Comparing 6.5 mm Rifle Calibers

Comparing all 6.5 mm Rifle Calibers

The 6.5mm caliber family has become one of the most versatile groups of cartridges in modern shooting, offering excellent ballistic efficiency, manageable recoil, and solid long-range performance. Below is a comparison of the most relevant 6.5mm cartridges, their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal target species and application.

6.5 Creedmoor

The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed for precision shooting but has gained immense popularity as a hunting round. Known for its flat trajectory, high ballistic coefficient bullets, and moderate recoil, it is an excellent choice for medium game like deer and pronghorn. Its efficiency at longer ranges makes it a favorite among marksmen, though it does not carry as much downrange energy as some of its larger counterparts. While widely available, its slower muzzle velocity compared to other 6.5mm cartridges can limit its effectiveness on larger animals like elk at extended distances.

.260 Remington

The .260 Remington, based on the .308 Winchester case, offers ballistics nearly identical to the 6.5 Creedmoor but can achieve slightly higher velocities when handloaded. This makes it a great option for hunters looking for a short-action, long-range caliber with more speed and energy. However, it has been largely overshadowed by the 6.5 Creedmoor in terms of commercial availability, limiting factory ammunition choices. It is still a solid choice for deer, hogs, and target shooting but may require more effort to find the right rifle and ammo combinations.

6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge)

The 6.5 PRC is essentially a magnum version of the 6.5 Creedmoor, delivering higher velocity and better energy retention. This makes it a superior choice for hunters targeting elk, black bear, and other larger game at extended distances. With its increased speed, it offers flatter trajectories and more stopping power, but the trade-off is greater recoil and faster barrel wear. Additionally, it requires a magnum bolt face and slightly longer-action rifles, making it less versatile than the Creedmoor. While growing in popularity, it is still not as widely available as other 6.5mm cartridges.

6.5 Grendel

Designed specifically for the AR-15 platform, the 6.5 Grendel provides a balance of power and efficiency in a lightweight semi-automatic rifle. It significantly outperforms the 5.56 NATO in terms of energy and downrange ballistics, making it a great choice for deer, hogs, and even defensive applications. While it does not have the long-range capability of the Creedmoor or PRC, it performs well within 600 yards and delivers mild recoil, making it ideal for shooters who prefer the AR platform. The main drawbacks are limited case capacity and slightly reduced velocity compared to other 6.5mm cartridges.

6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser

A classic and well-proven hunting cartridge, the 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser has been used for over a century in both military and hunting applications. It is well-regarded for its mild recoil and deep penetration, making it highly effective for medium and even large game like moose in Europe. The round's main downside is that many factory loads are kept at lower pressures to accommodate older rifles, which limits performance compared to modern high-pressure cartridges like the 6.5 PRC. It also requires a long-action rifle, making it less convenient for lightweight hunting setups.

6.5-284 Norma

Originally a wildcat round, the 6.5-284 Norma is one of the fastest 6.5mm cartridges, excelling in long-range hunting and precision shooting. With higher muzzle velocities than the 6.5 Creedmoor, it delivers excellent energy retention and flat trajectories, making it a great option for mountain hunting and competition shooting. However, the increased pressure and velocity lead to a shorter barrel life, and factory ammunition is not as widely available as more common 6.5mm rounds. Its performance makes it an excellent choice for long-range hunters pursuing deer, elk, or other game in open country.

Each of these calibers serves a unique purpose, and the best choice depends on specific hunting or shooting needs. The 6.5 Creedmoor remains the most versatile and widely available option, while the 6.5 PRC and 6.5-284 Norma offer superior long-range performance. The .260 Remington and 6.5x55mm Swede provide solid alternatives for traditionalists and reloaders, while the 6.5 Grendel is the best option for AR-15 users.

Kinetic Energy Performance Comparison - 6.5 mm Calibers

Case Capacity vs. Muzzle Velocity - 6.5 mm Calibers

Comparison Table 6.5 mm Calibers

The following table compares the key characteristics of all .300 rifle calibers including rifle calibers with a diameter between .300 and .310 Inch. The rank shows the popularity of the rifle caliber in our community.

