The 6.5 Creedmoor vs .308: Which One Is Best?

When it comes to short-action cartridges, few have seen the rapid rise in popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor. But in regards to performance, have you ever wondered which is best between the 6.5 creedmoor vs .308? If so, we'll explore that a little later.

is the 6.5 creedmoor a good hunting

Is the 6.5 creedmoor a good hunting (Photo courtesy of Hornady)  http://www.thesportsmanchannel.com/2016/03/6-5-creedmoor-qa-industry-experts/

Reports come in from all over the country about hunters making the switch to the 6.5 and moving to this effective cartridge.

Is this a good thing?

Are hunters actually noticing an improvement in their skill and results?

The answer is revealed within the testimonials, and we’ve heard so many. But we finally wanted to answer the question flat out: Is the 6.5 Creedmoor good for hunting?

Why People Love The 6.5 Creedmoor

I firmly believe that part of the obsession is just a trend. Shooters are latching on to what’s current and what the folks in the public spotlight use.

With that said, there are a few incredible features that have clearly swayed public opinion on the cartridge. Here's what I mean:

  • The 6.5 Creedmoor continues to perform extremely well in various competitions. It’s hard to argue against something when a cartridge is tried and tested.
  • There has never been an abundance of cartridges designed solely for hunting. Those that perform well in hunting situations tend to receive considerable admiration
  • It’s relatively easy to request a custom build for the 6.5 Creedmoor. With the increasing popularity of customizing everything, of course the trend has spilled into cartridges

The readers of popular shooting publications like Guns & Ammo and Field and Stream have likely noticed the rise in discussion about the Creedmoor and its firm place in the mainstream arena.

Media discussions will continue, as well as talks around the campfire regarding the Creedmoor’s durability and dependability.

Another reason for all the uproar is the solid build of the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Everything about the construction is sturdy and ensures long term performance that won't be easily affected.

But even better than the cartridge itself, hunters notice an increase in the longevity of their hunts because they aren’t tired from a sore shoulder.

New hunters have an easier time finding their comfort zone and getting up to speed with more experienced hunters.

The 6.5 Creedmoor adapts with many firearms

One of the reasons the 6.5 Creedmoor is so popular with hunters is because it's versatile.

Fans of shooting history may recall that the last time the world saw a craze with customize-able firearm accessories. It was during the 1950's when classic military weaponry became available to the public.

6.5 creedmoor with rifle 6.5 creedmoor vs .308

6.5 creedmoor with rifle https://www.quora.com/Why-are-sniper-rifles-so-expensive#!n=18

Well, a similar craze is happening now,  and it's clearly a superior product on the market. We have yet to see any stain on the Creedmoor's reputation, so you can expect this cartridge to continue to be in high demand.

The 6.5 cartridges do so well with these guns that it’s a natural fit. Plus, the Creedmoor is both modern and compatible with popular guns.

The 6.5 performs well in long-range hunts and on rapidly moving targets as well. Hunters become comfortable with setting the cartridge and follow-up. It’s rare to see any frustration  from the hunter when they're using the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Not to mention, you should also have the best gun safe for the money, it will keep safe for your firearms. 

Hunters need accuracy, and this cartridge delivers

Anyone who doubt the statement above should look into the competition results over the last few years.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is among the most accurate cartridges available for the everyday hunter. Recoil is not an issue because it assists in accuracy and the  hunter's comfort as well.

Many find that with the shot, they have no problem holding ground. As a result, they are more confident lining it up and coming to zero. Hunters know when they pull the trigger, they'll be right on track.

On the other hand, the 6.5 isn't great for hunting big game.

The 6.5 Creedmoor performs well with mid-sized animals such as deer and slightly smaller creatures.

But you don’t want to be out there hunting a Sasquatch with this thing. Likewise, short range shots under 25 yards don’t necessitate such a badass cartridge.

While it will certainly get the job done, it’s almost like overkill – unless you’re in practice mode and trying improve your skills.

The 6.5 Creedmoor vs .308: The Battle

The Creedmoor is the best long range cartridge for mid-sized animal hunting.

This is the main reason why it has become so trendy, and firmly confirms the fact that this cartridge is awesome for hunting.

Why?

For starters, it's more durable for the hunter's shoulder and body. The Creedmoor won’t wear you down after a day of shooting like a .308 will.

Furthermore, the recoil is so negligible that firing dozens of shots on the 6.5 causes less wear on the hunter than firing five shots with a .308.

