16 Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles – Sep’ 2023

Last Updated September 6th 2023

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Winners at a Glance

The Tikka T3x Lite is the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, but have some other top tier firearms here.

Image	Product	Detail	Price
	Tikka T3x Lite	Overall Winner	Best Price
	Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro	Best Precision Rifle	Best Price
	Smith & Wesson M&P10	Best AR-10	Best Price
	Christensen Arms Ridgeline	Best High End Hunting Rifle	Best Price
	Savage Axis II	Best Cheap Gun	Shop Now

The Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles in 2023

Creedmoor is the new black when it comes to big game hunting, target shooting, more or less everything to be honest. The best 6.5 Creedmoor rifles are rock stars.

This narrow, long, lightweight cartridge can target rabbits, wild boar, deer hunting or big game. It has even taken over the sniper rifles business, largely.

This relatively new caliber, which was thought of as a target shooting novelty not so very long ago, is now firmly esconced in the hunting community. 308 Win Mag kind of reigns supreme to 400 yards, but tthen there’s a proper case to be made for Creedmoor.

It is giving hunter’s clean kills with Elk, Caribou, deer, just about anything, and it’s providing epic control over your shot.

The 6.5 Creedmoor Semi Auto rifles are based on an AR-10 platform and that mean the weights are generally more in line with a 308 Win rifle. But not all of them. We have some lightweight alternatives for you too.

Here are our top picks and why we think the Tikka T3x Lite is the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifle in 2023.

1. Tikka T3x Lite

• Price: $749.99
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel Length: 20 inch
• Total: 42.5 inch
• Weight: 5.95lb
• Capacity: 3+1 Rounds

Best Overall

Price: 3.5/5 Accuracy: 4/5 Weight: 4/5 Capacity: 2/5 Value: 5/5

Not everybody is a Special Forces operative. Some of you are just simple hunters and target shooters that want a light and dependable 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle on your shoulder.

The best selling Tikka T3x Lite Compact is pretty much it.

You get 20 inches of barrel from the master craftsmen at Sako. It is fluted, has a hand-crowned muzzle for added precision and is largely responsible for Tikka’s sub-MOA guarantee. Well, that and the two-lug bolt that Tikka claims is the smoothest on the market today.

The Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle comes with a single-stage trigger that you can adjust from 2-4lb. A new steel recoil lug helps prevent deformation and keeps the 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle consistent and on-point for longer.

2. Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro

• Price: $2,726.99
• Barrel: 26 inch
• Total: 44 inch
• Weight: 9.5lb
• Capacity: 10+1

Best Precision Rifle

Price: 2/5 Accuracy: 5/5 Weight: 3/5 Capacity: 4/5 Value: 4/5

The Daniel Defense Delta 5 Pro is probably the ultimate sniper rifle and marksman’s tool, without getting into insane custom guns. It’s a top rated, high price, high spec rifle, but it isn’t crazy money.

This is much more than that, though. The company behind the legendary AR-15s has brought a good deal of the Modern Sporting Rifle’s modular thought process to the traditional target gear and sniper platform.

The cold-hammer forged barrel with a cerakote finish switches out and you can switch between caliber. Choose from a .308, 7mm Rem Mag and of course the 6.5 Creedmoor bolt-action rifle. You have them all now and a muzzle brake on the threaded barrel.

The trigger is a single stage, adjustable Timney Elite that you can set for 1.5-4lb. The composite stock is carbon-reinforced polymer, the adjustable stock is fully adjustable and the Picatinny scope base offers 20 MOA elevation.

Now this rifle comes with a 0.5 MOA guarantee at 100 yards and it’s totally good for it.

3. Smith & Wesson M&P 10

• Price: $1,999.99
• Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
• Barrel: 20 Inches
• Total: 39.5 inches
• Total Weight: 9.05lb

Best AR Platform

Price: 2/5 Accuracy: 4/5 Weight: 4/5 Capacity: 4/5 Value: 4/5

The best selling Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Performance Center rifle is the ultimate package of heritage, precision, price, weight, just about everything.

It’s an all-rounder of a 6.5 Creedmoor semi auto rifle, a real Designated Marksman Rifle. If you can handle about 1lb more on your shoulder than you’d ideally like to get a mag fed 6.5 Creedmoor semi automatic rifle.

This is the second generation, with the first generations tiny faults ironed out. So yeah that makes this Smith & Wesson rifle nigh-on perfect, from the pistol grip to the muzzle device.

The S&W semi auto rifle is 9lb, which is just light enough. Maybe.

