.308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the .308 Winchester is about 120 ft/s faster at the muzzle (2,820 vs 2,700 ft/s).
The .308 Winchester carries about 14% more energy at the muzzle (2,648 vs 2,315 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
The 6.5 Creedmoor's typical bullet has the higher BC (0.623), so it holds speed better and drifts less in the wind at long range.
Side by side
| .308 Winchester | 6.5 Creedmoor | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk. | Designed for long-range target matches; adopted for deer, pronghorn and hogs. Elk with good bullets inside 400. |
| Typical load | 150 grsoft point | 143 grELD-X |
| Muzzle speed | 2,820 ft/s | 2,700 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 2,648 ft-lbs | 2,315 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | ≈ 0.33typical, varies by brand | 0.623maker's published G1 |
| Twist rate | 1:10 | 1:8 |
| Practical range | 400 yd | 400–500 yd |
| Point-blank range | 266 yd6" vital zone | 275 yd6" vital zone |
| Recommended platform | Standard rifle, 7–8 lbModerate recoil; snappy in an ultralight | Light or standard rifleLight recoil; fine in a 6–7 lb rifle |
Which one fits you?
.308 Winchester: Commercial version of the 7.62 NATO. All-around North American: deer, hogs, black bear, elk.
6.5 Creedmoor: Designed for long-range target matches; adopted for deer, pronghorn and hogs. Elk with good bullets inside 400.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
- .308 Winchester profile
- 6.5 Creedmoor profile
- .308 Winchester vs .30-06 Springfield
- .243 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- 6.5 Creedmoor vs 6.5 PRC
- 7mm-08 Remington vs .308 Winchester
- .270 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- .243 Winchester vs .308 Winchester
- All comparisons
Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.