.25 Creedmoor

01 / At a glance

The basics

Origin

United States

Introduced

2025

Ignition

Centerfire

Case form

Rimless, bottleneck

Diameter

6.5 mm

Case length

48.8 mm

Rounded values to help you identify the cartridge, not manufacturing drawings. See the cited standard for exact dimensions and tolerances.

A short history

Hornady announced the .25 Creedmoor in 2025. A SAAMI public introduction document for the cartridge is dated January 2025, with Hornady listed as the supplier of support products,. Trade coverage in August 2025 described it as SAAMI-accepted and based on a necked-down 6.5 Creedmoor case.

The SAAMI drawing lists a maximum average pressure of 62,000 psi, the same figure as the 6.5 Creedmoor, with a bullet diameter of .2575 inch and an overall length that can run from 2.575 to 2.825 inches. The barrel shown is a 1 in 7.5 inch right-hand twist with six grooves. Hornady loads to an overall length of 2.800 inches, which lets the cartridge feed from AICS-style magazines and fit in a short action.

One design note stands out. The freebore is 0.150 inch long and 0.2575 inch in diameter, and the case head height allows long bullets to sit without being seated deep in the case. That helps keep the powder capacity up. Hornady also offers modified brass and a range of die sets.

Why people shoot it

The first reason is the bullet. A .257 bullet is slim, and Hornady made long, high-BC bullets for it, including a 134 grain ELD Match and a 128 grain ELD-X. A 134 grain ELD Match leaves a 24 inch barrel at about 2,800 ft/s, and a 128 grain ELD-X at about 2,850 ft/s. That is a flat-shooting load with moderate recoil.

The second reason is the familiar case. A shooter who owns brass, dies and a rifle for the 6.5 Creedmoor knows how that case behaves. The .25 Creedmoor builds on the same head size and the same action length, so there is little new to learn, and the magazines of many 6.5 Creedmoor rifles work.

The third reason is the field result. Shooters who have used the cartridge at long-range matches report that it shoots well, and one writer who shot it at the Hornady Precision Rifle Challenge saw an average of 2,863 ft/s with the 134 grain ELD Match at high elevation. The cartridge is new, so the track record is short. It has been described as a promising idea more than a proven standard.

Specifications at a glance

Values are rounded for reference. The case length shown is that of the 6.5 Creedmoor parent case, and the sources used did not state it for the .25 Creedmoor, so confirm it in the SAAMI drawing. Velocities are Hornady figures from a 24 inch barrel.

Strengths and limits

The .25 Creedmoor is a mid-bore, short-action cartridge. These are the trade-offs to understand.

Honest advice: the 6.5 Creedmoor has far more rifles, ammunition and bullets, and it already shoots very well. The .25 Creedmoor makes sense if you like the bullet weights, want a little less recoil or more speed than a 6.5 Creedmoor gives with similar bullets, or enjoy a new cartridge. It is not an upgrade for most hunters who already own a good 6.5.

Bullet and ammunition choice

Hornady began with a 128 grain ELD-X for hunting and a 134 grain ELD Match for target use, and has pointed to a 138 grain A-Tip and a 117 grain InterLock as other weights. The range of .257 bullets from other makers is much wider for older .25 caliber cartridges, but it is smaller than for 6.5 mm.

Ballistics

The table and charts below show one factory load, a Hornady Match 134 grain ELD Match at 2,800 ft/s from a 24 inch barrel, with the rifle zeroed at 200 yards. It is a match bullet with a high ballistic coefficient.

Reading the numbers

With a 200 yard zero the bullet rises about 2 inches above the line of sight at 100 yards, returns to the line at 200 and falls about 7 inches at 300, 21 at 400 and 41 at 500. A 10 mph crosswind moves it about 5 inches at 300 yards, 9 at 400 and 14 at 500. Velocity drops from 2,800 ft/s at the muzzle to about 2,130 ft/s at 500 yards, and energy from about 2,330 to about 1,360 foot-pounds.

This is the profile of a 6.5 Creedmoor-class cartridge, with a flat arc and a modest drift in the wind. At 500 yards the bullet still carries about 1,350 foot-pounds, which is enough for deer-size game with a bullet that expands at that speed. For elk, check local rules and consider a heavier cartridge.

Recoil and shooter comfort

Recoil is moderate. In a rifle of 8 to 10 pounds, the .25 Creedmoor kicks about like a 6.5 Creedmoor, and a little less with the lighter bullet weights, and well below a .300 Winchester Magnum. Most adults shoot it well with a proper stock fit.

A new shooter will learn faster on a lighter cartridge. Use good hearing protection, and consider both plugs and muffs on the range. A muzzle brake cuts recoil while raising the noise for everyone nearby.

