Few rounds seem to generate the extreme love-hate reaction of the 6.5 Creedmoor. No matter where you stand, the round is here to stay, as both firearms and factory ammunition offerings are plentiful. 

With the right bullet selection – and a wide array of projectile weights – the 6.5 Creed is capable of taking down varmints to big game. We sifted through the many brands and types of ammo to single out our favorites when the hunt is on the line.

Nosler Varmageddon

With the lightest projectile on this list, along with its bullet type, the Nosler Varmageddon helps make the 6.5 Creedmoor a legit varmint hunter. The Varmageddon load – bonus points for creative naming – uses a 90-grain Flat Base Tipped (FBT) projectile. 

Because of the bullet design and weight, though, this one is not a good choice for larger game. What it does, it does very well. From smaller vermin to coyotes, and even up to pronghorn antelope, these lightweights will perform. 

Honorable Mention: Hornady Varmint Express 95-grain V-Max
 

Hornady Precision Hunter

Hornady’s Precision Hunter line of longer-range centerfire ammunition has been dominating the hunting market for a handful of years now, and for good reason. That ELD-X projectile offers match-grade accuracy in a hunting bullet, with impressive terminal performance on game to boot. 

The 6.5 Creed uses a 143-grain pill with an impressive .625 ballistic coefficient (BC), one of the best in its class. All told, Precision Hunter is a solid buy for 6.5 Creedmoor hunters of medium-sized and larger game. 

Honorable Mention: Federal Premium Swift Scirocco II 130-grain
 

Nosler Trophy Grade Partition

Though it may sound unbelievable these days, bullets need not be ballistic-tipped in order to knock down serious game. Nosler’s Trophy Grade line offers 6.5 Creedmoor hunters one of the most classic soft-point projectiles with the 140-grain Partition. 

Those mushrooms offer solid weight retention and deep penetration, ideal for the larger end of the 6.5’s game spectrum. Of course, it’s difficult to be disappointed by any of Nosler’s Trophy Grade hunting loads. 

Honorable Mention: Winchester Super-X 129-grain Power Point
 

Federal Premium Terminal Ascent

The Federal Premium Terminal Ascent is relatively new to the market, but it has already been a performer the world over. The 6.5 Creedmoor flavor is dressed in a 130-grain Slipstream polymer tip. This is another match-grade bullet that offers exceptional longer-range accuracy. 

Of particular note, Terminal Ascent’s projectile may just be the best in terms of expansion at lower velocities, which can be an issue for some rounds. The bonded bullet is built with a copper shank and lead core for weight retention and deep penetration at any range. 

Honorable Mention: Remington Core-Lokt Tipped 129-grain 
 

Barnes Vor-Tx LR

Barnes is a trusted name in the bullet market. Their VOR-TX LR ammunition is fitted with a 127-grain LRX projectile designed for precision shooting at extended ranges. The LRX is specifically an all-copper bullet, making it suitable for those areas that don’t allow lead products. 

The more standard Barnes VOR-TX – not LR – uses the company’s 120-grain TTSX lead-free projectile. In general, both perform best at ranges that give them enough speed to do what they do best: expand quickly on contact into wicked cutting petals. 

Honorable Mention: SIG Sauer Elite Hunter 120-grain