Wyoming

Wyoming Loves The 6.5 Creedmoor, Even If It’s The Nickelback Of Rifle Cartridges

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

Wyoming Loves The 6.5 Creedmoor, Even If It’s The Nickelback Of Rifle Cartridges

On social media shooting and hunting forums, it’s practically inevitable that a disparaging 6.5 Creedmoor meme is going to pop up and set the comments section on fire.

It’s like the 6.5 Creedmoor is the “Nickleback” of rifle cartridges.

Just like the Canadian rock band Nickleback, the Creedmoor has become the butt of jokes and seemingly endless dissing. And yet, just like the band has, the cartridge has been wildly successful, gaining legions of loyal fans.

Jason Crotteau of Pavillion has seen it firsthand. He runs Wyoming Tactical and has offered long-range rifle shooting courses for more than a decade.

“Somewhere between 60% and 80% of my students show up with 6.5 Creedmoors,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

Part Of A Trend

For decades, hunters and rifle match shooters relied on a relatively few standard cartridges. Most of them were developed in the early-mid 20th century and gained legendary status.

Heavy hitters such as the .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum, .270 Winchester and .308 Winchester were widely used for big game. And lighter, zippier rounds such as Remmington’s .223 and .22-250 were regarded as near perfect for varmints and predators.

But right around the early 2000s, numerous new cartridges started to show up. The 6.5 Creedmoor among them, which caused some tension between old-school shooters and folks wanting to shoot with the latest and greatest.

Outdoorsman and gun rights advocate Mark Jones of Buffalo said he recalls the wave of fancy new cartridges shaking up the firearms world. And the 6.5 Creedmoor seemed to be the most popular.

“I have all these buddies who went out and bought one, and they described it like this ‘super-cartridge.’ Like, you could go out with it and do fabulous things,” Jones said. “It’s remarkable. It was like the new thing to do – to go out and find the new super-cartridge.”

There also was some serious brain power behind the 6.5 Creedmoor, Crotteau said.

“In the early to mid-2000s, Hornady (an American ammunition company) got really smart and hired an actual rocket scientist from NASA,” he said. “And then they hired somebody from Creedmoor sports.”

Hence, the Creedmoor moniker for the 6.5 cartridge they developed, and others in that line that followed.

Crotteau still likes old standby rounds like the .308, but he’s also started shooting Creedmoors, and said that it and many of the other newer cartridges continue to gain popularity.

It Has Its Advantages

Detractors argue that the 6.5 Creedmoor fires bullets too light to make it adequate for hunting, especially elk. Or that it’s just a fancy, show-off round that can’t really do anything on the range that older cartridges can’t.

Crotteau said he was skeptical of the Creedmoor at first. But has since learned to appreciate it.

“A friend of mine got one, and he was pushing me to get one,” he said. “I was still shooting my .308, and I was like, ‘Dude, I’m still hitting the same targets that you are. Why do I need to change?’

“One of the advantages I’ve seen with it, is that for reloading, you can use either large or small rifle primers,” and that can be handy when supplies are short, he said.

The 6.5 Creedmoor also shoots well, Crotteau said, adding that, “I think the 6.5 Creedmoor is what the .308 should have been.”

Creedmoor bullets tend to be lighter and longer than those fired from the .308. And “using that longer projectile does improve the ballistics,” Crotteau said.

He was impressed by the round’s flat trajectory.

“I was calling it the ‘6.5 Cheatmoor,’ because that flatter trajectory does make it easier to hit targets,” he said.

Size comparison of some 6.5mm cartridges, from left: .264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5×55mm Swedish, 6.5×52mm Carcano, .260 Remington, 6.5mm Creedmoor and 6.5mm Grendel. (Cowboy State Daily Staff)

Meme It Up

Meanwhile, Creedmoor memes, often teasing the cartridge’s fans for supposedly being pretentious or even wimpy, continue to circulate.

Crotteau said he stays out of the seemingly endless arguments over the 6.5 Creedmoor, but admits that the humor can be clever.

“I never really understood where the hate for the Creedmoor came from, but the memes are fun to watch,” he said.

