6.5 Creedmoor Load Data & Reloading Guide
Also known as: 6.5 CM, 6.5mm Creedmoor
About 6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor, introduced in 2007 by Hornady and developed in collaboration with Creedmoor Sports, represents a modern evolution in cartridge design, particularly focused on long-range target shooting. Rooted in the pursuit of optimizing ballistic coefficients for accuracy, the 6.5 Creedmoor offers a balance between moderate recoil and high ballistic efficiency, which has led to its swift rise in popularity among precision shooters and hunters.
Technically, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a short-action cartridge with a case length of 1.920 inches and an overall length of approximately 2.825 inches, compatible with a wide range of rifle platforms. The cartridge is typically loaded with .264-inch (6.5mm) diameter bullets. It is well-regarded for its outstanding ballistic performance, featuring a relatively flat trajectory and minimal wind drift in comparison to other calibers like the .308 Winchester, especially beyond 300 yards. Standard bullet weights for factory ammunition generally range between 120 and 147 grains, providing versatility for both target and hunting purposes.
For reloaders, the 6.5 Creedmoor offers several advantages. The cartridge's design includes a case with a 30-degree shoulder angle, which optimizes powder capacity and enhances repeatability in handloading. Furthermore, the cartridge’s moderate size allows for significant multiple load development opportunities, accommodating a wide variety of bullet styles and weights that can be tailored for specific tasks, such as hunting medium game or precision target shooting.
In terms of application, the 6.5 Creedmoor enjoys widespread acclamation in competitions, such as Precision Rifle Series events, and is also favored for hunting due to its capacity for delivering effective energy with manageable recoil. Its adaptability for reloaders, combined with superior ballistic properties, ensures its continued popularity in both casual and professional settings.
Technical Drawing
Based on C.I.P., the max. allowed case length is 1.920 in / 48.77 mm, the max. cartridge length is 2.825 in / 71.76 mm, and the max. allowed pressure is 63,092 PSI / 4,350 bar.
Technical Specifications
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Start CalculatingBrass Case Capacities
The following table shows the case capacity (Grains of Water) for brass in cartridge 6.5 Creedmoor where we have data (number of datapoints in brackets).
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Standard Load Data — 6.5 Creedmoor
Select your desired cartridge and bullet weight below to access the corresponding load table. From there, you can choose any listed load recipe and transfer it directly into the ballistics calculator for further refinement, optimization, and precision tuning.
.264 | 147gr | Hornady ELD Match
.264 | 140gr | Hornady ELD Match
.264 | 129gr | Nosler AccuBond Long Range
.264 | 120gr | Sako Powerhead Blade
.264 | 130gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos
.264 | 100gr | Sierra Hollow Point (HP)
.264 | 140gr | Hornady Match
.264 | 144gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target
.264 | 130gr | Berger VLD Hunting
.264 | 127gr | Barnes LRX BT
.264 | 105gr | CutEdge Maximus
.264 | 129gr | Hornady SST
.264 | 159gr | RWS TMR
.264 | 140gr | Hornady SST
.264 | 142gr | Sierra MatchKing
.264 | 140gr | Sierra MatchKing
.264 | 144gr | Lapua MaxRange Target OTM
.264 | 140gr | Berger Hybrid Target
.264 | 142gr | Nosler AccuBond Long Range
.264 | 139gr | Lapua Scenar
.264 | 120gr | Hornady CX
.264 | 140gr | Hornady ECX
.264 | 140gr | Sierra GameKing
.264 | 140gr | Berger VLD Hy Tgt
Subsonic Load Data — 6.5 Creedmoor
Subsonic load recipes with muzzle velocities below the speed of sound. Select a combination to view the full load table.
