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If you are wondering what all the fuss is about regarding the 6.5 Creedmoor, you've come to the right place!
This rifle has pretty much become many people's holy grail and has quickly become their go-to rifle. It surely is one of the most loved rifles amongst hunters and we're going to talk all about it!
Keep reading to find out more about this rifle, its accuracy, why it is great for hunting elk, and to read our reviews on six of the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifles on the market today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 6.5 Creedmoors for Elk Hunting
Comparison of the Best 6.5 Creedmoors For Elk Hunting
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How Accurate is a 6.5 Creedmoor?
This is perhaps the most inquired question about these rifles. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that it has earned a great reputation in terms of precision and accuracy. This has particularly dominated the long-range shooting game, which means if you have to shoot targets from more than 1,000 yards away, this is your best friend, and is also loved by hunters.
It took its time to gain the popularity it currently has. In fact, it has only recently gotten the love and appreciation it truly deserves. The design is what contributes to its accuracy.
What Makes a 6.5 Creedmoor Great For Elk Hunting?
You may be wondering what exactly it is about this rifle which makes it such a great option for elk hunting. Well, let's discuss a few of the benefits!
Suitable For Long Ranges
The ideology behind the design of this ammo was to make it suitable for long ranges. This is one of the biggest advantages of this rifle, in that it is highly accurate at long ranges, giving you an upper-hand while hunting elk.
Performance
A good 6.5 Creedmoor rifle has low recoil, thereby promising better performance. Having no kickback really gives you an advantage in the field. It makes the rifle easier for you to operate, thus, allowing you to hunt easily.
Designed With Purpose
These rifles were engineered with a design that allows you to hunt big game animals such as elk, deer, and feral hogs with ease. They have a flat trajectory, high-power retention, and are very accurate.
Review of the Best 6.5 Creedmoors For Hunting Elk
There are many options out there on the market for 6.5 Creedmoor and everyone knows these are not, by any means, a cheap investment. Therefore, we all want to find the perfect product for us to invest our money into. Luckily, we have you sorted. Here's a list of the best Creedmoors you can get on the market, along with all the important information that will help you make a decision.
Here are our top recommendations for you:
Best Overall:
Savage MSR 10 Long-Range 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle – 22905
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were thoroughly impressed by the quality of this product and deemed it an excellent investment. The quality, build, and performance of this product are greatly appreciated by the audience. Most who bought the gun said they would recommend it to a friend.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stood out to us for various reasons, one of them being how well-built this was. The finish and build, combined with excellent performance make it a great purchase for all. Furthermore, this unit seems to have a conventional, yet modern, design. It comes with all the features of a conventional model, but there are a few tweaks here and there in the design which make it a better version.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is best-suited for people who have some experience with rifles. We wouldn't suggest it as the first rifle newbies should invest in, as it would prove to be too uncomfortable for them to use. Plus, the hefty price tag makes it somewhat of a wasteful investment if you can't get the best use out of it. It is, overall, better to gain experience with a rifle more suited for beginners and work your way up to this.
Bottom Line
All in all, it's a great product for sure. Ammo enthusiasts will love and get great use out of this gun. It is expensive but definitely worth it. If you can afford the high price and the slightly heavier build of the rifle, you will love this unit.
Best for the Money:
Tikka T3X Lite Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers are thrilled with the performance of this rifle. It has, in fact, quickly become one of their all-time favorites and for good reason. This product fulfills all of its claims and ensures an excellent quality hunting experience for you, and at an incredible price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are many reasons we love this product, the main one being the incredible price point. You won't find a better deal than this on the market. This truly is a very wholesome product, but what is even more amazing is how you get all the features in this that you would expect from a more expensive product.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is best-suited for those just beginning to hunt. It is your ideal first hunting rifle. The lightweight construction, plus the excellent price point, make it both comfortable and feasible at the same time, which usually is what a newbie is looking for. Otherwise, a heavyweight, advanced rifle might be too intimidating for them to use.
Bottom Line
This product is highly recommended as its pros highly outweigh the cons, and this surely will be an excellent investment for you. This unit is of great quality and will give you an amazing hunting experience and is great for elk hunting.