One criticism is that the round doesn’t have enough punch to cleanly kill big game, particularly elk.

Jones said that humane big game kills boil down to good shot placement. And in the right hands, the 6.5 Creedmoor seems to do just fine.

“I know many people who successfully hunt elk with it,” he said.

However, he’s opted to stick with the old-school approach.

“I still hunt with the .30-06 my dad gave to me when I was a kid,” he said.

Avid hunter Tessa Fowler of Cody is even more old school. She hunts everything with a lever-action rifle chambered in .45-70, a cartridge with roots dating back to the 1870s.

She told Cowboy State Daily that she sometimes joins in the meme wars just for fun.

“I have no clue about the (6.5 Creedmoor) caliber. I don’t know anything about modern firearms,” she said. “I’m a lever action, iron sights old-school girl. I just post the memes ’cause they are funny and people get all butthurt.”

Practice, Practice, Practice

Crotteau agreed with Jones that when it comes to hunting, patience and ethical shot placement are more important than cartridge specifics.

He considers the 6.5 Creedmoor to be a viable hunting round for those who shoot carefully.

And when it comes to scoring high in target shooting matches, it’s best for shooters to find the rifle and cartridge combination that suits them best, he said; one that they’re comfortable with and can shoot well with.

Then it’s a matter of learning the skills and practicing, instead of making excuses, Crotteau said.

“You’ll see these people who can’t shit in a bathtub, and they try to blame the gear,” he said. “Good gear can make a difference. But at the end of the day, it’s still the nut behind the (rifle) butt that has to do the job.”

Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.

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Wyoming

Severe thunderstorms, tornado risk threaten southeast Wyoming today, Tuesday

Published

9 hours ago

June 1, 2026

Press Room

Severe thunderstorms, tornado risk threaten southeast Wyoming today, Tuesday

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes could hit southeast Wyoming this afternoon and Tuesday.

The National Weather Service issued a level two out of five slight risk for the eastern high plains on Monday.

There is a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather on Monday. The strongest storms are expected between 3 and 9 p.m. (National Weather Service graphic)

All modes of severe weather are possible: hail, damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado or two. (National Weather Service graphic)

Cheyenne has a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. today, with a forecast high near 73 degrees. Winds will shift from the northwest to the southeast at 10–15 mph during the morning hours. Storm chances drop to 20% before 9 p.m., and areas of fog will develop after midnight as temperatures fall to a low around 52.

Tuesday brings a repeat of storm threats after noon. Morning fog will give way to mostly cloudy skies, which will gradually clear later in the day with a high near 75. Low-level moisture and atmospheric spin along and east of the Interstate 25 corridor could trigger severe conditions, with large hail listed as the main threat.

Showers remain possible mid-week, with a 50% chance of rain on Wednesday afternoon and a high near 77 degrees^.

A drying and warming trend will settle over Laramie County starting Thursday. High temperatures will climb to 79 on Thursday, 82 on Friday, and peak at 85 under sunny skies on Saturday.

Any remaining storms later in the week will likely produce high winds rather than rain due to dry air near the surface.

Detailed Forecast

Today: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 73. North northwest wind 5–10 mph becoming south southeast 10–15 mph in the morning.
Tonight: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m. Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 52. South southeast wind 5–10 mph.
Tuesday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 75. South southeast wind 5–15 mph.
Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 9 p.m. and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. South southeast wind 5–10 mph becoming west southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m., then a chance of showers between 9 p.m. and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 82.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

More on the weather is available at the National Weather Service website.

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Wyoming

Your Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, June 1, 2026

Published

20 hours ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

Your Wyoming Sunrise: Monday, June 1, 2026

Today’s Wyoming sunrise was captured by Tom Boatman. Tom writes, “I took this at Goldeneye Reservoir. Pelicans enjoying the morning…”

To submit your Wyoming sunrise photo, email us at: News@CowboyStateDaily.com

NOTE: Please send us the highest-quality version of your photo. The larger the file, the better.

NOTE #2: Please include where you are from and where the photo was taken.

NOTE #3: Tell us about your sunrise. What do you like about it?

NOTE #4: We prefer horizontal (not vertical) photos. Thanks!

