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The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge may be polarizing in the gun community, but its popularity cannot be denied. With more makes and models available from gunmakers than ever before, it can be hard to determine exactly which 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is the best.

However, there’s a reason why people use different rifles for different purposes, even if they’re in the same caliber. Depending on how you intend to use them, these are some of the best 6.5 Creedmoor rifles available in 2023.

From budget rifles to precision long-range competition rifles that cost more than my first car, I’ve been fortunate enough to shoot a lot of different 6.5 Creedmoor rifles over the years. I’ve learned that sometimes less is more and have been pleasantly surprised, while I’ve also certainly experienced guns where “you get what you pay for” applies—at both ends of the spectrum.

When it comes down to picking the guns on this list, the following criteria was used:

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With a crisp adjustable trigger from Timney, sub-7-pound weight, carbon composite stock, and threaded barrel, the Seekins Precision Havak Pro Hunter PH2 rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor is a great rifle for both hunters and competitive shooters who want to do both things well with just one gun. The stock comes in multiple colors and the barreled actions are hand-bedded for optimum performance. If you want one 6.5 Creedmoor rifle to do it all, the Seekins Precision Havak Pro Hunter PH2 is the rifle you need.

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The CASCADE is CVA’s first ever bolt-action centerfire rifle, and you can often find it at retailers for less than $600. It’s hard to beat the quality you get from the CVA CASCADE in 6.5 Creedmoor, which is often considered to be a “Bergara on a budget,” since the two are sister companies. The series features a threaded muzzle, making it ready for whatever muzzle device you want to use. The bolt design incorporates a 70° throw for smooth and fast operation, plus generous scope clearance. The synthetic stock is fiberglass reinforced and has a SoftTouch finish, while the buttstock has adjustable length of pull by way of a removable spacer – making it an ideal gun for still-growing youths, small-statured adults, or even the full-sized hunter who wants to shorten the stock to accommodate heavy winter clothing.

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Introduced in 1936, Winchester’s Model 70 has developed a cult following in the hunting and collecting community. The current production guns feature the “pre-64” controlled round feed action design, meaning that there’s no reason to avoid the model because of changes that were made a half-century ago. Whether you want a luxury model Super Grade with ebony accents and Grade V/VI walnut or a modern hunting rifle featuring Cerakote finish and a synthetic stock, there’s a Model 70 in 6.5 Creedmoor to fit your needs somewhere in the 11 different model variations. Plus, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get one of the best factory-produced bolt-action rifles available today.

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Bergara’s Ridge Carbon Wilderness rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor is designed for the serious backcountry hunter who knows that ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. Sporting a proprietary-blended carbon fiber barrel, these rifles come in at just 6.5 pounds. The barrels come threaded and include a muzzle brake, but you can easily swap it out for a suppressor. Like all Bergara rifles, the Ridge Carbon Wilderness also comes with a sub-MOA guarantee, so you can be certain that when you only have one shot on the hunt of a lifetime, your 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge will perform at its absolute best in this lightweight rifle.

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The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge really shines at long-distance ranges, whether that’s for hunting or tactical situations. Regardless of which one you use it for, the Tikka T3x TACT A1 rifle is the ultimate 6.5 Creedmoor rifle for precision shooting. With an adjustable buttpad, cheek riser, and pistol grip angle, there’s no reason for a shooter not to feel like the T3x TACT A1 rifle isn’t an absolute extension of their body. Also available in left-handed configurations, every shooter can be confident that they are able to make precision shots with this 6.5 Creedmoor rifle.

Obviously, the final decision is up to you, but if you decide that your next gun purchase is going to be a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, then here are some of the things you should think about before parting with your hard-earned money:

How are you planning on using the rifle? Will it be on a backcountry hunt or mainly for stationary range shooting? While there are plenty of options out there that fill both of those needs, there’s a reason that specialty rifles exist and why you wouldn’t use a benchrest competition rifle on a backcountry hunt.

Price isn’t always indicative of quality. There are plenty of overpriced pieces of junk on the market and there are equal numbers of underpriced overperformers. Figure out your budget and then focus on use and features. This will allow you to find exactly what you need at a price you can accord.

The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge is here to stay whether you like it or not. If you’re ready to jump on the 6.5 Creedmoor rifle bandwagon, check out one of these top options.

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.