Six-millimeter bullets have been around since 1955, when Remington introduced the .244 (now the 6mm Remington) and Winchester introduced the .243. A battle between the two manufacturers ensued for the next decade and, as you might have anticipated, the .243 Winchester came out on top. In 2009, the 6mm Creedmoor arrived on the scene, developed by John Snow, a longtime Outdoor Life columnist, who wanted to create a round with less recoil than a 6.5 but with comparable range and accuracy.
The 6mm Creedmoor is a 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge necked down to fit a 6mm bullet. Snow's creation in the 6mm Creedmoor round does exactly what he intended. The 6mm round is perfect for precision target shooting and is most commonly used in target shooting competitions.
It's definitely capable of filling hunting tags, too. Regarding hunting, the 6mm cartridge is great for taking medium-sized, thin-skinned game at several hundred yards. The caliber delivers flat trajectories at high velocities—even in windy conditions—which translates into increased accuracy and performance at longer distances compared with a .243. Whether pursuing varmints, whitetails in open country, or pronghorn, the 6mm Creedmoor cartridge is a great choice for long-range hunters taking medium-sized game.
The 5 Best Rifles Chambered in 6mm Creedmoor
- The Best Hunting Rifle Chambered in 6mm Creedmoor: Christensen Arms MPR
- The Best 6mm Creedmoor Rifle for Large Frames: Savage Arms 110 Elite Precision Rifle Series
- Best Budget 6mm Creedmoor Hunting Rifle: Ruger American Rifle Predator
- The Most Adjustable 6mm Creedmoor Rifle: Bergara Premier LRP
- The Best Camouflage 6mm Creedmoor Hunting Rifle: Springfield Armory 2020 Waypoint Rifle
The Best Hunting Rifle Chambered in 6mm Creedmoor
Christensen Arms
Top Pick: Christensen Arms MPR
Weight: 6.9 pounds | Action type: Bolt | Barrel length: 24 inches | Overall length: Adjustable
If you're looking for the absolute best hunting rifle chambered in 6mm Creedmoor, Christensen Arms has the rifle for you. Their MPR, or Modern Precision Rifle, does not mess around when it comes to quality, durability, and accuracy.
This heavy-duty hunting rifle only weighs 6.9 pounds, an incredible accomplishment thanks to Christensen's carbon fiber stocks and barrels. The 6mm version features a 24-inch barrel covered with Cerakote and a 1:8 rate of twist, which has been optimized for sending high-velocity 6mm rounds downrange.
The chassis' folding stock is highly adjustable, too. The length of pull is 12.5 inches at its shortest setting and 14.5 inches at its longest. The carbon fiber cheek riser can go up a full inch. The chassis is also decked out with a Picatinny rail ready for optics and bipods.
Christensen Arms has really outdone itself with the MPR. It can take precise shots on the range or in the field, no matter who's shooting it.
- Highly adjustable; this gun can fit almost everyone
- MPR features high-quality materials in its modern design
- Synthetic materials and Cerakote finish mean it'll stand up against all weather conditions
- Ultralight without sacrificing features
- Expensive
The Best 6mm Creedmoor Rifle for Large Frames
Top Pick: Savage Arms 110 Elite Precision Rifle Series
Weight: 12.6 pounds | Action type: Bolt | Barrel length: 26 inches | Overall length: 43-44 inches
Savage Arms was one of the earliest supporters of 6mm Creedmoor. Its 110 Elite Precision Rifle Series bolt actions are some of the most popular for precision shooting. They have that buttery-smooth Model 110 action in a rifle built for reaching out to ridiculous distances.
The 6mm version has a 26-inch barrel length with a 1:7.5 twist rate and is fed through a 10-round detachable box magazine. The aluminum stock is skeletonized and has a Cerakote finish. There is also a muzzle brake and Savage's popular AccuTrigger system, which allows you to fine-tune the trigger pull for optimum accuracy.
- You won't feel much recoil at all with a gun this solid
- It has an adjustable length of pull
- The chassis is ready for all sorts of accessories to be attached to it
- The adjustable length of pull goes from 14 inches to 15.5 inches, which gears it almost exclusively towards larger framed shooters.
- This gun weighs a whopping 12.6 pounds, which is twice as heavy as most hunting rifles.
Best Budget 6mm Creedmoor Hunting Rifle
Top Pick: Ruger American Rifle Predator
Weight: 6.6 pounds | Action type: Bolt | Barrel length: 22 inches | Overall length: 42 inches
Many 6mm Creedmoors available for purchase today are precision rifles with high price tags. The Ruger American Rifle Predator is a much more affordable package for the hunter on a budget who just wants to take down coyotes and deer at a distance.
This rifle weighs only 6.6 pounds, thanks to the moss-green synthetic stock. The 22-inch alloy steel barrel with a matte black finish has a 1:7.7 twist rate. The three-lug bolt has a 70-degree throw to help cycle rounds quickly. This rifle also has a Picatinny base ready to mount your rifle scope and other optics.