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Wyoming

Don Day’s Wyoming Weather Forecast: Sunday, May 31, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 31, 2026

Press Room

Chance of rain in parts of Wyoming on Sunday with some sun in the south. Breezy overnight with a chance of rain early. Highs from the mid 50s to near 80. Lows from the mid 20s to upper 40s.

Central:

Casper: Chance of rain, otherwise partly sunny and breezy today with a high near 71 and wind gusts as high as 34 mph. Partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 8 p.m., a low near 43 and wind gusts as high as 31 mph.

Riverton: Chance of rain, otherwise mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 72 and wind gusts as high as 33 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 7 p.m., a low near 41 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Shoshoni: Chance of rain, otherwise partly sunny and windy today with a high near 70 and wind gusts as high as 37 mph. Mostly clear and windy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 7 p.m., a low near 43 and wind gusts as high as 36 mph.

Southwest:

Evanston: Sunny today with a high near 61 and mostly clear overnight with a low near 33.

Green River: Sunny and breezy today with a high near 66 and wind gusts as high as 28 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph.

Kemmerer: Breezy, gradually becoming sunny today with a high near 61 and wind gusts as high as 29 mph. Increasing clouds and breezy overnight with a low near 33 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.

Western Wyoming:

Pinedale: Slight chance of rain, breezy, gradually becoming sunny today with a high near 59 and wind gusts as high as 28 mph. Mostly clear and blustery overnight with a low near 29 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Alpine: Chance of rain, gradually clearing today with a high near 64 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly clear overnight with a low near 35.

Big Piney: Breezy, gradually becoming sunny today with a high near 62 and wind gusts as high as 29 mph. Mostly clear and blustery overnight with a low near 27 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Northwest:

Dubois: Chance of rain mainly after 1 p.m., otherwise mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 57 and wind gusts as high as 37 mph. Mostly clear and windy overnight with a low near 34 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Jackson: Chance of rain, gradually becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 62 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly clear overnight with a low near 33.

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park: Rain likely today with a high near 50 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph. Gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a chance of rain before 11 p.m., a low near 29 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

Bighorn Basin:

Thermopolis: Rain likely today with a high near 66 and mostly clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m. and a low near 43.

Cody: Rain likely, cloudy and breezy today with a high near 63 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph. Gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a chance of rain before 10 p.m. and a low near 43.

Ten Sleep: Rain likely, breezy today with a high near 65 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. Gradually becoming clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m., a low near 45 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

North Central:

Buffalo: Rain likely, breezy today with a high near 61 and wind gusts as high as 22 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 8 p.m., a low near 44 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.

Sheridan: Rain likely, mostly cloudy today with a high near 64 and wind from 16-21 mph. Gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m., a low near 38 and wind from 11-16 mph.

Big Horn: Rain likely today with a high near 62 and wind from 11-16 mph. Gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m. and a low near 42.

Northeast:

Gillette: Rain likely today with a high near 63 and wind gusts as high as 26 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before midnight, a low near 39 and wind gusts as high as 26 mph.

Newcastle: Rain likely today with a high near 69 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight, a low near 43 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.

Upton: Rain likely today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 22 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight, a low near 39 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.

Eastern Plains:

Torrington: Sunny and breezy today with a high near 81 and wind gusts as high as 35 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 48 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

Lusk: Chance of rain after noon, otherwise mostly sunny and breezy today with a high near 71 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 9 p.m., a low near 40 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

Midwest: Rain likely, otherwise partly sunny and breezy today with a high near 68 and wind gusts as high as 29 mph. Breezy, gradually becoming clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before 8 p.m., a low near 40 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Southeast:

Cheyenne: Sunny and breezy today with a high near 75 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 46 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph.

Laramie: Sunny and windy today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Medicine Bow: Mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 68 and wind gusts as high as 50 mph. Mostly clear and windy overnight with a low near 37 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph.

South Central:

Rawlins: Mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 40 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

Saratoga: Mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 68 and wind gusts as high as 45 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 35 mph.

Hanna: Mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 66 and wind gusts as high as 50 mph. Mostly clear and windy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

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