6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 Winchester

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At a glance

Where each came from

The .308 Winchester is the commercial version of the cartridge that became 7.62x51mm NATO. It packed most of the .30-06's performance into a shorter case, which allowed shorter, lighter actions. It became one of the most popular hunting and target cartridges in the world, and it is the round behind many of the rifles in our semi-auto .308 comparison.

The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed by Hornady for long-range target shooting. The design goal was to fit long, sleek, high-ballistic-coefficient 6.5 mm bullets in a short action at a magazine-friendly length, with mild recoil. It spread quickly from target shooting to hunting, and now appears in almost every maker's bolt-action lineup.

Bullets, ballistic coefficient and wind

The core difference is bullet shape relative to weight. 6.5 mm bullets are long and slender for their weight, which tends to give them a high ballistic coefficient (BC) and sectional density. In practice that means they lose velocity more slowly and drift less in the wind than many .308 bullets fired from the same length barrel. That is why 6.5 Creedmoor became so popular in long-range matches.

The .308 counters with mass. Its heavier bullets carry plenty of energy at normal hunting ranges, and a well-constructed .30-caliber bullet is a confident choice on larger game such as elk at moderate distances, where legal and with appropriate bullets. Exact trajectory and energy figures depend on the specific load and barrel, so compare your actual ammunition's published data, or use a ballistic calculator, rather than generic charts.

Recoil and why it matters

In rifles of similar weight, 6.5 Creedmoor recoils noticeably less than .308. For many shooters, less recoil means less flinching, more practice and better shot placement, which matters more than a cartridge's paper performance. It also makes the 6.5 easier for smaller or newer shooters. The .308's recoil is moderate and very manageable for most adults, especially in a rifle of reasonable weight with a good pad.

Barrel life

Smaller-bore, efficient cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor are often said to wear barrels faster than .308, because more powder per bullet diameter means more heat at the throat. For a hunter who fires a few boxes a year, either cartridge will last a very long time. For a competitive shooter firing high volumes, barrel life is a real budget line item. Barrel life varies with barrel steel, firing pace and cleaning habits, so be wary of precise round counts.

Ammunition availability and cost

Both cartridges are widely stocked. The .308 has the deepest bench: hunting loads in many bullet weights, match loads, and 7.62x51-style practice ammunition. Before firing 7.62x51 NATO ammunition, confirm your rifle maker approves it; most .308 rifles are fine with it, but follow the manual. 6.5 Creedmoor has a very wide selection of hunting and match loads too. Prices move with the market, so compare current listings. Our caliber decision guide compares ammunition cost and availability by cartridge.

For deer, elk and target shooting

Whatever the cartridge, the hunting bullet matters more than the headstamp. Choose a bullet designed for the game and the distances you hunt, and check your state's rules for minimum caliber or energy.

Rifles in each chambering

For a closer look at one of these rifles, read our Bergara B-14 Timber review or Howa 1500 vs Savage 110 Storm.

What about the neighbors?

The choice is rarely only these two. A few close relatives are worth knowing about before you buy:

• 7mm-08 Remington is the .308 case necked down to 7 mm. It sits between the two in recoil and is a long-standing deer cartridge.
• .243 Winchester is also based on the .308 case, with lighter recoil still; popular for deer and varmints where legal.
• .30-06 Springfield is the .308's longer-cased predecessor, needing a long action, with a similar range of bullet weights.
• 6.5 PRC is a larger-cased 6.5 mm cartridge with more velocity and recoil than the Creedmoor, and it uses different rifles and ammunition.

None of these is interchangeable with the others. Always match the cartridge to the barrel stamp.

Which one should you buy?

• One rifle for deer plus long-range steel: 6.5 Creedmoor.
• One rifle for deer plus occasional elk with heavier bullets: .308 is the traditional pick; 6.5 works with the right bullet and discipline.
• Recoil-sensitive or new shooter: 6.5 Creedmoor.
• Semi-auto rifle with the widest choice: .308.
• You already own one: keep it and spend the difference on ammunition and practice.

Either way, zero with your hunting load and practice from field positions. A cartridge you shoot well beats a cartridge that looks better on a chart.