Top 5 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Hunting

Looking for the best 6.5 Creedmoor ammo? The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge is a perennial favorite for big game hunters and long-range shooters. Whether you are hunting whitetail in Missouri or elk in Wyoming, the 6.5 Creedmoor can get the job done. Here are a few factors that may go into your ammo decision, along with our top 5 picks for 6.5 Creedmoor ammo

Weight & Velocity

With most bullet weights in the 120-150 grain range and a muzzle velocity over 2,700 fps, 6.5 Creedmoor is one of the best cartridges for big game hunting. It offers ample take-down power while having minimal recoil for a hunting rifle.

Long Range Capabilities

The 6.5 Creedmoor not only has the stopping power and comfortable shooting you need but also plenty of range. The 6.5 Creedmoor can reliably take down game out to 1000 yards with the proper equipment, skill, and ammo.

Bullet Styles

Depending on your hunting environment, species of choice, and personal preference, your bullet choice may vary greatly. Here is a brief overview of the most common 6.5 Creedmoor bullet styles.

Polymer Tip – Polymer-tipped bullets are a must-have for long-range hunting. They fly true, penetrate deep, and offer reliable expansion without deformation. You can find ammo like Nosler Trophy Grade, Hornady Varmint Express, and Barnes VOR-TX in polymer-tipped designs.

Jacketed Soft Point – Jacketed soft point bullets are designed to retain mass, energy, and momentum after impact. These bullets found in rounds like the Hornady American Whitetail line provide impressive expansion and penetration for your shot at that buck of a lifetime.

Jacketed Hollow Point – Jacketed hollow point bullets blend the exceptional accuracy of a match-grade bullet with the expansion of a hunting bullet to give hunters the best of both worlds. Take on game with jacketed hollow point rounds from brands like Berger, Federal Premium, and more!

1

Nosler Trophy Grade 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo 142 Grain Nosler AccuBond Long Range Bonded Polymer Tip Box of 20

Nosler Trophy Grade ammunition is high quality, production-run ammunition manufactured to strict tolerances and inspected as it is hand-packaged. Trophy Grade features Nosler Custom brass and the dependable, high performing bullets you know and trust.

This particular Nosler Ammunition features the AccuBond Long Range bullet, a rapidly expanding bonded hunting bullet with the highest Ballistic Coefficient possible in a bullet of the same caliber and weight. The bonding process eliminates the issue of being too close, a problem often associated with many of the other high hunting bullets. AccuBond Long Range Bullets' long, sleek ogive was designed to produce outstanding accuracy in a wide variety of firearms.

What Customers Are Saying

I will be buying more of the nosler 142 grain Accubond ammo.

I Just sighted in my new Bergara 6.5 creedmoor with this Nosler accubond 142 grain ammo. It shot a tight group. We took a large boar the same afternoon with a headshot at my ranch in SE OK. I will be buying more of this ammo. Midway USA has first class service as well.
- Steven, 9/22/2020

About Nosler

In 1946, John Amos Nosler was hunting moose in British Columbia. The bullets he was using failed to penetrate deeply enough for a fast kill. This flaw inspired Nosler to develop a new bullet design, one that would not only expand at low velocities but also be robust enough for high-velocity impacts and deep penetration. Two years later, the Nosler Partition Bullet Company was formed in Oregon to sell the new Partition bullets. MidwayUSA offers a complete line of Nosler bullets, ammo, and brass including Assured Stopping Power (ASP), Ballistic Tip, Defense Handgun, Expansion Tip Lead-Free, Match Grade, Trophy Grade, Trophy Grade Long Range, Varmageddon, Accumbond, Accubond Long Range, Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip, Custom Competition Match, Partition, Reduced Drag Factor (RDF), Solid Dangerous Game. Nosler Model 48 and Model 21 rifles are also offered in popular calibers to suit the needs of premium hunters. Shoot with confidence knowing at Nosler it’s always “Quality First”.

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2

Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo 143 Grain Hornady ELD-X Polymer Tip Box of 20

Accuracy and terminal performance are the cornerstones of Hornady Precision Hunter factory loaded ammunition. Great care has been given by Hornady engineers to develop superior, match­-accurate hunting loads that allow the ELD­-X bullet to achieve its maximum ballistic potential.

Propellants used in the Precision Hunter ammunition line are clean burning and loaded to uniform capacity for consistent shot to shot results regardless of temperature. This attention to detail provides the highest levels of accuracy and performance uniformity for the most demanding and diverse hunting situations.

