[kilotanker22]

I have been shooting the 6.5 Creedmoor since 2009-2010. I have shot varmints to include coyotes, ground hogs, 1 pig, several deer and many thousands of targets downrange. I did not start loading for it until a few years ago, and never really got into loading really precise ammo until about the same time.

On deer and the one pig I shot with a Creedmoor I have never had any trouble with penetration. Everything I have shot with it has died within 30 yards of where I shot them.

As mentioned above, it really does not do anything that another cartridge could not accomplish. What it does very well is offer a balance of desirable features. Low recoil, easy accuracy (most of the time), wide selection of bullets available and seemingly now out selling the 308 WIN and other staple cartridges. Support within the industry is out pacing other cartridges as well.

I would not feel under equipped taking the 6.5 Creedmoor with a 140-150 grain bullet after everything in North America with the exception of the great bears of the north.

I also own a 308 and although both cartridges will accomplish the same feats, here is a small comparison and the reason I shoot the 6.5 more often than my 308 rifles.

With the 6.5 Creedmoor I am shooting a 145 grain bullet with a G7 BC of .352 at 2760 fps. Energy at the muzzle is 2452 Ft lbs. The sectional density is .297.

With the 308 I am shooting a 175 grain bullet with a G7 BC of .254 at a velocity of 2660 and sectional density of .264. Energy at the muzzle for the 308 is 2749.

So the 308 has 300 ft lbs more energy at the muzzle than my 6.5 Creedmoor, but by 300 yards the Creedmoor has more velocity and energy than the 308 load. At 300 yards the Creedmoor has 1833 ft lbs and the 308 has 1813 ft lbs. So by 300 yards the 6.5 Creedmoor, in this case has more energy, with a lighter bullet.

Assuming a 9 pound rifle the Creedmoor has a recoil velocity of 9.67 fps and a recoil energy of 13.09 ft lbs. The 308 load would have a recoil velocity of 10.92 fps and a recoil energy of 16.68 ft lbs. That is a 27% increase in recoil energy from the 6.5 Creedmoor to the 308.

The 308 bullet will drop 10 inches more than the 6.5mm bullet at 500 yards. At 500 yards with a 10mph crosswind at 90 degrees, the 308 will drift 7 inches more than the 6.5 Creedmoor.

All of these things can be accounted for. The Creedmoor does nothing that similar short action cartridges don't also accomplish. However, in my opinion, the 6.5 Creedmoor does it better