Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
6.5 Creedmoor
Modern long-range precision cartridge optimized for competitive shooting and hunting.
- Caliber
- 0.2642″ · 6.71 mm
- Introduced
- 2007
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .30 TC
- Primary use
- Target, Competition, Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 2007
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Hornady
- Manufacturer
- Hornady Manufacturing
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 52.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Large Rifle or Small Rifle (SRP/LRP brass both exist)
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 62,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 1200 yd
- Max range
- 4000 yd
- Recoil
- 11–15 ft·lb
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Underwood Match 142 gr, 2,820 fps, BC 0.368 G7 · 100 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 2819 | 2506 | -1.5″ | — |
| 100 yd | 2696 | 2291 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 200 yd | 2574 | 2089 | -3.3″ | -1.6 |
| 300 yd | 2456 | 1901 | -11.8″ | -3.8 |
| 400 yd | 2340 | 1726 | -26.1″ | -6.2 |
| 500 yd | 2228 | 1564 | -46.7″ | -8.9 |
| 600 yd | 2118 | 1415 | -74.4″ | -11.8 |
| 700 yd | 2012 | 1276 | -109.7″ | -15.0 |
| 800 yd | 1907 | 1147 | -153.8″ | -18.4 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.71 | 0.264 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.49 | 0.295 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.73 | 0.462 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.95 | 0.470 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.37 | 0.054 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 7.25 | 0.285 | ≈ |
| Case length | 48.77 | 1.920 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 71.76 | 2.825 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6.5 Creedmoor is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 690 active loads across 62 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 690 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler | Trophy Grade Ballistic Tip | 120 | Ballistic Tip | 3,100 | 2,560 | 0.458 G1 |
| Nosler | Ballistic Tip | 120 | Ballistic Tip | 3,050 | 2,478 | 0.458 G1 |
| Hornady | Precision Hunter | 120 | ELD-X | 3,050 | 2,478 | 0.270 G7 |
| Hornady | Superformance GMX | 120 | GMX Lead Free | 3,050 | 2,478 | 0.390 G1 |
| Hornady | CX | 120 | CX | 3,050 | 2,478 | 0.272 G7 |
| Hornady | Superformance SST | 129 | SST Polymer Tip | 3,050 | 2,664 | 0.468 G1 |
| Barnes | VOR-TX TTSX BT | 120 | TTSX BT | 3,050 | 2,478 | 0.426 G1 |
| Norma | Golden Target | 130 | HPBT | 3,035 | 2,658 | 0.530 G1 |
| Hornady | Superformance SST | 129 | SST | 3,025 | 2,621 | 0.468 G1 |
| Nosler | Match Grade RDF | 130 | RDF HPBT | 3,000 | 2,597 | 0.530 G1 |
| Berger | Hunting VLD | 130 | VLD Hunting | 3,000 | 2,597 | 0.271 G7 |
| Weatherby | Select Plus | 130 | Nosler AccuBond | 3,000 | 2,597 | 0.250 G7 |
| Federal | Gold Medal Match | 130 | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 3,000 | 2,597 | 0.530 G1 |
| Barnes | LRX | 127 | LRX | 3,000 | 2,538 | 0.229 G7 |
| DoubleTap | Rifle Hunting | 130 | AccuBond | 3,000 | 2,597 | 0.250 G7 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
21 reloading powders listed for 6.5 Creedmoor, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor
12 models in the database chamber 6.5 Creedmoor. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Hornady in 2007 specifically for high-power rifle competition. Rapidly gained popularity in PRS, long-range hunting, and eventually military adoption. Based on .30 TC case necked to 6.5mm with 30-degree shoulder.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6.5 Creedmoor use?
- 6.5 Creedmoor typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6.5 Creedmoor?
- 6.5 Creedmoor uses a 0.2642″ (6.71 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6.5 Creedmoor still in production?
- 6.5 Creedmoor is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is 6.5 Creedmoor used for?
- 6.5 Creedmoor is primarily used for target, competition, hunting.
- What is 6.5 Creedmoor based on?
- 6.5 Creedmoor is derived from the .30 TC case.
- What are the best powders for 6.5 Creedmoor?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 6.5 Creedmoor include IMR 3031, N550, Alliant Reloader 15, N555, among 21 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 690 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →