6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics Chart

by Chris Nelson

The 6.5 Creedmoor 123gr HPBT boasts a BC (ballistic coefficient) of .510, while the .308 Winchester 125gr has a BC of .366.

6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Ballistics Chart

The 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle Ballistics Chart below details performances over distances of 100, 200, and 500 yards. Further down, you'll find the 6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics Chart for 1000 yards.

The 6.5 Creedmoor was introduced by Hornady in 2008. It was a creation of senior ballistician Dave Emary, who consulted with competitive shooters like Dennis DeMille on designing cartridges for 1,000-yard shooting. Emary, a long-range shooter, adapted the .30 T/C hull (a Hornady invention) to .264. This allowed the 6.5 CM to maintain a compact size suited for short actions.

Hornady Standard Ballistics Chart

What gives the 6.5 Creedmoor its Ballistic Edge:

• The 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics are some of the best in caliber for long-range shooting.
• The ballistic chart for 6.5 Creedmoor bullets displays exceptional bullets with high ballistic coefficients.
• These high BCs enable the 6.5 CM to resist air and reduce wind drift.
• It’s also an excellent hunting round, delivering significant impact on its target due to its superior sectional density.

The 6.5 Creedmoor's high ballistic coefficients rank it among the best. These coefficients help the bullets maintain their velocity and reduce both drop and wind drift. This minimization offers a shooter more leeway in judging distance, angle, or wind conditions. Plus, the 6.5 Creedmoor's impressive impact velocity cannot be overlooked!

In terms of performance with minimal recoil, the 6.5 CM is commendable. This same quality has made cartridges like the .25-06 and 7mm-08 favorites of mine. The Creedmoor matches or even surpasses their performance, always with less recoil. The discussion invariably returns to the comparison of 6.5 Creedmoor vs. .308 ballistics.

Comparing the 6.5 Creedmoor and the .308 over 1,000 yards:

The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to challenge the .308 Winchester in long-range shooting. Given the .308's popularity, it's intriguing to see how the 6.5 Creedmoor measures up to this renowned military round at 1,000 yards.

Due to the 6.5 Creedmoor's Higher Ballistic Coefficient is has way less wind deflection when compared to the .308 Winchester at 1,000 yards.

At 1,000 yards, it's evident that the 6.5 Creedmoor has significantly less bullet drop than the .308 Winchester. Moreover, due to its higher ballistic coefficient, the 6.5 Creedmoor has much less wind deflection compared to the .308 Winchester at this distance. The Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor 140 grain A-MAX, for instance, has a ballistic coefficient of .585 and a muzzle velocity of 2710 FPS.

For those who grew up believing that velocity is paramount, these numbers might not seem remarkable. However, in the era of laser rangefinders and advanced drop compensation, ballistic coefficient becomes crucial for hitting distant targets.

In comparison, the Hornady .308 Win 178 grain BTHP comes with a G1 Ballistic Coefficient of .530 and a muzzle velocity of 2600 FPS. At 1,000 yards, the 6.5 Creedmoor displays 110 inches (about 9 feet) less drop. In a 10 MPH crosswind, the 6.5 CM also experiences about 13 inches less wind drift than the .308. So, not only is the 6.5 CM more accurate, but it also provides a more comfortable shooting experience due to its lesser recoil.

For long-range target shooting, the 6.5 Creedmoor stands out. Yet, questions linger about its viability for hunting. For larger game, hunters typically prefer bullets like the A-MAX to maintain a muzzle velocity of at least 1500 FPS down range, along with over 900 ft-lbs of energy. The 6.5 Creedmoor consistently meets these criteria up to 800 yards, making it suitable for hunting big game within this range. It can also be an exciting choice for hunting predators like wolves or coyotes up to 1,000 yards.

Using the Hornady 120 A-MAX as an example, minimal performance loss occurs when barrel length decreases from 27 inches to 24 inches within 800 yards. Yet at 1,000 yards, you might notice a 0.3 mil elevation and 0.1 mil drift loss. Interestingly, the 6.5 Creedmoor 120 grain A-MAX with a 16-inch barrel outperforms the 308 Winchester 175 grain SMK with a 22-inch barrel at the same distance. This performance is impressive!

Most rifle manufacturers have recognized the advantages of the 6.5 Creedmoor Ballistic Coefficient, as evidenced by its widespread adoption by nearly all major manufacturers. However, factors like weather changes often pose a challenge to a shooter's accuracy. Many find that consistent accuracy improves with a lighter, consistent, and predictable trigger pull. M*CARBO specializes in enhancing trigger pull performance using precision-engineered spring steel replacements in specific trigger mechanism areas.

Currently offered in these models for your 6.5 Creedmoor Firearms:

Browning X-Bolt 6.5 Creedmoor Trigger Spring Kit

Savage AXIS 6.5 Creedmoor Trigger Spring Kit

Tikka T3x 6.5 Creedmoor Trigger Spring Kit

TC Compass 6.5 Creedmoor Trigger Spring Kit

TC Venture 6.5 Creedmoor Trigger Spring  Kit

Winchester Model 70 Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, Trigger Spring Kit

6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics Chart (1000 yards)

The chart displays the 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady 120 grain bullet's performance in rifle ballistics, showing the effect of barrel length on muzzle velocity and bullet drift up to 1,000 yards.

6.5 Creedmoor Sierra

With the 6.5 Creedmoor Sierra 142 grain SMK, velocity increases as the barrel length shortens from 27 inches to 24 inches. The 142 SMK with a 17-inch barrel competes closely with the 308 Winchester 175 SMK with a 22-inch barrel up to 1,000 yards. Within 800 yards, the 308/175 SMK has the upper hand. However, at 1,000 yards, the 142 SMK's superior characteristics enable it to outperform.

6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics Chart 1000 yards

A Rifle Ballistics Chart is incomplete without showcasing the 6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics at 1,000 yards! The chart presents the performance of the 6.5 Creedmoor Sierra 142 grain bullet, revealing the effect of barrel length on muzzle velocity and bullet drift at this distance.