223 vs 6.5 Creedmoor

The .223 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor are two fully capable rifle cartridges. While there is plenty of overlap, each is suited for specific situations and purposes.

In short, the 223 is faster than 6.5 Creedmoor. The Creedmoor, however, maintains a higher percentage of its velocity downrange and typically packs a much heavier punch than 223 Remington. (It delivers about twice the energy at 200 yards.)

If you’re looking for a varmint control rifle or something you can use on medium to small game, the 223 might be a better fit because of its lower price point. If you’re headed out to wide open country and need to bag an elk, look for the power and precision offered by the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Now, let’s dive in with a deeper investigation into the .223 Remington vs 6.5 Creedmoor. We’ll look at all the major performance statistics, but first let’s take a moment to understand the market conditions and physical differences for these two rounds.

.223 Rem vs 6.5 Creedmoor: Specs

	.223 Remington	6.5 Creedmoor
Released	1962	2007
Bullet Diameter	.224 inches	.264 inches
Neck Diameter	.253 inches	.295 inches
Base Diameter	.376 inches	.4703 inches
Case Length	1.76 inches	1.92 inches
Overall Length	2.26 inches	2.825 inches
Bullet Weights	Roughly 35 to 80 Grains (55 standard)	About 100 to 145 grains
Typical Firearm	AR-style modern sporting rifles.	AR and bolt-action rifles

Market Conditions

For some shooters, especially high-volume target-shooting gun owners, market condition is the most important factor. Gun users want to know that a variety of ammo will be available and that this ammo can be purchased at a fair price.

The market for .223 Remington is, frankly, more buyer-friendly. That’s not to say that the 6.5 Creedmoor is rare and expensive, but .223 Remington ammo is one of the most popular and well-established cartridges on the planet. As such, virtually every manufacturer offers at least one .223 option, while many offer a variety of .223 rounds for various purposes.

 

In addition, the .223 Remington is almost always more affordable. For example, when this article was written the lowest-cost .223 Remington was about half what you could find a round of 6.5 Creedmoor for. (Note: Ammo prices for example only and do not reflect a price offer. For current pricing see our site.)

Size and Shape Differences

You learn a lot about the two cartridges by simply holding them in your palm. These two rounds are clearly different in size; 6.5 Creedmoor ammo is noticeably larger in every dimension, including bullet diameter, case size, and overall length. It also packs heavier bullets, which go as high as 145 grains. The .223 Remington, which was never intended as a thumping large-caliber option, has a standard weight of 55 grains.

 

But how do these differences play out for speed, energy, and accuracy? Does one have a stiffer recoil? To find out, let’s dive into ballistics and a sample of rounds.

.223 Remington vs 6.5 Creedmoor: Ballistics

How do these rounds compare for velocity, energy, and other important factors? To find out, let’s look at a small selection of ammo. We’ll examine two products, a .223 and a 6.5 Creedmoor, from three different manufacturers. This small sample should provide a starting picture of the rounds’ capabilities.

	Muzzle Velocity (fps)	200-yard Velocity
.223 Remington 55-grain Semi-Jacketed SP Sellier & Bellot	3,301	2,375
6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain Semi-Jacketed SP Sellier & Bellot	2,658	2,240
.223 Remington 55-grain VOR-TX Barnes Bullets	3,240	2,353
6.5 Creedmoor 120-grain VOR-TX Barnes Bullets	2,910	2,470
.223 Remington 69-grain MatchKing Sierra	2,900	2,316
6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain MatchKing Sierra	2,675	2,344

Experienced shooters are not surprised by these results. One of the reasons that the .223 Remington is so popular is because of the excellent velocity stats, which help the cartridge deliver accuracy, distance, and ballistic performance.

The first comparison group provides a good display of the “typical” bullet weights. The 55-grain .223 Remington has a muzzle velocity of 3,301 feet-per-second (fps); the 6.5 Creedmoor is no tortoise, but the muzzle velocity can’t keep up with the .223.

Knowing that the .223 would be faster, we wanted to see what might happen when the 6.5 Creedmoor is packed with lighter bullets, not the typical 140-grain or 150-grain rounds. Sierra gave us a chance with their 107-grain MatchKing round. The manufacturer lists a muzzle velocity of 3,000 ft-lbs, showing that it can keep up when loaded with a lighter projectile.

Winner: .223 Remington

Energy Comparison

	Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)	200-yard Energy
.223 Remington 55-grain Semi-Jacketed SP Sellier & Bellot	1,330	689
6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain Semi-Jacketed SP Sellier & Bellot	2,195	1,559
.223 Remington 55-grain VOR-TX Barnes Bullets	1,282	676
6.5 Creedmoor 120-grain VOR-TX Barnes Bullets	2,257	1,626
.223 Remington 69-grain MatchKing Sierra	1,288	822
6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain MatchKing Sierra	2,224	1,708

Again, the results are not surprising. The 6.5 Creedmoor, which has heavier bullets and a larger case, delivers more power to a target than the .223 Remington. It’s not a close victory, as the 6.5 Creedmoor holds muzzle energies that are roughly 1,000 ft-lbs stronger than the .223 Remington.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is more powerful down range as well. With energies over 1,500 ft-lbs at 200 yards, it’s strong enough for medium-sized game hunting at this distance.

Winner: 6.5 Creedmoor

Trajectory

200 Yard Drop

	Drop at 200 yards when zeroed to 100 yards
.223 Remington 55-grain Semi-Jacketed SP Sellier & Bellot	2.4 inches
6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain Semi-Jacketed SP Sellier & Bellot	3.8 inches

300 Yard Drop

	Drop at 300 yards when zeroed to 200 yards
.223 Remington 55-grain VOR-TX Barnes Bullets	7.9 inches
6.5 Creedmoor 120-grain VOR-TX Barnes Bullets	7.4 inches
.223 Remington 69-grain MatchKing Sierra	8.35 inches
6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain MatchKing Sierra	8.35 inches

You might assume that with higher speeds, the .223 Remington would have a straighter trajectory. However, the 6.5 performs admirably, delivering trajectories that are close to the .223 and, in one comparison, exactly the same.

Take the Sellier & Bellot products as an example. The difference in drop between the two is about an inch and a half. An experienced shooter, who knows how to adjust for distance, can handle this difference; they can easily place a 6.5 Creedmoor on target.

So while the .223 Remington does have straighter trajectories, it’s hardly a runaway victory.

Recoil

Recoil is one of the most difficult factors to measure, but in general we can say that the 6.5 Creedmoor, which has more muzzle energy, will deliver a more forceful impact into your shoulder. For some, this is not a concern, but for others it’s a factor that could impact their ammo decision.

.223 Remington vs 6.5 Creedmoor: Which is the Right Choice?

Choosing the right ammo can be tough, but if you consider your preferred activities, and understand the capabilities of each round, you can make the right choice.

The .223 Remington is ideal for:

• High-volume shooting
• Distance target shooting
• Varmint control

If you want an affordable, accurate round that can be used for varmint, coyote, and smaller game animals, the .223 Remington is a popular option.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is ideal for:

• Larger game animals
• Long-distance hunting

While the .223 is capable of harvesting a variety of animals, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a better choice for larger game.

If you expect to harvest deer, pronghorn, or even black bear at 200 or 300 yards, you’ll be happier with the 6.5 Creedmoor. Regardless of your choice, you’ll find affordable ammo options right here at ammoman.com!