6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Barrier Test: No More Debating 

Biggest take away for me is that if I ever need to build a barricade for protection it should be built with sand bags

I own both. My .308 is for midrange targets, and my 6.5 is for long-range targets. They both have their purpose. Infantry leads the way!

I have shot them both. As a 70 year old, I really prefer the lower recoil of the 6.5. It is easier to shoot more rounds comfortably .

The 6.5 was designed as a ballistically superior bullet at distance. Less drop, less spin drift, things like that. So unless you're going to 600 yds and further, both cartridges will perform essentially the same

There's a lot of animosity towards the 6.5 Creedmoor simply because some owners refuse to admit that the .308 can be outperformed in certain areas. The .308 delivers more energy on impact within 500 yards, making the 6.5 Creedmoor more effective beyond that range. However, for hunting purposes below 500 yards, the 6.5 Creedmoor is more than sufficient, and there's no practical difference in application. The ONLY valid argument against the 6.5 Creedmoor is that it has less availability, sometimes making it more challenging to find, especially in survival scenarios.

I own both, but one point to consider is, you are getting almost identical results between both cartridges all while the 6.5cm has about 30% less recoil.... that with the superior distance ballistics makes it the clear winner.

I don't own either, but it would probably be the 308 because of available ammo, period. The testing was impressive for both depending upon the bullet specs and speed. Comparable bullets and speeds would give comparable results, I think. Very close.

Honestly both cartridges are good, i like the fact you can make 6.5cm out of used or new .308 brass...so get both! Just reuse military surplus ammo if you can find it cheap. Id be interested in knowing what you thought about felt recoil from the same basic gun setup. Also long range shots with high bc bullets(say 600, 750 and 1000 yards). I own one of them...dont really have a preference as to which caliber though. To each his own

What were the specs on those rounds? I don't think you mentioned what loads you were using. That first .308 round probably tumbled because you almost went under the wood block. It probably resulted in irregular pressure on the bullet, causing the tumble. I think it's more of a shooter error problem than an issue of the round itself. The way the .308 annihilated the plywood on Test #3, it really should have won Test #3. This was a definite win for .308 in my not so humble opinion.

Barriers is bullet construction specific not necessarily cartridge specific. Anytime we shoot through barriers to eliminate a target we use bonded bullets.

The 6.5 is better for reaching out farther with less bullet drop; that being said the 6.5 shines more at longer distances. The .308 is slightly larger and has a little more energy on target within shorter distances than the 6.5 but that gap is bridged and surpassed at longer distances where the .308 loses energy faster and the 6.5 starts to retain more energy at those longer distances. This test was based more on terminal energy on target within a very short distance for these rds, so I am not surprised that the .308 did slightly better. However, out past say 600 meters the 6.5 starts to shine over the .308 and since both these rds are not considered anti-material rds but rather anti-personnel or more suited for "soft" targets, coupled with the fact that the rds are similar in diameter and ability to create similar wound cavities on a soft target, then it goes without sayingt that the 6.5 would be superior on a soft target if only because of the ability to hit that soft target more reliably and consistently at longer distances. This is the same type of advantage in "repeatable hittability" that we see in a .300 NORMA over a .338 LAPUA at longer distances.

It would be interesting to see it done at distance. By distance I mean like 300, 500, and 700 yards.

Outstanding video. I own 308's and my buddies keep telling me to get a 6.5. I am a NO on that. Love to see a rematch on this some how. The old saying 30 cal brush bucker. Meaning a 30 cal bullet goes through a tree limb or tree trunk and retains more mass than any other bullet. Love to see if you could duplicate or test that some how.

Shot placement man. This test is bananas

I went with 6.5 because after a day at fhe range plinking i like the 6.5 recoil better. Also ammo price is the same or in some cases cheaper for 6.5 now and avalibility in my area is better for 6.5 Plus if you buy ammo properly you dont have to worry about availability.

Been waiting for your next vid, man! Darn cold here in Wisco…but still waiting on you!😂😉

I have both, load both and shot both at distance. The 6.5 needmore with a 147gr @2828 gives over 1000 fpe at 800 yards. Better than a 357 mag at the muzzle. That would be plenty for whitetail if one put in the time behind the weapon in the weather and shooting positions expected. Thats if the weapon is capable of the accuracy. I have shot the 308 and 6.5 creed to 1200 yards. Love my 308......but for range the 6.5 creed has less recoil and it is easier to see impacts. This is with my handloads and my rifle. Other's may have different experiences. Best part of all this is we have the freedom to choose!

