Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle

Best Overall

Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifle

Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifle

A reliable rifle that brings the best out of the 6.5 Creedmoor.

  • Value: 9/10
  • Performance: 9/10
  • Cost: 9/10

Best Bolt-Action

Bergara B14 HMR

Bergara B14 HMR

Great performance for an affordable price.

  • Value: 8/10
  • Performance: 9/10
  • Cost: 9/10

Best Lightweight/Best Budget

Savage Axis II XP 6.5 Creedmoor 22" Rifle

Savage Axis II XP 6.5 Creedmoor 22″ Rifle

Perfect for beginners, but is also popular among serious shooters.

  • Value: 9/10
  • Performance: 7/10
  • Cost: 9/10

The 6.5 Creedmoor is one of the best match and hunting rounds today – with its flat trajectory, high ballistic coefficients, manageable recoil, and wide availability. And its optimal performance can only be achieved when loaded in the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifle. Don’t have one yet? No need to look elsewhere, we’ll help you narrow it down.

Features to Consider

Trigger

Your trigger plays a big role in getting the most accuracy out of your rifle. Your trigger should break cleanly and not have any creep before it releases. After the release, your trigger should not have excessive backward movement or “overtravel.” Too much overtravel will have a negative effect on follow-up shots for automatic actions. Adjustability is also a great pro on a trigger as it allows you to set your preferred pull weight.

Precision

best 6.5 creedmoor rifle

One of the main reasons why you want a long-range rifle is to use it for precision shooting, whether for hunting or targets. An accurate rifle’s barrel should have a twist rate that will effectively stabilize the bullet at extremely long distances. Most precision rifles have twist rates of 1:10 or 1:8. This means that for a 1:10 twist rate, the barrel completes 1 full turn for every 10 inches of its length.

Naturally, different calibers perform differently for every twist rate. A 6.5 Creedmoor works great with a 1:8 twist rate, while a .380 Win performs well with a 1:10 twist rate. Of course, that all depends on the bullets you plan to shoot and the ranges. A 1:10 twist rate is perfect for heavier-grain bullets.

Here’s a tool that’ll help you find the ideal twist rate: 

Barrel

The longer the barrel, the greater the muzzle velocity and the more accurate the gun is. But note that firearms with longer barrels are heavier and harder to maneuver. It means you’d have difficulty maneuvering your rifle due to extra length and weight, especially if you have short arms or when shooting in tight conditions.

Know more from ou article on the best 6.5 Creedmoor barrel.

Material Construction

A reliable rifle consists of a high-quality finish and durable parts, from the muzzle to the stock. It should perform at its best rain or shine, and it should be able to handle recoil well.

Customization & Accessory Support

You want a rifle that’s ready for customizations, such as rails for mounting accessories or a threaded barrel for muzzle devices. It would also be great if the rifle has a big aftermarket for when you want to purchase extra mags and other accessories.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles

Best Overall: BRAND1

Best Overall: Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifle

Tikka T3x Tac A1 Rifle

Specs:

  • Action: Bolt
  • Magazine Type: Detachable Box
  • Stock Type: Folding, Fixed with Aluminum Bedding
  • Trigger Type: Two Stage
  • Muzzle Type: Threaded
  • Magazine Capacity: 10+1
  • Caliber/Gauge: 6.5 Creedmoor
  • Twist Rate: 1:8″
  • Orientation: Right
  • Safety: 2-Position
  • Barrel Material: Cold Hammer Forged
  • Receiver Material: Steel
  • Stock Material: Aluminum
  • Receiver Finish: Black
  • Stock Finish: Black
  • Barrel Length: 24″
  • Overall Length: 44-1/2″
  • Weight: 10.4 lb

The Tikka T3x Tac A1 rifle comes with a 24-inch threaded barrel, M-LOK style rails at the front, an AR-type grip, and a foldable stock. The stock is solid and you can hear a positive click when you’re folding it and when you’re snapping it back. The stock is also adjustable with your cheek weld or if you want to add spaces or QD mounts and swivels. The adjustable trigger works smoothly with a crisp break. The actions on the T3x Tac A1 are buttery smooth because they’re Teflon-coated. The bolt, in particular, slides nicely and easily because of its Teflon coating.

