6.5 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor: 6.5mm Long Range Battle

The 6.5 Creedmoor proved its worth in long-range target shooting shortly after its introduction, and proceeded to overtake the 308 Winchester as top choice of long-distance shooters. In light of its success, it's only natural that other 6.5mm caliber cartridges should have been introduced. The 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge (PRC) – the other subject of this comparison piece – is one of them.

In this 6.5 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor comparison, we pit the two rounds head-to-head in several categories. You'll understand their relative pros and cons, and know which is better suited to your needs.

Keep reading to discover which cartridges dominates distances better. The results ... might just surprise you.

6.5 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor Caliber Comparison

We're comparing these rounds in nine separate categories. That way we'll avoid having a draw (unless there's a draw in an odd number of categories, but what are the odds of that happening?).

Before we start the battle, let's discuss a few similarities and differences between the cartridges.

Cartridge Specs

It wouldn't be difficult to mix these two rounds up at the range. The 6.5 Creedmoor could fit into a 6.5 PRC rifle, thoguh they're far from interchangeable. Far from it, as chambering the more powerful 6.5 PRC into a 6.5 CM firearm could wind up destroying said firearm (to say nothing of whomever fired it).

The biggest difference between the two cartridges is that the 6.5 PRC has a larger case, which holds more powder, increases pressure, and shortens barrel lifespan. The 6.5 PRC is similar to the 6.8 Western, which, uncoincidentally, is another powerful long-range round.

If you're looking for even higher case capacity, check out the 26 Nosler. Its case is over 50% more capacious than the 6.5 PRC's.

Since both of these rounds were developed for the same reasons, it's no surprise their specs are similar (not unlike 260 Rem vs. 6.5 Creedmoor).

6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 PRC Recoil

Round one is to determine which has less recoil.

But lots of recoil and long-distance shooting go hand-in-hand – right? Well, that might have been the case pre-6.5 Creedmoor, but it's quickly changing.

Less recoil is what most shooters (myself included) prefer. It allows us to be more accurate and avoid flinching in anticipation of recoil. Firing is also a lot more comfortable when the first shot doesn't put a big bruise on your shoulder.

So, which round has less recoil?

The 6.5 PRC impacts the shoulder with 21.6 ft-lbs of recoil. The 6.5 Creedmoor has hits significantly softer, with only 17 ft-lbs of free recoil.

The first time I fired a 6.5 Creedmoor, I was blown away by its light recoil. Granted, 17 ft-lbs is not inconsequential, but other popular hunting rounds put you through way, way worse.

You probably wouldn't notice much difference while firing the rounds side by side. Even so, the 6.5 Creedmoor takes an early lead.

Trajectory

The trajectory is the bullet's flight path to the target. At close ranges, it's a relatively flat line; as we increase the distance to the target, it increasingly resembles an arch.

The bullet's trajectory plays a vital role in long-distance accuracy. I've never met someone who prefers firing a bullet with a steeply arching trajectory over a flatter one.

A flat trajectory allows you to compensate less for bullet drop. More accuracy. Less math. Very nice.

Out to 500 yards, these rounds' performance is virtually identical, with the 6.5 PRC having a slightly flatter trajectory.

When zeroed at 200 yards, the 6.5 PRC drops 6.1" at 300 yards; 34.6" at 500 yards.

When zeroed at 200 yards, the 6.5 Creedmoor drops 9.6" at 300 yards; 48.9" at 500 yards.

It's when we pass 500 yards that the 6.5 PRC begins to drastically outperform the 6.5 Creedmoor.

If we're looking to name the "Dominator of the Distances," the 6.5 PRC take it with its flatter trajectory at extended ranges.

Accuracy

Many things factor into the accuracy of a given round, such as the shooter, recoil, trajectory, scope, rifle, and shooting conditions.

There's no arguing that these two rounds are extremely accurate. Both are capable of sub-MOA groups ("minute of angle," where 1 MOA equals 1" at 100 yards). With quality factory ammo, 3/4 MOA and 1/2 MOA groupings are attainable to the average shooter.

However, when all things are as equal as they can be – meaning the same shooter, scope, conditions, and rifle model – the 6.5 PRC edges out the 6.5 Creedmoor because it has a flatter trajectory.

Ballistic Coefficient

Ballistic coefficient (BC) is a numerical expression of a bullet's aerodynamics. Put another way, it's how effectively a bullet cuts through the air and resists wind drift.

Most shooters want high BC bullets that slip through the wind more easily, as they tend to be most accurate.

Heavy bullets generally have a higher BC because it takes relatively more force (e.g. wind) to disrupt their flight path.

BC also varies depending on bullet design, as well as other factors that are beyond the scope of this article.

6.5mm caliber bullets typically have high BCs. Their long, slender profiles are highly aerodynamic, and ideally suited toward resisting wind deflection.

The BC of a 6.5 PRC bullet is about 0.625, whereas the BC of a 6.5 Creedmoor projectile is about 0.585.

