Introduction

If you belong to older riflemen generations, you probably know that rifle choice abounds when it comes to .30-06 or .270 Winchester.  However, a 6.5 Creedmoor, the 14-year-old cartridge from Hornady, has a great chance to bruise their reputation.

Today the 6.5 Creedmoor is chambered in a vast array of rifles, so it’s hard to say which rifle is the best for this flat-shooting cartridge.

But if you want to get into the precision world, we have selected few entry-level bolt rifles that are simple, accurate and quite affordable.

6.5 Creedmoor History

The 6.5mm calibers never were popular among American shooters and hunters until recently. By the mid-1990s, the U.S. competitive target shooters experimented with the 6.5mm bore and got outstanding results because the 6.5 mm (.264″) could produce low bullet drop and low wind drift with minimal recoil.

The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge shares the same features and some better. In fact, capable of flat shooting from 100 yards out to 1,000, this fast mover gained a good bit of ground, particularly with long-range target shooters.

While based off .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor was developed from a .30 TC case and first introduced to the shooting public by Hornady in 2007.

Unlike its direct rival .260 Remington, Hornady’s new 6.5mm Creedmoor is offered with more high quality, relatively affordable factory ammo ranging from 120 to 140 grains.

Fit The Anticipated Use

With longer bullets, 6.5 CM has a higher mass-to-diameter ratio and a higher ballistic coefficient giving it excellent long-range performance. But for these performances, you want a heavy bench rifle with a match-grade barrel, pistol grip, and adjustable polymer stock.

Although a relative newcomer to the market, this lovely little caliber, as many called it, has earned a place of respect not only in the shooting arenas but also in the hunting fields.

This flat shooting cartridge loaded with proper hunting bullets can humanely harvest deer and other medium game at maximum hunting ranges.

The 6.5 Creedmoor has gained a lot of traction and appreciation in the match community as a highly accurate round due to its high ballistic coefficient and for extremely low-drag bullets. However, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a proven hunting cartridge that is increasingly becoming the first choice of many hunter novices and beginners.

Currently, the 6.5 Creedmoor is trendy, and the first-time buyers opt for 6.5 Creedmoor rather than the older and popular rounds like the .30-06 and .308.

Type of Action

As it soon became the premier precision rifle cartridge, the gun makers offered more and more models each year chambered in 6.5 Creed.

Designed specifically for competition shooters as a long-range precision-shooting cartridge, the natural environment for 6.5 CRDMR is the bolt action and single-shot rifles. But besides them, there are also excellent semi-automatic options available in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Before you are deciding what’s the right firearm for you, you should answer two questions. What will be the intended use of the rifle? And how much customization do you want to do at your rifle?

With various platforms available, you can choose from excellent bolt action hunting rifles to modern sporting options or tactically themed semi-automatic rifles.

Since the 6.5 Creedmoor is wildly accessible in many weapons platforms, you must find a rifle that performs well with the 6.5 Creedmoor and represents the best choice for your intended applications.

1. Daniel Defense DD5 V4 6.5 Creedmoor

The Daniel Defense DD5 V4 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor has high-end features, excellent accuracy, and a level that is unmatched by other MSRs.

Daniel Defense stands out from the rest of its competitors by using premium and shooter-friendly components in their rifles. Daniel Defense’s original glass-filled polymer design for the pistol grip is combined with soft-touch over molding. These grips are comfortable and secure for long-range shooting.

Although the DD5V4 is expensive at $2,725.99 it’s not a cheap rifle. However, you can’t find a rifle with this build quality for less. It features high-quality components all through and smart design elements that result from extensive range work.

The Daniel Defense DD5 V4 rifle is chambered with 6.5 Creedmoor and can hit targets up to a half-mile. It’s also an excellent hunting rifle and can withstand the demands of ranch work or daily range. Switching from suppressed to unsuppressed shooting is easy, quick, and efficient.

• Price: $2,757.99
• Manufactured by: Daniel Defense
• Cartridge: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel Length: 18 in.
• Weight: 8.6 lbs.
• Capacity: 20+1

2. Ruger American Predator 6.5 Creedmoor

One of the most affordable models on our list of the Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles belongs to a giant in the firearms world – Sturm, Ruger & Company. Ruger is a manufacturer of rugged and reliable firearms, and the American Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor is no exception.

If you are a hunter looking for the best rifle chambered in trendy 6.5 Creedmoor caliber, the Ruger American 6.5 CM is just about ideal for most hunters and sportsmen.

The Ruger American series of rifles come in various configurations, but the basic features are 22″ tapered thread barrels, scope rails, adjustable triggers, and synthetic stocks.

