6.5 Creedmoor vs 7mm Remington Magnum
Side-by-side ballistics comparison computed from our ballistics engine. Standard conditions: sea level, 59°F, 10 mph crosswind, 100 yard zero.
6.5 Creedmoor
140gr Hornady ELD-M — 2710 fps — BC 0.646
7mm Remington Magnum
168gr Berger VLD Hunting — 2980 fps — BC 0.618
Bullet Drop Comparison
| Range (yds) | 6.5 CM Drop (in) | 7mm RM Drop (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -0.0 |
| 200 | -3.8 | -2.8 | +0.9 |
| 300 | -13.4 | -10.6 | +2.8 |
| 400 | -29.6 | -23.7 | +5.9 |
| 500 | -53.3 | -43.0 | +10.2 |
| 600 | -85.1 | -69.2 | +15.9 |
| 700 | -126.4 | -103.1 | +23.3 |
| 800 | -178.2 | -145.8 | +32.4 |
| 900 | -242.0 | -198.4 | +43.5 |
| 1000 | -319.3 | -262.4 | +56.9 |
Energy & Velocity Comparison
| Range (yds) | 6.5 CM Vel (fps) | 7mm RM Vel (fps) | 6.5 CM Energy (ft-lb) | 7mm RM Energy (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2569 | 2824 | 2052 | 2974 |
| 200 | 2433 | 2674 | 1840 | 2666 |
| 300 | 2301 | 2528 | 1646 | 2384 |
| 400 | 2173 | 2387 | 1468 | 2126 |
| 500 | 2049 | 2251 | 1305 | 1890 |
| 600 | 1930 | 2119 | 1158 | 1675 |
| 700 | 1815 | 1991 | 1024 | 1479 |
| 800 | 1705 | 1869 | 903 | 1302 |
| 900 | 1600 | 1751 | 796 | 1144 |
| 1000 | 1501 | 1639 | 700 | 1003 |
Wind Drift Comparison — 10 mph Crosswind
| Range (yds) | 6.5 CM Drift (in) | 7mm RM Drift (in) | Difference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.5 | 0.5 | +0.1 |
| 200 | 2.2 | 2.0 | +0.2 |
| 300 | 5.0 | 4.6 | +0.4 |
| 400 | 9.1 | 8.3 | +0.8 |
| 500 | 14.7 | 13.4 | +1.3 |
| 600 | 21.7 | 19.9 | +1.9 |
| 700 | 30.4 | 27.9 | +2.6 |
| 800 | 41.0 | 37.5 | +3.5 |
| 900 | 53.5 | 49.0 | +4.5 |
| 1000 | 68.1 | 62.4 | +5.7 |
Comparison Verdict
Flatter Trajectory
7mm Remington Magnum drops 10.2" less at 500 yards (43.0" 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
7mm Remington Magnum retains 303 ft-lb more energy at 1000 yards (1003 vs 700 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
7mm Remington Magnum drifts 1.3" less in a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards (13.4" vs 14.7"), 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.
6.5 Creedmoor vs 7mm Remington Magnum FAQ
Which has less bullet drop, 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm Remington Magnum?
At 500 yards, 6.5 Creedmoor drops 53.3 inches while 7mm Remington Magnum drops 43.0 inches under standard conditions with representative match loads. 7mm Remington Magnum provides the flatter trajectory, requiring less scope adjustment for mid-range shots.
Which handles wind better, 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm Remington Magnum?
In a 10 mph crosswind at 500 yards, 6.5 Creedmoor drifts 14.7 inches while 7mm Remington Magnum drifts 13.4 inches. 7mm Remington Magnum 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, 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm Remington Magnum?
At 1000 yards, 6.5 Creedmoor retains 700 ft-lb while 7mm Remington Magnum retains 1003 ft-lb of kinetic energy. 7mm Remington Magnum 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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