243 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
Side-by-side ballistics comparison computed from our ballistics engine. Standard conditions: sea level, 59°F, 10 mph crosswind, 100 yard zero.
243 Winchester
105gr Hornady BTHP — 2920 fps — BC 0.5
6.5 Creedmoor
140gr Hornady ELD-M — 2710 fps — BC 0.646
Bullet Drop Comparison
| Range (yds) | 243 Win Drop (in) | 6.5 CM Drop (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | -3.2 | -3.8 | -0.6 |
| 300 | -11.7 | -13.4 | -1.7 |
| 400 | -26.4 | -29.6 | -3.2 |
| 500 | -48.3 | -53.3 | -5.0 |
| 600 | -78.5 | -85.1 | -6.7 |
| 700 | -118.4 | -126.4 | -8.0 |
| 800 | -169.7 | -178.2 | -8.5 |
| 900 | -234.4 | -242.0 | -7.5 |
| 1000 | -315.0 | -319.3 | -4.3 |
Energy & Velocity Comparison
| Range (yds) | 243 Win Vel (fps) | 6.5 CM Vel (fps) | 243 Win Energy (ft-lb) | 6.5 CM Energy (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2731 | 2569 | 1738 | 2052 |
| 200 | 2549 | 2433 | 1515 | 1840 |
| 300 | 2375 | 2301 | 1315 | 1646 |
| 400 | 2208 | 2173 | 1136 | 1468 |
| 500 | 2047 | 2049 | 977 | 1305 |
| 600 | 1893 | 1930 | 835 | 1158 |
| 700 | 1747 | 1815 | 712 | 1024 |
| 800 | 1610 | 1705 | 604 | 903 |
| 900 | 1483 | 1600 | 513 | 796 |
| 1000 | 1367 | 1501 | 435 | 700 |
Wind Drift Comparison — 10 mph Crosswind
| Range (yds) | 243 Win Drift (in) | 6.5 CM Drift (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.6 | 0.5 | +0.1 |
| 200 | 2.5 | 2.2 | +0.4 |
| 300 | 5.9 | 5.0 | +0.9 |
| 400 | 10.9 | 9.1 | +1.8 |
| 500 | 17.7 | 14.7 | +3.0 |
| 600 | 26.4 | 21.7 | +4.7 |
| 700 | 37.4 | 30.4 | +6.9 |
| 800 | 50.8 | 41.0 | +9.8 |
| 900 | 66.8 | 53.5 | +13.4 |
| 1000 | 85.9 | 68.1 | +17.8 |
Comparison Verdict
Flatter Trajectory
243 Winchester drops 5.0" less at 500 yards (48.3" vs 53.3"), providing a meaningfully flatter trajectory for mid-range shooting. This translates to less scope adjustment and a larger point-blank range, which matters in hunting scenarios where quick shots are needed.
Energy Retention at 1000 Yards
6.5 Creedmoor retains 265 ft-lb more energy at 1000 yards (700 vs 435 ft-lb), offering greater terminal performance at extended range. For hunting applications, most experts recommend a minimum of 1000 ft-lb for deer-sized game — check the energy table above to see where each cartridge crosses that threshold.
Wind Drift at 500 Yards
6.5 Creedmoor drifts 3.0" less in a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards (14.7" vs 17.7"), making it more resistant to wind deflection. Wind reading is typically the largest source of error in long-range shooting, so lower wind sensitivity directly translates to more consistent hits at distance.
Verdicts derived from computed data at standard conditions (sea level, 59°F, 29.92 inHg, 50% humidity). Actual results vary with ammunition, barrel length, and environment.
243 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor FAQ
Which has less bullet drop, 243 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor?
At 500 yards, 243 Winchester drops 48.3 inches while 6.5 Creedmoor drops 53.3 inches under standard conditions with representative match loads. 243 Winchester provides the flatter trajectory, requiring less scope adjustment for mid-range shots.
Which handles wind better, 243 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor?
In a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards, 243 Winchester drifts 17.7 inches while 6.5 Creedmoor drifts 14.7 inches. 6.5 Creedmoor is more wind-resistant, which is a significant advantage since wind reading is the largest source of error in long-range shooting.
Which retains more energy at long range, 243 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor?
At 1000 yards, 243 Winchester retains 435 ft-lb while 6.5 Creedmoor retains 700 ft-lb of kinetic energy. 6.5 Creedmoor delivers more terminal energy at extended range, which matters for hunting applications where minimum energy thresholds determine ethical shot distances.
Individual Caliber Data
View detailed load presets, drop charts, and ballistic performance data for each caliber.
Run Your Own Calculations
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