While the Ruger American rifles with detachable magazines are also available, one model mainly raises our eyebrows- an AR magazine-fed Ruger American .223.

But let’s go back to our American in 6.5 Creedmoor with 4 round capacity, which is enough for most games.

The Ruger American Predator 6.5 Creedmoor bolt-action rifle is designed as an entry-level, budget-conscious firearm, chambered in the relatively affordable cartridge of moderate recoil.

The American Rifle Predator 6.5 Creedmoor bolt-action rifle is configured with a standard black synthetic stock and a threaded 22″ barrel for muzzle devices.

Other features include a Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger with an integral blade type safety and Ruger’s proven “Power Bedding System” in the form of a pair of steel v-blocks, which is perfect for plastic stocks.

The American Predator doesn’t come with iron sights, but Ruger equips it with a one-piece Picatinny scope rail for customizing optics.

All Ruger American Rifles features simple, reliable, and efficient action with 3 lugs, seventy degrees throw bolt, which provides ample scope clearance and shorts cycling distance.

Finally, with an accuracy hovering right around 1 MOA, this light and the handy rifle would be an ideal solution for use in rough terrain without breaking the bank.

• Price: $499.99
• Manufactured by: Sturm, Ruger & Company
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel Length: 22 in.
• Overall Length: 42 in.
• Weight: 6.6 lbs.
• Capacity: 3+1 rounds

3. Mossberg Patriot Predator 6.5 Creedmoor

Another modern, plastic stock bolt-action rifle that shoots a modern new cartridge comes from Mossberg, the renowned American firearm maker.

Introduced in 2015, the classically designed Patriot series of hunting rifles now includes a Predator lineup in 6.5 Creedmoor. The exclusive edition of the Mossberg’s Patriot Predator rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor features classically styled synthetic stock and the 22-inch fluted barrel topped with a thread protector.

Besides a button-rifled fluted barrel, the Patriot Predator also sports an attractive spiral fluted bolt and enlarged knurled bolt handle.

The Patriot boasts Mossberg’s own Lightning Bolt Action trigger (LBA), user-adjustable and comes with today’s common an integrated safety bar. 2-position safety is placed on the right side of the receiver, while inside the Mossberg rifle, you will find the proven twin-lug, push-feed smooth action.

Like many modern rifles, the Predator comes with a detachable 5-round box magazine that makes loading and unloading much easier and faster.

The Patriot Predator comes without iron sights, but you can find on top of a receiver a factory-installed Picatinny rail for ease of mounting and repositioning optics.

While some called it a Poor-Man’s Sheep Rifle, the Patriot Predator can shoot MOA groups, which is not bad for an inexpensive bolt gun.

• Price: $401.99
• Manufactured by: Mossberg
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel Length: 22 in.
• Overall Length: 42.25 in.
• Weight: 6.5 lbs.
• Capacity: 5+1 rounds

4. Tikka T3x Lite 6.5 Creedmoor

While Sako’s reputation has long been built on offering reliable firearms with higher price tags, their subsidiary, the Tikka, aims to provide functional and inexpensive rifles for shooters and hunters with tight purse strings.

As an upgrade of the very successful Tikka T3 line, a Tikka T3x kept the same outstanding cold hammer-forged barrel, smooth bolt action and snappy adjustable trigger.

The new Tikka T3x Lite model in 6.5 Creedmoor comes with reinforced all-black polymer stock that has an ergonomic low angled grip.

The interchangeable pistol grips and forends of the T3x Lite can be reconfigured to allow you to modify for the length of pull and comb height.

The Tikka T3x has a precision 24.3″ free-floating forged barrel and a hand-crowned muzzle for increased accuracy.

Along with a precision-made barrel, an adjustable steel trigger is one of the big selling points of the T3x.

The excellent single-stage adjustable trigger is user adjustable from 2 to 4 pounds of pull and breaks crisp and clean, allowing shooters to make accurate and quick shots under field conditions.

The Tikka T3x Lite features a push feed bolt action that uses a solid two-locking lug bolt.  Enveloped in a robust metallic bolt shroud, the bolt opens a full 70 degrees, leaving plenty of room for handling the bolt even in the winter gloves.

The Tikka T3X Lite bolt-action rifle comes without sights, but its rock-solid receiver accommodates additional screw placements for a sturdier scope base or Picatinny rail placement.

Along with classic two-position safety, the Tikka T3x Lite is now offering already standard a 3 round single-column detachable magazine made of durable polymer for fast and sure repeating.

