There’s a Creedmoor cartridge for just about every shooting occasion. Given the SAAMI approval of Hornady’s .25 Creedmoor earlier this year, I thought it was time to document reloading considerations for all of the Creedmoor cartridges!
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Overview of the Creedmoors
I’ve loaded and built rifles for all of the Creedmoor cartridges: 6.5mm, 6mm, .25 Creedmoor, and .22 Creedmoor.
The Creedmoor family all started with the 6.5 Creedmoor which became SAAMI-certified in approximately 2007. Over the next decade, the 6.5 Creedmoor rose in popularity as people realized the benefits of the cartridge.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is optimized for long, high BC bullets, sports less recoil than a .308, and can beat a .308 at 1,000 yards. It accepts a 0.264” bullet ranging from 95 to 147 grains and is primarily used for hunting and target shooting. (You can go up to a 156 grain bullet but there is a point of diminishing returns.)
As with any new cartridge, reloaders began wildcatting. This first resulted in the 6mm Creedmoor.
This takes a 60 to 115 grain 0.243” bullet and is designed for varminting and target competition. Many PRS competitors transitioned from the 6.5mm to the 6mm for further recoil reduction, allowing them to better see their impacts and bullet trace.
It didn’t take long for ..22 Creedmoor and 25 Creedmoor to follow. Hornady and Horizon Firearms worked together to bring the .22 Creedmoor to life.
Primarily used for varminting it takes a 0.224” bullet weighing between 55 and 90 grains. In contrast, the .25 Creedmoor takes an 87 to 134 grain 0.257” bullet. SAAMI-certified in 2025, it splits the tradeoffs in recoil and long range ballistics between the 6mm and 6.5 Creedmoor.
Loading Considerations
Loading for the Creedmoor family of cartridges is just like loading for any other bottleneck cartridge — you need to have the appropriate equipment.
The 6.5 Creedmoor’s roots date back to the .260 Remington, a derivative of the .308 Winchester, thereby requiring a 0.472” shellholder/shellplate. Case heads can vary slightly in diameter, but in most cases, a .45 ACP shellplate can also be used. Keep this in mind if you are loading on a progressive press!
Cartridge overall length will vary for optimal results, but is bound by a 2.800” maximum, the same as .308 Winchester. It is possible to load a Creedmoor longer up to about 2.950”, but you will need an AICS mag without a binder plate to do so.
All the Creedmoor cartridges require large rifle primers by default, but small rifle brass is also available, with some tradeoffs.
If you are hunting, particularly in cold weather, I highly suggest using large rifle primers. Large rifle primers have more reliable ignition in lower temperatures. If you are a competition shooter looking to push the limits of brass life and pressures, small rifle primers are the way to go. (As always, be sure you have the correct brass for the cartridge and primer size you choose!)
Case length is 1.920” for 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, .25 Creedmoor, and .22 Creedmoor. In referencing SAAMI diagrams, all differences among the Creedmoor family of cartridges are isolated to the neck area and where the shoulder comes down to the neck.
Loading Data
DISCLAIMER: Data shown is for reference only, use at your own risk. The latest data is available from Hodgdon in their Reloading Data Center.
It is important to remember to NEVER start with a maximum load—you should always work your way up to it. I have previously done other load development and am showing maximum loads in this video, only to show the capabilities of each cartridge. Keep in mind that when selecting an optimal powder you want to be in the range of case utilization where the load begins to become compressed when the bullet is seated.
.22 Creedmoor
Below is the SAAMI chart for the .22 Creedmoor cartridge. It suggests an optimal 1:8 twist rate. I’ve also built a 1:7—it really comes down to the bullet you want to be able to stabilize.
If you want to use lighter bullets in .22 Creedmoor, you need a slower twist rate. Heavier bullets like Hornady’s 88 grain ELD-M are not at risk of blowing up from spinning too quickly, so a faster twist is fine for these. .22 Creedmoor sits right on the edge, which is what makes it so fun.
I referenced the latest data from Hodgdon in updating my powder burn rate chart, organized in order from fastest to slowest. I started with StaBALL 6.5 and ended with StaBALL HD. Both are ball powders designed for more consistent metering, particularly from progressive presses.
Looking at load data for light 40 grain bullets and heavy 90 grain bullets, I considered the average velocities.
6mm Creedmoor
The burn rate chart tells a different story for 6mm Creedmoor—the only overlapping powder between the heavier and lighter bullets was StaBALL 6.5.
Light bullets started with IMR 3031 and went to StaBALL 6.5. 
6mm Creedmoor Light Powder RangesThe heavier bullets started at IMR 4350 at the fast end and Ramshot Grand on the slow end.
Light 55 grain bullets had an average velocity all around 4,000 fps. With a load this fast, it’s important to be conscious of barrel heat and barrel life.
.25 Creedmoor
As the newest cartridge on this list, .25 Creedmoor is the cartridge we’ve loaded for the least.
It is also incredibly exciting with new longer, higher BC .25 caliber bullets on the market. (Stay tuned for more on this in the future!)
There was considerable overlap between powders compatible with light and heavy bullets for .25 Creedmoor.
Once again, the compressed loads are the ones to look the closest at.
6.5 Creedmoor
While some like to poke fun, you can’t really go wrong with a 6.5 Creedmoor. It is a versatile cartridge with lots of great factory ammunition and components available.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has two distinct collections of optimal burn rates.
As the 6.5 Creedmoor is at the center of the Creedmoor cartridge family, it’s no surprise that we have the most data for it.
This last chart alphabetically lists all 40 powders we’ve mentioned in this story cross-referenced with Creedmoor cartridges.
Green represents the most promising choices! Two powders show great results across the board—IMR 4831 and StaBALL 6.5.
Hodgdon’s Online Reloading Data Center has more than these 40 powders, but these are the ones with the most data that Hodgdon’s ballistician pointed me to.
Conclusion
The Creedmoor cartridge family is extremely versatile with very similar loading setups. Each cartridge does have a sweet spot, but some powders, like Winchester StaBALL 6.5 and IMR 4831, work well for all of them.
For optimal results, remember to find a safe load that fills the case capacity just enough so that the bullet compresses the powder upon seating. (Always reference multiple sources of manufacturer data!)
Get the Gear
Shop Hodgdon powders at Midsouth Shooters Supply
Be sure to check out these especially versatile powders!
Winchester StaBALL 6.5 at Midsouth Shooters Supply
IMR 4831 at Midsouth Shooters Supply
Hodgdon Online Reloading Data Center
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Thanks,
Gavin Gear
