6.5 Creedmoor vs 300 Win Mag: What You Know May Be Wrong

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Get my Free E-Book on the best hunting calibers here: thebiggamehuntingblog.com/ebook

[@MrHf4l]

These two cartridges should never be compared to each other.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Why?

[@MrHf4l]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog you know why.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Sounds like you don't have anything constructive to add to this conversation

[@fannaffannaf]

I don't think so. I shoot sporting clays and shotgun, I'm getting my first serious rifle. I'm getting such varying opinions about what size I should get, I'm interested in both of these sizes.

[@tovan6964]

against 6.5 prc would be more appropriate. (magnum vs mini magnum)

[@mccwho]

I'm not recoil sensitive. I have always shot the 300 win mag and it was my rifle of choice in the Army. I really appreciate your comparison! But you forgot to include some of the newer projectiles in the 308 category. Namly the Berger match and the FlateLine solids. Those new 308 projectiles have very high BC's and dramatically change the comparison. The use of a FalconStrike recoil pad and a good muzzle tuner/brake makes world of difference in felt recoil on a 300 win-mag. But now days the biggest issue is more about the cost per round to shoot. I save my 300 for hunting and competition only now and use either 308 or 223 for casual target practice. If I plan on going light and hunting I use 308 or 6.5-284 norma mountain rifle. Heck, now days even shooting my Anschutz 22 is not cheap as it was just 2 years ago.

[@justinbrewer5628]

I subbed, I have a rifle chambered in 6.5 creedmore and love it. But have a hunting trip coming up in montana in October for elk. So bought one in 300 win mag. Hopefully I'll be taking an elk with it.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Good luck on that elk hunt!

[@georgeclark6629]

For anyone that would think that the 300 win. mag and 6.5 creed are similar in any aspect other than they both utilize primers, powder and brass cases are new and uneducated to shooting period. Further, I would chose the 7mm-08, 25-06 or 270 any day over the 6.5 creedmoor.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Good for you!

[@reloadnorth7722]

I like this channel, and the information provided: well thought out and presented. Perhaps a comparison of 6.5cm 143gr, 270 150gr, 308 150gr, 300wm 150gr, 7mm mag 150gr, 7mm-08 150gr. All these calibers with bullet weights as close as possible to each other would be an amazing comparison. Thankyou, stay safe and vigilant.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks!

[@Grant-kj4eq]

Totally agree

[@stanleydubois7117]

I am really not a fan of 6.5 Creedmoor I don't target shoot for fun.I am a hunter deer,Elk ect I think the 300 win mag is probably my favorite caliber I also a big fan of the 308 win it's the man behind the rifle that makes the difference.

[@jjjjns]

Appreciate both cartridges. For my purposes, I always go to the 6.5 creedmoor. Such a well balanced cartridge. Efficient, effective, low recoil and it always surprises me as to how accurate it is

[@kurtglo]

John, I agree with you one-hundred percent concerning the creed

[@Johnha1980]

I hunted my Browning A-bolt in .300 WinMag exclusively for a dozen years. But my last 2 PA deer went down with my Ruger Hawkeye 6.5 Creedmoor. It's a lot easier to carry than my Browning. So moving I'll pick the Hawkeye, on stand the Browning

[@ricksters11]

Nice break down of the two calibers. Thanks! I use 308 for most small game, deer, wild boar, etc. and the 300 win mag for Elk.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kirkboswell2575]

At its core the 6.5 Creedmoor is a short action 6.5x55 Swede. An excellent cartridge in its own right. The Europeans use the 6.5x55 for everything up to and including moose. Low recoil, highly accurate, good performance. One of the advantages of the 6.5 Creedmoor that you didn't mention was longer case life for reloaders, and less case prep required. Yes, I know, many don't reload, but this is a known and distinct advantage and should be mentioned.