3. Browning X-Bolt Max Long-Range Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
Buyers were happy with this product and deemed it to be one of their best purchases. This rifle proved to be an excellent investment even though it is an expensive one.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This rifle baffled the entire hunting community and struck the interest of many as one of the best they had seen in a long time. Its construction and performance are what caught our interest in the product.
Who Will Use This Most
This would be great for hunters who are used to handling advanced ammo, which is heavy-duty. It may be intimidating and not the best rifle to start with for a newbie, especially considering that it is heavy.
Bottom Line
All in all, it is a great product and a wonderful investment. When you experience the performance of this rifle, you'll be happy with your decision of spending a hefty price for it. It is worth every penny.
4. Ruger American Rifle Predator Bolt-Action Rifle with Rotary Magazine
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost all recent buyers were happy with their purchase. There were some that reported problems, however, the majority were happy with the construction and performance of this unit and have deemed it to be one of the best rifles they've ever used.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Firstly, the brand is highly reliable and trustworthy. Ruger has been known to put out excellent quality products and it has done the same with this unit. It stood out to us for having an incredibly practical design, which works very well in conjunction with your technique.
Who Will Use This Most
This product would work for anybody. The performance is excellent and a true delight to own. It will be an excellent addition to your ammo collection regardless of your expertise. It just truly depends on your preference.
Bottom Line
This unit is a great rifle and will surely catch your interest if you have an eye for excellent quality ammo. This product performs well and is a great investment. Plus, the brand is highly reliable and trustworthy.
5. Ruger American 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle with Vortex CrossFire
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent buyers, this rifle is ideal for your hunting seasons. It comes equipped with a Vortex Crossfire II riflescope, which is factory installed. This is also an easy handling gun with a very classic look that users appreciate. The low weight allows you to hunt for hours without any issue.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stands out because of its incredible features. This is a very stylish, elegant, and lightweight model. It has an ergonomic handle and provides you with great accuracy of the angle that makes hunting a simpler task. Moreover, it provides the user with instant security that makes it stand out.
Bottom Line
Keeping in mind its features, this rifle is ideal to use by professional hunters and beginners too. It provides you with security right away and has features that make you the ultimate predator in this hunting season. Since it also comes with sling swivel studs, it is ideal to use.
6. Henry The Long Ranger 6.5 CRD Lever Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers state that this rifle is the perfect product they need for shooting. It is incredibly accurate and allows you to catch your target even at long distances. It is also very easy to carry around and doesn’t feel like a burden, which makes it a great rifle to get.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The heavy-caliber bullets of this unit and the design that ensures accuracy make it stand out. This rifle can shoot up to 2700 fps cartridges because of its aerodynamics. Also, this rifle has low recoil, which is great for the hunting season.
Bottom Line
The aerodynamics of this rifle provides you a good advantage for even ringing steel at large distances. Also, when hunting other animals such as deer, it proves to be ideal since it can be used in long-distance situations. It’s lightweight and ergonomic, allowing you to carry it around with ease.
7. Ruger American Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor 20" Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers were delighted with their purchase. The high-quality build and durability have everyone impressed. The Ruger brand has been around for quite some time and has earned a lot of respect amongst audiences, particularly for manufacturing such great quality products. This product has been one of their best releases so far.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product particularly stood out to us for its accuracy paired with excellent hardware. The product is truly one-of-a-kind. You will rarely find such great quality in this price range from a reputable brand. This product, therefore, caught our eye, as it was easy to use and not as expensive as some of the other rifles on the market. However, it still is costlier than some.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is useful for everyone. However, hunting newbies may particularly enjoy its ease of use. Nevertheless, this unit is easily adjustable and proves to be the most ergonomic for those just starting out. It's essentially a matter of preference, if you can get used to the heavy-duty build, you will love this unit.
Bottom Line
To wrap it up, it would suffice to say that this unit is well-deserving of the runner-up position in our best-of list as it is a nearly-perfect product. The heavy weight and lower bullet capacity may bother you for a while, but the performance will surely leave you in awe.
