A side by side comparison of 6.5 Grendel vs 6.5 Creedmoor with an in-depth ballistics comparison and more.
Two relatively new cartridges, the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.5 Creedmoor are often compared and sometimes confused. But these are two very different rounds, and while they can be used for similar purposes, each has its own niche.
6.5 Grendel vs 6.5 Creedmoor: The Major Differences
| 6.5 Grendel | 6.5 Creedmoor | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2003 | 2007 |
| Bullet Diameter | .264 inches | .264 inches |
| Rim Diameter | .44 inches | 0.473 inches |
| Case Length | 1.52 inches | 1.92 inches |
| Total Length | 2.26 inches | 2.825 inches |
| Bullet Weight | 90 to 130 grains | 120 to 140 grains |
Gun Choice
Before you examine physical and performance differences, basic gun choice may guide your decision. The 6.5 Grendel is predominantly found in AR-15 rifles, which have become one of the most popular platforms in the country. The 6.5 Creedmoor, however, is largely found in bold-action rifles and AR-10 platforms.
Yes, the AR-10 is similar to the AR-15, but it’s usually heavier, longer, bulkier, and comes with fewer options for customization, upgrades, and conversions. If you are carrying the rifle long distances or climbing into a tall tree stand, you may appreciate the lighter versatility of the AR-15, in which case the Grendel would be your pick. (Learn more about AR-15s versus AR-10s here.)
Case Size
The size of the case (and the overall size) is probably the most noticeable physical difference between these two cartridges. While they carry bullets of diameters, the case of the 6.5 Creemoor is .4 inches longer than the 6.5 Grendel’s. In cartridges, this .4-inch difference is massive, making the round longer overall while allowing it to pack more propellant behind the bullet. This difference will be seen and felt when you begin comparing the performance of these rounds.
Bullet Weight
With larger case capacity, the round can also pack heavier bullets. In general, you will find 6.5 Grendel ammunition with bullets ranging from about 90 to 130 grains. The Creedmoor packs bullets as high as 140 grains or more. There is a lot of overlap, but the maximum bullet weight for the Creedmoor is larger.
More Ammo Options with Creedmoor?
While you can certainly find many excellent options for the 6.5 Grendel, gun owners using 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition will likely see more options from store shelves and online retailers. There just appears to be more factory choice for the Creedmoor than the Grendel.
6.5 Grendel vs 6.5 Creedmoor: Performance Comparison
| Ammo | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 500-Yard Velocity (fps) |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5 Grendel - 120 Gr. Federal Fusion | 2,600 | 1,485 |
| 6.5 CDMR - 140 Gr. Federal Fusion | 2,735 | 1,796 |
| 6.5 Grendel - 123 Gr. Hornady ELD-Match | 2,580 | 1,796 |
| 6.5 CDMR - 120 Gr. Hornady ELD-Match | 2,910 | 2,032 |
| 6.5 Grendel - 120 Gr. Remington High Performance | 2,590 | 1,728 |
| 6.5 CDMR - 140 Gr. Remington High Performance | 2,700 | 1,988 |
| 6.5 Grendel - 123 Gr. Hornady SST | 2,580 | 1,796 |
| 6.5 CDMR - 120 Gr. Hornady GMX | 2,925 | 1,977 |
It’s fairly clear that the 6.5 Creedmoor is the faster of the two rounds. In all four comparisons, for both muzzle velocity and velocity at 500 yards, the 6.5 Creedmoor had higher speeds. When the bullet size is similar, such as the ELD Match rounds from Hornady (123 vs 120 grain), the Creedmoor was over 300 fps faster. Even with heavier bullets (generally a heavier bullet will be slower under the same conditions), the Creedmoor had faster speeds.
Both, however, show excellent velocities. Although not the fastest rounds available, both maintained muzzle velocities over 2,500 fps, and even when they traveled 500 yards downrange, all but one had speeds over 1,700 fps. This demonstrates the usefulness of both rounds for long-range hunting and target shooting.
Winner: 6.5 Creedmoor
Muzzle Energy
| Ammo | Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 500-Yard Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5 Grendel - 120 Gr. Federal Fusion | 1,801 | 588 |
| 6.5 CDMR - 140 Gr. Federal Fusion | 2,308 | 1,003 |
| 6.5 Grendel - 123 Gr. Hornady ELD-Match | 1,818 | 881 |
| 6.5 CDMR - 120 Gr. Hornady ELD-Match | 2,256 | 1,100 |
| 6.5 Grendel - 120 Gr. Remington High Performance | 1788 | 796 |
| 6.5 CDMR - 140 Gr. Remington High Performance | 2,267 | 1,228 |
| 6.5 Grendel - 123 Gr. Hornady SST | 1,818 | 881 |
| 6.5 CDMR - 120 Gr. Hornady GMX | 2,280 | 1,042 |
With heavier bullets (usually) and faster velocities, it’s practically inevitable that the 6.5 Creedmoor is the more powerful of the two. We see this play out, as the Creedmoor once again outperforms the Grendel for muzzle and downrange energy. The power at 500 yards for this cartridge is particularly impressive. All four Creedmoor products that we looked at maintained over 1,000 ft-lbs of energy at 500 yards. This stat is particularly useful for hunters, as it shows the Creedmoor can be extremely effective at long distances.
The Grendel performs well, but for total power it’s simply outmuscled by the larger, heavier 6.5 Creedmoor.
Winner: 6.5 Creedmoor
Longrange Trajectory
Power and speed are not important if you can’t hit your target. While you can use both of these calibers for long-range shooting, it appears that the 6.5 Creedmoor maintains straighter trajectories. When zeroed to 100 yards, the 140-grain Fusion 6.5 Creedmoor from Federal drops 49.4 inches at 500 yards. Under the same conditions, the 120-grain Fusion 6.5 Grendel drops over 63 inches.
The same stats for the Hornady products show the 6.5 Creedmoor dropping almost 41 inches, while the Grendel drops over 51 inches. Both can be used for effective distance shooting, but it appears the 6.5 Creedmoor is better for long-distance shot trajectories.
Winner: 6.5 Creedmoor
Recoil
With higher power, the 6.5 Creedmoor will, in most cases, have a stiffer recoil. If you are a novice shooter or have a hard time handling more-powerful rifles, then the 6.5 Grendel may provide the smoother performance you prefer.
Winner: 6.5 Grendel
Choosing the 6.5 Grendel or the 6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor delivers faster speeds and more power to your shooting experience. It gives shooters excellent downrange performance. Thanks to high speeds and power at long ranges, you can rely upon it for medium-game hunting at 500 yards or more. It’s even trusted at distances of 1,000 yards by many shooters.
The 6.5 Grendel, however, is more suited for short and medium work. It makes a perfect option for owners of an AR-15 platform who want to upgrade their shooting. You can count on it during plenty of hunting expeditions, including sturdy whitetail and other medium-sized game.
Find Affordable 6.5 Ammunition Today!
Whether you hunt and shoot with 6.5 Grendel ammo, the 6.5 Creedmoor, or a different cartridge entirely, you’ll find the affordable ammunition you deserve when you visit ammotogo.com.
With a large inventory of rifle, handgun, and shotgun ammunition, we are your source for wallet-friendly rounds for hunting, target shooting, and personal defense.