Best 6.5 Creedmoor Hunting Ammo: A Comprehensive Guide

The 6.5 Creedmoor is an excellent choice for big-game hunting thanks to its low recoil, reduced wind drift, and flat trajectory. But you can’t use just any old 6.5 Creedmoor ammo for hunting since some rounds are made for target shooting while others are designed to put down game animals quickly and humanely.

Below, you’ll find the best 6.5 Creedmoor ammo for hunting available on the market. If you’re in a hurry, Winchester Expedition Big Game Long Range 142 Grain AccuBond LR is the best 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting, in my opinion.

However, if you want more options for your brand-new 6.5 Creedmoor hunting rifle, scroll down to see the complete list.

If you’re new to the 6.5 Creedmoor and aren’t sure what aspects make for better hunting ammo, check out this Buyer’s Guide HERE.

The Best 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Hunting

How I Decided On The Best Hunting Ammo for the 6.5 Creedmoor

As an avid hunter and fan of the 6.5 Creedmoor, I researched, fired, and talked with experts about these rounds and listed them according to these criteria:

• Bullet Type & Design
• Terminal Ballistics
• Accuracy
• Price
• Availability

Many 6.5 Creedmoor rounds are designed for target shooting, so hunters must know what the projectile was intended for when buying 6.5 Creedmoor ammo. All the ammo listed below was designed for hunting.

To go along with bullet design, the terminal ballistics must be considered. Heavier projectiles are often better for large game animals, whereas medium game animals don’t require the kinetic energy that the heavy bullets exert.

I want a bullet that is as accurate as possible. Shot placement is the most critical part of making an ethical kill. As hunters, we need ammo that we can count on to hit where we’re aiming when the opportunity presents itself.

I’m a budget-minded hunter, so I tend to pinch pennies when possible, including my ammo choices. However, I don’t just go with the cheapest just because it’s the cheapest. I want the best bang for my buck.

Lastly, custom ammo is an excellent option, but it’s not always easy to find the load you need, so I tried to pick readily available ammo for hunters.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Hunting Overall

Winchester Expedition Big Game Long Range 142 grain AccuBond LR

Winchester Deer Season XP Copper Impact 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo - 20 Rounds of 125 Grain Extreme Point Ammunition

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Winchester Expedition Big Game Long Range 142 grain AccuBond LR is the best 6.5 Creedmoor hunting ammo overall because it can take many big game animals, feeds reliably, and is ridiculously accurate.

The 142 grain AccuBond LR bullet packs enough punch to ethically harvest elk, bear, and deer-sized game animals from close or long range, making it an excellent choice for hunters who chase more than one species throughout the year.

I’ve found the nickel-plated brass cases to feed in bolt-action or semi-auto rifles reliably, and Winchester has been trusted by hunters for many decades for quality ammo.

These rounds are incredibly accurate, thanks in part to the polymer tip. The AccuBond LR also has a high BC, meaning it is more aerodynamic than bullets with a lower BC. This allows it to be more accurate even at long distances.

The biggest drawback is the price of these rounds. They are not what I consider to be budget-friendly, but it’s gonna cost you if you want the best and Winchester Expedition Big Game Long Range 142 grain AccuBond LR is one of the best options on the market.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Deer Hunting Ammo (Within 300 Yards)

Hornady American Whitetail 129 Grain InterLock

Hornady American Whitetail 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo - 20 Rounds of 129 Grain InterLock Ammunition

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Considering that Hornady invented the 6.5 Creedmoor, it should come as no surprise that Hornady American Whitetail ammo is one of the best deer hunting rounds on the market. I’ve always had good results when hunting with Hornady American Whitetail rounds.

One key to the round’s success is the patented InterLock design. This innovation in bullet technology uses the InterLock Ring, which locks the lead core and tapered jacket together while the bullet expands. This ensures that the lead core and jacket remain intact during expansion, maximizing penetration and kinetic energy delivered to the target.

Hornady American Whitetail ammo costs less than $2 per shot, and it’s pretty easy to find. While it isn’t great for hunting animals over 300 pounds at more than 250 yards, the American Whitetail cartridge is perfect for hunting a variety of creatures at shorter distances.

For more ammo options, check out our Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor ammo page.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor for Mule Deer

Barnes VOR-TX 120 Grain TTSX BT

Barnes VOR-TX 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo - 20 Rounds of 120 Grain TTSX BT Ammunition

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When you need consistent long-range accuracy, Barnes VOR-TX ammo never seems to disappoint. Loaded with the proprietary 120 grain TTSX hunting bullet, Barnes VOR-TX offers hunters an incredibly flat shooting round that can easily knock down a mule deer at 500 yards.