[@samsam18200]

For whitetail, the 6.5 Creedmoor is enough. I've successfully hunted with both and I prefer my 6.5 Creedmoor. And I was skeptical about it at first! I will say that a 300 Win Mag has a good bit more stopping power, so for bigger game or self defense I would reach for it first.

[@Suaga7]

My whitetail dropped where it stood last weekend.

[@b.a.macnab6209]

Great information on both rifles. My son has a 6.5 Creedmoor I have always told him my 300 win. mag. will out shoot his 6.5. He's not going to like this video...lol. Thanks again for your video and I've added you to my channel list.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I'm sure your son will come around! :)

[@knlazar08]

A cartridge with so much more capacity is bound to generate greater ballistics than a smaller round. Don't forget though... Your .300 will generate more than double the recoil of the Creedmore! But I'm sure your son will end up reminding you of that somewhere along the line. Both are good rounds. I'd probably choose the Creedmore for deer sized game... but not for moose I wouldn't! :-)

[@BeardedManTales]

Thx, great technical review and comparison in both cartridges, I am thinking in getting my first 300 WM, I just saw a CVA this afternoon at Dunham’s, thinking in pick it up tomorrow morning, you know the feel right.. just making sure that’s what I want and make a good set up for my entry level rifle for medium-big game, thx again.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brandonchandler9032]

300 win mag! Was also Chris Kyles round of choice. Got the New Benelli LUPO chambered in 300 win mag. Falkor defense and Nemo arms also make the Petra and Omen in a AR platform chambered in 300 win mag. They have recoil reduction systems to. The benelli has recoil reduction to.

[@Tbowie13]

Is that recoil reduction similar to the Super Black Eagle? I have the original H&K SBE, and a Gen 3 with the recoil reduction on it...it really works well, but there is just something special about that original H&K model with paint worn off and its buttery action...lol. I've killed piles of ducks and geese with that old thing and it's never jammed once regardless of what shells I run through it

[@slinkyrobb]

@Paul he shot a 300 win mag for much of his career and ended his career with the 338

[@J.RBamBamNuckolls]

I use a 6.5 for small deer and anything smaller if I run into anything bigger I grab the man’s gun off my back and send a 300 down range the only other round I like as much or better is the 7 rem mag ❤😅😊

[@tdb922f]

"What you know might be wrong" Nope, I knew I need both! 👍

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Haha, fair enough!

[@dansaver8247]

Good comments. Thank you.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks for watching!

[@tommysmyth254]

I like the 300 Win mag the best

[@F15ElectricEagle]

I'll just stay with my 264 Winchester Magnum. I get the best of both world. High ballistic coefficient 264 caliber bullets with 300 Winchester Magnum velocity.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

What bullets do you primarily use with your 264 Win Mag and what do you primarily hunt with that cartridge?

[@F15ElectricEagle]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Mainly antelopes and mule deers in the Western plains. Shots are taken usually between 200 to 700 yards away. I always carry two types of ammo loaded with different bullets. One uses the Hornady 140 grain SST, the other uses Nosler 140 grain Accubond. Both bullets will shoot 3 shots sub - 1/3 inch MOA 100 yard groups from my custom heavy barrel Remington 700. I use the Accubond load for games under 300 yards and the SST load over 300 yards. The SST has a slightly flatter trajectory over 300 yards, but it's too explosive at shorter range impact velocity when shot from the 264 Win Mag. The Accubond holds together much better than the SST at high impacts velocity, which is why I use it when the game is under 300 yards away.