Features

  • BEST­-IN-­CLASS BCS - Verified by Doppler radar, the Heat Shield tip defies the effects of aerodynamic heating and retains its shape to maintain the highest-in­-class BC over its entire trajectory.
  • MATCH ACCURATE HUNTING BULLET - Streamlined secant ogive with optimum boattail design + highly concentric AMP bullet jackets + Heat Shield tip combine for radically superior aerodynamic efficiency.
  • DEVASTATING CONVENTIONAL RANGE PERFORMANCE - With high velocity, 0-­400 yard impact, the bullet continually expands throughout its penetration path. The thick shank of the jacket and high InterLock ring keep the core and jacket together providing 50­-60% weight retention.
  • BEST EXTENDED RANGE TERMINAL PERFORMANCE AVAILABLE - Upon low velocity, 400+ yard impacts, the Heat Shield tip drives backward into the bullet to initiate expansion. Exhibiting controlled expansion with a large mushroom and 85­-90% retained weight, the bullet provides deep penetration and large cavities. Available as component bullets or in factory loaded Precision Hunter ammunition.

 

What Customers Are Saying

Extreme Ammo

The 6.5 creedmoor eld-x was my go to ammo this hunting season. My first elk was a big bodied bull elk at 535 yards. He took five steps. The eld-x completely destroyed his heart and still exited. The second elk was a cow elk my son shot at 735 yards through the lungs. The bullet left the animals with a two inch hole. This elk tumbled down a steep mountain. The eld-x had the exact same performance on the third elk at 220 yards. The final animal was a mule deer buck at 170 yards and he literally flipped over and landed in his back like a dog getting his belly rubbed. I shoot this ammo out to 840 yards at the range and it is a gong ringer. In the field it is a animal stopper.
- Greg, 12/21/2016

About Hornady

“Ten bullets through one hole” is the philosophy that brought Hornady® Manufacturing from a two-man operation in 1949, to a world-leading innovator of bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture today. Change is their constant and daily challenge. They outperform their competitors by ensuring the products they make are the ones their customers need right now, and accurately predict what they’ll want in the future. They recognize trends, and respect when to leave well enough alone. Their workforce includes an ample number of hunters and competitive shooters, as well as veterans and former law enforcement officers. At Hornady® Manufacturing, ammunition is more than their livelihood. It’s a major part of their daily life.

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3

Norma BondStrike 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo 143 Grain Bonded Polymer Tip Box of 20

Norma Bondstrike is specially developed for extreme precision and performance from normal to long hunting distances. The power bonding technology guarantees high weight retention and deep penetration. The high BC sets a new standard among hunting bullets that is directly comparable to high performing match ammunition. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

 

Features

  • Aerodynamic polymer tip for high BC and quick expansion
  • Thinner front-jacket for expansion at all ranges
  • Power bonding technology for high residual weight and penetration
  • Match boat tail for high BC giving speed and extreme precision at long range

 

What Customers Are Saying

6.5 Creedmore vrs.30 cal

I prefer .308 as my chambering of choice. But hunt with a 6.5 Creedmore occasionally. The Norma Bondstrike 143 grain is the only bullet I hunt with in that chambering. I must admit that the entry/exit wound and knockdown is comparable to my preferred 168 gn 308's. If you hunt with 6.5's, give this round a look.
- Dr. T, 4/16/2023

About Norma

Since 1902, Norma Precision has produced world-leading ammunition and components in the town of Amotfors, Sweden. Norma’s team of engineers and designers is dedicated to innovative solutions for the hunter and shooter. Norma developed the first boat-tail bullets, giving Norma a ballistic advantage over competitors. Today, Norma produces a wide variety of brass cartridge cases, precisely engineered bullets, and ammunition for the hunter and shooter. Norma’s newest facility in Georgia brings American manufacturing and support to the Norma portfolio. MidwayUSA offers a full complement of Norma Precision ammunition: BondStrike bonded centerfire rifle ammo, EcoStrike lead-free ammo, EvoStrike polymer-tipped ammo, NXD copper-polymer ammo, Range & Training full metal jacket ammo, Safeguard hollow point ammo, Tactical full metal jacket ammo, and Tipstrike tipped ammo. Choose Norma Ammunition to elevate your next shooting experience; “Always the Best Choice to Master Your Next Challenge.”