Would love to see how 158 grn +p 38 spcl and 180 grn 357 magnum do through the sand box, using Buffalo Bore or Underwood hard cast lead. Those are the two rounds my wife and I carry in the spring up here in black bear country. Your videos are always fun. Thanks.

Enjoyed the video! I’m guessing you hear this a lot, but you have a great voice and with a voice like that, you should be a radio announcer.

Thank you sir for confirming 308 win is the champion!

Thank you for your service Paul.

I have both calibers and I'm very successful with both. I'm very happy with both.

Well, I’m a .308 guy. I hunt with my AR-10 chambered in .308 and a Savage Arms bolt action .308. So I am biased. I don’t have a 6.5 Creedmore, but I do have a 6.5 Grendel.

I own both calibers, I shoot both . The real truth to these are the applications of. The bullet type, conditions , with desired effect. The 308 has many variables in bullet weights , over the CM. I do have 160gr. RN for the CM. Each caliber has its advantages. So only by conditions can one choose for application. If in question, or doubt, I go bigger, like 7mm, 30-06, even 25-06. I would like to get 150-160 gr RN for the 308. I haven't yet

The 2550 fps on the creed was anemic. Even in my 18” Sig Cross I’m running 2750 fps. Let’s test some good loads!!!

I would like to see you do the same test at a further distance.

I been deer hunting with 6.5 for years it’s precise ! I also love the 308 also time tested I think creedmoor is more consistently accurate Granted my bolt 6.5 and m1a 308 may be the reason I have that opinion

Nice video. The 308 tumbling was caused by shot placement in the wood. 308 is clearly the winner. 308 is better at everything other than recoil. 6.5 cm does shoot softer. But its not even the best at shooting softer. 308 class cases you have the 22-250, 22 cm, 243 etc for those recoil sensitive individuals. I own a 6.5 cm. I own lets just say more than 1 308.

Why am I even subbed to this channel? I mean 8 inches of sand will stop almost anything. Also Creedmoor shoots flatter at longer distances and holds velocity better. 6.5 wins

.308 wins it didn't just go through the concrete and the plywood it blew the plywood apart. the 6.5 almost did the same but didn't quite deliver as much energy.

Cost difference is also a factor. looking at different sites 308 is about 15 to 20 cents cheaper and TBH I dont see enough of a difference to move to the 6.5. Im an old schoo guy that learned to shoot on the 308. Ill stay with this cartridge for a mid range rifle.

.308 had my vote. You should repeat the tests at 200 yds just confirm the .308 as winner.

Bro I love your channel great videos. You remind me of one of the dudes off The American Pie movies. I bet your a wild man when you hit the ole bottle

I have not watched this video because I do not care. I have been shooting 308 ever since 1971, when Uncle Sam handed me an M14. Over 35 years of NRA High Power and firearms competition. Eleven NRA Gold Medals and trash cans full of trophies. I got a High Overal Gold at a Hastings shoot with four Army snipers in the group. The pit crew was getting peeved because I kept shooting their pasters😊. 600 actual yards, 17 tens, two nines and one high out 7. I got rattled when I reached for another round and noticed a bunch of folks behind my with their scopes. That is when I got the 7. I am 72 now and I think it is time for me to build another 308 competition rifle.

If you need it to fly, 6.5 wins, especially past 1000 yds. If you need more impact on target out to 1000, 308 wins.

One poor shot with the .308 and a tumbling bullet doesn’t go through the steel (the other bullet did) and you give the 6.5 the win? That’s bananas!

Yes the 6.5 Creedmore caused a split in the wood after the concrete, but the 308 shattered both. How is that a tie? Is there a bias for the 6.5?

6.5 cm was literally designed as a long range precision target round. it was meant to hit targets, paper or steel, it will kill, yes. but .308 was designed specifically to kill

I've trusted the 308 for 3 decades and will continue to

Long-range holdovers is the only benefit of the 6.5 creed. when you get into long ranges, your holdovers are less.

Regarding the box of sand, why don't you try several thinner boxes (like post office flat boxes) lined up so you can actually determine how deep the rounds go in the sand?

im new to guns and riffles and i really appreciate this channel for these test its really fun..lol and funny/Hilarious/Hysterical

Great radio voice.

The 308 tear apart the 3/4" plywood after passing through the steel plate. The 6.5 just put a hole in it.

3rd round definitely went to 308 way more destruction! I would say they were tied going into round 4

tie breaker should be the concrete test. 6.5 went through but barely split it. .308 exploded everything.

As a hunter seeing what it did after the concrete (animals shoulder) and bringing true energy to that plywood is what I want for trauma The 6.5 is faster out the barrel but doesn’t carry the energy over 100-400 yards at speed like .308 almost 300 fps faster than 6.5

Calibers are like children. I own many different ones and love them equally. Buy what you can afford and become proficient at using it no matter what size!