How to choose ammunition

Hornady makes the first factory loads. Match the bullet to the job, and test the load in your own rifle.

For hunting, choose a bullet made to expand reliably at the speeds the cartridge produces. For practice and target work, a match bullet shoots with less variation. Try more than one load, since a rifle often prefers one.

Check the headstamp and the rifle

Do not confuse .25 Creedmoor ammunition with 6.5 Creedmoor or .243 Winchester ammunition. The bullet diameters differ. Always read the barrel marking and the headstamp.

Cost

A new cartridge costs more than a common one, and stores stock fewer choices. Plan your practice with that in mind.

How to choose a rifle

The right rifle depends on how you hunt or shoot. These are the points that matter most.

• Chambering and magazine. Buy a rifle made for the .25 Creedmoor. The overall length of 2.800 inches suits AICS-style magazines.
• Barrel length. 22 to 24 inches is common for hunting, and 24 to 26 inches for target use. Longer barrels give more velocity.
• Twist rate. The SAAMI test barrel uses 1 in 7.5 inches. Check the rate the maker uses and match it to the bullets you plan to shoot.
• Weight. A lighter rifle is easier to carry and kicks harder. A heavier rifle is steadier.
• Trigger. A clean, crisp trigger improves accuracy at long range.
• Optic. A good variable-power scope with reliable adjustments suits the cartridge.
• Rifle choice. Models are limited, since the cartridge is new, so check current catalogs and custom builders.

Short-action bolt-action rifles, including custom and precision builds, are made for the cartridge. Check current catalogs, since availability is changing.

Zeroing and range practice

A 200 yard zero is a good starting point for hunting. With a 134 grain ELD Match the bullet stays within about 2 inches of the line of sight out to 150 yards, and drops about 7 inches at 300 yards. That lets you hold on the vital area out to about 300 yards.

Zero at 100 yards on paper first, then confirm at 200. Shoot at 300, 400 and 500 to learn your own drops, and write them on a card. The numbers in this guide are estimates from a model, and your barrel, load and air density will move them. Wind is the main problem past 400 yards, so practice judging it.

Shoot from field positions as well as a bench. Practice at the distances you plan to take.

Practical uses

Deer and pronghorn

The .25 Creedmoor is made for deer and pronghorn at long range with a good bullet. It shoots flat enough to allow clean shots at 300 to 400 yards for a skilled shooter, though closer is better.

Long-range target and competition

Shooters in the Hornady Precision Rifle Challenge used it, and the 134 grain ELD Match is a match-grade weight. It is a candidate for precision rifle shooting, though 6.5 Creedmoor remains the standard.

Elk

It is a lighter choice for elk, and many hunters prefer a larger cartridge for the extra margin. Check your local rules on the minimum caliber and energy.

Predators

It works on coyotes, though it is a heavy choice for the job. A lighter cartridge is more usual.

.25 Creedmoor vs similar cartridges

The table compares the .25 Creedmoor with the cartridges it is usually weighed against. Figures are rounded and use SAAMI pressures. The .25 Creedmoor case length is that of its parent case.

Against the 6.5 Creedmoor, the .25 Creedmoor uses the same case and similar pressure with a slightly smaller bullet, and the 6.5 Creedmoor has far more rifles, ammunition and bullets. Against the 6.5 PRC, it is a smaller case with less speed and less recoil. Against the .243 Winchester, it uses a heavier bullet. Against the 7mm-08, the choice is mostly about which rifle and ammunition you can find.

Care and storage

Clean the bore after a day of shooting, and follow the barrel maker's advice on copper and carbon. Inspect the action, the magazine and the scope mounts for tightness. Store the rifle unloaded and locked, with the ammunition separate and away from children.

Safety and common mistakes

• Do not confuse the .25 Creedmoor with the 6.5 Creedmoor. Read the barrel marking and the headstamp.
• Treat every rifle as loaded. Keep your finger off the trigger until the sights are on the target.
• Know your target and what lies beyond it. A rifle bullet can travel several miles.
• Wear eye and ear protection.
• Check the bore for obstructions before you load.
• Do not take shots beyond the range at which you can place bullets reliably.
• If you reload, use only published data from a current manual and start low. This page does not contain loading data.
• Store firearms and ammunition locked and apart, away from children.

Sources

Sources reviewed · 29 October 2026

1. SAAMI · Public introduction of the .25 Creedmoor (PDF) ↗
2. Accurate Shooter · Hornady introduces new 25 Creedmoor SAAMI cartridge ↗
3. Rifle Shooter · .25 Creedmoor ↗