My 257 Bee will do 3500 fps with a 110 Accubond. BC .418
The creed will do 3020 with a 120 BT. .458 BC
You do the math
Hmmm. Ok�
Using those numbers and assuming MPBR zeros for a 6� diameter target (295 yards for the .257 Weatherby, 258 yards for the 6.5 Creedmoor) and 10mph crosswinds:
100 yards
6.5CM = 2855fps, 2173fpe, +2.55�, 0.46� drift
.257W = 3299fps, 2658fpe. +2.25�, 0.45� drift
500 yards
6.5CM = 2253fps, 1353fpe, -29.5�, 13.8� drift
.257W = 2579fps, 1624fpe, -19.1�, 12.6� drift
700 yards
6.5CM = 1982fps, 1047fpe, -84.0�, 28,9�� drift
.257W = 2259fps, 1246fpe, -59.0�, 26.2� drift
26� barrel
1000 yards
6.5M = 1617fps, 696fpe, -236.5�, 65.2� drift
.257W = 1822fps, 811fpe, -173.8�, 58.9� drift
Note that these numbers are for a 26� barrel for the .257W (Nosler @ 3480fps) and a 28� barrel for the 6.5 CM (Wikipedia, referencing Hornady data).
Also note that the Creedmoor burns far less powder (44.5g H414 @ 2960fps in a 24� barrel per Hodgdon) compared to the Weatherby (71.0g IMR7828 @ 3480fps in a 26� barrel per Nosler).
My personal choice for long range is a 6.5-06AI with 130g Swift Scirocco II�s, BC .571 @ 3161fps and a 24� barrel. Powder consumption is about 58g. It beats the 6.5CM in every category (fps, fpe, drop, drift, MPBR) and both in the wind drift category. At 600 yards it is a hair behind the Weatherby in fps (2410fps vs. 2416fps) but surpasses it shortly thereafter. In terms of fpe it starts out slightly behind the Weatherby (2644fpe vs. 2658fpe @ 100 yards) but quickly pulls ahead. At 700 yards the 6.5-06AI retains 1523fpe vs. 1246fpe for the Weatherby. The Weatherby shoots flatter (-19.1� vs -23.6� @ 500 yards, -59.0� vs. -67.4� @ 700 yards) but loses the drift race by about the same margins (12.6� vs 9.9� @ 500 yards, 26.2� vs. 20.3� @ 700 yards).
That�s a lot of ballistic gack as some would call it, but the facts are these:
1. For most jobs 6.5CM will do what needs to be done with less powder and a shorter, lighter and handier rifle than the .257 Weatherby.
2. The Weatherby is arguably a better choice than the 6.5CM for long range killing (ignoring any factors of personal preference regarding rifle characteristics and going only by velocity, energy, drop and drift).
3. Neither is ideal for all situations.