8. Savage AXIS II 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers were pleasantly surprised with the product. Most expected much lower quality performance, especially for the given price point. However, this unit proved to be a great investment for them.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stood out to us for having all the great features of a high-end rifle, yet it delivered them at a very reasonable price. Rifles are expensive to purchase, whereas this proves it to be a different case. It gives the audience a highly accurate and precise rifle in a very affordable range.
Who Will Use This Most
This product would be suitable for anybody who's on a budget and is looking for a great rifle. No matter what your expertise level is, this product will prove to be an excellent investment for you.
Bottom Line
This product is surely an amazing one and you won't regret investing in it. It has some cons, but the overall deal it provides you is excellent. This product will leave you impressed with its performance and surprised at its price tag.
Comparison Overview For Elk Hunting
When going elk hunting, you must have the best equipment and know about the best techniques to hunt one. For this reason, we have compared four of the best casings present on the market with their differences and similarities. Read on below.
6.5 Creedmoor vs. 308
If you have been researching short action rifles, then you must know about the rifles being offered in Creedmoor 6.5. Using a similar case is the 308 Winchester. So what are their similarities, and how do they differ?
Similarities
Both these casing have very few similarities, as mentioned below:
Use For Elk Hunting
Both of these casings can be used for elk hunting. They are incredibly quick, flexible, and have good accuracy. This allows them to achieve your hunting target without any issue.
Good For Big Hunting Games
For hunting big game, both cartridges are incredibly similar and help you achieve your job. Interbond, Nosler’s Accubond, or Hornady’s GMX will do your work if you require more penetration; otherwise, these hunting bullets are good enough for your hunting adventures.
Differences
The differences between these bullets are mentioned below:
Design
Both these rifle casings have gained popularity for their incredible features. However, Creedmoor makes use of lighter and skinnier bullets. This sends them downrange faster. When speaking in terms of ballistics, 6.5mm bullets perform very well and match the profile of 300 Winchester Magnum, but they have less recoil and cost both.
Performance
The 308 has very decent performance but is not ideal for long-range shooting. Also, it is unable to load bullets with 170+ grain design, whereas 6.5 Creedmoor can send 140-grain bullets easily at 2710 fps.
Long Range Usage
If you want to go for CXP3 size games at long ranges, then you will need to opt for a magnum loading such as a 300 Winchester Magnum or 7mm Remington Magnum and the difference in the range between 306 and 6.5 are not something you should worry about.
Sectional Density
6.5mm bullets provide you with a better sectional density than 308 bullets. Sectional density refers to more lead and less surface area. This provides 6.5mm with better penetrating ability.
In conclusion, 308 has more selection available, whereas 6.5 Creedmoor uses bullets that are ballistically better. The latter drops less at the range and drifts less in the wind as well.
6.5 Creedmoor vs. 6.5 Grendel
Today, 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Grendel are the most widely used 6.5mm cartridges present in the world. Even though they have the same name and use bullets with the same diameter, they do not have much in common.
Differences
The main differences between these two include the following:
Designed For Different Tasks
The designer of each cartridge had distinctive priorities and properties in mind when they created these two casing, and they wanted them to accomplish different tasks.
Size
6.5 Grendel is shorter than the Creedmoor; this is because the former was designed originally for use in AR-15. The latter, however, is longer and even requires a larger rifle to accommodate 308 Winchester sized cartridge.
Rim Diameter
The Grendel casing has a rim diameter of .441” whereas the Creedmoor has a larger diameter of up to .473”. Due to this, the latter has a large case capacity as compared to the former and is also loaded to provide you with a higher average pressure than the 6.5 Grendel.
Case Capacity
Other differences between these two include case capacity; Grendel has a case capacity of 35 gr H20, whereas Creedmoor has a case capacity of 52.5 gr H20. They also have different maximum pressure; 52,000 psi and 62,000 psi, respectively.
In conclusion, you must keep in mind that when comparing the two cartridges, 6.5 Grendel provides you with a better performance out of an AR-15 than the 223 Remington, whereas the 6.5 Creedmoor is developed to improve upon the 308 Winchester.
