Thousands of new hunters got their hunting licenses in the past couple of years. We are finally starting to see an increase, rather than a decrease in the number of American hunters.
And what do all of these new hunters have in common, other than the fact that they want to source their own free-range, organic, all-natural meat? They all need a hunting rifle.
Choosing a hunting rifle is your first step towards taking down a deer, elk, or other game animal and filling the freezer. But the caliber choice can be overwhelming.
A 6.5 Creedmoor barrel should be one of your first considerations, however, due to its’ versatility, popularity, and user-friendliness compared to other rifle calibers.
But what makes a Creedmoor barrel unique, and why should you live the 6.5 Creedmoor barrel life? Keep reading to find out now.
Rifle Calibers Compared
If you’re going hunting for big game animals, such as deer, antelope, elk, moose, or even pigs, you have lots of options when choosing a rifle. Most rifle manufacturers will offer rifle models in various barrel calibers.
That is, the barrel will be different supporting a different-sized bullet but the rest of the gun will be the same.
The type and size of bullet you can shoot with your rifle will determine how far your can shoot, and what sized animal you can takedown. There are smaller rifles, geared towards closer range shots at pigs, antelopes, ad whitetail deer.
They are medium-sized rifles that can do it all. And there are heavy-duty rifles geared towards long-range shots at huge animals, such as a 1,500 lb bull elk.
On the small end, you have the .243 caliber, which are lightweight rifles better suited to kids, or adults with small frames. Whitetails are the biggest animals you should shoot with a .243.
Then you have medium-sized rifles, including the 6.5 Creedmoor. We’ll cover this in more detail below, but it’s more than capable of taking down whitetail and mule deer. Quite a few elk are taken each year with one as well.
Other medium-sized barrels include 25-06 Remington, .270 Winchester, and the 30-06 Springfield.
If you’re looking to take down elk, moose, or caribou, you’d do better with a larger rifle like the 7mm, .300 Winchester Magnum, or the .338 Winchester Magnum.
If you’re a new hunter, choosing a medium-sized rifle with long-distance accuracy if a safe choice, which is why the 6.5 Creedmoor is a good option.
Benefits of a 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel
The 6.5 Creedmoor has only been around since 2007. So why do so many hunters rave about the performance of the 6.5 Creedmoor over other calibers that have been used for decades? Here’s why.
Versatile Rifle
As a medium-sized hunting caliber, the 6.5 Creedmoor barreled action can take down a wide variety of animals. You can shoot smaller prey, such as antelope and pigs with it.
It’s prized for its ability to take down a whitetail deer or mule deer, however. This is quickly becoming a favorite caliber among die-hard deer hunters, especially out west, where long-distance shots are common.
And under the right conditions, the 6.5 Creedmoor is more than capable of taking down elk; both cows and bulls. Of course, the size of the bullet isn’t huge, compared to other calibers. So it’s the accuracy and velocity offered by this rifle that can get the job done.
But the power is still there. It takes a lot to get through the thick skin and bones of larger prey, and a well-placed Creedmoor shot can handle the task.
Light Recoil
Whether you’re a brand new hunter with no shooting experience at all or have been shooting guns for 50 years, recoil never feels good. Bigger guns have more recoil, so the rifle rises further after each shot, making it harder to stay locked on prey.
If a follow-up shot is needed, then recovering after the recoil is important. Recoil also just hurts. And in anticipation of recoil, many hunters will move their barrels when firing, ensuring they miss their shot.
Luckily, the 6.5 Creedmoor packs a punch on the animal without bucking you. It has light recoil compared to most other hunting rifles, making these a pleasure to use.
Less recoil means higher accuracy and the option of a follow-up shot when necessary.
Improved Accuracy
Many experienced hunters will tell you that a 6.5 Creedmoor is the most accurate rifle out there. It can shoot razor-thin groups at impressive distances.
This increased accuracy at long distances, with power behind each bullet, is what makes these rifles so popular among today’s hunters. Many hunters call it the king of long-range shots.