[@cottonkiller8081]

I have listen to everyone of your cartridge comparisons I have enjoyed everyone I don't have a problem with the 6.5 Creedmoor I think it's a good cartridge however I do not think it was built or should do what people have it doing I don't see it as a long range hunting cartridge I feel like you need something bigger and I guess that's what fuels my hate for the 6.5 Creedmoor is the fact that nobody's educated on it or has any comprehension of energy

[@hotramen5952]

has 1500 foot/lb of energy at 400 yards. factory loads for .308, .30-06, and .270 all have about that much energy at that range give or take. also, most of the bonkers stuff i hear is from fudds SAYING they have heard other people saying crazy stuff. i have yet to hear a 6.5 creedemore fan advocate 600 yard shots on elk. i have heard people saying the .30-06 is way better suggest that creedemore people talk about it. i have heard people compare the trajectory of the .300 win mag to the 6.5 creedemore. which can be accurate.

[@sawyermunson2886]

You should do a comparison of 6.5 creedmoor and 6.5-300 weatherby mag

[@dalegribble1560]

They'll both get the job done however my inclination goes to the 300 WIn Mag. My all time fave rifle cartridge that's not the 50BMG is the 45-70.

[@666-y8w]

What may i ask are your opinions on the Tikka T3X CTR 24” in 6.5 as a hunting rifle being that it is said that their barrels slow down the 6.5 bullets. It would be used to hunt boar and deer within 200 yards. I am also considering the Ruger American Predator Go Wild in 6.5 CM though it does come with a 22” barrel.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I have not heard anything at all about Tikka rifles "slowing down 6.5 bullets." If that does happen, I doubt it's enough to make a noticeable difference. In general, Tikka rifles are very nice and are an excellent option for most hunters. The Ruger American Predator is also a good rifle, but I think the Tikka is a little better (but also more expensive). You'll likely get a little higher velocity with the 24" barrel on the Tikka than the 22" barrel on the Ruger. The rifle will be physically larger and more unwieldy though. A 22" barrel is great for deer and boar inside of 200 yards. How thick is the vegetation where you'll be hunting? Either will probably work very well, it's just a matter of which one is better for your particular circumstances. All things considered, the Ruger will probably work very well for what you want to hunt with it, especially in thicker country. The Tikka is also great, but is better in more open country with that longer barrel.

[@AntoniGanchev]

Lol same, I cant pick between ruger american 6.5 and tikka t3x 6.5 both are such nice rifles.

[@tylarhaugan7908]

I have an ar10 in 6.5 creed and a bolt gun in 300 winnag. I'll take the 300 over the creed for elk size game. I can take elk 75 yards and in with creed using 156 to 160 grain class bonded bullets in a pinch

[@titomish5914]

What about deer ??

[@danielcorbett5686]

6.5 is for boys , 300 win mag is for men

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Haha!

[@melisssa7777]

True..

[@Appalachianamerican67]

Hahaha....I love and have both.

[@isaiahminton2766]

I have both and I like both but my 6.5 doesn't hurt when I shoot it so it makes it more fun.

[@Tbowie13]

I was never recoil sensitive, and loved magnum rounds, but I'm older and arthritis has done its damage. I can still shoot 300 WM, but I prefer how I feel the next day, after 6.5 CM.

[@patriotichunter6434]

Use nosler accubond LR 190 gr for your 300 win mag results with its high BC and even wind advantage of 6.5 cr goes away. 300 win mag is one of top most versatile calibers created, the 6.5 cr is a great low recoil target caliber that is middle of the road hunting caliber. If need mild recoil as a hunter be better served to go to a 7mm-08 which has High BC bullets that are larger diameter, more energy and better velocity. 6.5 cr again is a great target round, and middle of the road hunting caliber.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I love the 300 Win Mag too and it's definitely one of my favorite cartridges. However, I'm not sure I understand how things change with the 190gr ABLR for the 300 Win Mag? That bullet has the same BC as the 200gr ELD-X and 300 Win Mag Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range ammo only has a MV 20fps faster than the 300 Win Mag Precision Hunter ammo I already have in the comparison. That 300 WM Hornady Precision Hunter load already slightly outclasses the 6.5 Creedmoor Precision Hunter load in terms of wind deflection. That advantage will slightly grow with the ABLR, but the difference between it and the 300 WM Precision Hunter ammo is so small that it's not even worth mentioning.