Similarities
These casings have a few similarities, such as:
Same Bullet Diameter
Both of these casings use bullets of the same diameter; they use .264 bullets.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Buying a rifle can be an intimidating job, therefore, we have decided to break it down to the bare basics for you. There are certain things to know before you invest in a product. These are crucial and will help you make the best purchase.
The Brand Name
It may not seem so, but the brand name does make a huge difference in the quality and performance of your rifle. There are certain brands such as Savage, Ruger, etc., which have earned a place for themselves in the hunting market by providing quality products to people. Thus, it is better to trust them with something they are so good at.
A Creedmoor rifle is not a small investment but can cost you hundreds of dollars, which you wouldn't want to spend in the wrong place. A good, well-known brand has reliable products and better customer service to ensure you get the best quality service and performance.
Performance
There are certain factors to be kept under check, such as low recoil, high accuracy, flat trajectory, and high power-retention. These are the major performance points you would look for in a rifle. A rifle with all these qualities will be precise and give you an excellent hunting experience. Such products may come with a hefty price tag but are worth spending on, nevertheless. All these factors are what make it perfect for hunting big game animals, thus, performance should not be compromised on.
Price Range
These rifles are available in a spectrum of prices ranging from $300 to about $1600 and sometimes even more. You are nevertheless bound to find a good unit in your price range. The recommended products in our list range from affordable to expensive rifles from which you can choose one for yourself. However, do keep in mind if you compromise too much on the price, you might compromise on the ergonomics and performance of the rifle.
Noise
A very important feature that weighs your decision to buy this type of rifle should be whether or not it minimizes its noise. No rifle will be absolutely silent, however, some may be noisier than others, which is not good. It alerts the animal that it is being hunted and lets it escape. Thus, choose one that makes the least noise.
Conclusion
By now, you're well-equipped with all the information needed prior to investing in a 6.5 Creedmoor. It truly is a beautiful rifle which has taken the hunting world by storm. Hunter or not, it's a good one for anyone who loves collecting rifles. While we've provided you with the necessary information and perhaps guided you to your perfect choice, it never hurts to research more. Thus, keep in mind all the aspects we mentioned and you'll be in a good place to buy one of these beauties.
People Also Ask
Even with all the information present in this article, if you still have questions to ask, then don’t worry. We have compiled a list of the top questions people ask and have answered them as simply as possible for your ease. Read on below to find out more.
What is a 6.5 Creedmoor?
Essentially, it is a centerfire rifle cartridge that was introduced in 2007 by Hornady. It is a modified version of the .30 TC and 6.5 Carcano and is based upon .308 Winchester. This cartridge was designed especially for long-range target shooting and is good for game hunting too. Due to the length of this casing, it has the ability to chamber in rifles with short-action too.
What Caliber is 6.5 Creedmoor?
The Creedmoor cartridge is an Americanized version of 6.5x55mm Mauser round. It can fit into anything that is sized to fit .308 Winchester easily.
What Can You Hunt With 6.5 Creedmoor?
With this cartridge, you can easily hunt pronghorn, deer, feral hogs, and also moose and elk. This is an excellent deer gun and can handle black bears as well. The reason behind this is that it is accurate, easy on your shoulders, provides you with good wind deflection, and is also affordable.
What is the 6.5 Creedmoor Good For?
Creedmoor 6.5 is good for long and efficient bullets since it has faster rifling and 1-8” twist. It is very efficient to hit and can work effectively up to 1000 yards. It is also efficient to the hilt and requires less power in order to get the job done. Due to this, it has less recoil and a more accurate shot.
Why is 6.5 Creedmoor so Popular?
Creedmoor 6.5 is very popular as it is incredibly efficient. It provides you with more accurate shots and also retains energy; hence it comes with less wind deflection even at extreme ranges.
Who Invented 6.5 Creedmoor?
The 6.5 Creedmoor was introduced in 2008 and was created by Hornady’s Senior Ballistician then, who was named Dave Emary and the Creedmoor Sports General Manager, whose name is Dennis Demille.
How Much Does a 6.5 Creedmoor Drop at 1000 Yards?
The Creedmoor has 110 inches drop at 1000 yards with a muzzle velocity of 2600 FPS. The 6.5 CM would experience 13 inches less wind drift when it is at 100 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind.
