CaliberAtlas › Compare › 6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 Win.

6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 Win. — Ballistics Compared

6.5 Creedmoor shoots flatter with these representative loads: 53.2" vs 73" of drop at 500 yards. 6.5 Creedmoor carries more energy downrange: 1312 vs 917 ft-lb retained at 500 yards. 6.5 Creedmoor drifts less in a 10 mph crosswind: 14.6" vs 31.8" at 500 yards.

Figures use each cartridge's representative factory load, computed with our validated G1 model at standard conditions. Full tables and every load are on the cartridge pages: 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics · .308 Win. ballistics.

Pick 6.5 Creedmoor if…

you want the flatter trajectory (53.2" vs 73" at 500 yd)
you want more retained energy at distance (1312 vs 917 ft-lb at 500 yd)
your focus is competition
your focus is long range

Pick .308 Win. if…

your focus is big game
your focus is target
your focus is tactical

Side-by-Side Specifications

	6.5 Creedmoor	.308 Win.
Representative load	140gr Hornady Match ELD Match 140gr	180gr Norma Oryx
Muzzle velocity	2710 fps	2612 fps
Muzzle energy	2284 ft-lb	2728 ft-lb
G1 BC	0.646	0.354
Case length	48.77 mm	51.2 mm
Overall length	72.14 mm	71.1 mm
SAAMI max pressure	62,000 PSI	62,000 PSI
Common twist	1:8"	1:10"

Drop Comparison (inches)

	6.5 Creedmoor	.308 Win.
100 yd	0"	0"
200 yd	-3.8"	-4.7"
300 yd	-13.4"	-17.2"
400 yd	-29.6"	-39.1"
500 yd	-53.2"	-73"

Retained Energy (ft-lb)

	6.5 Creedmoor	.308 Win.
100 yd	2052 ft-lb	2235 ft-lb
200 yd	1841 ft-lb	1819 ft-lb
300 yd	1648 ft-lb	1467 ft-lb
400 yd	1472 ft-lb	1168 ft-lb
500 yd	1312 ft-lb	917 ft-lb

Wind Drift — 10 mph Full-Value (inches)

	6.5 Creedmoor	.308 Win.
100 yd	0.6"	1.1"
200 yd	2.2"	4.4"
300 yd	5"	10.3"
400 yd	9.1"	19.2"
500 yd	14.6"	31.8"

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 385 yd.

.308 Win.: Retains about 1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized energy reference) to roughly 465 yd. Retains about 1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized energy reference) to roughly 290 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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