Two popular cartridges in recent years are the 300 Blackout and the 6.5 Creedmoor. Both of these rounds have their unique features that have set them apart from other cartridges making them a popular choice for shooters. However, these two rounds are seldom compared even though they both compete in the market and are often manufactured in the same rifle platforms with similar applications.
Short Answer:
The 300 Blackout is a cartridge better used for close range applications out of short barrel or suppred rifles. The 6.5 Creedmoor is better for long range shooting and hunting as it has better energy retention and better long range ballistics.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look at each cartridge in-depth, their ballistics, their best uses, and how they compare in-depth.
In-Depth Look at the 300 Blackout
Developed to provide the AR-15 platform with more stopping power than the 5.56mm NATO, the 300 Blackout, has gained popularity for its ability to offer exceptional performance out of short-barreled or suppressed rifles.
The 300 Blackout’s short-range stopping power as well as its capability to shoot bullets as heavy as 220 grains make it an ideal cartridge for close range engagements or hunting. Unlike the 556 NATO, the 300 Blackout has enough energy to be able to effectively take deer sized game at close range.
The downside to the 300 Blackout is that it lacks energy at longer ranges. If you are hunting or shooting under 200 yards then this will not be an issue. But if you desire to shoot further accurately you will want to look at a different cartridge.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 300 Blackout with a 150-grain boat-tail jacketed soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 1900 | 1202 |
| 50 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1810 | 1091 |
| 100 | 0 | 1.6 | 1724 | 990 |
| 150 | -3.6 | 3.5 | 1641 | 897 |
| 200 | -10.3 | 6.1 | 1561 | 811 |
| 250 | -20.5 | 9.4 | 1484 | 733 |
| 300 | -34.7 | 13.7 | 1411 | 663 |
| 350 | -53.5 | 19.1 | 1344 | 602 |
| 400 | -76.9 | 25.3 | 1282 | 547 |
| 450 | -105.6 | 32.4 | 1225 | 500 |
| 500 | -140.2 | 40.6 | 1174 | 459 |
In-Depth Look at the 6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed with precision shooting in mind. It is made to be a more long range effective version of the 308 Winchester its parent cartridge. Where the 6.5 Creedmoor gets its long range capabilities from its long slender 6.5mm bullets that have high BC which lend it well to keeping its energy.
For hunting game like deer, hogs, or pronghorn it is hard to beat the 6.5 Creedmoor. It has a lot of energy for its size, minimal recoil, is easy to find in stores, and is extremely versatile. This round is especially popular for newer shooters as its tame recoil makes it a less intimidating cartridge to shoot.
There aren’t many downsides to the 6.5 Creedmoor as it is a well rounded, popular cartridge. However, the one issue that you could run into is ammo not being available due to just how many people own and are buying 6.5 Creedmoor rifles and ammo.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2750 | 2351 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.2 | 2647 | 2177 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.8 | 2546 | 2014 |
| 150 | -1.2 | 1.7 | 2447 | 1861 |
| 200 | -3.8 | 3.1 | 2350 | 1717 |
| 250 | -8.1 | 5 | 2256 | 1582 |
| 300 | -14.1 | 7.4 | 2163 | 1455 |
| 350 | -21.9 | 10.3 | 2073 | 1336 |
| 400 | -31.7 | 13.7 | 1985 | 1225 |
| 450 | -43.5 | 17.5 | 1899 | 1121 |
| 500 | -58 | 22.1 | 1816 | 1025 |
In-Depth Comparison
Ballistics:
The 300 Blackout’s ballistics are optimized for short to medium ranges. It performs exceptionally well with subsonic loads, making it a preferred choice for suppressed firearms or home defense. However, the 6.5 Creedmoor out at longer distances performs the 300 Blackout due to its superior ballistic coefficient and much better energy retention.
Versatility:
The 300 Blackout is a more specialized cartridge than the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 300 Blackout is really only meant for close range shooting, while the 6.5 Creedmoor can be used for long range shooting and close range shooting.
Recoil:
Because of the larger cartridge size and volume of the 6.5 Creedmoor, it will have more recoil than the 300 Blackout. However, this is not to say that the 6.5 Creedmoor has a lot of recoil as almost all shooters will be able to shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor with no issues.
Availability:
While both of these cartridges are popular, the 6.5 Creedmoor has seen more commercial success than the 300 Blackout because of its versatility and better long range ballistics.
Conclusion:
Choosing between the 300 Blackout and the 6.5 Creedmoor depends on your specific needs. If versatility, compactness, and short range shooting are your primary uses, the 300 Blackout is the better round. For those prioritizing long-range precision and accuracy, the 6.5 Creedmoor is the clear winner.