[@jasonlopez4855]

I got my first 🦌 rifle in 300 win mag for my 19 birthday and was my only one for 20 years now I got my first LR-6.5 creedmore the two rifles are the same weights I don't feel the difference between the two.

[@christojordaan5018]

I have build a 300 win mag single shot target action with krieger 5r 28 in barrel. Chamber custum cut for long bullets. Load date 225 eld match COL 3.76 in N560 70.5 gn cci 250 primers norma brass 2845 f/s.0.3 in groups 5shot no pressure

[@njrivetelite]

6.5 Creedmor is a magic bullet that can do anything. It can hit a mongoose through the eye at 5miles.. or knock a satellite 🛰 out of orbit!

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Haha!

[@MauserM18]

Do you think 6.5 prc a good elk cartridge?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

In my opinion, good elk cartridges really start at 7mm w 150gr+ bullets. Can you kill an elk with a 6.5 Creedmoor or a 6.5 PRC? Absolutely and lots of people do each year. In fact, I think the 6.5 PRC is the best of the sub-7mm cartridges for use on bigger game like elk. So, hunt elk with one of those cartridges if you really want to, but realize that you'll be handicapping yourself by doing so. There are simply shots you might get on elk that you could take with no issues whatsoever with a 7mm Rem Mag, a 30-06, or a 300 Win Mag that won't be ethical with a 6.5 Creedmoor or a 6.5 PRC. Specifically, I think the 6.5 PRC and 6.5 Creedmoor are great at elk inside 250 yards on broadside or slightly quartering shots. You should avoid longer range or steeply quartering shots with those smaller cartridges.

[@tylarhaugan7908]

6.5 prc using 156 norma oryx bonded should do the job

[@joedropulich3664]

The 6.5 is a good elk cartridge, but first kill that elk with a 338 win mag before shooting it with the 6.5 Creedmoor. I'm just kidding of course, put a good bullet in the right place at a reasonable range, (300 yards or less) and the 6.5 c will kill an elk. But I will be sticking with a 300 win mag or a 338 win mag. I would throw in the 280 Rem. 30-06 and the 7mm Rem mag. I think that the 6.5 Creedmoor has had a lot of good marketing, or more folks would be hunting elk with the 260 Rem. and the 6.5x55 Swedish. But hey, that's just me, to each his own.

[@keithprinn720]

cant imagine having to choose between them the big one is too painful as a calibre but possibly might be shootable comfortably with the right outfit or with break or suppressor. if you need the win mag power then you find a way, I would have at least two rifles for different uses.

[@billbertagnoli4226]

I had a 300 win mag " Banfield" Rifle made. It weighs 11 lbs fully Loaded and scoped. Recoil is right At what you might expect from a 243. What about the weight? Who Cares. I get dropped off at a box Blind and sit with the rifle on a rest. No problem. I just don't carry it For a day walking the woods. That Job goes to a compact 7mm-08.

[@wraith2k82]

Why not have both? I do. Rem700 300 wm and Savage 110 in 6.5 cm.

[@carterthiessen2664]

I have both, I've shot deer with both. For whitetail the 300 is really not necessary. For ringing steel or punching paper the 6.5 has very similar trajectory and wind bucking characteristics for much less recoil so id prefer it. For putting bullets through elk or moose at extended ranges id much rather have a 300. For the perfect deer caliber, they're both outclassed by the classic 270 winchester.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Sounds like we're pretty much in agreement Carter!

