For hunters and shooters, choosing the right cartridge for their firearms is a crucial decision. Two popular cartridges in the market today are the 264 Winchester Magnum and the 6.5 Creedmoor. Both cartridges have their unique characteristics and strengths that make them appealing to different types of shooters. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the 264 Winchester Magnum and the 6.5 Creedmoor, compare them, and help you decide which one to choose.
Here is the short answer:
The 6.5 Creedmoor is a moderate-powered cartridge that excels in accuracy and has gained popularity in long-range shooting competitions and is better suited towards deer hunters who prefer a lighter recoiling cartridge. The 264 Winchester has more power and better trajectory. However, this comes at the cost of extra recoil and is harder to find.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closely at each cartridge, their ballistics, and how they compare in-depth.
In-depth look at the 264 Winchester Magnum
The 264 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1958 and is based on the 338 Winchester Magnum case. This cartridge is a 338 Win Mag case necked down to a .264 caliber bullet. The cartridge has a reputation for being a flat-shooting, long-range cartridge that is suitable for hunting big game animals such as elk, moose, and bear.
The 264 Winchester Magnum’s high velocity and flat trajectory come at a price, though. The cartridge has significant recoil, making it difficult to shoot accurately, especially for beginners and smaller-framed shooters. This round also never really took off and can be hard to find in stores which is an issue for most shooters.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 264 Winchester Magnum:
| Range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 3030 | 2854 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2904 | 2622 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.7 | 2782 | 2406 |
| 150 | -0.9 | 1.8 | 2663 | 2205 |
| 200 | -3 | 3.2 | 2548 | 2017 |
| 250 | -6.4 | 5 | 2435 | 1842 |
| 300 | -11.4 | 7.4 | 2325 | 1680 |
| 350 | -17.9 | 10.4 | 2218 | 1529 |
| 400 | -26.2 | 13.9 | 2113 | 1388 |
| 450 | -36.4 | 17.9 | 2012 | 1258 |
| 500 | -48.7 | 22.5 | 1912 | 1137 |
In-depth look at the 6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor was introduced in 2007 by Hornady and was designed specifically for long-range shooting competitions. The cartridge has a moderate velocity and generally shoots high BC (ballistic coefficient) bullets which helps with accuracy and energy retention over long distances.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is most commonly used among deer hunters as it is a lighter recoiling round but it also has the energy to take deer-sized game at ranges within 400 yards. The other upside to this round is that it is very easy to find and there have been numerous rifles chambered in this cartridge. The downside to the 6.5 Creedmoor is that it has a very limited selection of bullet weights and loads so it is naturally less versatile.
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
When comparing the 264 Winchester Magnum and the 6.5 Creedmoor, it’s essential to consider their strengths and limitations.
The 264 Winchester Magnum’s high velocity and flat trajectory make it suitable for hunting big game animals at long distances. The cartridge’s significant recoil and excessive barrel wear, though, mean that it’s not ideal for beginners or shooters who prefer less recoil or want a rifle they could take to the range every day without issue.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has the advantage of being a lighter recoiling rifle cartridge and is fairly easy on barrels. So taking this to the range for a long day of shooting will pose no issue to your rifle. However, you will not have the energy to take game as large as elk.
Avaliblity and cost wise the 6.5 Creedmoor is by far the better option. It is far easier to find, costs less, and has a lot more rifle chamber for it. However, the 6.5 Creedmoor is limited in the variety of rounds as bullet weights will be between 120-150 grains.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing between the 264 Winchester Magnum and the 6.5 Creedmoor depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a high-powered, long-range cartridge that’s suitable for hunting big game animals, the 264 Winchester Magnum is an excellent choice. However, if you’re looking for a moderate-powered cartridge that is easy to find, the 6.5 Creedmoor is the better choice.