What makes the 6.5 Creedmoor such a great long range shooter?

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Dearhunter61

New member
I've heard and read quite a bit about how accurate the 6.5 creedmoor is at very long distances. But what makes it so?

I own a 6.5 Swede, both shoot the same bullets and there really doesn't seem to be much difference in powder capacity between the two. So what makes the creedmoor a better long range shooter?

Guys, this is not a bash the creedmoor thread so please don't. I'm just looking for the facts, just the facts mam.
 
6.5 Swede is an excellent round, I would have gotten one, but I could not find a new rifle with a 1-8 twist. Due to this fact, I went with the 6.5 Creedmoor.

It's accuracy is reported to come from its 30 degree shoulder, longer neck, and shorter case length (compared to the .260 Remington). The case is also "blown out" and when combined with the 30 degree shoulder allows for the case capacity to be near identical to the .260 Remington. The shorter length of the cartridge also allows for the long .264 bullets to be seated out further. Which is very helpful when confined to AR-10 magazines.
 
the creedmoor is designed for accuracy, something about the angle of the case shoulder, the length of the neck and things like that...
I think its also a little faster then the swede which makes it flatter shooting of course.
 
I'm not sure the creedmoor is inherently more accurate than the 6.5x55 mm. The 6.5x55mm has been used in target rifles here and in scandinavia, and if I recall correctly, the remington 40-X was one of the target rifles so chambered.

As everyone has said, the creedmoor works in short actions and can use heavier bullets without undue intrusion in the powder space. I think it is pretty much an improved 6.5-.250 savage and just comparing the two cartridges, the 6.5x55mm should have more powder space. I would expect higher velocities from the 6.5x55mm, if the two cartridges were loaded to equal chamber pressures.

I really like the creedmoor, and hope that I didn't miss the boat. I think the ruger 1-A in 6.5 creedmoor, would have been a perfect whitetail rifle. For now, if I run across a new ruger 77 hawkeye or savage predator in 6.5 creedmoor, I intend to get one. I think it is a well balanced cartridge.
 
Hammie, I think you are correct. The 6.5x55 SE is just as accurate of a round as the 6.5 Creedmoor. If you handload and have a modern action you can easily outperform the Creedmoor and you start to get into 6.5x284 performance. Lapua has loading information for 6.5x55 SE modern actions on their Vihtavuori site.

The lineage of 6.5 Creedmoor goes: 30-06 -> .250 Savage -> .22-250 -> 6mm XC -> .30 T/C -> 6.5 Creedmoor. It is never too late to get on 6.5 Creedmoor boat!
 
What makes the 6.5 a 'better' long range shooter? Better than what exactly?
The 6.5 creed makes a good long range cartridge because it is loaded with relatively high BC bullets, that are pushed to more than decent velocities, generating mild recoil, using reasonable amounts of powder, and it can fit in a short action with long for caliber bullets.
It seems to becoming the new 'fad' but that doesn't necessarily mean it's 'better' than other 'long range' cartridges. It's an efficient, well balanced cartridge.
 
I do not like short actions. I have a Rem 660 in 6mm and the short action prevents loading bullets out to get the best performance. I suspect the 6.5 Creedmoor suffers from the same problem in short actions. I would want it to be able to get max performance from 140 gr bullets if desired.

Jerry
 
@Mr. Geo: Thanks for the lineage. I had forgotten about the 30 T/C.

Handloader magazine has had several articles through the years giving higher performance load data for the 6.5x55mm, but I didn't know about the Vihtavuori source. I have a remington 700 classic, chambered for the 6.5x55mm and so I will definitely look, as you suggested. And actually I'm still finding vihtavuori powders on the shelf right now.
 
I suspect the 6.5 Creedmoor suffers from the same problem in short actions. I would want it to be able to get max performance from 140 gr bullets if desired.
Click to expand...

The 6.5 case allows you more bullet seating depth options as the case is shorter.... Something that the 260 remington doesn't offer with 140 grain bullets...
 
What makes the 6.5 Creedmoor accurate? That the only rifles chambered for it are new manufactured products which also shoot 308 Win accurately.

It is a good design. However it is nothing special in terms of ballistics as compared to the 6.5 Swede or 260 Rem. I would have no problem choosing any of the 6.5's for a match or hunting rifle as they are all capable of outstanding accuracy. The sharper shoulder angle of the Creedmoor will help with brass life over the 260 Rem, but unless you reload that isn't much of an issue.

Jimro
 
There are 30 caliber bullets with the same, high BC as what 26 caliber ones have. Sierra's 240-gr. HPMK, for example.

Note the 6.5 Swede was popular in 300 meter free rifle competition until Sierra Bullets introduced its 30 caliber 168-gr. match bullet. Since then, 26 caliber bullets lost favor until the 1990's when the longer ones could be made to shoot as accurate as their shorter ones.

The Swede's case was a bit too long for its diameter for best accuracy.
 
Basically, what everyone else is saying. The BC of those bullets is fantastic for their weight, that plus the ability to seat it were your 'sweet spot' is for your rifle is. Make it popular, oh, that And it's the latest, coolest thing in the gun rags. Personally, I don't see much difference between a factory 6.5 creedmore and a custom target. 260 rem
 
There are 30 caliber bullets with the same, high BC as what 26 caliber ones have. Sierra's 240-gr. HPMK, for example.
Click to expand...
True enough, but one could argue, that the 6.5 is 'better' because it'll generally have less recoil firing a 140grain, than a .30cal firing a 240 grain. And if the 240 grain bullet leaves the muzzle at a lower velocity than a 140grain with an equal BC the 240 grain bullet has a longer flight time, which means it's spending more time being pushed by the wind.
If that 240 grain gets pushed to 2400fps it's got 68.53'' wind drift @ 1000yards. If you took that same bullet, in the same conditions, but hypothetically pushed it 400fps faster, to 2800fps, it only has 55'' of wind drift @ 1000yards.
 
JD0x0, I agree, 26 caliber bullets have less recoil than the 30's and that makes them easier to shoot accurately.

But the 26 caliber ones with cases about the same size as a .308 Win. have half the barrel life as a .308 Win.; often less. There are compromises one needs to make.
 
The straight 284 or one of the magnums shooting the 180 grain Bergers seems to be the cartridge to beat this year in F Open shooting, where competitors select a cartridge for long range shooting, and can choose whatever they want.
 
My current 1k rifle is .284 Win.
My replacement for it when re-barrel time rolls around is a 7 WSM necked down to 6 with a shoulder modification.
I still have a few rifles stashed in the safe as back ups. 6.5X284 is no slouch, mine is borderline needing a new barrel.
 
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