Has anything gone through the sand ever? I heard that mud walls stopped 25mm Autocannon ammo, and that's quite close in composition perhaps.

Ive trusted .308 for 4 decades and im sticking with it. Its just a great cartridge.

You should have reshot the 308 on the first test. Tumbling was due to shot placement. Not the ammo's fault

Sorry to say I don't think the concrete test was a draw the 308 totally demolished the plywood I'd say it got much bigger energy I results at the end. Just my opinion love your videos keep on making them

I'm a big .30-'06 fan, but that .308 just seems to perform way better than the numbers indicate it should. It doesn't quite have the ring to it when spoken, but it's easier to type as well. I think the CM has a lot of use for a very limited number of people who can exploit the advantages it has at longer ranges. The .308 is plenty of gun at all the ranges most of us can shoot.

Your 308 test on the 6" wooden block should have been invalidated as you hit so close to the edge. That would have caused the bullet to tumble. You should have made another shot away from the edge. (;-) TP

Have you considered a target consisting of 16, 1/8” plates, spaced by a 1/4”?

Still keeping the 308 over a 6.5

308 still has a lot going for it. This old man will stick with it. Great presentation kid! Subscribed!

Cheated against the 308 on the first concrete block test... did far more to the plywood than the 6.5

You cheated the 308 I will take it over 6.5 everyday.

Another thing about the .308 is how common and available it is.

Hello again from Russia. I just recently asked to sift the sand to see what the bullets look like. Thank you, this is a very interesting activity. Good luck to you.

Sadly both cartridges are far superior then the average shooters ability. I spend much time in our local gun shop and I hear some real BS..I use a 308 because I have for decades. Also I live off grid in Alaska and hunt with a marlin guide 45/70 for meat.

In the first test the .308 that tumbled also hit near the bottom edge of the plate which allowed the plate to bend more than if it had hit farther away from the edge This greater deformation means that the bullet is less likely to penetrate compared to if it had hit closer to the center of the plate. Being that it hit sideways it still likely would not have made it through but it was still unfair due to the placement.

I have to take into consideration availability and cost ...... so.......308 in my humble opinion.

You should test 6.5 prc if you can. For me it is what the 6.5 creedmoor should've been. As for the 6.5 cm vs .308 out of a bolt gun i don't thing the 6.5 has enough advantages to justify the increased cost and at long range (800+ meters) you might want to have something more powerful than either of the two. So for me the .308 is the winner.

Something happened to the 308 in the wood test and I think if you shot the groups again they would both be a tie. Might have hit a knot inside. Also I bought my AR from midway because they sponsor your channel and also helps they have the lowest prices anywhere along with a 10% discount for first time buyers.

308 wins it. I owned a 6.5 Creedmoor in 2008 , before the fad caught on, and had a hell of a time finding ammo in Montana on an Elk hunt. So, i sold it and have never regretted it. 308 can be found at any bait shop and mom and pop hardware store in most locations.

to be fair, shooting 140 6.5 vs 147 308 actually isnt fair. in soft tissue, 308 needs 20 grains more than 6.5 to stay equal. so, technically you could argue that you were gimping the 308 by shooting lighter and that 308 would have likely "beaten" 6.5 in all of these "tests". i love 6.5 but 308 still has its uses, although everything great about 308 can be had in a 300 blkout or you can get best of both with a 7mm-08

.308 wins!!

308 demolished the 3/4 " plywood and the creedmoor only cracked it severely

Their both incredibly similar in 130gr loadings. @400yds the 6.5cm starts to surpass the 308 Win in retained energy due to better B.C.

Both cartridges are fantastic. Let's not forget about the 7mm-08 too

Since Mr. Winchester reminded us to like, introduction to performing better my vote is for the 308

I Shoot the 308 and 6.5 CM, and they're both great cartridges, but the 6.5 was developed for a longer range than the 308. I think you should repeat the test using reinforced concrete and also use hardened steel plates. If you repeat the test using what you used in the first testing, then shoot it from 200 and 300 yards and see how they perform. I'm not sure what range you are testing from, but I'm sure that at 200, 300 and even 500 yards would show their true performance. Just my opinion. By the way, Great Videos!

I find myself at any given moment saying *ITS TIME TO GRIND* 😂 then my family looks at me like im crazy 🤪

6.5 Creedmore = $2.50 a round. 308 = $0.65 a round. .308 wins All hogs hit with either round declined to vote. Draw All deer hit with either round also declined to vote. Draw Parts availability for custom builds - much more Choice for .308. .308 wins Reloading component availability .308 again. .308 wins Small brain bragging rights. 6.5 Creedmore wins So there you have it. The .308 is the hands down winner.