Pros

  • Adjustable trigger
  • Very accurate
  • High-quality magazines

Cons

  • Average-quality grip
  • A bit pricier than other brands (MSRP: $1,999)

What Customers Say

Fell in love with the Tikka instantly. It is quite a bit heavier than the MPR, but that’s not a bad thing for precision shooting. Going back tomorrow to pick up my new Tikka with Vortex Razor. Can’t wait to shoot it.

Kenneth B. Norris

It’s the most accurate rifle I have ever shot! I love my tac a1!

Chris06Young88

Best Bolt-Action: Bergara B14 HMR

Bergara B14 HMR

Specs:

  • Caliber: 6.5mm Creedmoor
  • Capacity: 5 Rounds
  • Magazine: AICS Detachable
  • Barrel Length: 22″
  • Barrel Type: No.5 Taper
  • Barrel Material: 4140CrMo steel Bergara barrel
  • Barrel Finish: Matte blued
  • Stock: Bergara HMR Molded with mini-chassis
  • Rear butt-stock: Adjustable cheek piece, and length-of-pull
  • Weight: 9.15 lbs

Bergara designed the B-14 HMR for hunting and competition shooting. It guarantees optimal precision and repeatable bedding with its free-floating button-rifle-honed barrel and integrated full-length mini-chassis that’s been molded into the stock. It also features a two-lug system that consists of a sliding plate extractor and a coned bolt nose and breech that guarantee hassle-free cartridge feeding and extraction. You’ll definitely enjoy how smoothly the bolt lift works especially with its extended knob. You’ll want to fling rounds in and out endlessly.

Pros

  • Very affordable (MSRP: $1,199)
  • Lightweight (9.15 lbs)
  • Accurate
  • Smooth bolt lift

Cons

  • Heavy trigger pull
  • Mag capacity is only 5 rounds
  • Shorter barrel (22”)

What Customers Say

I have had this gun a few months. Sub MOA with factory ammo. Shoots great and couldn’t complain about anything for the price. I have shot out to 900 yards with no problems.

Red82

Very well-built and extremely accurate. Everything you could want out of the box, no need for upgrades.

BigGame42

Best Lightweight/Best Budget: Savage Axis II XP 6.5 Creedmoor 22″ Rifle

Savage Axis II XP 6.5 Creedmoor 22" Rifle

Specs:

  • Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
  • Ammo Capacity: 4 rounds
  • Handed: Right
  • Weight: 6.5 pounds
  • Overall Length: 43.875 inches
  • Barrel Length: 22 inches
  • Barrel Material: Stainless steel
  • Barrel Finish: Matte
  • Barrel Color: Natural
  • Stock Material: Synthetic
  • Stock Color: Black
  • Magazine Type: Detachable box
  • Trigger: Adjustable AccuTrigger

The Savage Axis II XP is one of the cheapest bolt-action rifles you can find these days. This rifle comes with a composite stock so you won’t have to worry about it shrinking or swelling due to extreme weather conditions, unlike wood stocks. Its AccuTrigger also breaks cleanly and is adjustable from 1.6 to 6 lbs. It comes with an average-quality Bushnell scope. Overall, this rifle performs well given its price (plus the scope is a great bonus).

Pros

  • Affordable (MSRP: $532.51)
  • Comes with a riflescope
  • Smooth bolt action
  • Adjustable trigger

Cons

  • Weak ejection

What Customers Say

Absolute best bang for the buck out there and a great first rifle or camp gun.

Hardball107

Love my savage axis gun shoots so good.

