Greatest 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles of 2023

When searching for the perfect 6.5 Creedmoor rifle the world is your oyster. That’s the excellent news. The draw back, reminiscent of it’s, is to slim your choice contemplating all the superb choices obtainable.

First off, neglect what the haters say. The 6.5 Creedmoor shouldn’t be solely among the best cartridge introductions of the fashionable period, however it’s on observe to grow to be among the best rifle cartridges of all time.

Is that this simply because it has been hyped to loss of life by influencers who sport extra mascara and beard oil than ballistic data? Or as a result of Hornady pays gun writers like me to sing its praises? Maybe some woke cabal within the gun business attempting to cancel your granddaddy’s favourite deer caliber?

As absurd as these notions are, it has lengthy been a fad to denigrate the 6.5 Creedmoor whereas spouting conspiracy theories regarding its continued recognition. Each time it’s talked about in a narrative on the finest deer rifles or cartridges, or the finest long-range rifles and calibers, or wins some accolades in our annual gun assessments, a not-insignificant variety of people lose their collective thoughts. And lord aid you should you do one thing like use it to take a grizzly bear, as Outside Life workers author Tyler Freel did this spring.

Greatest 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles By Sort

What Makes the 6.5 Creedmoor So Good

I hate to interrupt it to these people, however the 6.5 Creed—launched again in 2007—isn’t going anyplace. The rationale for its success is that it was the precise cartridge on the proper time. It has capitalized on right now’s wonderful excessive BC bullets for looking and goal taking pictures, has benefited from quite a few new propellants which are temperature insensitive and constant, and pairs effectively with right now’s technology of rifles which are inherently correct.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is the poster youngster for Fashionable Cartridge Design, the sequence of tenets guiding how engineers style right now’s finest cartridges to optimize accuracy and effectivity. This, together with its gentle recoil, is why it advanced from a distinct segment goal cartridge into an all-around celebrity.

How We Selected the Greatest 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles

Essentially the most troublesome activity that the Outside Life workers confronted when selecting the perfect 6.5 Creedmoor rifles was culling the sector to only ten. We’ve shot so many 6.5 Creeds which have carried out in a stellar style over time that we ended up leaving a few of our favorites on the cutting-room flooring.

We centered as an alternative on these we’ve shot lately to supply some utility to the reader trying to make a purchase order. These rifles span a variety of meant functions and budgets. Employees author Tyler Freel, one other 6.5 Creed aficionado, helped me curate this record.

Greatest 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles: Critiques and Suggestions

Greatest Technical Deer Searching Rifle: Proof Analysis Elevation MTR

Specs

• Motion: Two-lug bolt
•  Inventory: Carbon fiber, raised comb
• Barrel: Carbon fiber, 24 inches, threaded 5/8-24
• Capability: 5+1 (Removable AICS journal)
• Weight: 6 kilos, 10 ounces
• Set off: TriggerTech set off, consumer adjustable
• Worth: $3,499

Professionals

• Correct
• Light-weight
• Sturdy

Cons

The Proof Analysis Elevation MTR (Mountain Tactical Rifle) is a contemporary deer rifle that borrows closely from the tactical and competitors taking pictures world. The result’s a high-performance rig that’s correct, transportable, and capable of deal with essentially the most demanding looking situations.

The Elevation MTR is constructed on a Zermatt Arms Origin motion, which is understood for its tight and constant tolerances, reliability, and accuracy. Proof, in fact, places considered one of its carbon-fiber barrels on the MTR and the mating of the Zermatt and barrel delivers distinctive accuracy. The truth is, I’ve used this rifle in competitors and know that it might place exact pictures on distant targets below demanding time constraints and from sensible discipline positions.

The inventory can also be of Proof’s design and is fabricated from carbon-fiber as effectively. The inventory has a raised comb and vertical pistol grip, each of that are frequent on tactical rifles. The comb helps align the shooter’s eye with bigger optics that have a tendency to take a seat increased on the rifle (the motion has a full-length Picatinny rail) and the vertical grip enhances the shooter’s management over the rifle and the set off pull.

The MTR makes use of removable field magazines and can feed from AICS sample mags. It ships with a single polymer journal. The rifle feeds with dead-nuts reliability and may deal with mud, moisture, and different particles with none points.

