The 6.5 PRC and the 6mm Creedmoor are two long-range cartridges that have gained lots of popularity in recent years. They have gained popularity for a similar reason, long range shooting. As you can imagine it would only make sense to compare these two rounds to see which is better.
Here is the short answer:
The 6.5 PRC is a larger cartridge with a heavier bullet and greater muzzle velocity, making it better suited for longer-range shots and larger game. The 6mm Creedmoor, on the other hand, has a flatter trajectory and lower recoil, making it better suited for smaller game and target shooting at medium ranges.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, their history, their ballistics, and see how each caliber compares in-depth.
An In-Depth Look at the 6.5 PRC
The 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) was introduced by Hornady in 2017 as a long-range hunting and target shooting cartridge. This cartridge was designed by taking a 300 PRC case and necking it down to use a 6.5mm bullet. By doing this you have a cartridge that can use high BC bullet that are effective at cutting the wind and minimizing drop.
The 6.5 PRC is an excellent choice for long-range hunting and target shooting as it uses high BC bullets which are capable of holding their energy at long range. Because this round can hold its energy at long range without issue, it is a popular choice for hunting game such as elk, deer, sheep, or pronghorn.
There are two main downsides to the 6.5 PRC. The first is that it is hard on barrels. A 6.5 PRC can burn through a barrel in less than 1000 shots and is therefore going to be both costly and more of a hassle if you have to shoot a lot such as in long range target shooting. The other downside to the 6.5 PRC is that, while it is very popular now, it might not keep the reputation it has for being such a good cartridge and die out.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 6.5 PRC with a 140-grain Accubond:
| 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 |
An In-Depth Look at the 6mm Creedmoor
The 6mm Creedmoor was introduced in 2007 by Hornady as a competition as well as a medium game hunting cartridge. It is based on the 308 Winchester case, necked down to accept 6mm bullets. This round is known for being a light recoiling cartridge while maintaining good long-range performance.
The 6mm Creedmoor is a popular choice for long-range target shooting, varmint hunting, and long range hunting game like deer. It maintains 1000 foot-pounds of energy past 500, and, while it might not have a lot of muzzle energy, it does have great energy retention which is what makes it such a good long-range hunting cartridge.
The downside to the 6mm Creedmoor is that it is not a very established cartridge as the more popular 243 Winchester, which offers similar ballistics performance, was released about 50 years before the 6mm Creedmoor. This is going to lead to more expensive ammo prices and it will be harder to find rifles and rifle parts.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 6mm Creedmoor with a 107-grain boat-tail hollow point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3000 | 2138 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 2912 | 2014 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.5 | 2826 | 1897 |
| 150 | -0.9 | 1.2 | 2741 | 1785 |
| 200 | -2.9 | 2.2 | 2658 | 1679 |
| 250 | -6.1 | 3.5 | 2577 | 1577 |
| 300 | -10.7 | 5.2 | 2497 | 1481 |
| 350 | -16.6 | 7 | 2418 | 1389 |
| 400 | -24 | 9.3 | 2341 | 1302 |
| 450 | -33 | 12 | 2265 | 1219 |
| 500 | -43.8 | 15.1 | 2191 | 1140 |
In-Depth Comparison
When comparing the 6.5 PRC and the 6mm Creedmoor, it’s important to consider their differences in terms of ballistics, accuracy, recoil, and availability of rifles and ammunition.
Ballistics:
The 6.5 PRC has a larger cartridge case than the 6mm Creedmoor, allowing it to hold more powder and achieve higher velocities. This results in the 6.5 PRC having a flatter trajectory and more energy at longer ranges. Additionally, the 6.5 PRC uses bullets that are heavier than that which the 6mm Creedmoor uses, allowing it to retain and produce more energy.
Accuracy:
Both cartridges have a reputation for excellent accuracy, with many shooters achieving sub-MOA groups with factory or handloaded ammunition. However, the 6.5 PRC has a flatter trajectory as well as less wind drift than the 6mm Creedmoor so it will be more consistent down range.
Recoil:
Because the 6.5 PRC has a larger case and shoots a heavier bullet, it will have more recoil than the 6mm Creedmoor by about 6-7 foot-pounds. So shooters who will spend a long time at the range will desire the milder kick that the 6mm Creedmoor has.
Rifle and Ammunition Availability:
While the 6mm Creedmoor has been on the market longer, which would normally mean it is more popular, the 6.5 PRC is actually the more popular cartridge. This is because the 6.5 PRC is a more versatile cartridge that can be used for a wider variety of tasks while the 6mm Creedmoor is more a niche cartridge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the 6.5 PRC and the 6mm Creedmoor are excellent cartridges that offer shooters a variety of benefits. The 6.5 PRC is favored for long-range shooting due to its flatter trajectory and higher energy at longer ranges, while the 6mm Creedmoor is known for its mild recoil and excellent accuracy, but is a less popular niche cartridge.