AnthonyFairbanks2952

Best Tactical: S&W M&P 10 Performance Center 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 Rifle

S&W M&P 10 Performance Center 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 Rifle

Specs:

  • Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
  • Barrel Length: 20″
  • Overall Length: 39.5″
  • Capacity: 10+1
  • Weight: 9 lbs
  • Twist: 1:8″
  • Trigger: Two-Stage Match
  • Stock: Magpul MOE+ Fixed
  • Finish: Black
  • Barrel: Carbon Steel

The S&W M&P 10 Performance Center 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 Rifle is fully finished in Armonite that provides long-lasting protection to the entire rifle, particularly the metal surfaces. This rifle’s threaded muzzle is also equipped with a thread protector. Its two-stage match trigger offers smooth and crisp breaks that make this rifle really fun to shoot. It features a two-inch M-Lok accessory rail that can accommodate every accessory you’re planning to install. 

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Oversized mag release
  • Ambidextrous controls
  • Two-stage match trigger

Cons

  • Heavy

What Customers Say

hese are nice rifles, I have one just like it, and they tend to shoot great. I swapped out the factory stock on mine, as well, and put a PRS on it 10 minutes after I bought it. Great upgrade. Factory trigger is good enough. Good scope choice, Im running a NF NXS 3-15. It puts them into sub moa out to 800 yards. No problem..

Imbear

Love it, have taken it out to 1000 yds and connected on a 12x20in steel plate.

fr.jakedog6.592

Ruger Precision Rifle

Ruger Precision Rifle

Specs:

  • Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
  • Action: Bolt action
  • Capacity: 10+1
  • Weight: 10.70 pounds
  • Overall Length: 42.45 – 45.75 inches
  • Barrel Length: 24 inches
  • Barrel Twist Rate: 1:8″
  • Barrel Type: Cold hammer forged
  • Barrel Material: Chrome-moly steel
  • Muzzle: Hybrid Muzzlebrake
  • Finish: Matte Black Cerakote
  • Upper Receiver Material: 4140 chrome-moly steel
  • Lower Receiver Material: 7075-T6 aluminum
  • Lower Receiver Finish: Type III hard coat anodized
  • Trigger Type: Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger
  • Trigger Pull Weight: 2.25-5 pounds
  • Handguard: 15″ Ruger Precision Rifle Short-Action M-Lok Handguard
  • Stock: Ruger Precision MSR Stock
  • Safety: Reversible safety selector
  • Sights: No sights
  • Magazine: Includes two (2) 10-round Magpul PMAGs

The Ruger Precision Rifle features a cold-hammer-forged barrel with 5R Rifling at minimum bore and groove dimensions, minimum headspace, and a centralized chamber. It also comes with the Ruger Precision Rifle® Hybrid Muzzle Brake so you’ll barely feel the recoil. 

Its recoil management system helps improve accuracy by directly isolating the recoil from the receiver’s rear to its foldable buttstock. Plus its oversized bolt handle offers easy bolt manipulation for follow-up shots.

Pros

  • Affordable (MSRP: $1,499)
  • Very accurate
  • Light recoil
  • Huge aftermarket
  • Compatible with Magpul PMAGS, industry-standard AICS, and DPMS pattern mags.

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Creep is a bit more than the acceptable amount 

What Customers Say

Shot 4” gong at 600yrds repeatedly right out of the box… once I got it dialed in this thing was driving nails… great value for long-distance shooting.

Jeremy C.

I have successfully hunted hogs with a Ruger AR 556 for several years. However I felt the .556 lacks the knockdown power I was looking for. I purchased the RPR in 6.5 Creedmore to give me this. I have not been disappointed! The rifle consistently groups at sub MOA and provides the power to put a hog down and keep him down with a single shot. The trigger pull is a short and crisp 2.5 pounds. Recoil is negligible. The only negative that I find is the weight. After adding a infrared scope and illuminator you will definitely want to add a comfortable carry strap.

Byron P.

FAQs

What’s the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifle to buy?

For us, the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is the Tikka T3x Tac A1 because it’s reliable in every aspect. Check out its features above.

What is the max effective range of a 6.5 Creedmoor?

The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge stays supersonic and maintains its accuracy past 1,200 yds.

Is a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle good for deer?

Yes, a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is good for hunting deer, elk, and other games of similar size.

Want to explore other options? Our article on gun reviews has every type of platform for every shooting application!

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