CaliberAtlas › Compare › 6.5 PRC vs 6.5 Creedmoor

6.5 PRC vs 6.5 Creedmoor — Ballistics Compared

6.5 PRC shoots flatter with these representative loads: 43.6" vs 53.2" of drop at 500 yards. 6.5 PRC carries more energy downrange: 1600 vs 1312 ft-lb retained at 500 yards. 6.5 PRC drifts less in a 10 mph crosswind: 13.3" vs 14.6" 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 PRC ballistics · 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics.

Pick 6.5 PRC if…

you want the flatter trajectory (43.6" vs 53.2" at 500 yd)
you want more retained energy at distance (1600 vs 1312 ft-lb at 500 yd)

Side-by-Side Specifications

	6.5 PRC	6.5 Creedmoor
Representative load	143gr Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X	140gr Hornady Match ELD Match 140gr
Muzzle velocity	2960 fps	2710 fps
Muzzle energy	2783 ft-lb	2284 ft-lb
G1 BC	0.625	0.646
Case length	51.56 mm	48.77 mm
Overall length	73.5 mm	72.14 mm
SAAMI max pressure	65,000 PSI	62,000 PSI
Common twist	1:8"	1:8"

Drop Comparison (inches)

	6.5 PRC	6.5 Creedmoor
100 yd	0"	0"
200 yd	-2.9"	-3.8"
300 yd	-10.7"	-13.4"
400 yd	-24.1"	-29.6"
500 yd	-43.6"	-53.2"

Retained Energy (ft-lb)

	6.5 PRC	6.5 Creedmoor
100 yd	2502 ft-lb	2052 ft-lb
200 yd	2246 ft-lb	1841 ft-lb
300 yd	2011 ft-lb	1648 ft-lb
400 yd	1796 ft-lb	1472 ft-lb
500 yd	1600 ft-lb	1312 ft-lb

Wind Drift — 10 mph Full-Value (inches)

	6.5 PRC	6.5 Creedmoor
100 yd	0.6"	0.6"
200 yd	2"	2.2"
300 yd	4.6"	5"
400 yd	8.3"	9.1"
500 yd	13.3"	14.6"

Hunting Energy References

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

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.

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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