[@strat1080]

I agree. My two rifles are chambered in 270 and 300 WM. The 270 is a great deer, sheep, and pronghorn round. I like it better than the 6.5 cm because the velocity is higher so the maximum point blank range is better. 99% of hunters have no business shooting farther than 400 yards. The 270 smokes the 6.5 cm in trajectory out to 400 yards. All this talk about high BCs really doesn’t make an impact at the ranges that most people actually hunt and shoot animals. In fact I find it annoying that people are more worried about accuracy and BC than terminal performance. I primarily shoot the Nosler Partition. It’s still the best hunting bullet out there. It’ll never blow up at close range like many of these high bc plastic tip bullets do and it will expand out to any distance I’d feel comfortable shooting a game animal with either my 270 and 300 wm. Again, I’m not a believer in shots past 400 yards. When you shoot that far the bullet start taking more than.5 seconds to reach the target. Animals aren’t paper targets. They make sudden movements. In reality most people I see at the range suck at shooting and really can’t utilize the advantages of high bc bullets.

[@benjaminreppond3114]

Precision beats power. And timing beats speed.

[@franknilica1652]

300 win mag

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Good deal!

[@johncreech9085]

300 win will sling a 180gr. 3160 fps...Guess you were trying to be nice to the 6.5 speedmore. Don't get me wrong I love 6.5mm and first bolt gun was an 1899 dated Swedish Mauser but if we're comparing rounds let's be fair and max boths potential.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

That was unfortunately a typo in my ballistics chart that I can't go back and fix. The 300 WM muzzle velocity with that 180gr Partition should be 2,960fps instead of 2,750fps. You can view the correct chart here: thebiggamehuntingblog.com/6-5-creedmoor-vs-300-win-mag/

[@seanburns4632]

No 6.5can beet a 300 wm . Bigger around means more damage. Just like a 300 can't do more damage than a 375 h&h but dead is dead no matter if it's a 22 or 510

[@hotramen5952]

your right, no one in their right mind would take a .300 to a match. cant beat them if they dont even show up.

[@dancruze]

Less recoil

[@serranodavid3247]

Just get a 30-006....!

[@heavydutyreviews1303]

Just an excellent presentation of the objective facts. Yes 6.5 Creedmoor is very accurate, but so is .300 Win Mag even at distance. 6.5 Creedmoor is long and a smaller diameter, hence it's accuracy. Less wind drag. Will I give up my .300 win mag for it? Not a chance in hell. It hits harder even at longer distance and is plenty accurate. It has more bullet mass, it has much more kinetic energy and is way faster. I don't mind recoil. Is 6.5 Creedmoor a blast to shoot? You betcha! Would I go grizzly hunting with it? Nope. I have dropped ol Griz with one shot from my Smith & Wesson model 1500 300 win mag though

[@userone1465]

Hey, just a question, does shooting a higher caliber (especially the .300 Win Mag) ruin the durability of the rifle faster over time compared to Creedmoor? If so, is it fixable or do we have to buy a new rifle? Sorry if that sounds dumb, I'm just getting started on rifles

[@ericeverson6822]

Love my 300 win mag

[@gregorypace2641]

.300 Win mag is for real men killing big animals and had 2x the power of the Creedmoor at 500 yards. the Creedmoor is for everyone else shooting paper.

[@Spanishfutbol2010]

I’m wanting a Bergara and I’m looking at either of these cartridges - do you guys know anything about the Bergara HMR?

[@aydenjordan6748]

I love my Bergara HMR in 300 WM

[@projectredbeard2199]

I hear a lot of good things about them but I bought on in 300wm and with factory ammo and handloads the best group it would give me is 4 inch at 100.... so I sent it back and got my money back, it just put a bad taste in my mouth. I don't know what was wrong with it, I noticed the barrel would get crazy hot after just a few rounds also. Maybe the barrel had a warp.. not sure.

[@joncox2682]

It’s called 300 WIN mag for a reason it just wins.

[@TrapperScottyAlaskan]

Those numbers ain't right? 200 grains is dropping more at 500 yards than 180s, or I need those particular 200 grain rockets for Alaska. Trapper scotty

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

They're right. Look at the details: that particular 200gr 300WM load is going 100fps faster at the muzzle and has a much higher BC than the 180gr load. If it were me, I'd hunt Alaska with the 180gr Partition (or a 200gr Partition) before I used that 200gr ELD-X though, regardless of the difference in bullet drop.

