CaliberAtlas › Compare › 6.5 Creedmoor vs .30-06

6.5 Creedmoor vs .30-06 — Ballistics Compared

6.5 Creedmoor shoots flatter with these representative loads: 53.2" vs 64.9" of drop at 500 yards. 6.5 Creedmoor carries more energy downrange: 1305 vs 1094 ft-lb retained at 500 yards. 6.5 Creedmoor drifts less in a 10 mph crosswind: 14.7" vs 27.5" at 500 yards.

Figures use each cartridge's representative load, computed with our validated G1 model at standard conditions. Full tables and every load are on the cartridge pages: 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics · .30-06 ballistics.

Pick 6.5 Creedmoor if…

you want the flatter trajectory (53.2" vs 64.9" at 500 yd)
you want more retained energy at distance (1305 vs 1094 ft-lb at 500 yd)
your focus is competition, which is listed for this cartridge but not the other profile
your focus is long range, which is listed for this cartridge but not the other profile

Pick .30-06 if…

you want the heavier representative load shown in this pairing (180gr vs 140gr)
your focus is big game, which is listed for this cartridge but not the other profile

Side-by-Side Specifications

	6.5 Creedmoor	.30-06
Representative load	140gr Hornady Match ELD Match	180gr Federal Power-Shok JSP
Muzzle velocity	2710 fps	2700 fps
Muzzle energy	2284 ft-lb	2914 ft-lb
G1 BC	0.646	0.385
Case length	48.77 mm	63.3 mm
Overall length	71.76 mm	84.8 mm
SAAMI max pressure	62,000 PSI	60,000 PSI
Common twist	1:8"	1:10"

Drop Comparison (inches)

	6.5 Creedmoor	.30-06
100 yd	0"	0"
200 yd	-3.8"	-4.2"
300 yd	-13.5"	-15.4"
400 yd	-29.7"	-35"
500 yd	-53.2"	-64.9"

Retained Energy (ft-lb)

	6.5 Creedmoor	.30-06
100 yd	2051 ft-lb	2431 ft-lb
200 yd	1840 ft-lb	2015 ft-lb
300 yd	1645 ft-lb	1656 ft-lb
400 yd	1467 ft-lb	1350 ft-lb
500 yd	1305 ft-lb	1094 ft-lb

Wind Drift — 10 mph Full-Value (inches)

	6.5 Creedmoor	.30-06
100 yd	0.6"	1"
200 yd	2.2"	3.8"
300 yd	5.1"	9"
400 yd	9.2"	16.7"
500 yd	14.7"	27.5"

Hunting Energy References

6.5 Creedmoor: Retains at least 1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized energy reference) through 500 yd — the end of the listed data. Retains about 1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized energy reference) to roughly 380 yd.

.30-06: Retains at least 1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized energy reference) through 500 yd — the end of the listed data. Retains about 1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized energy reference) to roughly 350 yd.

A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.

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