The all new for 2026 Federal 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak is making waves in the ammunition world and for good reason. With velocities that leave 6.5 PRC in the dust and a stout 80,000 PSI pressure rating out of a round you can throw into your current 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, this cartridge could leave some PRC shooters with buyers remorse. Whether you’re a hunter, casual target shooter, or an all out ammo geek; you’ll be wanting to get all the details on this new cartridge.
It’s worth noting that the 6.5 Creedmoor is one of the most polarizing cartridges out there, particularly in the world of rifle hunters. One half of the crowd has a cult-like devotion to the cartridge citing its efficacy, flat shooting, low recoil, and accuracy at extended range. The other half of the crowd argues that the 6.5 simply does not have the devastation, energy transfer, or general “punch” behind it that is needed to effectively put North American big game (particularly elk and larger game) on the ground consistently. We may be on the verge now of seeing some folks start adjusting which side of the aisle they land on due to the all new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak. Let’s take a look at why.
The +Peak from Federal has introduced a few new variables that will undoubtedly change the way 6.5 Creedmoor is viewed as a platform. Let’s start visually; from your first glance at the 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak, the round looks premium, with a nickel-plated casing and a bonded bullet up top, this silvery round draws some attention. However, it’s what hides underneath that nickel plating that makes this round unique. Federal utilized a technology that they originally launched with their 7MM Backcountry, to create the +Peak round we’re looking at today. This technology is a modern take on a decades old practice: steel casing.
No, the steel casing used on the +Peak and the 7mm Backcountry is not the same steel casing you would have found on milsurp 7.62×39 or cheap 9mm range ammo. Instead, this is a specific steel alloy that Federal used to create a casing that would be able to withstand the extreme high pressure of these new cartridges. Brass simply could not take the heat, and definitely not without putting undue stress on the firearm, this steel alloy, however, was found to get the job done. Still, who the heck wants to shoot steel? Don’t steel casings rust and gum up guns? What if you want to reload the round? Federal has actually addressed all of these concerns. The nickel-plating helps protect the round from any natural wear or corrosion and the steel alloy itself is incredibly hardy, so, no rust, and a clean-shooting cartridge is the result. For all you reloaders out there, rest assured, Federal has confirmed that these casings will be reloadable and in fact, a few folks out there who have gotten their hands on some +Peak prototype rounds have already started doing so!
The results seem to speak for themselves. The 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak has been boasting speeds at 300+ FPS faster than traditional 6.5 Creedmoor loads, and over 100FPS faster than 6.5 PRC loads with higher-than-normal 6.5 Creedmoor weight projectiles for the caliber. The final product is a new take on 6.5 Creed and what it is capable of, faster shooting, flatter shooting, higher energy, and all coming out of the same 6.5 Creedmoor rifle you know and love, no need for a new gun in order to keep up with the latest and greatest in ammo-tech. While testing is still being done, and the results on big-game are unknown yet, I’m sure there will be plenty of hunting being done with the new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak from Federal this fall, and maybe, just maybe, 6.5 Creedmoor will get a little more of the respect it’s been trying to earn in the North American Big Game Hunting arena. So, if you love 6.5 Creedmoor, you may just have a new reason to love it even more, and if you hate 6.5 Creedmoor, you might want to reconsider your stance or take a look at some new stats before your next Facebook comment section argument about ballistics. Either way, if you’re looking to get your hands on the 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak, keep your eye on our website: https://wildhorseammunition.com/ as we are eagerly awaiting our first shipment of 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak!
