We’re comparing and contrasting the 300 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor: two rifle cartridges designed for long-distance shooting. Let’s decide once and for all which cartridge you should take to the range and the field!
300 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor
Since the 6.5 Creedmoor and 300 Precision Rifle Cartridge are designed for similar purposes, we can expect them to be alike, albeit with subtle tweaks that can make all the difference…
Let’s begin with the cartridges’ specifications, and then compare the cartridges’ performance including recoil, trajectory, ballistic coefficient (BC), stopping power, and several others.
Cartridge Specs
You’ll have no problem identifying these two cartridges side by side, as the 300 PRC is almost 1 in longer than the 6.5 Creedmoor (300 PRC, 3.7 in; 6.5 Creedmoor, 2.825 in). The 300 PRC has a case length of 2.58 in; the 6.5 Creedmoor, only 1.92 in.
The 300 PRC’s base diameter is longer: 0.532 in, as opposed to 0.470 in for 6.5 Creedmoor. The 300 PRC’s large case has a higher capacity (77 grains H2O, as opposed to 52.5 grains H2O for 6.5 Creedmoor).
The bullets the two rounds fire also differ in diameter. The 300 PRC seats the American favorite 0.308 caliber bullet, whereas the 6.5 Creedmoor seats a 0.264 caliber bullet. The 300 PRC has a higher maximum pressure than the 6.5 Creedmoor (65,000 psi and 62,000 psi, respectively).
Let’s see how these specifications affect the cartridges’ performance.
Recoil: 300 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor
The less recoil you experience, the more accurate you can shoot. Less is always better when it comes to recoil (unless you’re a macho man who has to prove to the world just how tough you are by using a heavy recoil cartridge).
Shoulder wear is a real problem when shooting long matches or just out on the range for an extended time. The less your rifle thumps your shoulder, the less you will jerk the trigger (i.e. “recoil anticipation"), making you more accurate.
Felt recoil is a subjective term that varies from shooter to shooter, so it’s unreliable to base a decision on. Free recoil energy, on the other hand, can be measured empirically based on the projectile weight, propellant weight, muzzle velocity, and gun weight.
The recoil energy of the 300 PRC is about 36 ft-lbs when firing a 212 grain bullet at 2,860 fps from an 8 pound rifle.
The free recoil energy of the 6.5 Creedmoor is about 18.5 ft-lbs when firing a 143 grain bullet from an 8 pound rifle.
Because the 6.5 Creedmoor fires lighter projectiles at similar velocities, it has less recoil than the 300 PRC and wins this section.
Trajectory
Trajectory quantifies a bullet’s flight path as it travels downrange, measured in inches of bullet drop. It resembles an arch, as gravity begins pulling on the bullet when it leaves the barrel.
A flatter trajectory is generally preferred for firing across longer distances, as it requires the shooter to make fewer adjustments to remain accurate at various distances.
Keep in mind that a cartridge’s trajectory varies from load to load. For example, a 212 grain ELD-X 300 PRC bullet will drop -38.3 in at 500 yards when sighted in at 200 yards. A 190 grain CX bullet will drop -36.0 in at 500 yards when sighted in at 200 yards.
A 143 grain ELD-X 6.5 Creedmoor bullet will drop -44.4 in at 500 yards when sighted in at 200 yards. A 95 grain V-MAX bullet will only drop -34.8 in at 500 yards when zeroed at 200 yards.
The 300 PRC will typically exhibit a flatter trajectory, except in some extreme situations. It wins this section.
Accuracy: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 300 PRC
Determining a cartridge’s accuracy depends on several variables, such as the shooter, rifle and ammo combination, shooting conditions, recoil, and trajectory.
We’ll only consider each cartridge’s recoil and trajectory to ensure the comparison is as equal as possible.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has less recoil; therefore, recoil-sensitive shooters will often consider the 6.5 Creedmoor more accurate.
However, experienced shooters who are less affected by recoil will claim that the 300 PRC’s flatter trajectory makes it more accurate, especially at farther distances.
This section is a tie because each cartridge can be highly accurate (MOA “Minute Of Angle,” meaning your firearm shoots one-inch groups or better at 100 yards) in the hands of an experienced shooter.
Continue reading 300 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor: Which Is Better for Hunting and Target Shooting? on Ammo.com