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4

Barnes VOR-TX Long Range 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo 127 Grain Barnes Long Range X (LRX) Polymer Tip Lead Free Box of 20

Barnes ammunition is manufactured to precise tolerances to ensure excellent accuracy and consistent velocities. VOR-TX LR is an extreme-distance load combining super-premium components that are assembled with a level of precision never before attained in factory ammunition. Each box includes ballistic charts that identify the G1 ballistic coefficient and address variables such as velocity, drop, energy and wind deflection – calculated at sea level and 5000 feet elevation. VOR-TX LR achieves match-grade accuracy and unmatched terminal performance on game at close and extreme distances delivers the quick, clean, ethical kills you’ve come to expect from Barnes. Distance can change all it wants. The terminal performance of VOR-TX LR never will. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases.

 

The Long-Range X Bullet (LRX) line is designed after the best-selling Tipped Triple-Shock X Bullet, the LRX bullet design increases Ballistic Coefficient values by increasing ogive and boat tail lengths to improve the bullets' long-range ballistic performance. For the hunter who is confident in long-range hunting, the LRX will fill the niche of this new hunting craze. LRX bullets will continue to be manufactured with the proven 100-percent copper, lead-free bodies. The bullet's polymer tip initiates expansion, causing the nose cavity to open instantly on contact doubling the bullet's original diameter while creating four cutting petals that wreak extensive internal damage. Exceptional performance means clean, quick kill.

What Customers Are Saying

Very Accurate Factory Ammo

In a Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor shot several 3 shot groups and they all ranged from 1/4 to 5/8 inch at 100 yards, with most of the first two shot cutting the same hole. Outstanding factory ammo performance.
- Brad Vargo, 7/21/2017

About Barnes

Barnes Bullets was founded in 1932 by Fred Barnes in Bayfield, CO. After 42 years in business, Fred sold Barnes Bullets to passionate hunters Randy and Coni Brooks who moved the business to American Fork, Utah. Randy and Coni were hunting brown bears in Alaska during the fall of 1985 when Randy conceived the idea of an expanding copper bullet. This prototype became the X Bullet, and its lineage continues today through five generations of improvement to the TSX, Tipped TSX, and LRX bullets you see today. Barnes Bullets produces a wide variety of components for the handloader, including lead-free and traditional lead-core bullets. Barnes also makes lead-free bullets specifically for muzzleloader hunting, in both hollow point and polymer-tipped versions. MidwayUSA also offers a comprehensive line of Barnes-manufactured ammunition including the popular VOR-TX product line.

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5

Federal Premium 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo 135 Grain Berger Hybrid Hunter Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20

Federal Premium is quality hunting ammunition designed for maximum performance and reliability. Premium hunting bullets are matched with select powders, primers and brass to create a reliable, hard-hitting hunting cartridge. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable cases.

 

Blend the profile of a low-drag match bullet with a traditional hunting projectile design and you're ready to take on almost anything that walks on four legs. Federal Premium Berger Hybrid Hunter bullet weights have been fine-tuned to provide exceptional accuracy through factory rifles. Ballistic coefficients exceed those of comparable designs thanks to a hybrid nose design that combines tangent and secant ogive features. The bullets are loaded with the finest nickel-plated brass, Gold Medal primers and specially formulated propellant for the best consistency and reliability.

 

Features

  • Hybrid tangent-secant ogive bullet design
  • High ballistic coefficient
  • Superior accuracy across a wide range of factory firearms
  • Lethal and reliable terminal performance on medium and big game
  • Loaded to tight specifications with Gold Medal primers, nickel-plated brass and specialized propellant

 

What Customers Are Saying

Would recommend this to anyone

Shot .25 inch group out of my savage 110 strom at a 100yards shot a buck at 150 yards and drop him where he stood with this ammo
- Seer/Bear Hunter, 12/12/2019

About Federal Premium

Federal Cartridge Company, as we know it today, started in 1922 when Charles Horn purchased Federal Cartridge and Machine out of receivership. Federal’s first products were shotshells, followed by rimfire in 1924. In 1976, Federal Premium was launched, combining boutique bullets with premium propellants and nickel-plated brass to create the “best of the best” in centerfire ammunition. Over a century later, MidwayUSA offers a complete spectrum of Federal ammunition, ranging from shotshell offerings like: Top-Gun, High Over All, Game Loads, Gold Medal Grand, and Prairie Storm; and centerfire rifle ammunition such as Fusion, Power-Shok, Gold Medal Match, Meat Eater; to centerfire pistol ammunition: HST, Punch, and American Eagle. Federal continues to manufacture rimfire ammo in the form of AutoMatch, Champion, and Game-shok. Federal supports handloaders with standard: small pistol, small rifle, large pistol, large rifle, 209 shotshell primers, and the Gold Medal-series match primers.

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