An video idea is to use the same caliber with different projectile weight

I liked the long range idea of the Creedmoor, but I will be sticking with the 308 until they release the full military power 277 Sig Fury to the civilian market.

The major 2 differences are, bullet drop at distance 500yds+ and recoil of the rifle. Both will do everything the other can do.

Thank you I'm always glad to see your videos. This same test at 300 to 500 yds might show more discrepancies. And would be fun to watch. Some of your other comparisons at further distances also. Kinda like recycling videos but it's still new content

The cement test was a +25 for .308. it WAY more busted up the wood, than the 6.5CRD.

This was cool using the same barrel lengths for both catridges. Now, I'd love to see this same thing, but with both catridges running the same or similar velocities. The 6.5 was 7gr lighter and 200 fps slower. Would be cool to see how much of a difference the velocity itself makes.

I believe the 308 won 🏆 I think the 308 happened to hit a knot or something in the wood. And that's the only reason why the 6.5 Creed more got the wind there

Another informative and entertaining video👍. I always learn something watching these videos…even if it’s only realizing I’m supposed to be working🤣

Cool test but I don't think it's fair to compare these without taking cost and availability into consideration. You've got a similar performance, but the 308s cost is a fraction of the 6.5C and you can find them everywhere. Not to mention the guns themselves, much bigger variety of options.

A third shot from the 308, closer to the center, would have confirmed one of the other shots and would have confirmed a winner or a tie for the first round. It would have also confirmed the 308 the winner overall 😬😆

Also you called the concrete test a draw no way 308 did way more damage

Why was the Creedmoor so much slower? Isn’t it based on the same case & capable of the same powder capacity?

Not a fair test at all. In short range like this the 308 will outperform the 6.5 creed. But in long range, 6.5 creed was actually designed to beat the 308. I would say if you're gonna hunt in close range lets say up to 200-300 yards (I'll have to take a look at the ballistic chart) probably the 308 is better. After that 6.5 starts to beat it due to the better bullet coefficient.

Great channel! If I could make a suggestion, when you are shooting sand I think you should make a series of thinner boxes with sand that totals 8 inches. I’d fill each box with sand then space one inch apart, or so, between each box. This will hopefully give better comparison and results. Finally, I also have a device I’m working on for ballistics tests and when done I’d love to possibly send one for you to consider trying? Hopefully, it’ll be ready in a couple months if all goes well here.

6.5 shines more at distance; this is true of both the Creedmore and Grendel. The real question would be what either of those rounds do compared to .308 at like 200-300 yards, depending on load, barrel, etc. At that close a distance the rounds are, unsurprisingly, almost identical. That said I still love your video and channel; thanks for your work!

i am sure others have pointed it out but dang. Dude’s voice is just fantastic and amazing with that baritone bass quality

From the tests I’d vote the 308. The 308 won the 3rd test no question.

I'd say the 308 won because of the damage caused to thr plywood on the concrete test.

Very honest comparison. I have studied some ballistics comparisons on the two. The 6.5 CM surpassed the .308 in energy right at 700 yds. The 6.5 CM projectile is long, and is more stable in flight so makes have less drift at longer ranges. You cannot dispute the fact that .308 Win is not better energy wise but 6.5 CM is a very accurate and gives the .308 a run for it's money. The plywood flying apart is not definitive, it's shaved wood sheets glued together. I still can't figure out why folks are hating on 6.5 CM it's just another available option for shooters. They are not going to come and take away your man card...

The 6.5 Creedmoor rage is still going strong, what I like about the 308W is it likes my barrel and I like it. I can easily expect over 5000 rounds from a barrel. Depending on the shooter for the 6.5 Creedmoor, you can expect half that.

.308. The CM is simply a cartridge made for competition shooting. Sure, you can use it for other stuff. Obviously. But it was DESIGNED for competition shooting. .308 (well- the 7.62x51 anyway) was designed for warfighting. It's going to do a lot of things well.

I've noticed on the sand test that you dont usually get rounds passing through fully. So if there was some way you could shoot sand and then review how far each round got that may be more helpful! maybe like a bunch of little boxes of sand in a larger box. Not sure, probably doable though! Might change the results by getting something other than a draw.

Interesting! I have both calibers and taken whitetail with both around the 250-300 yard mark, though 6.5cm falls a little short for me on producing gud blood trails, the better bc of the 6.5cm bullet needs to be able to create better expansion, bullets just pass through! but for now it a great paper puncher!

Really like the .308, enjoy your tests, thanks