6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
A Comprehensive Comparison by Detroit Gun Works
When it comes to choosing a rifle cartridge, the debate of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester is one that has captivated shooters for years. Both cartridges offer unique advantages, making them popular choices for hunting, target shooting, and tactical applications. In this detailed comparison of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester, we’ll explore the benefits of each cartridge to help you make an informed decision. We’ll cover ballistic performance, recoil, ammunition availability, and cost, among other critical factors.
Table of Contents
Ballistic Performance of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor:
The 6.5 Creedmoor is renowned for its flat trajectory and long-range accuracy. Developed by Hornady in 2007, this cartridge has quickly gained a reputation for its impressive ballistic coefficients. The 6.5 Creedmoor typically fires bullets in the 120-140 grain range, with a high ballistic coefficient (BC). This high BC allows the 6.5 Creedmoor to maintain velocity over longer distances, resulting in less bullet drop and wind drift.
- Superior Long-Range Accuracy: The 6.5 Creedmoor excels in long-range shooting, making it a favorite among competitive shooters and hunters alike.
- Less Wind Drift: The high BC of the 6.5 Creedmoor bullets means less wind drift, enhancing accuracy in windy conditions.
- Flatter Trajectory: The flat trajectory of the 6.5 Creedmoor reduces the need for elevation adjustments at extended ranges.
.308 Winchester:
The .308 Winchester, introduced by Winchester in 1952, is a versatile and proven cartridge. Known for its reliable performance, the .308 Winchester is widely used in hunting and military applications. The .308 typically fires bullets in the 150-180 grain range, offering a balance of power and precision.
- Versatile and Reliable: The .308 Winchester’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from hunting medium to large game to tactical use.
- Proven Performance: Decades of military and hunting use have proven the .308’s reliability and effectiveness.
- Energy Retention: The .308 retains significant energy downrange, making it effective for taking down larger game.
Recoil and Shooting Comfort of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor:
One of the standout benefits of the 6.5 Creedmoor is its mild recoil. This characteristic makes it an excellent choice for shooters who prefer a more comfortable shooting experience, whether on the range or in the field.
- Reduced Recoil: The 6.5 Creedmoor generates less recoil than the .308 Winchester, making it easier to shoot for extended periods.
- Improved Shooting Comfort: The reduced recoil translates to better shooting comfort, allowing for more accurate follow-up shots.
.308 Winchester:
While the .308 Winchester has more recoil compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor, it is still manageable for most shooters. The .308’s recoil is often considered a good trade-off for its power and versatility.
- Manageable Recoil: Although it has more recoil than the 6.5 Creedmoor, the .308 Winchester’s recoil is still manageable for most shooters.
- Power vs. Recoil Trade-off: The increased power of the .308 Winchester justifies the slightly higher recoil, making it a worthy choice for those who prioritize stopping power.
Ammunition Availability and Cost of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor:
Since its introduction, the popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor has grown significantly, leading to widespread availability of ammunition. However, due to its relatively recent development, it can sometimes be more expensive compared to older cartridges like the .308 Winchester.
- Growing Popularity: The increasing popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor means more manufacturers are producing ammunition, improving availability.
- Higher Cost: While availability is improving, 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition can still be more expensive than .308 Winchester rounds.
.308 Winchester:
The .308 Winchester has been around for over six decades, making it one of the most widely available cartridges. This long history means that .308 ammunition is typically easy to find and often more affordable.
- Widely Available: The .308 Winchester’s long-standing popularity ensures widespread availability of ammunition.
- Cost-Effective: Due to its extensive use and production, .308 Winchester ammunition is generally more affordable than 6.5 Creedmoor rounds.
Barrel Life of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor:
Barrel life is an important consideration for any shooter, and the 6.5 Creedmoor has a reputation for being relatively gentle on barrels. While high-velocity rounds can wear out barrels faster, the 6.5 Creedmoor’s design helps mitigate this issue.
- Extended Barrel Life: The 6.5 Creedmoor is known for being easier on barrels, contributing to a longer barrel life compared to some high-velocity cartridges.
- Cost Savings: Longer barrel life means less frequent barrel replacements, saving money in the long run.
.308 Winchester:
The .308 Winchester is also known for having a good barrel life, making it a durable option for shooters who plan to put a lot of rounds through their rifles.
- Durable and Reliable: The .308 Winchester’s moderate pressures help ensure a long barrel life.
- Cost Efficiency: Similar to the 6.5 Creedmoor, the .308’s extended barrel life contributes to cost savings over time.
Hunting Applications for a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor:
The 6.5 Creedmoor’s accuracy and flat trajectory make it an excellent choice for hunting medium-sized game such as deer and antelope. Its ability to maintain velocity over long distances ensures effective shots at extended ranges.
- Ideal for Medium Game: The 6.5 Creedmoor is highly effective for hunting medium-sized game due to its accuracy and flat trajectory.
- Long-Range Hunting: The cartridge’s performance at long range makes it a favorite for hunters who need to take shots from a distance.
.308 Winchester:
The .308 Winchester is a versatile hunting cartridge capable of taking down a wide range of game, from deer to elk and even bear. Its power and energy retention make it suitable for larger game, providing hunters with confidence in its stopping power.
- Versatile Game Cartridge: The .308 Winchester is effective for hunting a broad spectrum of game, including larger animals.
- Proven Stopping Power: The .308’s ability to retain energy downrange ensures effective penetration and stopping power.
