6.8 SPC can withstand 55,000 psi while the Creedmoor can handle considerably more at 62,000 psi.
What Is the Difference Between 6.8 SPC and 6.8 SPC II?
Although the 6.8 SPC seemed to be a potent and elegant answer to the 5.56 NATO terminal performance issue, there were some problems with its implementation.
When you’re looking to purchase a new upper receiver or barrel for 6.8, you might notice that the barrel is stamped as 6.8 SPC II. Many new shooters wonder what the difference between 6.8 SPC and 6.8 SPC II is, and the answer is in the design of the chamber.
The 6.8 SPC II chamber is designed to handle full-power 6.8mm SPC loads while the original 6.8 SPC chamber had a design flaw that could potentially cause pressure issues.
In their haste to bring the 6.8 SPC to market and capitalize the hype surrounding the new round, Remington botched the release of the cartridge with inaccurate chamber design specifications.
The original chamber designs called for 0.050” of free bore. However, when combined with a 1:10 twist rate barrel, pressure issues began to creep up. Initial reports claimed that the rounds were only around 200 psi above the maximum 55,000 psi pressure limits, but if the military learned anything from Vietnam, it was to follow specs to the letter.
Remington sought to remedy the higher pressure issue the best way they saw fit, which was to underload the ammo instead of fixing the free bore measurement. The resulting “light” 6.8 SPC ammo failed to meet expectations, and the US Army scrapped the project.
However, in all the excitement over the new 6.8 SPC, several civilian firearm manufactures clambered to release rifles chambered in the new cartridge before SAAMI had officially standardized the 6.8 SPC round. With numerous faulty rifles in circulation, the only action SAAMI could take was to sanction the round.
This is not to say that original 6.8 SPC rifles won’t function properly, but there is the potential for a critical pressure failure when using full power rounds.
The answer was the 6.8 SPC II.
The 6.8 SPC II added an additional 0.050” of free bore to the chamber and decreased the barrel twist rate to 1:11. This completely resolved the pressure issues experienced with the original design. All current rifles chambered in 6.8 SPC are technically chambered in 6.8 SPC II.
Although most factory loads will be loaded light (due to potential liability issues of original 6.8 SPC rifles still running loose in the wild), ammo for 6.8 SPC II rifles can be loaded to the full potential that the round was designed for.
To read more about the 6.8 SPC, check out these articles:

• 6.5 Grendel vs 6.8 SPC

Recoil
The 6.8 SPC will generally have less recoil than the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Recoil is an important consideration when purchasing a new rifle as a round with heavy recoil will be more difficult to control and will slow your rate of follow up shots. The potential for flinching is also an issue for cartridges with heavy recoil.
Free Recoil is affected primarily by muzzle velocity (FPS), powder charge, bullet weight, and firearm weight.
A true “apples-to-apples” comparison is not possible with these rounds as they are fired from drastically different firearms. The 6.5 CM is primarily fired from bolt-action rifles while the 6.8 SPC is fired exclusively in the AR-15 (currently).
The test firearms for this comparison will be the Savage 110 High Country for the 6.5 Creedmoor weighing 8.5 pounds and the LWRC Six8-A5 for the 6.8 Remington SPC weighing 7.25 pounds.
The cartridges in question will be the Hornady 143 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter for the Creedmoor with a muzzle velocity of 2,700 fps and the Hornady 120 gr SST with a muzzle velocity of 2,460 fps for the 6.8.
Given these criteria, the 6.5 Creedmoor will have 14 ft-lbs of free recoil compared to 8 ft-lbs for the 6.8 SPC. That’s nearly a 2x difference!
It should be noted that most shooters will not have a problem controlling the recoil of either round. The 6.5 Creedmoor is considered very low recoil for the ballistic performance offers when compared to other higher recoil competition rounds like the 308 Winchester or the 300 Win Mag.
However, for recoil sensitive shooters, the 6.8 SPC is clearly has less recoil and will allow for faster follow up shots than a 6.5 Creedmoor.