4. Savage Axis II

• Price: $455.99
• Barrel: 20 inch
• Total: 39.5 inch
• Capacity: 6.25lb

Best Low Budget Rifle

Price: 5/5 Accuracy: 4/5 Weight: 4/5 Capacity: 2/5 Value: 5/5

This is a light, cheap rifle that is just about the perfect starter rifle.

Don’t expect the Savage Arms Axis to last a lifetime, but it is low price point and it comes with a Savage barrel and adjustable Accutrigger.

So it’s fine for hunting at anything like sane distances and you can shoulder this all day.

As you would expect for a 6.25lb rifle, there really isn’t much in the way of creature comforts with the Savage Axis. The barrel is carbon steel, the stock is polymer and it comes with a basic rubber recoil pad and a one-piece scope rail basically glued to the top.

If you want to spend more than the Savage Axis II Precision is gaining a reputation among target shooters at the range for less than $1000.

This rifle action features on a basic sporter stock through to the Savage Axis II Precision firearms and specialist hunters.

• Full line here. Click here for best price.

5. Christensen Arms Ridgeline

• Price: $1,743.99
• Barrel: 24 inch
• Weight: 6.3lb

Best High End Hunting Rifle

Price: 2/5 Accuracy: 5/5 Weight: 4/5 Capacity: 2/5 Value: 3.5/5

This company is turning the genre on its head with lightweight battle rifles and now this lightweight hunting rifle and target shooter is one of the classiest of the bunch.

It’s a carbon fiber stock and a thin barrel with a Carbon fiber sleeve. And that is never cheap with a 24 inch barrel. The receiver is machined from stainless steel billet and there’s an enlarged M16 style extractor and spiral fluted, nitride treated bolt.

All this combines to create a sub-MOA rifle that is the Christensen Arms Ridgeline. This 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action centerfire rifle is an absolute winner.

So basically everything that can be is carbon fiber on this gun. It’s an expensive composite, but then the carbon fiber stock and barrel defines the experience, and the price.

6. Ruger Precision Rifle

• Price: $1,547.97
• Rifle: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Capacity: 10+1
• Barrel (Inches): 24 inches
• Total Length (Inches): 42
• Total Weight: 10.7lb

Best Low Budget Precision Rifle

Price: 4/5 Accuracy: 5/5 Weight: 3/5 Capacity: 4/5 Value: 4/5

This Ruger Precision rifle is a precision shooting gun, rather than a field weapon. That’s down to the weight really, which is going to stop all but the most determined hunter running round all day with this on their back for longer distances.

This Ruger Precision rifle is a beautifully intricate 6.5 Creedmoor rifle that was, essentially, modeled on the AR platform. So the end result is really aimed at less demanding precision shooting.

It’s a long range precision rifle meant for paper punching and the near infinite level of adjustment reflects that. You could spend a day tuning the stock, and adjustable length of pull on the Ruger Precision rifle.

7. Bergara B-14 HMR

• Price: $1,005.99
• Weight: 7.1lb
• Barrel: 22 inch
• Total: 42 inch
• Capacity: 3+1 Rounds

Best Hunting & Match Rifle

The Bergara B-14 HMR Hunting & Match Rifle is another one that has scorched through the ranks thanks to its lightweight chassis and tack driver performance.

You can adjust the cheek riser and length of pull, but this is a relatively simple mini chassis rifle by design.

The free floated barrel is 4140 Chrome Moly Steel and it received a simple blued finish. It looks like a traditional bolt-action rifle that is an absolute tack driver out to 1000 yards. Some people will just dig that.

The 22″ cold hammer forged barrel rifle features in Bergara’s heavier chassis as a target shooter, so it goes without saying it’s got the goods in the field. It’s a 1:10 rate of twist and the trigger pull is a simple, clean breaking single-stage trigger that breaks at 3lb.

It’s a lightweight 6.5 Creedmoor rifle that ticks all the boxes. The Spanish firm will sell you a heavy barrel weapon and heavy chassis rifles, but this is the one we really like.

Left handed models are available and these are solid hunting rifles if you want precision in the field.

8. Browning X-Bolt Mountain Pro SPR

• Price: $2,240.99
• Barrel length: 18 inch
• Weight: 5.9lb
• Capacity: 4+1

Best Mountain Rifle

The Browning X-Bolt Mountain Pro SPR is a legend that has helped forge the company’s reputation in recent years.

Here you get a consistent grip and weather-proofing.

The company says this is the Browning X-Bolt for hardcore hunters and shooters who like to hit things really far away.

Of course there are cheaper, but the Browning X-Bolt is an icon and one of the value packages on this list if you listen to seasoned hunters.

