The 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 30-06 Springfield comparison is interesting, as these cartridges were created over 100 years apart. They’re often used for identical purposes, although one clearly outperforms the other in specific situations.
By the end of this article, you’ll know which cartridge is better for your situation and why that’s the case. Let’s get started.
Difference Between 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06 Springfield
There are many significant differences between the 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06 Springfield, including specifications, recoil, trajectory, and stopping power.
As you continue reading, you’ll discover how each cartridge performs in real-world situations. Let’s begin by examining the differences in cartridge specs.
Cartridge Specs
The 6.5 Creedmoor is based on the 30 Thompson Center. It fires a bullet with a diameter of 0.264" from a case with a neck diameter of 0.295" and base diameter of 0.470”. The 6.5 Creedmoor’s case is 1.92” long. The cartridge’s overall length is 2.825”. The 6.5 Creedmoor has a case capacity of 52.5 grains H2O and SAAMI maximum pressure requirement of 62,000 psi.
The 30-06 is based on the 30-03 Springfield. It fires a 0.308” diameter bullet from a case with a 0.340” neck diameter and 0.471” base diameter. The 30-06 case is 2.494” long. The cartridge’s overall length is 3.340”. The 30-06 has a case capacity of 68 grains H2O and SAAMI maximum pressure of 60,200 psi.
The 30-06 is clearly the bigger cartridge. It fires a heavier projectile, and its larger case has more capacity for propellant. Let’s examine how these physical differences bear on the 30-06’s performance relative to that of the newer 6.5 Creedmoor.
Recoil: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. 30-06 Springfield
When comparing cartridges, it’s prudent to begin with their recoil. The cartridge that kicks harder isn’t just more powerful. It also causes more muzzle flip, which can lead to less accurate rapid fire.
If you plan to shoot in competitions, then you might experience the problem of shoulder wear. The softer your rifle thumps your shoulder, the less discomfort and fatigue you will feel. Gentler recoil can also help you avoid losing accuracy as the result of reflexive flinching.
“Felt recoil” is subjective. Two shooters may agree that one round kicks harder than another, but their agreement wouldn’t constitute anything objective or measurable. “Free recoil” is the opposite. It can be calculated based on four variables: projectile weight, propellant weight, muzzle velocity, and firearm weight.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has about 18.5 ft-lbs of free recoil energy when firing a 143 grain bullet from an 8-pound rifle.
The 30-06 Springfield has about 23 ft-lbs of free recoil energy when firing a 150 grain bullet from an 8-pound rifle. The 30-06 typically fires heavier projectiles at higher velocities. Unsurprisingly, it has more recoil.
The 6.5 Creedmoor’s lower recoil wins this section.
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