Muzzle Velocity, Kinetic Energy, and Trajectory
If you frequent any shooting or hunting forums, you are likely aware that proponents of the 6.5 Creedmoor proclaim that the round is perfect for all your shooting needs (just ask them). On the other hand, 6.8 SPC supporters like to point out the rounds low recoil and amazing short range terminal ballistics.
To evaluate these claims, we will compare four of the most popular factory loads on the market and see how they stack up against each other!
For this comparison, we will analyze two popular options for each cartridge. For the 6.5 Creedmoor we will analyze the Hornady 143 gr ELD-X and the Barnes VOR-TX 127 gr LRX polymer tipped bullet and for the 6.8 SPC the Hornady 120 gr SST and Federal 115 gr Fusion soft point (SP) were selected.
The rounds will be compared out to 500 yards with one additional data point at 800 yards to evaluate long range trajectory.
In terms of muzzle velocity, the 6.5 Creedmoor was approximately 300-400 fps faster than all 6.8 SPC factory ammo selections. The 6.5 CM was also more efficient at conserving its velocity further downrange. This is clearly illustrated at the 800 yard line, where both loads for the 6.5 CM were well above the speed of sound (1,125 fps) while the 115 gr Fusion SP was subsonic at 1,112 fps while the 120 gr SST was transonic at 1,148 fps.
When it comes to kinetic energy, the 6.5 CM was the clear winner. The 143 gr ELD-X had the highest muzzle energy at 2,315 ft-lbs of force and the 127 gr LRX came in second at 2,250 ft-lbs. The 120 gr SST had the higher muzzle energy of the 6.8 SPC loads at 1,612 ft-lbs compared to 1,558 ft-lbs for the 115 gr Federal Fusion.
Just like with muzzle velocity, the 6.5 Creedmoor is more efficient at conserving its kinetic energy at range. For example, at 500 yards the 6.5 CM is still well above the 1,000-foot-pound threshold needed for ethically harvesting a whitetail while the 6.8 SPC rounds are at 619 ft-lbs and 565 ft-lbs for the 120 gr and 115 grain bullets, respectively.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is known for being incredibly flat shooting, and it earns that title when compared to the 6.8 SPC.
Out to 200 yards, all four rounds are roughly comparable, however at 300 yards the 6.5 Creedmoor starts to pull away. By 400 yards the 6.5 and 6.8 bullets are separated by over a foot difference in bullet drop.
At the 500 yard marker the two 6.5 CM bullets have experienced -53” and -54” of bullet drop, while the two 6.8 rounds have -78” and -80” of bullet drop for the 120 gr and 115 gr loads, respectively. The difference is only exacerbated at 800 yards, where the 127 gr LRX has -188” and 143 gr ELD-X has -181” of bullet drop. Compare that to -290” for the 120 gr SST and -300” of bullet drop for the Fusion SP 6.8 SPC rounds.
Looking at this ballistic data, what conclusions can we draw?
The 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics clearly show how the round was designed long distance target shooting. The 6.5 has a very flat trajectory and uses projectiles that are effective at retaining their kinetic energy and velocity at distance. This gives the 6.5 Creedmoor a longer effective range than the 6.8 SPC.
On the other hand, the 6.8 SPC seems to excel at shorter ranges, as it has nearly 40% more kinetic energy than a 5.56 NATO round but lacks the long-range capabilities of the 6.5 Creedmoor. However, the 6.8 SPC has the added benefit of being fired from the semi-auto AR-15 while the 6.5 CM is typically fired from a bolt-action rifle. This means that follow-up shots will generally be faster from a 6.8.
Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density
The 6.5 Creedmoor will generally have a higher ballistic coefficient and sectional density than comparable 6.8 SPC factory ammo.
Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a measure of how aerodynamic a bullet is and how well it will resist wind drift. Sectional density (SD) is a way to evaluate the penetration ability of a bullet based on its external dimensions, design, and weight.
The 6.5mm bullet design is known for being incredibly aerodynamic and sleek. This was one of the main reasons why Hornady decided on a 6.5mm bullet for the Creedmoor.
To be fair, the 6.8mm bullets used by the SPC are very aerodynamic as well. However, due to the overall length limitations of the AR-15 chamber, the 0.277” diameter bullets used by the 6.8 SPC are not as sleek as they potentially could be, which negatively affects their BC.