Greatest Deer Rifle Beneath $600: Winchester XPR

Specs

• Motion: Bolt motion
• Inventory: Composite, Black
• Barrel: 22 inches
• Capability: 3+1
• Weight: 6 kilos 12 ounces
• Set off: 4 kilos, 2 ounces (measured)
• End: Black Perma-Cote
• Worth: $540

Professionals

• Reasonably priced
• Easy motion
• Sturdy and climate resistant
• Good set off

Cons

• Buttstock is noisy
• Homely aesthetics

After looking with a number of Winchester XPR rifles over time, I’ve discovered them to be one of the constant and dependable finances looking rifles on the market. They’ve clean, fast-running actions, good triggers, and so they shoot effectively. The XPR isn’t going to go with a rifleman’s self-importance with beauty, however it’s a workhorse that may get the job executed at a terrific value. Chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, it’s a rifle that’s equally suited to new and seasoned hunters. I personal one which has taken six Dall rams, a couple of dozen caribou, 4 or 5 blacktail deer, a pair black bears, a moose, and an enormous grizzly bear. If that isn’t field-proven, I don’t know what’s.

The XPR is on the market in quite a lot of configurations, however the primary mannequin has a black composite inventory and a black Perma-Cote (Cerakote-like) end. It’s received a three-lug bolt with a large-diameter bolt physique and rebated lugs which are much like these on the Ruger American. The bolt has a brief 60-degree throw and strips rounds from a single-stack removable journal. The Winchester XPR inventory is according to the rifle’s value. It’s a sturdy composite inventory with a considerably blocky fore-end and pebbly texturing on the grip and sides of the fore-end. The butt has a pleasant recoil pad, however the butt of the inventory is hole and loud when scratching brush. With good manufacturing unit ammo, you’ll be able to count on an XPR to common round 1.4-inch five-shot teams—which isn’t spectacular, however fully satisfactory. — Tyler Freel

Most Correct: Sako TRG 22 A1

Specs

• Motion: Three-lug bolt
• Inventory: Aluminum chassis folder
• Barrel: 26 inches, 1:8 twist, cold-hammer solid
• Capability: 10+1 (short-action cartridges)
• Weight: 12 kilos 7 ounces (empty, no magazine, with three M-LOK sections put in)
• Set off: Two-stage, user-adjustable, user-serviceable, 2 kilos 10 ounces (measured)
• Worth: $5,400

Professionals

• Glorious accuracy
• Nice ergonomics
• Area serviceable
• Rugged

Cons

Of all of the rifles I’ve examined over time the Sako TRG 22 A1 is essentially the most correct of the lot. The common 5-shot group dimension with 4 kinds of ammunition was simply .384 inches, with the smallest teams measuring five-hundredths of an inch (.050 inches) middle to middle. I reviewed this Finnish sniper rifle not way back, moving into the nitty-gritty of its development to shed some mild on why it shot so effectively.

Right here’s the brief model: The Finns have a longtime custom of constructing correct rifles with wonderful ergonomics and go-to-hell-and-back sturdiness. When you think about their cultural roots as outdoorsmen (the Finns had been among the many final individuals on earth to transition away from a hunter-gatherer life-style) with their have to fend off giant aggressive neighbors (good day Russia) it’s no shock they take rifle constructing significantly.

There’s a little bit of sorcery with Sako’s capacity to make chilly hammer-forged barrels that ship mind-boggling accuracy. No different rifle maker is their equal with this system. And their product designers and engineers have a deep understanding of the necessity for a rifle to accurately match the shooter for peak efficiency.

You get a really feel for this with any Sako or Tikka looking rifle, however it actually involves fruition within the TRG sequence—the 22, 42, and M10.

Within the A1 trim, the TRG 22 employs a chassis inventory that borrows closely from the Sako M10. It has elegant and easy-to-use controls to regulate the inventory to the shooter’s particular wants. The set off adjusts for pull weight, attain and the orientation of the shoe.

The motion and journal pair fantastically for flawless biking below any situation, and when the shooter journeys the set off, they are often assured that the bullet will strike the place meant.