- Budget-friendly
- Manageable weight for carrying (6.6 lbs)
- Reliably made
- Stainless steel barrels are more accurate and precise
- No adjustable features
- Alloy steel barrel is more heat and corrosion-resistant than stainless steel
The Most Adjustable 6mm Creedmoor Rifle
Top Pick: Bergara Premier LRP
Weight: 9.3-9.7 pounds | Action type: Bolt | Barrel length: 20-26 inches| Overall length: 39.5-46 inches
It's telling that Bergara guarantees sub-MOA groups at 100 yards with factory match-grade ammunition with this gun. You only make claims like that if you can back them up. The sheer quality of this rifle is very telling.
This precision rifle is lighter than others, at around 9.5 pounds. It has a 26-inch Cerakote graphite barrel with a threaded muzzle ready for a suppressor. Bergara made sure the comb, buttstock, and length of pull were all adjustable to each shooter's frame, thanks to the XLR chassis. The action uses a two-lug design and a floating bolt head for a silky smooth and reliable action. If you are looking to reach out to 500 yards or more, this is a gun that can do it extremely well no matter who's shooting it.
The Best Camouflage 6mm Creedmoor Hunting Rifle
Top Pick: Springfield Armory 2020 Waypoint Rifle
Weight: 7 pounds, 2 ounces | Action type: Bolt | Barrel length: 20 inches| Overall length: 41.5 inches
This option combines the best of both worlds: a rugged camo hunting rifle with a precision competition rifle meant for long-distance shooting.
Springfield Armory makes a .75 MOA accuracy guarantee for three rounds at 100 yards. These rifles have a carbon fiber stock that helps keep the weight down. The stocks are custom-painted and come with an adjustable comb, too. Springfield's TriggerTech system allows you to adjust the trigger from 2.5 to 5 pounds. The action is fed through five-round AICS short-action magazines.
This snazzy rifle even comes with a carrying case. While the price may set you back, this 6mm CRD rifle will perform accurately and reliably in the treestand or on the mountain.
- Built for hunting, not competitions
- Manageable weight for carrying (7 lbs)
- Custom paint job on the stock
- Expensive
Your Questions, Answered
Outdoor Life's John Snow came up with the original idea in 2009. He wanted to see what would happen if you necked down the Creedmoor even more to take down the recoil without sacrificing the long-range capabilities of the projectiles. A custom rifle for the new 6mm cartridge was built by GA Precision Rifles and tested by Snow. However, the cartridge didn't take off right away. It wasn't until a few years later that the new wildcat round started dominating long-range competitions.
After that, the popularity of the centerfire round took off, and firearm and ammo manufacturers noticed. You will often see 6mm Creedmoor comparisons to the .243 Winchester because it uses the same size bullets.
This round has proven extremely popular with reloading enthusiasts, as the hand loads with Hornady, Barnes, or Nosler 6mm bullets tend to group much tighter than factory rounds. However, some impressive speeds and trajectories are still demonstrated by the factory loads, too.
Yes, if you are looking for something that can reach out and knock down medium-sized game at a distance with less recoil. The only reason 6mm isn't more popular is because it's not quite as versatile as the 6.5 Creedmoor. Most factory ammo is in the range of 85 to 108 grains, which is fine for varmints and small deer. However, 6mm caliber bullets are slightly underpowered for larger animals such as elk. If you deer hunt with a .243 Winchester, you will like the 6mm Creedmoor, especially for long-distance shots.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is the parent case for the 6mm Creedmoor. The 6mm Creedmoor is a necked-down version of the 6.5 Creedmoor. Comparatively, the parent case for the 6.5 Creedmoor is the .30 Thompson Center, necked down.
The 6mm is 0.23 caliber. The 6.5mm is 0.25 caliber. The bullets for the 6mm tend to be in the low 100-grain range. Comparatively, 6.5 bullets start at 120 grains and increase to 147 grains.
No. Although these rounds sound similar, you need a gun designed to shoot each of these rounds; they are not interchangeable.
What to Look for When Buying a 6mm Rifle
For those looking to add a rifle chambered in 6mm Creedmoor to your collection, remember a few of these things while you're shopping. Having a clear idea of what exactly you want to use your 6mm for and the types of conditions you plan to shoot it in will help you narrow down your search for the perfect long-distance 6mm caliber firearm.
Because the 6mm Creedmoor is a precision caliber, accuracy and precision are hugely important when shopping for 6mm rifles. Having a quality rifle that has excellent accuracy and precision is crucial. Look for 6mm models with reputations for consistent shot placement and tight groupings.
If you plan to use your 6mm Creedmoor rifle to hunt with, weight and portability are really important features to keep in mind. Treestand hunters probably don't need a super portable rifle, and they can manage toting a long, heavy gun to the stand. Public land hunters covering swaths of sagebrush in search of pronghorn aren't going to want to carry a 12-pound gun; instead, they should look for a light, portable 6mm.
Rifles chambered in 6mm purchased with filling hunting tags in mind must also be durable. Look for features such as synthetic stocks and barrels finished with Cerakote that can stand up to the elements, whether you're hunting in snow or sunshine.
Since 6mm rifles are precision rifles capable of shooting hundreds of yards, your rifle must fit your body. The better a rifle fits you, the better you'll be at taking accurate, precise shots up to 1,000 yards—because, at these distances, every point of contact you have with your rifle matters. Look for 6mm rifles with adjustable stocks, cheek risers, and other customizable options.
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