For the 6.5 Creedmoor, the 143 gr ELD-X has the highest BC of 0.625 while the 127 gr LRX measures in at a respectable 0.468. The 6.8 bullets analyzed have a lower BC, as the 120 gr SST has a BC of 0.40 while the 115gr Fusion has a BC of 0.378.
For sectional density, the 6.5mm bullets will often have deeper penetration as they focus their kinetic energy over a smaller cross-sectional area. The 143 grain bullet for the 6.5 CM has the highest SD of 0.293 while the 120 gr SST for the 6.8 had a SD of 0.223.
To summarize, the 6.5 CM will be more resistant to wind drift thanks to its higher BC values. This is ideal when shooting at longer ranges where wind drift can seriously affect the flight path of a bullet.
On the other hand, even though the 6.5 generally has higher SD values than the 6.8, both rounds have more than enough penetration capability for large game like whitetail, antelope, hogs, and pronghorn within their effective ranges.
Hunting
When it comes to medium-sized game hunting, the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.8 SPC are both excellent options within their effective ranges.
There is little question that the 6.5 Creedmoor offers deer hunters a considerably longer effective range. Most shooters would agree that the 6.8 has about a 200 yard effective range for whitetail, while the 6.5 Creedmoor can have triple that with proper hunting ammo.
Obviously, this is a big selling point for the Creedmoor, however many hunters in the New England, the Midwest, and Pacific Northwest often find that their hunting conditions don’t require such a long range round. When hunting in thick brush or densely wooded areas for whitetail, most shots will be taken within 150 yards or less. This means that there is little benefit to upgrading to a 6.5.
Furthermore, the 6.8 SPC was developed to function in a shorter barrel length like those used in the M4 carbine. Typically, shorter barrels lead to losses in muzzle velocity, however ballistic testing suggests that very little muzzle velocity is gained by firing the 6.8 in anything longer than a 16 inch-barrel.
This means that a 6.8 SPC carbine with a 16 inch-barrel can be an incredibly handy hunting rifle that is very lightweight and is capable of semi-auto fire. This is one reason why the 6.8 SPC has become extremely popular with hog hunters in southern states.
However, if you plan on hunting mule deer or pronghorn on the Great Plains, then the 6.5 Creedmoor clearly makes the better choice. The superior 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics cannot be ignored when taking a long range shot, as you need to ensure that you have enough kinetic energy to ethically harvest the animal at range.
For varmint hunting, both cartridges have lower bullet weight options available. Most varmint hunters would agree that the 6.5 and 6.8 are best suited for coyote-sized varmints. There’s nothing saying you can’t use a 6.5 or a 6.8 for smaller game animals like prairie dogs and woodchucks, but a smaller cartridge like a 223 Remington or 22-250 is typically preferred for these varmints.
For big game like elk, the 6.5 Creedmoor is the only option as the 6.8 SPC lacks the kinetic energy needed to take down these larger game animals. It’s important to note that a 6.5 CM can only be used on elk at a maximum range of around 200-300 yards depending on your load. This is why most elk hunters prefer a more powerful cartridge like the 28 Nosler or 300 Win Mag.
Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability
The 6.5 Creedmoor cannot be beat when it comes to ammo availability and rifle options as it has become the most popular 6.5mm caliber cartridge on the market. Additionally, the botched launch of the 6.8 SPC gave some ammo and rifle manufacturers pause which is one reason for its less than stellar commercial success so far.
The popularity of the 6.5 CM and ammo availability cannot be understated, as there is no worse feeling then going out to the range and not having ammo available to shoot with.
The Creedmoor offers shooters an extreme amount of versatility, as there are lighter 95 grain bullets loaded for varmints and heavier projectiles that can easily take down whitetail or your next long range precision rifle competition.
Virtually every ammo manufacture like Hornady, Winchester, Remington, Norma, Berger, Barnes, Federal and Browning has some version of 6.5 Creedmoor hunting ammo available. Although there are considerably more varieties of 6.5 CM factory ammo available, there are still plenty of options for 6.8 SPC from Winchester, Remington, Hornady, Federal, Nosler, and Silver State Armory.