Greatest Finances Deer Rifle: Stevens 334

Specs

• Motion: Bolt motion, removable journal
• Inventory: Walnut
• Barrel: 22 inches
• Capability: 3+1
• Weight: 7 kilos 14 ounces
• Set off: 5 kilos, 10 ounces (measured)
• Worth: $399

Professionals

• Nice Worth
• Correct
• Good dealing with
• Easy motion

Cons

One of the best worth in finances looking rifles we’ve seen in 2023 is undoubtedly the Stevens 334 Walnut. This inexpensive Turkish-made rifle was launched with a handsome walnut inventory and impressed us at our annual gun check. It makes use of a short-throw three-lug bolt that’s much like different finances rifles just like the Winchester XPR and Ruger American. The 334 makes use of a removable polymer 3-round journal that matches simply pleased with flush with the inventory. The barrel is free-floated and the inventory makes use of an aluminum bedding block into which the recoil lug is clamped.

The Stevens 334 Walnut doesn’t supply a lot in the best way of pomp, however those that like a wood-stocked rifle at a great value would do effectively to not underestimate this one. Regardless of having triggers which are fairly terrible, each of the 334’s that I’ve examined have been extra correct than they’ve any proper to be. In depth taking pictures at our gun check gave us a mean 5-shot group dimension of 1.105 inches and our greatest 10 teams averaged .724 inches. The extra we operated this rifle from discipline positions, the extra we preferred it. It handles intuitively and factors shortly, making it nice for almost any kind of looking. — T. F.

Greatest Light-weight Searching Rifle: Proof Glacier Ti

Specs

• Motion: Titanium two-lug
• Inventory: Carbon fiber
• Barrel: Carbon fiber, 24 inches, 1:8 twist, threaded 5/8-24
• Capability: 4+1
• Weight: 6 kilos, 2 ounces
• Set off: 2 kilos, 8 ounces (measured)
• Worth: $7,499

Professionals

• Correct
• Light-weight
• Easy

Cons

I’ve shot many Proof Analysis rifles over time and all have been hammers. Credit score the obsessive consideration to element that goes into their manufacturing. Amongst different issues, that encompasses the standard of the supplies Proof makes use of, the tight tolerances held of their chambers and rifling course of, the general match and end, and the overall design.

I’m not the one fan on workers. Alex Robinson, OL’s editor-in-chief, used a Proof Glacier to shoot his Dall Sheep final fall. This rifle, launched again in 2019, was one of many stars of that yr’s gun check. Ultralight rifles and wonderful accuracy normally don’t go collectively, however the people at Proof labored their magic, and our pattern averaged .677-inch five-shot teams whereas weighing simply north of 6 kilos.

It had an impressive 2.5-pound set off and is blessed with fabulous inventory ergonomics and an motion that cycles with the graceful assuredness of a secure door swinging shut.

For a critical mountain hunter who can’t afford to have something go awry on what could be the animal of a lifetime, the Proof Glacier Ti is the best companion.

Greatest Lengthy-Vary, Competitors: Accuracy Worldwide AT-X

Specs

• Motion: 6 lug, 60-degree bolt throw
• Capability: 10 (double stack AW journal)
• Barrel Size: 24 inches, 1:8 twist, threaded 5/8-24
• Inventory: Fastened aluminum chassis
• Weight: 13 kilos
• Set off: 10.4 ounces (measured)
• Worth: $4,250

Professionals

• Excellent reliability
• World-class accuracy
• Mad road cred

Cons

This lately launched rifle from Accuracy Worldwide received an Editor’s Selection award within the 2022 gun check owing to its wonderful accuracy (ours turned in five-shot teams that averaged .456 inches throughout quite a lot of ammo), fabulous ergonomics, and combat-ready reliability.

As you may know, the unique viewers for Accuracy Worldwide’s rifles was army and legislation enforcement professionals who wanted world-class precision in a rifle that would carry out below excessive opposed situations. However loads of civilian shooters took to AI rifles too, and the AT-X was designed with them in thoughts.

Whereas the AT-X attracts closely on AI’s historical past of catering to snipers, it’s configured for competitors shooters, who’ve been operating it with nice success in quite a lot of long-range matches.

The fore-end has a flat backside that includes an ARCA dovetail that extends straight again to the journal effectively. The motion makes use of AI’s six-lug system (two rows of three lugs) that has been a mainstay of the corporate for many years.

The snappy 60-degree bolt throw helps the shooter cycle the rifle shortly and the three-position security mounted on the bolt shroud is clean, optimistic, and bomb-proof.

By loosening a single set screw, the shooter can swap barrels. Our pattern was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, however barrels could be had in .308 Win., 6mm Creedmoor, 6 BR, and others.