Once again, the 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge edges out the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Stopping Power

Stopping power doesn't matter to long-distance shooters. As a hunter, I think it's an overrated concept, largely because aim will ultimately determine whether a trigger pull results in a miss or a well-deserved venison dinner.

But I understand that not all shots are well-placed, which is why stopping power merits consideration.

Stoppng power boils down to several factors, including striking energy and terminal expansion. There is no formula to calculate how "deadly" a bullet can be, although sectional density (SD) does contribute a great deal to a bullet's lethality. It's a measure of how deeply a bullet can penetrate body mass based on two variables: mass and diameter.

Because the 6.5 PRC and 6.5 Creed fire similar bullets, they also have very similar SD values: 0.25 to 0.30, depending on exact bullet weight.

Since the 6.5 PRC pushes its projectile to a higher velocity the 6.5 CM, I would argue that it also has more stopping power – especially when long-range hunting.

The 6.5 PRC wins yet another category.

Hunting

If you've read the other categories, then it's obvious that the 6.5 PRC is the better big game hunting cartridge.

While the 6.5 Creedmoor makes a solid whitetail deer hunting round in states like Texas (within 500 yards), the 6.5 PRC is capable of ethically harvesting mule deer and elk over much longer ranges (up to 800 yards) due to its higher stopping power and flatter trajectory.

The 6.5 PRC wins another section and looks to be dominating this comparison.

Home Defense

These rounds are both terrible selections for home defense. They are better than a knife, of course, and a well-placed shot with either would neutralize the threat (to say the least). But they are just too much: certain to pass clean throgh the threat and jeopardize bystanders, with accompanying recoil, muzzle flash and report that will rock you, blind you and deafen you, respectively.

Technically speaking, the 6.5 Creedmoor is less likely to over-penetrate. I'd prefer it over the 6.5 PRC for that reason alone, and declare it the winner of this admittedly pointless section. Recommending either of these rounds for home defense is like recommending a jumbo jet for taking trips to the local park.

Ammo and Rifle Cost/Availability

The biggest drawback of the 6.5 PRC is the availability and price of ammo and rifles.

6.5 PRC ammo is difficult to find – and when you do find it, be prepared to fork over your paycheck. It'll likely cost you more than $2 per trigger squeeze.

As far as 6.5 PRC rifles go, they're not ridiculously priced. You can find Savage 110 Apex Hunter, Ruger American, and Weatherby Vanguard bolt-action rifles for well under $1,000. If you'd like to step up to a Tikka T3X Lite or Christensen Arms Ridgeline, you can expect to spend $1,500 to $2,500.

6.5 Creedmoor ammo is much easier to find and less expensive, though some of it, like Hornady Precision Hunter 143 grain ELD-X, costa nearly $2 per round as of writing.

The prices of 6.5 CM rifles are nearly the same as prices of analogous 6.5 PRC rifles. You can spend as little as $600 on a Remington 700, or as much as you want on a custom 6.5 Creedmoor rifle.

The 6.5 Creedmoor wins this section thanks to its abundance of ammo and lower prices.

Reloading

Handloading is a great way to save money on ammo and still shoot high-quality rounds.

Both rounds are reloadable, although 6.5 Creedmoor brass is easier to find and less expensive.

Once again, the 6.5 Creedmoor wins a category by a small margin (and some might say a technicality).

Ballistics

6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics Chart

Note: This information comes from ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

6.5 Creedmoor History

Hornady conceived the 6.5 Creedmoor as the ideal long-range rifle cartridge, and introduced that concept to the commercial market in 2007.

Hornady didn’t have high hopes for this new cartridge's success. But to their surprise, 6.5 CM took the long-distance shooting world by storm.

6.5 PRC History

The 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge is an even newer round, having been introduced at the 2018 SHOT Show.

The 6.5 PRC is based on the 300 Ruger Compact Magnum, and was designed to outperform the 6.5 Creedmoor.

The 6.5 PRC is designed for short-action rifles, though it still boasts performance comparable to some of the big boys'.

While it's still not as popular as the 6.5 Creedmoor, its following is growing.

Parting Shots

With the 6.5 PRC winning 5/9 categories, you might think it's the winner. In most instances, it would be. However, unless you're consistently firing across distances greater than 500 yards, the 6.5 Creedmoor will be your beter bet based on ammo availability alone.

What good is a long-distance rifle if you don't have any ammo for it?

While the 6.5 Creedmoor only won 4/9 sections, I believe it won the more important sections. For that reason, I declare it the winner of the 6.5 PRC vs 6.5 Creedmoor battle.

If you're upset with my decision, reach out to the ammo manufacturers and let them know they need to crank out more 6.5 PRC ammo. Until I see more for a reasonable price, I'll stand by my decision.

Whether you agree with me or not, you can stock up on 6.5 PRC ammo or 6.5 Creedmoor ammo at Ammo.com!