6.5 Creedmoor ballistics come down to one trait: long, high ballistic coefficient bullets that hold velocity and resist wind. This guide gives Hornady’s published 24-inch figures for the 140 gr ELD Match and 143 gr ELD-X, then Chattahoochee Munitions calculations for the 18-inch and 24-inch barrels on the CM10 6.5 Creedmoor rifles that Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures.
How These 6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics Were Calculated
Muzzle velocities for 24-inch barrels are Hornady’s published test-barrel figures. The 18-inch velocities are estimates that assume a loss of 30 fps per inch of barrel; Chattahoochee Munitions does not load 6.5 Creedmoor and has no chronograph data for it. Trajectories were calculated with the bullet maker’s published G7 ballistic coefficients (0.326 for the 140 gr ELD Match, 0.315 for the 143 gr ELD-X), a standard ICAO atmosphere, a 200-yard zero, a 1.5-inch sight height and a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Your rifle, ammunition lot and conditions will differ, so confirm your own dope on paper.
6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics: 140 gr ELD Match
| Range | 24-inch velocity | 24-inch energy | 24-inch drop | 18-inch velocity | 18-inch energy | 18-inch drop | Wind drift, 10 mph (24 / 18) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2,710 fps | 2,283 ft-lb | -1.5 in | 2,530 fps | 1,990 ft-lb | -1.5 in | 0 / 0 in |
| 100 yd | 2,570 fps | 2,052 ft-lb | +1.9 in | 2,395 fps | 1,783 ft-lb | +2.3 in | 0.5 / 0.6 in |
| 200 yd | 2,433 fps | 1,840 ft-lb | 0 | 2,264 fps | 1,593 ft-lb | 0 | 2.2 / 2.4 in |
| 300 yd | 2,301 fps | 1,646 ft-lb | -7.8 in | 2,137 fps | 1,420 ft-lb | -9.1 in | 5.0 / 5.5 in |
| 400 yd | 2,173 fps | 1,468 ft-lb | -22.1 in | 2,015 fps | 1,262 ft-lb | -25.8 in | 9.1 / 10.1 in |
| 500 yd | 2,050 fps | 1,306 ft-lb | -43.8 in | 1,896 fps | 1,118 ft-lb | -51.0 in | 14.7 / 16.2 in |
| 600 yd | 1,930 fps | 1,158 ft-lb | -73.8 in | 1,781 fps | 986 ft-lb | -86.0 in | 21.7 / 24.1 in |
6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics: 143 gr ELD-X
| Range | 24-inch velocity | 24-inch energy | 24-inch drop | 18-inch velocity | 18-inch energy | 18-inch drop | Wind drift, 10 mph (24 / 18) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2,700 fps | 2,315 ft-lb | -1.5 in | 2,520 fps | 2,016 ft-lb | -1.5 in | 0 / 0 in |
| 100 yd | 2,555 fps | 2,073 ft-lb | +1.9 in | 2,380 fps | 1,799 ft-lb | +2.3 in | 0.5 / 0.6 in |
| 200 yd | 2,414 fps | 1,851 ft-lb | 0 | 2,246 fps | 1,601 ft-lb | 0 | 2.3 / 2.5 in |
| 300 yd | 2,278 fps | 1,648 ft-lb | -7.9 in | 2,115 fps | 1,421 ft-lb | -9.2 in | 5.2 / 5.8 in |
| 400 yd | 2,147 fps | 1,463 ft-lb | -22.5 in | 1,989 fps | 1,257 ft-lb | -26.2 in | 9.5 / 10.6 in |
| 500 yd | 2,020 fps | 1,296 ft-lb | -44.6 in | 1,868 fps | 1,107 ft-lb | -52.0 in | 15.3 / 17.0 in |
| 600 yd | 1,897 fps | 1,143 ft-lb | -75.3 in | 1,749 fps | 972 ft-lb | -87.8 in | 22.7 / 25.3 in |
What 6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics Tell You
- Barrel length moves the whole curve. The 18-inch barrel gives up about 180 fps at the muzzle in this estimate, which adds about 7 inches of drop at 500 yards. Both are easy to dial for once you confirm your data. See 6.5 Creedmoor barrel length.
- Wind matters more than drop. Drop is predictable; wind is not. A 10 mph crosswind moves the 140 gr bullet about 15 inches at 500 yards from the 24-inch barrel, so reading wind is the skill that pays.
- Energy stays useful for deer. The 143 gr ELD-X keeps more than 1,100 ft-lb to 500 yards from either barrel in these calculations. Range limits for hunting depend on the bullet’s expansion velocity and your shooting, covered in 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting.
6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics Compared With 308 Winchester
Using the same method, a 168 gr 308 Winchester match bullet at Hornady’s published 2,700 fps drifts about 18.9 inches at 500 yards in a 10 mph crosswind, against about 14.7 inches for the 140 gr 6.5 Creedmoor bullet. The 308 carries more energy at short range; the 6.5 Creedmoor drifts less and recoils less. See 308 vs 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 vs 6.5 Creedmoor.
The Rifles Behind These 6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM10 6.5 Creedmoor in two lengths: an 18-inch 416R stainless barrel at 7 lb 14 oz and a 24-inch straight-fluted 416R barrel at 10 lb 4 oz, both with a 1:8 twist, rifle-length gas, a Superlative Arms adjustable gas block, an adjustable buffer and 5/8×24 muzzle threads. Chambers follow the SAAMI 6.5 Creedmoor standard, and the gas block is made by Superlative Arms.
More Variant Valley Guides
- What is 6.5 Creedmoor?
- 6.5 Creedmoor barrel length
- 6.5 Creedmoor twist rate
- 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting
- 7mm-08 vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- What is 7mm-08?
- 7mm-08 vs 308
- What is 338 Federal?
- 338 Federal vs 308
- 338 Federal vs 8.6 Blackout
- What is 358 Winchester?
- 338 Federal vs 358 Winchester vs 7mm-08
- 308 Winchester cartridge family
- 308 vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- 6mm ARC vs 6.5 Creedmoor
- 6.5 Grendel vs 6.5 Creedmoor
6.5 Creedmoor Ballistics FAQ
How much does a 6.5 Creedmoor drop at 500 yards?
With a 200-yard zero, a 140 gr ELD Match drops about 44 inches at 500 yards from a 24-inch barrel and about 51 inches from an 18-inch barrel in our calculations.
How much velocity does an 18-inch 6.5 Creedmoor lose?
Our estimate assumes about 30 fps per inch, or roughly 180 fps from 24 to 18 inches. Actual loss depends on the load and the barrel.
Are these chronograph numbers?
No. The 24-inch muzzle figures are Hornady’s published data; everything else is calculated and labeled. Chattahoochee Munitions does not load 6.5 Creedmoor.
What is the 6.5 Creedmoor ballistic coefficient?
It depends on the bullet. The 140 gr ELD Match has a published G7 BC of 0.326 and the 143 gr ELD-X 0.315.
Who makes a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle with a 24-inch barrel?
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM10 6.5 Creedmoor AR10 with a 24-inch straight-fluted 416R barrel, and an 18-inch version.