• Price: $1,463.99
• Manufactured by: Tikka
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel Length: 24.4 in.
• Weight: 8.6 lbs.
• Capacity: 3 rounds

5. Savage Arms 110 Ultralite 6.5 Creedmoor

Created more than 60 years ago, the Savage 110 bolt-action rifle has survived thanks primarily to the time-proven Model 110 action developed in 1958, a button-rifled 24-inch barrel, and a relatively decent price point.

Savage has listened to their customer’s complaints over the years and responded with updated models like any serious gunmaker.

The Savage model 110 Ultralite in 6.5 Creedmoor is their newest entry which offers a customizable fit, a very uncommon feature for the mass-produced rifles.

Besides an improved look, the innovative AccuFit system tailors a comb height and length of pull to your body.

This ergonomically friendly design uses combs of different heights and stock inserts on the butt pad to change comb height and length-of-pull, allowing the shooter to gain a proper cheek position in any shooting situation.

The AccuStock consists of a full-length aluminum bedding chassis to provide stability and rigidity and thus to ensure accuracy and consistency.

The rifle boasts Savage’s improved 110 action, two-stage fully adjustable trigger, and three-position safety, along with improved ergonomics.

The Savage 110 Apex Storm comes from factory drilled and tapped, making optic mounting fast and effortless.

With an average five-shot group of 1.5-inch at a long 100 yards, the Savage 110 Apex Storm isn’t designed to be a precision target rifle. However, this middle-of-the-road-priced bolt-action rifle would be perfect for hunting thin-skinned game and casual paper shooters.

• Price: $1,369.99
• Manufactured by: Savage Arms
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel Length: 22 in.
• Weight: 5.85 lbs.
• Capacity: 4 rounds

6. Springfield Armory M1A Loaded 6.5 Creedmoor

If we look at a 6.5 Creedmoor as a real thoroughbred racehorse, then it deserves nothing less than a jockey with National Match prefixes.

The M1A Loaded Precision 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is an exciting combination of a modern, well-balanced cartridge that provides laser-flat trajectory with a legendary firearm that represents a staple in match shoots for decades.

Of course, this assemblage isn’t only an accurate and precise tool for marksmen. When mated with proper scope, it is an ideal combo for hunting light to medium game, with plenty of power for ethical kills past 400 yards.

Springfield’s M1A Loaded rifle is a semi-automatic version of the M14 platform and anyone who has used the M14 will be right at home with the 6.5 Creedmoor M1A Loaded.

Springfield Armory’s M1A Loaded Series in 6.5 Creedmoor comes in 3 variants, which mainly differ in stock’s configurations.

Besides models with “precision adjustable” synthetic stocks that meld the classic and contemporary, our “standard” version features a traditional M14-pattern black composite stock.

All models are equipped with a National Match Grade, 22-inch stainless steel medium weight barrel and shot-steadying muzzle brake.

As for the National Match prefix, the Loaded boast NM front post sight and an NM non-hooded, adjustable rear sight as well as the 2-stage, National Match-tuned 4.5-lb. trigger.

Combining the super crisp, competition-grade trigger, a national match-grade barrel with an efficient muzzle brake and the mild-mannered flat shooting cartridge, Springfield offered a true 1,000 yard plus precision rifle.

The new offering from Springfield Armory, with an overall length of 46.25″ and weighing in at 9.3 lbs, isn’t the most compact and lightest gun. But as a rifle designed for long-range work off bipods or shooting from a blind, it doesn’t have to be light.

• Price: 1,926.99
• Manufactured by: Springfield Armory
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Action: Semi-Automatic
• Barrel Length: 22 in.
• Overall Length: 46.25 in.
• Weight: 9.3 lbs.
• Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

7. Browning X-Bolt Pro 6.5 Creedmore

Browning’s X-Bolt Pro chambered in 6.5 Creedmore builds upon the successes of past Browning rifles while adding many new features. Its three-lever adjustable Feather Trigger system produces a smooth, crisp pull that has no take-up.

For stability and consistency, the barrel can be free-floated by bedding its front and rear to ensure consistent barrel spacing. Protect the rifling with a muzzle crown.

The bolt unlock button can be used with the top-tang safety for added safety. A 60-degree bolt lift speeds up the process of working the bolt and is quick cycling, which allows you to do so quickly.

The Pro model rifle is semi-custom. It has a carbon-fiber stock with noise-dampening foam. This makes it very light and rigid. The stock also has a cerakote finish that covers the action and barrel. This provides additional protection.

To ensure accuracy and ease of cleaning, the barrel uses a proprietary lapping method. This prevents the need to break in the barrel. The barrel also features a spiral flutedbol, an enlarged handle and a threaded mouth with a muzzle brake.

