.308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor (2026): Ballistics, Recoil & Hunting

.308 vs 6.5 Creedmoor: What Actually Matters

.308 Winchester has dominated for decades, but 6.5 Creedmoor has rapidly gained ground in precision shooting and hunting. Here's an honest comparison.

Ballistics & Supersonic Range

.308 Winchester: Common 168–175gr loads run ~2,600–2,650 fps (barrel/load dependent). Proven terminal performance. Often goes transonic (and may dip subsonic) around ~800–1,050 yards (load/conditions dependent).

6.5 Creedmoor: Common 140gr loads run ~2,650–2,750 fps (barrel/load dependent). Typically higher ballistic coefficients in comparable match bullets (often ~0.55–0.62 G1 for 6.5 140s vs ~0.45–0.53 G1 for .308 match bullets; approximate, bullet dependent). Often stays supersonic to ~1,000–1,200 yards with high-BC loads and favorable conditions.

Drop & Wind Drift at Distance

At 1,000 yards, 6.5 Creedmoor typically shows less drop and meaningfully less wind drift than .308 under similar conditions—often on the order of ~20–30% less wind drift at a given wind speed with comparable match loads.

Recoil Comparison

.308: ~17–20 ft-lbs typical; 6.5 Creedmoor: ~13–15 ft-lbs typical in similar rifle weights (load dependent). The difference is noticeable—6.5 CM is more comfortable for extended shooting sessions and allows you to spot your own hits through the scope.

Hunting Application

.308: Proven on everything from deer to elk. Higher typical muzzle energy (often ~2,500–2,700 ft-lbs vs ~1,900–2,200 ft-lbs, load dependent). Bullet construction and impact velocity matter more than raw muzzle energy. Greater mass and frontal area, but bullet deflection through brush is unpredictable for all rifle calibers.

6.5 Creedmoor: Excellent for deer-sized game. Can be effective for elk with proper bullets, disciplined shot placement, and realistic distances. Better long-range performance.

Ammunition & Cost

.308 is often a bit cheaper and easier to find ($1.00–1.50/round for match ammo vs $1.20–1.70 for 6.5 CM, brand/availability dependent). .308 has more variety, especially in bulk and surplus.

Barrel Life

.308: often ~6,000–10,000 rounds. 6.5 Creedmoor: often ~2,000–3,500 rounds (varies widely with firing cadence, load, barrel, and accuracy threshold). If you shoot high volume, .308's longer barrel life can be a big cost/maintenance advantage.

Choose .308 If:

• Most of your shooting is under ~600 yards
• Hunting large game (elk, moose)
• Want maximum ammunition availability
• Shoot high volume (barrel life advantage)
• Already own .308 rifles and components

Choose 6.5 Creedmoor If:

• Long-range shooting is your focus (600+ yards)
• Competing in PRS or NRL
• Want less recoil
• Hunting deer at extended range
• Building a new precision rifle