[@TrapperScottyAlaskan]

Ron corrected his numbers, they were wrong. I been using nosler partitions for 338, 300 win mags, 300 wsm and 06 since 1980 here in Alaska. They seem to work well at long range as well for me

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Who is Ron?

[@michaelgarrow3239]

I have been 7mm magnuming things to death for years. Have a 300 mag in the safe though. 6.5 for paper .300 mag for fur…

[@samsam18200]

My 6.5 is for fur!

[@kurtglo]

6.5 for paper? lol I've heard it all. Let's ask all the deer I have shot with the creed. They probably would have preferred that I just shot paper and not them

[@Grant-kj4eq]

I love the 300 win mag

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Me too!

[@MrHyde-dt1sx]

Comparing apples and oranges.

[@arogue469]

...and bananas are better than both.

[@peteperkins3859]

I've seen too many deer lost with the 6.5CM. I've even had a deer " come back to life" in the back of a pick up after a 6.5 head shot from 70 yds. Keep your 6.5 creedmore, Ill stick with my .300wm, I'm too old to chase a deer.

[@RonnieMacJr69]

6.5 boys get real butt hurt by older bigger better rounds 😂

[@kurtglo]

no, the older bigger ones are just jealous because they don't own one!

[@david4499]

6.5 is a varmint rd nothing more, I have a friend that took a great number of white tail and prong horn with a 22-250 that also was a bad idea. But he was an extraordinary rifleman that was capable of head shots at long range that doesn't make the 22-250 a deer round.

[@mikeborrelli193]

6.5 CM/140gr has more energy at 300 yards than .308 Winchester.. How exactly is that "Nothing more than a varmint round"?? Unless you're saying the 308 is unsuitable for anything other than varmints. In which case you might be a candidate for the short bus.

[@redrustyhill2]

6.5 cd has considerably more kinetic energy at 400yds than 308. Every mulie buck I've shot at 400yds with my 308 died fast. Every deer I shot with 223 died just as fast as deer I've seen hit with 300 win mag. 22-250 is a great deer round To call 6.5 creedmoor a varmint round is ignorant and not based in reality coming from someone with little to no real world experience.

[@jimmiekaelin4804]

I can think of nothing more useless in a SHTF situation then a 6.5mm chambered in anything. Quit trying to reinvent the wheel and stick with what works and what’s available on store shelves.

[@wademitchell7378]

Next up 243 vs 338 Lapua lol.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Haha. I'm thinking about doing a 223 vs 50 BMG or 22LR vs 50 BMG just for laughs...

[@TheSatchrox]

6.5 “needs more”

[@patrickgallagher4344]

This is a dumb comparison!!! I don’t understand why people are always comparing long action calibers to the 6.5 creedmoor!!! Everyone wants to compare the 270 to the creedmoor also! Why??? A fairer comparison would be to compare it to the 308 and 7mm08! If you’re long action cartridge doesn’t beat the creedmoor you better choose a different one!!!! lol 😂

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

If you watch the rest of my channel, you'll see that I compare darn near everything to the 6.5 Creedmoor. And yes, that includes the 7mm-08 and the 308. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!

[@G.B.A9067]

LIKE BOTH FOR MY WALL

[@raimol.6406]

Comparing a Ford Fiesta to a Chevy Caprice! Pointless blah, blah...

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks for your help boosting the signal a bit with your comment! :)

[@prudniksthumb3781]

6.5 is a GREAT varmint round 🧐

[@kurtglo]

when were deer and other big game considered varmints?

[@titomish5914]

Yea it’s dropping more game than many other rounds this day

[@SoTwissted]

NEMO Omen 300 Watchmen. Problem solved.

[@warriorwarrior6999]

6.8 western is overall better than both.