While those hunting in the hardwoods of the Midwest might not need a rifle that can handle long-range shots, every western hunter, or aspiring western hunter would benefit from it.
Most shots in East and Midwest will be less than 100 yards. Any hunting rifle caliber can drop a deer at that distance, especially since rifles are initially sighted in at 100 yards.
But out west, where expansive landscapes separate you from your prey, you may need to be confident in 200, 300, or even 400-yard shots. And that’s where the Creedmoor shines.
In fact, the gun boasts impressive accuracy for target shots up to 1,200 yards away (though hunters should never attempt this). The rifle can pull groups of less than three inches at 500 yards.
And while three inches off your target is a lot, it’s more than adequate when hunting big game, where vital zones are much larger than that.
This gun works magic as it fires rounds that aren’t as susceptible to wind as other calibers. The result is a consistent, accurate shot at a long distance, which any hunter would die for.
Affordable Cartridges
For being such as effective cartridge for taking down large game animals, the 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition is much more affordable compared to other big game cartridges.
This makes it a great option, particularly for beginners, who need to shoot often to develop basic skills.
If you got started with a larger rifle, you’d spend a pretty penny on ammunition as you practice, train, and sight-in your rifle.
Make the Creedmoor Right for You
A modern Creedmoor rifle is going to be awesome right out of the box. Get it from a reputable brand, lie, the Ruger American, Remington 700, or Weatherby Vanguard, and you’ll be ready to hit the field in no time.
But there are always ways you can improve your shooting experience.
No matter what, you’re going to need a scope. Sometimes rifles come with one. If they do, it’s usually a cheap, ineffective scope.
If you want to improve your chances of filling your freezer as a new hunter, plan on spending a few hundred dollars on good glass.
Also, pick up a rifle sling to make it easy to carry your gun to and from the field. Depending on the terrain you are hunting, you may want a pair of shooting sticks, or a bipod, to steady your barrel as you shoot.
You can also add a strap to the stock of your rifle to carry spare rounds. When hunting big game, it’s unlikely you’ll need more than a few rounds. So a carrier with five or six slots should do the trick.
You can also modify the gun to your liking. It’s common to swap to a new 6.5 Creedmoor ar barrel to adjust the aesthetics of the gun. A high quality 6.5 Creedmoor barrel is the most important thing you can have on your rifle.
Most people agree that a 24 or 26 inch 6.5 Creedmoor barrel length is ideal for long-range accuracy.
Alternatives to the 6.5 Creedmoor
Not totally sold on the 6.5 Creedmoor as your first, or next, hunting rifle? Then try one of these out.
The .30-06 Springfield is one of the oldest and by far the most popular hunting rifle caliber. More animals fall each hunting season with 30-06 bullets than with any other cartridge.
It’s tried and true for any big game animal, from antelope to elk. It’s got the power you need if you don’t mind a little extra recoil compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Ammunition can be found anywhere in the country, the most stores try stocking as much as possible. And the rounds are quite affordable as well.
It packs the punch you need for big game animals but may fall short compared to long-distance accuracy.
If you don’t feel the desire to chase after elk or big-bodied mule deer, then the .25-06 is a great choice as well. Great accuracy over longer distances, minimal recoil, and it works wonders on whitetail and antelope.
This caliber is known to be effective out to ranges of 400 yards, though that’s still much further than a novice should ever attempt.
If you’re bent on trying for larger animals, you’ll need to use heavy-weight ammunition and wait for the perfect shot.
The Perfect Beginner’s Rifle
The 6.5 Creedmoor barrel is still one of the newest calibers on the hunting and target shooting scene. It’s barely 15 years old, but it has developed quite a reputation over the years.
If you want a rifle that is insanely accurate, and more than capable of medium size animals like whitetail deer, with minimal recoil, the 6.5 Creedmoor is for you.
Looking for more recommendations like this? Check out our blog to find other helpful tips.