Similar to the Deer Season XP and Hornady SST, the Barnes TTSX uses a polymer tip to increase its bullet’s ballistic coefficient, ensure rapid expansion, and quickly put down whatever game animal you aim it at.

The all-copper design means that this round is perfect for states or territories that restrict lead bullet usage, making it a perfect round for long-range deer hunting across North America. And when it comes to accuracy, Barnes is on par with all the other big-name match-grade ammo companies like Sierra, Berger, Federal Premium, and Nosler.

The only downsides to Barnes VOR-TX ammo are that it can sometimes be difficult to find and it’s a little pricey. But when you get your hands on this ammo, you’ll quickly understand why hunters are willing to pay the price and snatch it up so quickly!

Ultimately, I love the Barnes VOR-TX for mule deer hunting thanks to its incredible shot-to-shot consistency, terminal performance, and long-range capabilities. There’s no doubt in my mind that any mule deer you take aim at with this ammo will soon be in your freezer!

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Elk Hunting Ammo

Federal Power-Shok 140-Grain

Federal Power-Shok 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo - 20 Rounds of 140 Grain JSP Ammunition

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The Federal Power-Shok line is a fan favorite, used by many avid hunters who don’t want a lot of bells and whistles. The 140 grain Federal Power-Shok bullet is a bit heavier than our other recommendations which is why it’s an excellent choice for elk.

This round hits hard and can easily penetrate deep enough to put down larger game humanely. The exposed lead tip and accompanying copper jacket gives hunters the rapid expansion necessary for hunting elk or smaller creatures.

Another fantastic aspect of Federal Power-Shok ammo is its low cost. As one of the least expensive rounds on our list, Federal Power-Shok is a great choice to buy in bulk, so you always have plenty of ammo to practice and hunt with.

While the Power-Shok is a great overall round, its JSP bullet design leaves something to be desired for long-range shooting. Although soft point ammo is great for expansion, it’s not ideal for long-range shooting, which limits this round’s effectiveness for shots over 300 yards.

However, the low overall cost makes 140 grain Federal Power-Shok an excellent choice for elk hunting as it allows hunters to practice with their field ammo and ensures they can put rounds on target when it matters most.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge for Hunting on a Budget

Sellier & Bellot 140 Grain SP

Sellier & Bellot 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo - 20 Rounds of 140 Grain SP Ammunition

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$21.99

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If you’re looking for one go-to round that’s easy to find, affordable, and meets all our hunting ammo criteria, look no further than the Sellier & Bellot 140 grain SP. Times are hard enough as it is, and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice the joy of hunting just to save a few pennies.

I’ve always had a positive experience with Sellier and Bellot ammo. I have yet to have a malfunction (knocking on wood), and I see no reason why I would trust it while hunting.

If you want a 6.5 Creedmoor round that efficiently takes down medium-sized game but don’t want to refinance your home for ammo, then a box of Sellier & Bellot (S&B) is your ticket back into the woods.

The Sellier and Bellot 140 grain is an excellent deer hunting cartridge that’s affordable enough to take to the range so you can hone your skills and go after bigger game. This semi-jacketed soft-point bullet gives us reliable expansion with exceptional weight retention to easily take down deer and other medium to large game.

Although SP bullets are great for terminal performance, they do lack somewhat in long-range capabilities due to their less-than-aerodynamic design.

However, if you plan to hit targets within 200-300 yards, then you simply cannot go wrong with this S&B 140 grain SP 6.5 Creedmoor ammo!

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Black Bear

Hornady 143 grain ELD-X Precision Hunter

Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo - 20 Rounds of 143 Grain ELD-X Ammunition

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$38.99

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If you’re looking for one of the best long-range hunting rounds for 6.5 Creedmoor, you’ve found it in the Hornady Precision Hunter 143 grain ELD-X factory load. Optimized for maximum weight retention and a match-grade streamlined design, the Hornady ELD-X bullet can easily knock down an elk to 400 yards.

The ELD-X bullet was designed for long-range efficiency, but it has been known to overexpand at close range (within 100 yards), leading to less-than-desirable penetration.

I’ve trusted Hornady's hunting ammo for years, and it hasn’t let me down yet, which is why I’m always quick to recommend Hornady products.

The brilliant minds at Hornady initially brought us the 6.5 Creedmoor for competitive shooting, and it’s evolved into an amazing hunting cartridge that is perfect for hunters of all skill levels. You can choose any of the ammo above, grab your new Browning X-Bolt or Sig Sauer bolt action rifle, and bring home supper with relatively low recoil and exceptional terminal ballistics.