Here is a video of the cartridge in action with Ruger Precison. If you have a Ruger Gun10/22, you should buy the best scope for ruger 10/22, i highly recommend you have one.

It performs better in windy situations, too.

Hunters notice less deflection from the wind and less effect on their overall accuracy with the 6.5.

Everything about the Creedmoor —including stock ammo— is more affordable than many other cartridge selections as well.

Hunters are consistently coming to the conclusion that once you go Creedmoor, you never go back.

Fifty years from now, this cartridge will have the track record and reputation of the most legendary hunting cartridges ever – just wait and see!

The 6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 Winchester

We know that we’ve given a lot of information about Creedmoor, but that doesn’t mean the Winchester doesn’t have anything to offer. We’ll take a look at a few of their characteristics and let you choose between the 6.5 Creemoor vs .308 

Case Structure

Let’s first look at the difference in design between the two. The Creedmoor looks a lot like a 308, and it’s based on the .30 TC case. However, 6.5 has a more precise shoulder at 30 degrees than the Winchester’s 20-degree shoulder. It gives the brass in the Creedmoor more longevity but feeds more accurately in semi-automatics for the Winchester.

In regards to brass availability, the 6.5 doesn’t have much, so the .308 wins in the category.

Barrel Life

Since the Creedmoor has a smaller bore and faster speed, it has a shorter lifespan than the barrel of a .308. However, it won’t be too overbore like other barrels. But nonetheless, the Winchester takes the win on this one.

Ballistics

In regards to the 308, it performs okay but it’s not really ballistic coefficient—especially, for shooting at longer ranges. They’re both neck and neck within the 500-yard range; however, the Creedmoor has more to offer in regards to wind drift resistance.

Final Thoughts The 6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 Cartridge

Is the 6.5 Creedmoor is good for hunting?

The answer is a resounding and emphatic ‘YES’. It is great for hunting.

The one thing that may put a dent in the Creedmoor’s fame is the invention of a better product. But it would have to be one that out-perform the 6.5 and have a solid marketing team behind it because the Creedmoor is winning right now. 

Hopefully this article shed some light on the 6.5 Creedmoor and why it's so good for hunting. But hey, that doesn't mean you should count the .308 out. It's still a good catridge, and I recommend that you try both and see which one best fits your hunting needs.

Please share this content on social media if you’ve enjoyed it, and feel free to post your thoughts in the comments below. We always love hearing about new situations where the Creedmoor or the Winchester has done the job. In the battle between the 6.5 Creedmoor vs .308, who do you think wins?

5 thoughts on “The 6.5 Creedmoor vs .308: Which One Is Best?”

  1. I don’t understand all the hype about the 6.5 Creedmore. What is so special about it? To my eye, it’s a goofy looking cartridge with a bullet that looks too long for the case. People talk ballistics and light recoil, well I tell you what, I’ll put up my Remington 700 Varmint rifle chambered in 7mm 08 against a 6.5 Creedmore any day of the week. I load my own 139 SST’s and get results that are incredible. One inch groups at 300 yards, and awesome results on whitetails. The 7mm 08 was called a “fad cartridge”, but when it came out there was no such thing as the internet to spread the word. Well I’m here to tell you that the 7mm 08 is just as good as the 6.5 Creedmore.

    1. Its pretty much a .30 Thompson Center. The craze about the Creedmoor is it has high velocity, accurate shooting, decent knock down with little recoil, and is probably the best gun for long range game hunting (I use them for whitetai). Best case on the market. 7mm is gonna have more knock down power, but I’ll take my creedmoor any day over that. Best gun on the market right now because ammo is pretty cheap, its a good accurate gun and you dont need tons of skill to be able to drop a deer, and there is so little recoil.

    2. You might be getting 1 inch at 300 while I’m getting 1 inch at 600 with my 6.5.. Both are good calibers , it’s what each individual is comfortable shooting.

  2. Fads are just not a good reason for hunting with a 6.5 mm. Give me the .270 WSM with a Barnes 130 or 140 gr Barnes TSX. There is no arguing the results. The six and a half DOES MAINTAIN the down range energy sufficient for consistency in killing anything bigger than smaller deer. No way I trust that thing with significant trophy animals.
    Hornady is simply “purchasing” the market by flooding it with tactical oriented mumbo jumbo for hunting and advertising the cartridge as something it is not. I would go .257 Weatherby any day. There are plenty of others that are plenty more to choose from.

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