These are mainly hunting rifles that can give you long distance skills with the right optic up top on the wild camo stock.

9. Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor

• Price: $1,632.99
• Barrel: 22 inch
• Total: 42 inch
• Capacity: 5+1 rounds
• Weight: 8.9lb

A Great Hunter

The Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is light enough to go anywhere, precise enough to take big game at unreasonable distances and cheap enough to be a best-seller.

So far it has proved a winning recipe for the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter, which is still a relative newcomer.

The Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Hunter gets a Mauser type controlled feed action and a one-piece stainless bolt. The muzzle brake is sexy and it is fun to shoot.

10. Ruger American Predator

• Price: $442.99
• Capacity: 3+1 rounds
• Barrel length: 22 
• Total (Inches): 42
• Weight: 6.6lb

Solid and Cheap

The Ruger American Predator is an intriguing example of the economies of scale in action. It’s pretty much 90% as good as the most expensive offerings, but it’s less than half the money thanks to the beauty of mass manufacturing.

The Ruger American rifle is also a lightweight 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle and that’s a bigger deal than I first realized.

I got carried away with AR-platforms and military hardware, until the comments section told me to pull my head out my ass. We had to feature more lightweight options like on the 308 rifles list.

The company knows all about this kind of firearm and has simply provided a clean stainless steel barrel and support system.

It’s a free-floating barrel thanks to the Ruger Power Bedding system. A 70 degree bolt plays nice with your optic, the stock is molded for a positive grip and everything just works.

The trigger is a fully adjustable Marksman Adjustable Trigger, so you can set it up for a hair trigger or a long pull.

It’s 6.6lb, which means you can sling it on your shoulder and take it out for the day, before setting up and taking a 1000-yard White Tail or something bigger.

You can order a wild camo stock, a left handed gun and you can choose from a range of calibers.

11. Springfield Armory M1A Loaded

• Price: $1,921.99
• Rifle: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
• Barrel length: 22
• Total: 44.3
• Weight: 9.3lb

Best Garand Based Precision Rifle

The Springfield M1A Loaded 6.5 Creedmoor semi auto rifle is certainly reminiscent of the M14 military rifle that replaced the M1 Garand in the hands of the American military, if only for a brief time from 1959 to 1964.

You get the iron sights as standard and those rears are adjustable match-spec irons on the Springfield M1A Loaded semi automatic rifle. It’s national match barrel, too, and a joy at the range as a 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle.

You can fold the iron sights away. The Springfield Armory comes drilled and tapped ready for your preferred optic and, in the right hands, this is a long range precision rifle you can order in black, flat Dark Earth or other finishes.

You can also buy a 308 Win mag rifle.

Check out some $1000 rifle scopes for sale in 2023 here.

Modern Take on Vintage Design

This is a bewitching blend of vintage firearms and modern material science. The stainless steel barrel has four grooves and a 1:8 rate of twist, the ported muzzle brake is a work of art and it’s almost infinitely adjustable. That includes the adjustable length of pull and the adjustable comb.

You could still easily take aim at 1000 yards with this bad boy when you’re range shooting. While it is heavy for big game hunting, you could do that too…

The Springfield Armory Waypoint is more expensive, but that long rifle comes with a full carbon fiber stock and Carbon Fiber wrapped barrel. The Springfield Armory Waypoint rifle is about as high tech a hunting weapon or range gun you will ever need and it promises 0.75 MOA accuracy out the box.

12. Seekins Precision Havak PH2

• Price: $1,849.99
• Capacity: 5+1 rounds
• Barrel: 24 inches
• Weight: 6.9lb

Best High Tech Long Range Hunter

The carbon fiber stock comes with a hand bedded action on this Seekins Precision rifle and you’re getting a premium hunter and great target shooter.

Now the price point on the Seekins Pro Hunter is a little hard to accept, but then nice things cost money and there are some seriously premium features like that fluted barrel for better cooling and consistency, as well as a lighter weight…

13. Winchester XPR

• Price: $614.99
• Capacity: 5+1 rounds
• Barrel: 22 inches
• Total: (inches): 42
• Weight: 6.8lb

Good for the Money

The Winchester XPR line is built round the Winchester Repeating Arms Winchester MOA trigger system mated to a simple synthetic stock.

The major parts are built from hardened and polished carbon steel with a blued finish for durability. While the bolt is constructed from CMV steel barstock on this 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle.

That is Nickel Teflon coated for smooth operation now and for many years to come and it’s drilled and tapped for scope mounts.