While there were plenty of skeptics early on, the 6.5 Creedmoor won over many hunters, competitive shooters, and gun enthusiasts in less than a decade.

To check out all the 6.5 Creedmoor ammo we have in stock, check out our full 6.5 Creedmoor ammo page or keep scrolling if you’d like to read our buyer's guide to 6.5 Creed ammo.

Surely, you’ve heard that the 6.5 Creedmoor is an excellent hunting caliber? While there is some debate about this, the 6.5 Creedmoor is only as good for hunting as the rounds you chamber.

In this buyer’s guide, we explain some of the critical bullet features to consider when selecting your new favorite 6.5 Creedmoor hunting round.

Terminal Ballistics, in simple terms, explains how a bullet reacts when it meets its target. When choosing your 6.5 Creedmoor hunting ammo, look at the velocity, bullet type, and weight.

A higher velocity equals more kinetic energy and, therefore, more damage. But that doesn’t always mean you should single out the fastest 6.5 Creedmoor and go elk hunting.

Bullet type matters as well. We’ll explain this more in detail below, but we need expansion and penetration. A bullet too soft will deform on impact. One too hard won’t expand at all.

Lastly, consider bullet weight (that’s right, size does matter!) A heavier bullet expands and penetrates better. However, a bullet that’s too heavy for your prey may fail to expand, and you’ll see your much-coveted prey scurry away wounded.

Unless you want to spend hours in the woods tracking an injured animal, you need a balance between high velocity, a soft-tipped cartridge (SP, polymer tip, JSP, etc.), and adequate weight.

The type of bullet you use is a BIG deal for any shooting activity. But it’s especially critical when it comes to hunting. While a match shooter only cares about pristine shot placement, hunters have to penetrate hide, tissue, and bones to effectively get the job done.

Effective 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet types include:

• SP (soft-point)
• Polymer tip (a hollow-point round with a polymer tip to help initiate expansion)
• JSP (jacketed soft point helps to keep the bullet from expanding on impact).

In long-range shooting, your bullet weight matters. A heavier bullet typically holds its velocity, penetrates deeply, and expands well. But too much of a good thing is bad when you consider that a hunting bullet needs a little time to work after making contact. A lighter bullet will lose its velocity faster (losing energy). This means you’ll have less penetration and expansion.

Essentially, a heavier bullet deals more kinetic energy (knockdown power). But only within a certain impact velocity.

A good 6.5 Creedmoor bullet for hunting will weigh between 120-140 grain for deer, mule deer, feral hogs, and other medium-sized game between 51-300lbs.

If you’re going after larger game like Elk and Moose (300-1000lbs), we’re looking for a little more weight to get more penetration. These rounds are often somewhere between 140-160 grain.

There are a few things that play into a cartridge’s accuracy other than the shooter’s ability (which is the biggest part if we’re being honest!).

The 6.5 Creedmoor does a great job resisting wind drift within most standard hunting distances. This is one of the major advantages of the 6.5mm bullet, as it is long, sleek, and aerodynamic.

A bullet’s ability to resist wind drift is known as ballistic coefficient (or BC for short). Although a lot of shooters harp on the importance of BC, understand that the higher the number, the more effective a bullet is at resisting wind drift.

Another accuracy enhancer is having low recoil. Lower recoil means that it is less likely that a shooter will flinch when they squeeze the trigger, reducing the chance of throwing a shot off target.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is well known for its low recoil, as it has less recoil than other popular hunting rifle cartridges like the .308 Winchester. It’s a hunting round that shooters of all skill levels can enjoy.

Other factors like bullet weight and muzzle velocity also play a role in accuracy and shot placement. A higher muzzle velocity means it takes less time for your bullet to get to its target. This means that it will have less time for gravity to affect its flight path to the target. This is known as trajectory and shooters typically measure this in inches of bullet drop at any given range.

The flatter your trajectory is, the more forgiving a round will be of ranging mistakes. This helps shooters avoid sending their rounds underneath the belly of that 12-point trophy buck they’ve been stalking all day. Of course, don’t forget to get to the range too. This way, you’ll get all those sub-MOA (minute of angle) groups you’ve always dreamed about, and you’ll be ready to bag your next deer, antelope, or elk this fall!

Thanks so much for making it all the way to the end of our exclusive buying guide! Now that you’re an expert in all things 6.5 Creedmoor, it’s time to go back to our Top Five List; just click HERE.

Written by

Cassandra McBride