Target Shooting and Competition of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor:
The 6.5 Creedmoor’s exceptional accuracy and mild recoil make it a top choice for competitive shooting. Many precision rifle competitors prefer the 6.5 Creedmoor for its consistent performance and minimal wind drift.
- Competitive Edge: The 6.5 Creedmoor’s accuracy and low recoil give competitive shooters an edge in precision rifle competitions.
- Precision Shooting: The cartridge’s design caters to precision shooting, making it a favorite among target shooters.
.308 Winchester:
The .308 Winchester remains a popular choice for target shooting and competitions, particularly in tactical and military-style events. Its balance of power and accuracy makes it a reliable option for a variety of shooting disciplines.
- Tactical Competitions: The .308 Winchester is well-suited for tactical and military-style shooting competitions.
- Reliable Performance: The cartridge’s consistent performance makes it a dependable choice for target shooting.
Tactical and Military use of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor:
While the 6.5 Creedmoor is gaining traction in tactical and military circles, it has not yet reached the widespread adoption of the .308 Winchester. However, its long-range capabilities and accuracy are making it increasingly popular in these applications.
- Emerging Popularity: The 6.5 Creedmoor is gaining recognition in tactical and military use for its long-range performance.
- Accurate Long-Range Option: Its accuracy at extended ranges makes it a valuable asset in tactical scenarios.
.308 Winchester:
The .308 Winchester has a long history of military and tactical use, with a proven track record in various roles. Its balance of power, accuracy, and availability make it a staple in military and law enforcement arsenals.
- Proven Military Cartridge: The .308 Winchester’s extensive use in military applications underscores its reliability and effectiveness.
- Versatile Tactical Use: The cartridge’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of tactical scenarios.
Rifle and Component Availability of a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
6.5 Creedmoor:
As the 6.5 Creedmoor’s popularity has grown, so has the availability of rifles and components. Most major rifle manufacturers now offer models chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, and a wide range of aftermarket parts are available.
- Increasing Availability: The rise in popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor has led to a broader selection of rifles and components.
- Customizable Options: Shooters have access to a wide range of aftermarket parts to customize their 6.5 Creedmoor rifles.
- Reloading Components: 6.5 Creedmoor compatible powders are available and can be found online and in most gun stores that sell powder. Some of the more popular are Hodgdon Varget, H4350 and Winchester StaBall 6.5.
- Bullets: are available for hunting and match use from nearly every bullet manufacturer. Brass is available from Hornady, Lapua, Norma and Alpha.
- Primers: primer pockets on different brands of brass are either large or small primer pockets. Primers from CCI, Federal are the most popular for match use. Hunting primers can be from any manufacturer and should make accurate rounds.
.308 Winchester:
Given its long-standing popularity, the .308 Winchester boasts an extensive selection of rifles and components. Virtually every major rifle manufacturer offers models chambered in .308, and the aftermarket support is robust.
- Extensive Selection: The .308 Winchester’s popularity ensures a vast selection of rifles and components.
- Strong Aftermarket Support: Shooters can easily find aftermarket parts to upgrade and customize their .308 Winchester rifles.
- Reloading Components: The .308 Winchester is a very flexible and easy round to reload. It will generally handle bullets from 90gr to 220gr, the latter is dependent on barrel twist rate. Sierra states a required 1-10 twist barrel. DGW .308 rifles are all 1-10 or tighter.
- Bullets: ubiquitously available for hunting and match use from every bullet manufacturer. From 90gr to 220gr. Easy to find in most gun stores that carry reloading components or online retailers.
- Brass is available from all manufacturers and once fired brass is available at gun shows and online for additional cost savings. Easy to find in most gun stores that carry reloading components and online retailers.
- Primers: the .308 uses large rifle primers and almost any primer will give accurate results. Favorites are Federal Match and CCI. Available online and in gun shops that carry reloading components.
Bullet drop and wind drift for a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
- Bullet Drop: Generally, the difference between a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester is about 2-2.5 mils at 1,000 yards at match ammo with .308 win running at 2650-2700 FPS. With modern scopes and range finders, these variables are just elevation scope adjustments. Without accurate range distance, the .308 Winchester can cause more misses. But making accurate range estimations is a rifleman’s core skill and should be practiced with any caliber/rifle combination.
- Wind Drift: Just like bullet drop, accurate wind calls are critical in both the .308 Winchester and the 6.5 Creedmoor. The .308 Winchester needs more wind hold than the 6.5 Creedmoor, but using good wind calls the difference is not insurmountable. For comparison at 1,000 yards the difference is 1.6 Mil for the 6.5 and 2.4 Mil for the .308. This amounts to a 33.82-inch additional adjustment at 1,000 yards for the .308. Again, with modern optics and practice this is not insurmountable.
Conclusion – 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester
When comparing the 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester, both have their distinct advantages, making them both suitable for match and hunting applications. The 6.5 Creedmoor shines in long-range accuracy, reduced recoil, and competitive shooting, while the .308 Winchester offers versatility, proven performance, and a broad range of applications from hunting to tactical use.
When choosing between these two cartridges, consider your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize long-range accuracy and low recoil or versatility and proven stopping power, both the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester are excellent choices that will serve you well in the field or on the range.
Check out DGW’s Hitsville Bolt Action Rifle in a 6.5 Creedmoor caliber and the Sherwood Bolt Action Rifle in a .308 Winchester caliber. Both of these rifles use Detroit Gun Works E. Hildale action that is based off the Remington 700 short action platform. Detroit Gun Works is your go to for helping you decide between a 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Winchester.