The 6.5 CM and 6.8 SPC are essentially equivalent in terms of ammo cost. Generally, less expensive practice ammo will go for around $1.20/round and premium hunting ammo costing between $2-3.50/round for both cartridges.
When it comes to rifle options, the 6.5 Creedmoor when it comes to bolt-action rifles while the 6.8 SPC has the corner on the semi-automatic market cornered.
Entry level 6.5 CM bolt-action rifles like the Ruger American and Savage Axis can be had for under $500, while more expensive hunting rifles like a Browning X-Bolt, Savage 110, and Winchester Model 70 can be had for a bit more.
For PRS competitive shooters, the Ruger Precision Rifle and Savage 110 Precision are two out of the box long range rifles ready for the 1,000 yard line. Semi-automatic options for the 6.5 CM are also available in the FN SCAR, Springfield Armory M1A, and AR-10 pattern rifles.
As the 6.8 SPC was built for the AR-15 platform, it means that any AR on the market is a potential host for the caliber. All that is required for a conversion is a new barrel, bolt, and magazines. If you’re in the market for an upper receiver or a completed rifle, there are plenty of configurations available from LWRC, Wilson Combat, Stag Arms, Rock River Arms, and Daniel Defense.
Currently the AR-15 is the only host for the 6.8 SPC, however in the past the Bushmaster ACR and the Ruger Mini 14 were available in the caliber. Ruger discontinued production of their 6.8 version of the Mini 14 in 2012 while Bushmaster ceased production of the ACR in 2020. Both rifles are incredibly rare and expensive if you can find one on the secondary market.
There are currently no bolt-action or single shot rifles available for 6.8 SPC.
Reloading
Reloading is one method shooters use to reduce their overall cost per round and increase the consistency of their ammo to sub-MOA levels. Furthermore, handloads can be tailored to your rifle to meet your specific shooting needs.
Bullets for 6.5mm are relatively easy to come by as this bullet diameter is also fired in the 6.5 Grendel, 6.5x55 Swiss, 264 Win Mag, 260 Remington, 6.5-.284 Norma, and 6.5 PRC. Furthermore, virtually every bullet manufacturer, like Hornady, Federal, Barnes, Nosler, and Berger, have multiple bullet varieties for the 6.5.
Likewise, the 0.277” bullets fired by the 6.8 SPC are extremely popular as they are also used in the 270 Winchester, 270 WSM, 270 Weatherby Magnum, and the new 277 SIG Fury.
This means that if you make handloads for one of these cartridges, you’ll be able to stockpile bullets for any of the others that share the same bullet diameter.
Brass is relatively easy to come by for both cartridges, but the 6.5 Creedmoor will have a slight edge in availability thanks to its widespread popularity.
Making your own handloads for the 6.8 SPC also means that you will be able to unleash the full potential of the cartridge provided your firearm has a SPC II chamber. For the 6.5 Creedmoor, reloading allows shooters to achieve the utmost levels of precision, consistency, and accuracy that the 6.5 can offer.
Final Shots: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 6.8 SPC
The 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.8 SPC are two rifle cartridges with extremely different intended purposes.
The 6.8 Remington SPC makes for an excellent self-defense and short range hunting round designed for the AR-15 rifle. As a true intermediate cartridge, the 6.8 offers shooters impressive short range ballistics that are excellent for hunting in thick brush or engaging close range targets.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is one of the most successful long-range cartridges developed in the 21st Century. It has low recoil for the power that it offers with an incredibly flat trajectory. Although initially developed for shooting competitions, the 6.5 Creedmoor has successfully transitioned into the hunting world and makes for a potent long range deer hunting cartridge.
Deciding between the 6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Creedmoor depends primarily on the distances you expect to shoot. If you plan on shooting past 300 yards, then the 6.5 Creedmoor is clearly the obvious choice. However, if you plan to take all your shots within 300 yards and want a cartridge for both home defense and hunting, then the 6.8 SPC deserves a look.
No matter which cartridge you choose, make sure you stock up on ammunition here at Ammo.com and I’ll see you on the range!
6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Creedmoor: Long Range Advantage or Stopping Power? originally appeared on Ammo.com