The 2-stage set off gives excellent management. The set off on our rifle broke at 10.4 ounces, has a flat face and is adjustable for set off attain—one of many many dimensions that the shooter can alter for a customized match. The rifle additionally comes with a heavier spring for the set off that may set the minimal break weight to 1.5 kilos.

Greatest Lengthy-Vary, Finances: Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical

Specs

• Motion: Two-lug bolt
•  Inventory: Artificial chassis
•  Barrel: 22 inches
• Capability: 10
• Weight: 8 kilos, 11 ounces
• Set off: 2 kilos, 9 ounces (measured)
• Worth: $1,085

Professionals

Cons

This is likely one of the newer 6.5 Creedmoor rifles available on the market. Mossberg launched the Patriot LR tactical early this yr and we received an opportunity to place a whole bunch of rounds by way of one throughout our annual gun check.

We had been impressed with what we noticed. The LR Tactical mates the acquainted two-lug Patriot motion with a heavy barrel and chassis inventory to create an inexpensive and succesful long-range rig. It shot effectively sufficient, in actual fact, to stroll off with a Nice Purchase award within the precision rifle class.

This LR Tactical configuration fits the workmanlike Patriot motion to a tee. The rifle turned within the tightest group of the check, a .247-inch five-shot group with Federal 140-grain Berger Hybrids and averaged .582-inch 5-shot teams with quite a lot of ammo general.

The rifle additionally handles surprisingly effectively. Although the barrel is heavy, the rifle isn’t cumbersome. It weighs 8.75 kilos with no scope and was straightforward to maneuver out and in of place throughout the sensible taking pictures portion of the analysis.

The motion isn’t the smoothest, however we had been nonetheless capable of cycle it shortly whereas operating by way of quite a lot of drills. The rifle takes AICS sample magazines, that are broadly obtainable and are available various capacities. The efficient paddle journal launch made reloads a snap.

The inventory adjusts for cheek peak and positions the hand properly due to its vertical grip. The texturing on the grip is pretty aggressive and offers a stable buy. The chassis inventory additionally has slots to mount M-Lok appropriate equipment.

Greatest For $2000: Springfield 2020 Redline

Specs

• Motion: Two-lug bolt
• Inventory: Grayboe Trekker composite
• Barrel: Carbon wrapped, 20 inches, threaded 5/8-24
• Capability: 3+1
• Weight: 8 kilos 4 ounces
• Set off: Triggertech (adjustable), 3 kilos, 2 ounces (measured)
• Worth: $2,190

Professionals

• Compact and light-weight
• Correct
• Suppressor-ready
• Good ergonomics

Cons

• Extreme clearance between inventory and barrel

Following Springfield Armory’s 2020 Waypoint rifle, the 2020 Redline makes use of the identical motion, however presents a extra compact, light-weight, and streamlined bundle for the mountain hunter. Essentially the most putting characteristic of the 2020 Redline is the Grayboe Trekker inventory, which has a target-style elevated cheek piece and vertical pistol grip, however a cut-down and hollowed-out buttstock. The fore-end is brief with a flat backside for resting on a bag or mounting a bipod and makes no contact with any a part of the barrel. The inventory gives a secure, fashionable taking pictures platform whereas chopping weight. It even options an inset bubble degree within the tang.

The 2020 Motion has a two-lug bolt with a 90-degree throw and makes use of a strong Sako-style extractor situated within the starboard bolt lug. The bolt is nitride coated and different metal elements are Cerakoted in a darkish inexperienced end. The rifle is on the market in 16-inch and 20-inch barrel lengths, however each use a carbon-wrapped barrel that’s capped with a detachable muzzle brake and is suppressor-ready with ⅝-inch x 24 threads.

I’m proper in the course of testing the 20-inch mannequin in 6.5 Creedmoor and I’m discovering that with good ammo, it meets Springfield’s “¾ MOA” accuracy assure for three-shot teams—though we don’t place a lot weight on accuracy ensures. Although I’m simply getting began with some thorough accuracy testing with manufacturing unit ammo, I discovered an current handload I’ve that shoots effectively by way of the rifle. I recorded 9 5-shot teams with 143-grain Hornady ELDX bullets on a cost of H4895 that averaged .831 inches and printed 10-shot teams of .938 and .903 inches. I took that load and killed a pleasant Dall sheep with the rifle in August.  —T. F.