Caliber	Avg. Energy (E0)	Diameter	Avg. Bullet Weight (gr)	Case Capacity (GoW)	Average Charge	Average Velocity (V0)	Case Length (l3)	Max. C.O.L	Suitable Bullets
.26 Nosler	3698 Joule	0.264	124	99	74.6gr | 4.84g	3127fps | 953m/s	2.59" | 65.8mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	223
.260 Rem.	2809 Joule	0.264	124	53.5	39.2gr | 2.54g	2721fps | 830m/s	2.03" | 51.6mm	2.8" | 71.1mm	210
.264 Leroy N.E.	2822 Joule	0.264	119	57	40.1gr | 2.6g	2789fps | 850m/s	2.02" | 51.2mm	2.56" | 65mm	141
.264 Win. Mag.	3417 Joule	0.264	124	82	62.1gr | 4.02g	3013fps | 919m/s	2.5" | 63.5mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	210
6.5 Creedmoor	2881 Joule	0.264	124	52	39.7gr | 2.57g	2771fps | 845m/s	1.92" | 48.8mm	2.8" | 71.1mm	217
6.5 Grendel	2189 Joule	0.264	121	37.5	27gr | 1.75g	2494fps | 760m/s	1.52" | 38.5mm	2.26" | 57.4mm	166
6.5 PRC	3452 Joule	0.264	124	72.3	56.2gr | 3.64g	3019fps | 921m/s	2.03" | 51.6mm	2.96" | 75.1mm	212
6.5 Weatherby RPM	3463 Joule	0.264	125	82.5	62gr | 4.02g	2988fps | 911m/s	2.57" | 65.3mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	228
6.5 mm Lahoz	2143 Joule	0.264	120	42	27.9gr | 1.81g	2458fps | 749m/s	1.69" | 42.8mm	2.26" | 57.4mm	122
6.5 mm Rem. Mag.	3155 Joule	0.264	123	68	49.3gr | 3.19g	2908fps | 887m/s	2.17" | 55.1mm	2.81" | 71.3mm	202
6.5 x 39	1915 Joule	0.264	120	34.4	24.2gr | 1.57g	2394fps | 730m/s	1.53" | 39mm	2.21" | 56mm	137
6.5 x 47 Lapua	2750 Joule	0.264	125	48	36.9gr | 2.39g	2685fps | 819m/s	1.85" | 47mm	2.8" | 71.1mm	206
6.5 x 50 R	2030 Joule	0.264	124	37.5	25.8gr | 1.67g	2344fps | 714m/s	1.95" | 49.5mm	2.67" | 67.8mm	205
6.5 x 52 R K&S	2263 Joule	0.264	124	47	33.4gr | 2.16g	2487fps | 758m/s	2.02" | 51.3mm	2.8" | 71.1mm	209
6.5 x 54	2263 Joule	0.264	122	51	33.3gr | 2.16g	2424fps | 739m/s	2.12" | 53.9mm	2.68" | 68mm	166
6.5 x 55 Swedish	2864 Joule	0.265	125	57	44gr | 2.85g	2745fps | 837m/s	2.17" | 55mm	3.15" | 80mm	203
6.5 x 57	2927 Joule	0.264	125	59	45.7gr | 2.96g	2776fps | 846m/s	2.23" | 56.7mm	3.23" | 82mm	208
6.5 x 57 R	2666 Joule	0.264	125	59	44.6gr | 2.89g	2673fps | 815m/s	2.23" | 56.7mm	3.23" | 82mm	210
6.5 x 58 R	1876 Joule	0.264	127	39.3	26gr | 1.68g	2352fps | 717m/s	2.3" | 58.4mm	3.07" | 78mm	46
6.5 x 58 mm Mauser Port.	2703 Joule	0.264	125	57	43.5gr | 2.82g	2683fps | 818m/s	2.28" | 58mm	3.23" | 82mm	208
6.5 x 64 (Reb)	3231 Joule	0.264	124	71.5	52.9gr | 3.42g	2922fps | 891m/s	2.52" | 64mm	3.31" | 84mm	211
6.5 x 64 Brenneke	3099 Joule	0.264	124	67	49.6gr | 3.22g	2921fps | 890m/s	2.54" | 64.5mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	211
6.5 x 65	3082 Joule	0.264	124	68	50.2gr | 3.25g	2898fps | 884m/s	2.56" | 65mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	209
6.5 x 65 R	2947 Joule	0.264	124	67	49.5gr | 3.21g	2836fps | 865m/s	2.56" | 65mm	3.34" | 84.8mm	211
6.5 x 68	3471 Joule	0.264	124	86	64.5gr | 4.18g	3076fps | 938m/s	2.66" | 67.5mm	3.41" | 86.5mm	210
6.5 x 68 R	3200 Joule	0.264	124	83	61.2gr | 3.97g	3005fps | 916m/s	2.66" | 67.5mm	3.45" | 87.5mm	210
6.5 x 70 R	1863 Joule	0.264	127	38.5	25.3gr | 1.64g	2187fps | 667m/s	2.74" | 69.5mm	3.54" | 90mm	45
6.5 x 72 R	2646 Joule	0.264	125	59	44.1gr | 2.86g	2643fps | 806m/s	2.23" | 56.7mm	3.79" | 96.3mm	193
6.5-06 A-Square	3221 Joule	0.264	125	65.7	51.1gr | 3.31g	2912fps | 888m/s	2.49" | 63.3mm	3.44" | 87.4mm	230
6.5-284 Norma	3149 Joule	0.264	126	66	51.4gr | 3.33g	2859fps | 872m/s	2.17" | 55.1mm	3.23" | 82mm	221
6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum	3621 Joule	0.264	125	98	74.4gr | 4.82g	3119fps | 951m/s	2.83" | 71.8mm	3.6" | 91.4mm	227