In general, 6.5 mm (.264 in) bullets are known for their high sectional density[7] and ballistic coefficients, and often have been used successfully in rifle competitions.

The 6.5mm Creedmoor was designed for target shooting at longer ranges, and as such, couples a sensible ratio of case volume (3.40 ml) to bore area (34.66 mm2/0.3466 cm2) with ample space for loading long slender projectiles providing good aerodynamic efficiency and external ballistic performance for the projectile diameter.

[4] For some loads, the 6.5mm Creedmoor is capable of duplicating the muzzle velocity[2] or trajectory[9] of the .300 Winchester Magnum while generating significantly-lower recoil, based on lighter projectile weight.

(Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) rulings, 6.5mm Creedmoor can handle up to 435.00 MPa (63,091 psi) Pmax piezo pressure.

In CIP-regulated areas, 6.5mm Creedmoor chambered arms are proof-tested at 543.80 MPa (78,872 psi) PE piezo pressure.

According to Gunners' Review, this ammunition is often regarded as a secret weapon for precision shooters due to its impressive ballistic properties.

[19] A semiautomatic sniper rifle with a 20-inch barrel chambered in 6.5mm Creedmoor is capable of engaging military targets from point blank range to 1,200 meters.

[27] Lapua delivered 6.5mm Creedmoor brass at Shot show 2017,[28] and production quantities became available via major retailers in second quarter 2017.

SOCOM determined 6.5 Creedmoor performed the best, doubling hit-probability at 1,000 m (1,094 yd), increasing effective range by nearly half, reducing wind drift by a third, with less recoil than 7.62×51mm NATO rounds.

[41] At the National Defense Industry Association's annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), beginning May 20, 2019, FN unveiled a prototype of its Mk 48 Mod 2 machine gun chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor to fill a USSOCOM requirement.

American special operations forces are in the process of acquiring a lightweight belt-fed machine gun offering a better range than existing weapons.

[43] In November 2019, the U.S. Navy ordered 6.5 mm Creedmoor conversion kits to upgrade the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System to the M110K1 variant.

[45] In August 2023, Geissele Automatics announced its design had been selected for USSOCOM's Mid-Range Gas Gun Sniper (MRGG-S) program.

The objective statement called for a rifle chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor with accuracy of 0.5-1.0 MOA at 100 yd (91 m) and weighing less than 10.5 lb (4.8 kg).