Choosing the right caliber for your firearm can be a daunting task. There are so many options available that it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your needs. This article will compare two popular calibers, the 6mm Remington and the 6mm Creedmoor. We will examine the features of each cartridge and compare their performance in different hunting and shooting scenarios.
Here is the short answer:
The 6mm Remington has been around for much longer and has a longer case with a larger powder capacity, allowing it to shoot heavier bullets at higher velocities. The 6mm Creedmoor, on the other hand, is a more recent cartridge that was designed specifically for long-range precision shooting with lighter bullets.
With the short answer out of the way, we can look in depth at each cartridge like their best uses and their ballistics. We can also compare the two cartridges in depth to see which is better on a more precise scale.
In-Depth Look at the 6mm Remington
The 6mm Remington was introduced in 1955 as a commercial cartridge based on the military 7x57mm Mauser cartridge. It quickly gained popularity as a flat-shooting and accurate cartridge for varmint and small game hunting. The cartridge has a longer case and a larger powder capacity than the 6mm Creedmoor, allowing it to generate higher velocities and shoot heavier bullets.
The 6mm Remington can shoot bullets ranging from 55 to 105 grains, with the most popular weights being between 80 and 100 grains. With a 100-grain bullet, the cartridge can achieve velocities of around 3,000 feet per second (fps) from a 24-inch barrel. This makes it a great choice for hunting medium-sized game at moderate ranges, such as deer, antelope, and coyotes.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 6mm Remington with a 100-grain jacketed soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3100 | 2134 |
| 50 | -0.3 | 0.2 | 2962 | 1947 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.8 | 2827 | 1775 |
| 150 | -0.8 | 1.8 | 2697 | 1615 |
| 200 | -2.9 | 3.4 | 2571 | 1468 |
| 250 | -6.2 | 5.3 | 2448 | 1331 |
| 300 | -11 | 7.9 | 2329 | 1204 |
| 350 | -17.4 | 11 | 2212 | 1087 |
| 400 | -25.6 | 14.8 | 2100 | 979 |
| 450 | -35.8 | 19.2 | 1990 | 879 |
| 500 | -47.9 | 24.1 | 1883 | 787 |
In-Depth Look at the 6mm Creedmoor
The 6mm Creedmoor was introduced in 2007 by Hornady as a cartridge designed specifically for long-range precision shooting competitions. The cartridge was developed to shoot lighter, high-ballistic-coefficient bullets accurately at long ranges. The case is shorter than the 6mm Remington, but it has a sharper shoulder angle and a longer neck, allowing it to seat longer, streamlined bullets.
The 6mm Creedmoor can shoot bullets ranging from 55 to 110 grains, with the most popular weights being between 95 and 108 grains. With a 108-grain bullet, the cartridge can achieve velocities of around 3,000 fps from a 24-inch barrel. The cartridge has less recoil than the 6mm Remington, making it easier to shoot accurately at longer ranges.
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 Answer
When comparing the 6mm Remington to the 6mm Creedmoor, there are several factors to consider.
Recoil: The 6mm Creedmoor has less recoil than the 6mm Remington, making it easier to shoot accurately at longer ranges.
Bullet Selection: The 6mm Creedmoor was designed to shoot lighter, high-ballistic-coefficient bullets, while the 6mm Remington can shoot heavier bullets. This makes the 6mm Remington a better choice for hunting medium-sized game at moderate ranges, while the 6mm Creedmoor is a better choice for long-range precision shooting.
Availability: The 6mm Remington has been around for much longer and is more widely available than the 6mm Creedmoor. This can make it easier to find ammunition and components for reloading.
Cost: The 6mm Remington is generally less expensive than the 6mm Creedmoor, both in terms of ammunition and components for reloading.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 6mm Remington and the 6mm Creedmoor are both capable cartridges, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses that make them better suited for certain applications. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the 6mm Remington and the 6mm Creedmoor to compare their performance and help you decide which cartridge might be the better choice for your shooting needs.