In the hunting industry, the 6.5 Creedmoor has quickly ascended in the past few years. Now the chatter between the 6.5 Creedmoor and the 308 Winchester has arisen. Here is what you need to know about the heated debate between these two cartridges.
In general, a majority of people in the firearm community can agree that both the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester are both excellent for the purpose of competition shooting or target shooting. The .308 Winchester has held a prominent presence in the industry, as well as a strong, trustworthy reputation for the purpose of hunting a variety of game. If you ask hunting veterans, they will probably express their trust and love for the .308. The 6.5 Creedmoor is now becoming a pick for hunting some game. Both of these cartridges possess great qualities. So what is the big debate between hunting with the 6.5 Creedmoor or 308 Winchester?
A Brief History
The .308 Winchester Overview
The 308 Winchester has a lengthy, well-known history. This cartridge is known to be the “do-it-all” cartridge. This cartridge came to light following World War II. The .308 Winchester ended up replacing the .30-06 Springfield cartridge in the American Military. The .308 Winchester also was able to make an impact in the civilian hunting and shooting scene. The 308 is such a versatile cartridge that will possibly stick around for years to come due to its efficiency, accuracy, and power.
The 6.5 Creedmoor
When looking at the 6.5 Creedmoor, you are easily going to stumble upon loads of marketing content. Many people have mixed opinions about this cartridge due to the extensive marketing pieces. It is important to get a proper understanding of the 6.5 Creedmoor’s history, capabilities, and qualities.
6.5 Creedmoor History
The 6.5mm Creedmoor is a centerfire rifle cartridge introduced in 2007 by Hornady. Hornady looked at the .308 and saw an opportunity to create a comparable cartridge. The goal was to create a cartridge that performed as accurately but will less recoil and a flatter trajectory.
This cartridge is deemed a quality, medium-power cartridge. Its energy is measured at 300 yards using 129-grain Hornady SST bullets. The 6.5 Creedmoor has the capability to take down most medium-large game but does not hold the same trust as the .308 Winchester does.
For a more detailed history and additional information about the 6.5 Creedmoor, read the article “About the Controversial 6.5 Creedmoor: Pros and Cons of the 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge”.
Marketing of the 6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor is notorious for a great deal of marketing in the firearm industry. It is common for firearm enthusiasts to nitpick the cartridge due to 6.5 Creedmoor over-hyping. In the contents of a forum on the 24 Hour Campfire “Tired of the 6.5 Creedmoor”, this forum interaction clearly expresses how some enthusiasts feel. The commenter says, “I am getting tired of reading about how great the 6.5 C is…Marketing, marketing, marketing. Bah humbug, I say.”
With this view being expressed, there is still a large community of people who love the cartridge despite the marketing presence. The cartridge holds a great reputation with several highly-notable companies and blogs.
The Debate Between the .308 Winchester and the 6.5 Creedmoor
These two cartridges are extremely similar. They both have a similar trajectory but the 6.5 Creedmoor has a flatter trajectory altogether. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a lighter bullet and possesses a higher ballistic coefficient at a higher muzzle velocity.
One point to be aware of is that the .308 Winchester does have a great advantage in kinetic energy. They possess a kinetic energy of 345 and 357 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle with the E-Tip and ELD-X.
In terms of wind drift, the excellent ballistic coefficient of the 6.5 Creedmoor brings the cartridge a noteworthy edge over the .308 Winchester.
When comparing recoil, the 6.5 has a more mild recoil than other calibers including the .308 Winchester. With that being said, recoil is felt differently by each person.
In Conclusion
In the end, this all depends on your needs and personal preference.
For long-range shooting, it may be a better option to choose the 6.5 Creedmoor. This cartridge outshines the .308 Winchester for long-range shooting and target practice.
If you are looking for a tried and true cartridge for the purpose of hunting large game such as moose, elk, caribou, or red stag, the .308 Winchester is a top choice. The .308 Winchester takes the cake for a large game.
The 6.5 Creedmoor and the .308 Winchester both possess great qualities and have their place in the firearm industry. They do have their differences but one cannot be deemed better than another. Be sure to evaluate your needs for target shooting or hunting to decide for yourself. For more information and help, contact the ammo experts at Virtus Ammo today.