Greatest for NRL Hunter: Tikka T3x UPR

Specs

• Motion: Two-lug bolt
• Inventory: Glass fiber with adjustable cheek piece
• Barrel: 23.7 inches, 1:8 twist, cold-hammer solid, threaded 5/8-24
• Capability: 10+1 (short-action cartridges)
• Weight: 7 kilos, 14 ounces (measured)
• Set off: Single-stage, user-adjustable, 3 kilos 13 ounces (measured)
• Worth: $1,299

Professionals

• Correct
• Easy dealing with
• High quality workmanship

Cons

The 6.5 Creedmoor is the go-to cartridge for the NRL Hunter sequence, and amongst all of the rifles that qualify for the manufacturing unit division the Tikka T3x UPR is on the high of the heap.

For these not acquainted with the sequence, it was created to let hunters put their expertise and tools to the check. Shooters begin from a blind place and should discover, vary, and interact targets on the clock utilizing gear that’s appropriate for large sport and doesn’t exceed specified weight limits. Within the manufacturing unit and light-weight divisions, that determine is 12 kilos and consists of the rifle, optic, bipod, and different equipment one may mount to the gun.

The accuracy and dealing with of the T3x UPR matches effectively with the fast-paced phases one encounters within the sequence, the place the targets sometimes vary from 200 to 800 yards away.

I lately reviewed the Tikka T3x UPR, breaking down the options that make it such a great rifle—particularly for the value.

In brief, the rifle has a superb inventory that’s designed to be regular in discipline positions. Its form works whether or not taking pictures inclined or bracing it on one thing like a rock, cattle gate, or department. The adjustable set off is terrific. And the rifle, like others within the Sako/Tikka line, has intuitive controls, feeds and cycles ammo reliably, and is correct.

The flexibleness the rifle shows in NRL Hunter makes it a sensible choice for looking and long-range taking pictures, too. The accuracy of my pattern has been excellent, taking pictures 5-shot teams averaging .633 inches.

Greatest Lengthy-Vary, Light-weight: Christensen Arms MPR

Specs

• Motion: Two-lug bolt
•  Inventory: Light-weight folding chassis
• Barrel: Carbon wrapped, 22 inches, 1:8 twist, threaded 5/8-24
• Capability: 10
• Weight: 8 kilos, 2 ounces
• Set off: Person adjustable TriggerTech
• Worth: $2,400

Professionals

Cons

The Christensen Arms MPR appears to be like futuristic however fills a conventional position—that of a beanfield rifle. The time period was coined by former Outside Life taking pictures editor Jim Carmichel when reviewing the hyper-accurate bolt-actions made by Kenny Jarrett. Jarret is likely one of the godfathers of looking rifle accuracy and included benchrest rifle know-how into his beautiful firearms.

Why “beanfield?” Effectively in some stretches of ag land down south these fields that deer favor could be many a whole bunch of yards in size, and when the beans have grown excessive, they don’t depart a lot of a deer’s physique as a goal. Thus, you want a rifle that reaches out with pinpoint accuracy to ensure success.

Jarrett nonetheless makes these fantastic rifles, however their stratospheric value tags—many are north of $10,000—put them out of attain of all however the well-heeled or financially irresponsible.

The Christensen MPR doesn’t look very like Kenny’s creations, however what it has in frequent is the power to shoot tiny teams. When the MPR debuted I examined it in 6.5 Creedmoor and produced five-shot teams with manufacturing unit ammo that averaged .557 inch throughout all kinds of manufacturers and bullet weights. A number of of the masses I shot from Norma, Barnes and Hornady averaged within the .4s.

For beanfield looking, the flat-bottomed fore-end makes for a secure platform when positioned in a blind or stand. With out query, it is likely one of the finest light-weight long-range rifles in manufacturing.

FAQs

Closing Ideas on the Greatest 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles

Culling the sector of fine 6.5 Creed rifles down to 10 is not any straightforward activity. The reality is that it’s uncommon to discover a 6.5 Creed that doesn’t shoot effectively. Whereas some rifles exhibit next-level accuracy, which we highlighted right here, most are greater than satisfactory for almost all of looking and taking pictures duties.

Selecting the perfect 6.5 Creedmoor rifle to your wants then hinges on ergonomics, aesthetics, your particular necessities, and finances. Fortunately, there’s no scarcity of rifles on the market and with a little bit of poking and prodding you’re positive to seek out one that’s best for you.