Community Loads — 6.5 Creedmoor
Here are some popular loads for 6.5 Creedmoor:
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| Bullet | Powder | Barrel (in) | Charge (gr) | Case Volume (GoW) | OAL (in) | Max. Pressure (psi) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M.264 | 100gr | Barnes TTSX BT (100gr) | Hodgdo CFE223 | 20.0 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.79 | 56,843 (90%) | 3104 | |
M.264 | 100gr | Barnes TTSX BT (100gr) | Hodgdo CFE223 | 16.0 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.79 | 56,843 (90%) | 2920 | |
.264 | 100gr | Barnes TTSX BT (100gr) | Hodgdo CFE223 | 16.0 | 40.0 | 52.5 | 2.79 | 43,862 (70%) | 2680 | |
.264 | 100gr | Barnes TTSX BT (100gr) | Hodgdo CFE223 | 16.0 | 41.0 | 52.5 | 2.79 | 47,245 (75%) | 2749 | |
.264 | 100gr | Barnes TTSX BT (100gr) | Hodgdo CFE223 | 16.0 | 42.0 | 52.5 | 2.79 | 50,865 (81%) | 2818 | |
.264 | 100gr | Hornady ELD-VT (100gr) | Winche StaBALL Match | 20.5 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.77 | 46,910 (74%) | 2867 | |
.264 | 100gr | Hornady ELD-VT (100gr) | Winche StaBALL Match | 20.5 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.77 | 43,625 (69%) | 2802 | |
M.264 | 120gr | Hornady CX (120gr) | Hodgdo VARGET | 22.0 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.83 | 60,858 (96%) | 2874 | |
M.264 | 120gr | Hornady CX (120gr) | Hodgdo VARGET | 22.0 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.80 | 59,466 (94%) | 2854 | |
.264 | 120gr | Hornady CX (120gr) | Vihtav N550 | 22.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.71 | 47,706 (76%) | 2736 | |
.264 | 120gr | Hornady CX (120gr) | Vihtav N555 | 22.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.71 | 39,255 (62%) | 2651 | |
.264 | 120gr | Hornady CX (120gr) | Vihtav N135 | 22.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.71 | 47,771 (76%) | 2651 | |
.264 | 120gr | Hornady CX (120gr) | Vihtav N555 | 22.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.71 | 30,870 (49%) | 2448 | |
.264 | 120gr | Hornady CX (120gr) | Vihtav N550 | 22.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.71 | 33,063 (52%) | 2434 | |
.264 | 120gr | Hornady ECX (120gr) | Reload RS 60 | 23.6 | ••.• | 52.3 | 2.83 | 53,235 (84%) | 2949 | |
.264 | 120gr | Lapua ScenarL (120gr) | Vihtav N135 | 22.4 | ••.• | 50.3 | 2.68 | 45,989 (73%) | 2612 | |
.264 | 120gr | Lapua ScenarL (120gr) | Vihtav N135 | 22.4 | ••.• | 50.3 | 2.80 | 43,288 (69%) | 2575 | |
.264 | 120gr | Lapua ScenarL (120gr) | Vihtav N135 | 22.4 | ••.• | 50.3 | 2.83 | 42,741 (68%) | 2569 | |
.264 | 120gr | Lapua ScenarL (120gr) | Vihtav N150 | 28.0 | ••.• | 51.0 | 2.69 | 32,010 (51%) | 2470 | |
M.264 | 120gr | Sierra Tipped GameKing (120gr) | Allian Reloder-17 | 24.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.83 | 60,878 (96%) | 3077 | |
M.264 | 120gr | Sierra Tipped GameKing (120gr) | Allian Reloder-17 | 24.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.83 | 60,453 (96%) | 3071 | |
M.264 | 120gr | Sierra Tipped GameKing (120gr) | Allian Reloder-17 | 24.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.83 | 59,570 (94%) | 3061 | |
M.264 | 120gr | Sierra Tipped GameKing (120gr) | Allian Reloder-17 | 24.4 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.83 | 59,112 (94%) | 3054 | |
M.264 | 120gr | Speer Gold Dot (120gr) | Winche 6.5 StaBall | 22.0 | ••.• | 52.5 | 2.78 | 59,038 (94%) | 2877 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The 6.5 Creedmoor has become one of the most popular modern rifle cartridges because it combines excellent long-range ballistics with relatively mild recoil and high accuracy. Developed by Hornady in 2007 for precision rifle shooting, the cartridge was designed to efficiently fire high-ballistic-coefficient 6.5 mm bullets. These bullets retain velocity well, resist wind drift, and maintain stable flight at long distances, making the caliber particularly effective for target shooting and long-range competition.
Another reason for its popularity is its efficient case design, which allows it to deliver strong ballistic performance without requiring excessive powder charges. Compared to larger cartridges with similar long-range capability, the 6.5 Creedmoor typically produces less recoil, allowing shooters to stay on target and observe impacts more easily. The moderate pressures and efficient powder use also contribute to relatively good barrel life, which is important for competitive shooters who fire large numbers of rounds.
The caliber has also benefited from broad industry support. Rifle manufacturers quickly adopted it across many platforms, and ammunition and component availability expanded rapidly. As a result, the 6.5 Creedmoor is now widely used for precision shooting, hunting medium-sized game, and recreational long-range shooting, making it one of the most versatile modern rifle cartridges available.
The number of times 6.5 Creedmoor brass can be reloaded depends on several factors, including load pressure, brass quality, rifle chamber dimensions, and how carefully the brass is processed during reloading. Under typical conditions, good-quality brass can often be reloaded about 5 to 10 times before it needs to be discarded. Premium brass brands and moderate loads may allow even more reload cycles if the cases are handled carefully.
The maximum pressure for 6.5 Creedmoor is 63,092 psi | 4,350 bar.
6.5 Creedmoor typically uses a Large Rifle (LR) primer.
The case capacity of 6.5 Creedmoor is approximately 52.5 grains of water (H₂O).