14. Mossberg Patriot 65

• Price: $491.99
• Capacity: 5+1 rounds
• Barrel: 22 inches
• Total: (inches): 42
• Weight: 6.5lb

Simple Rifle, Pure Mass Production

The Mossberg Patriot Predator is another multi-caliber rifle that has good chemistry with the Creedmoor cartridge.

The Mossberg Patriot Synthetic stock 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle has a 22-inch fluted barrel and not much else. It is a basic bolt-action rifle, but it comes at a basic price and should be good enough for you to get your eye in.

15. Weatherby Vanguard Weatherguard Tactical

• Price: $779.99
• Capacity: 5+1 rounds
• Barrel: 24 inch 
• Overall: 44 inches
• Weight: 7.75lb

High Quality Bolt Action

The Weatherby is a highly respected 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle. In fact you can buy one in a number of calibers.

You get 24 inches of threaded barrel and a polymer stock for a decent price, which could make this an ideal starter rifle for novice shooters.

It’s a guaranteed Sub-MOA accuracy rifle, too. There is a two-stage match-grade trigger. It comes with a fluted bolt, an integral recoil lug and a hinged floorplate.

The Weatherby Vanguard 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle is an accurate rifle and you should be able to shoulder it for a whole day of hiking. It weighs in at just 7.75lb, despite that monumental threaded barrel, and that’s one of the major strengths of this premium hunting gear.

16. Henry Long Ranger

• Price: $1,155.99
• Barrel: 22 inch barrel
• Total Length: 42 inch
• Weight: 7lb

Best Lever Action Creedmoor

The Henry Long Ranger is a selection of lever action rifles, 6.5 Creedmoor in the chamber in this case and a 22″ barrel for long distances.

You’re going to love this Henry Repeating Arms or hate it and nothing I say here will make the slightest bit of difference. Even at this price point.

So buy your Henry Long Ranger, or don’t. Your call.

Honorable Mentions

The Sig Sauer Cross, Patriot Ordnance Factory Edge, Wilson Combat AR-10, Howa M1500, Proof Research and plenty more could have made the list. But it’s too long as it is…

We wanted to include the Savage Arms Impulse Big Game Hunter, Rock River Arms AR-10, Masterpiece Arms and lots more, too. But this list was getting out of control, so the Savage Arms Impulse Big Game Hunter, Rock River Arms, Howa M1500 and more will have to wait for another day.

We did have the Howa Carbon Elevate there as well, but we had to cut some…

Now Let’s Talk Ammunition

If you are looking for rifle ammo, handgun ammo, rimfire ammo, 9mm amm cans, shotgun ammo or something in between, then you normally end up at the same ammo shops.

So it is with 6.5 Creedmoor ammo deals. Small game is less taxing, obviously.

Palmetto State Armory is generally our favorite bulk supplier of 9mm and 45 ACP. The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge is a slightly special case, but Palmetto State Armory can help. As can the other ammo shop choices

• Palmetto State Armory – Small selection of 6.5 Cartridge choices.
• Brownells – Great deals on Creedmoor ammo. Handgun ammo, shotgun ammo too.
• Lucky Gunner – Lots of ammo in stock at great prices. Rifle ammo deals.

What Scope Should You Buy?

The scope is actually more important than the gun and will certainly outlive it. But I have done a separate post for $1000 scopes that you can read here and most of them went to 25x magnification. Because why not?

3-9×40 Scopes seem to be the most popular, because not everybody wants to shoot deer on the distant horizon.

Vortex Optics are a popular choice and the centerfire rifle with Vortex Crossfire II Scope combo is getting a lot of love. That’s a $200 scope, so it’s on the budget end, but the Vortex Crossfire does the job.

You’re getting into spotting scopes and range gear with a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, too. Probably gun cases too. Maybe knives, tools, other stuff.

6mm Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor rifle

6mm looks to be the Betamax of the short action cartridge war. it has lost the shooting gear reviews battle. So unless you want a complete collection, stick to the more popular rifles, 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle options, that won the spin war in every way.

Despite its shortcomings, 308 Winchester Magnum is still the real rival and arguably it’s better to 400 yards. . Check out our picks for the top guns & ammo, starting with 308 Winchester Magnum rifles here. Maybe even a single shot lever action too.

You could get a Black powder rifle while you’re here, but why do you want Black Powder now? At least get a pistol caliber carbine or something. We got rifles, shotguns, handguns, air guns, semi-auto firearms, rifles, bolt action rifles and more shooting firearms type things. Also accessories, optics, knives, tools, compound bows, crossbows hunting gear etc.

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