This model includes a stainless-steel drilled and tapped receiver and fluted barrel with the tungsten finish and threaded brake. It also features a carbon fiber with texture gripping panels and a tungsten finished.

• Price: $1,949.99
• Manufactured by: Browning
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel Length: 22 inches
• Weight: 6.1 lbs.
• Capacity: 4+1 Rounds

8. Winchester XPR 6.5 Creedmoor

The Winchester XPR 6.5 Creedmoor rifle meets today’s high performance requirements. It is a rugged, reliable game getter that will last for years. Winchester Repeating Arms is known for their long-lasting quality, and the XPR bolt action rifle features all of the usual features.

Winchesters M. O.A. Every XPR rifle’s heart is the Trigger System. The M. O.A trigger housing and its internal components are made of hardened, polished carbon steel. A blued finish adds durability and corrosion resistance. It has a two-position safety, which is easy to use with your thumb.

Just in front of safety button, the bolt release button lets you cycle unfired cartridges with the safety on. The bolt shroud has a cocking indicator that gives you both a visual and tactile reference to the rifle’s cocked/ uncocked status.

The robust XPR Bolt is made of chromoly steel bar stock, and is heat-treated. The bolt features three locking lugs at the front and a short 60-degree lift for better scope clearance while cycling. Smooth operation is provided by a tough nickel Teflon coated. This coating also provides additional corrosion resistance.

One-piece magazine frame and trigger guard design offer a large guard opening that can be used with gloves. The XPR rifle’s chromoly-steel barrel is precisely button rifled to ensure outstanding accuracy with a variety of bullet weights. To eliminate pressure points that can affect accuracy, the barrel is completely free-floating.

The XPR has a drilled tapped chromoly steel receiver synthetic steel stock with an Inflex technology recoil pad. It also includes a detachable single stack magazine. This Hunter model comes with a TrueTimber Strata forend and stock finish as well as a PermaCote FDE-metal finish.

• Price: $595.99
• Manufactured by: Winchester
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel Length: 22 inches
• Weight: 6.8 lbs.
• Capacity: 3 Rounds

9. Wilson Combat Super Sniper 6.5 Creedmoor

The Wilson Combat .308 Super Sniper is the ultimate semi-automatic sharpshooting platform. It offers unmatched reliability and pinpoint accuracy. Wilson Combat’s match-grade barrel, the heart of this rifle, makes it the best choice for long-range accuracy seekers.

Precision button rifled from 416R stainless steel. The barrel is then chambered and reverse-crowned for outstanding accuracy. The Super Sniper’s 1-10″ twist (.308 Winchester), and 1-8″, twist (6.5 Creedmoor), provide unmatched accuracy at 300, 400, 500, and even 500 yards, with a wide range of bullet weights.

Wilson Combat’s machined-aluminum BILLet AR upper and lower receivers are engineered with close tolerances. This allows for a perfect fit and a perfectly bored bolt raceway for smooth operation. Wilson Combat’s exclusive T. R.I.M rail, a handguard platform that mounts your favorite accessories is comfortable and versatile.

• Price: 3,501.99
• Manufactured by: Wilson Combat
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Action: Semi-Automatic
• Barrel Length: 20 in.
• Weight: 9.88 lbs.
• Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

10. Smith & Wesson M&P10 6.5 Creedmoor

The Smith Wesson Performance Center M&P10 gas-operated semiautomatic rifle is versatile and can be used for professional or recreational purposes. It is chambered in 308 Win (7.62x51mm) and 6.5 Creedmoor. It has a steel barrel, T6 aluminum receiver and a hard-coat anodized black finish. A steel bolt and chrome firing pin are included. The M&P10 features an ambidextrous magazine catchbol catch, safety selector, and 5R rifling. The M&P10 is suitable for professional and personal use.

This model includes a threaded muzzle with a thread protector and two-stage match trigger. It also features a Magpul MOE Stock. The model also includes a 15-inch free-float Troy Alpha MLOK handguard, and a carbon-steel barrel with a 1:8″ twist rate.

• Price: 1,999.99
• Manufactured by: Smith & Wesson
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Action: Semi-Automatic
• Barrel Length: 20 in.
• Overall Length: 39.5 in.
• Weight: 9.1 lbs.
• Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Final Thoughts

As you might conclude until now, the precision 6.5 Creedmoor modern rifles don’t have to be very expensive or complex.

Since the 6.5 CM is a flat shooter and with low recoil, it will keep the overall platform at a reasonable weight enabling quick handling and enhanced shooter comfort.

Generally, the rifle choice we represented is good working guns and good performers.

You can find a few of the very best buys in our list, designed for various shooters’ statures, body sizes, and shooting styles alike.