6 Best 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo For Precision Shooting for Sub-MOA Results

You’re settled in behind your rifle, the target a crisp, clean circle 100 yards downrange. You control your breathing, gently squeeze the trigger, and send a round. The goal isn’t just to hit the paper; it’s to make the holes touch, to shrink that group down to less than a single inch—the coveted sub-Minute of Angle (MOA) benchmark. While your skill and your rifle are huge parts of the equation, the ammunition is the critical link that turns a great system into a truly precise one.

Disclosure: This site earns commissions from listed merchants at no cost to you. Thank you!

Decoding Sub-MOA: Key Factors in Precision Ammo

Achieving sub-MOA accuracy means your group size at 100 yards is smaller than 1.047 inches. It’s the benchmark for a precision rifle system, and your ammunition is the single most important variable you can easily change to reach it. The secret isn’t magic; it’s consistency. Match-grade ammunition is built around microscopic uniformity—every powder charge is weighed precisely, every bullet is seated to the same depth, and every brass case is dimensionally identical.

The bullet itself is where the science gets really interesting. Look for projectiles with a high Ballistic Coefficient (BC), which is a measure of how efficiently it flies through the air. A higher BC means the bullet resists wind drift and retains velocity better, which is absolutely critical for long-range accuracy. Designs like boat-tails and advanced polymer tips are engineered specifically to maximize this efficiency, giving you an edge when the wind picks up. Remember, the "best" ammo is ultimately what your rifle shoots best, so testing a few top-tier options is non-negotiable.

Hornady 140 gr ELD-M: The Gold Standard Match Round

If you’re starting your search for a precision 6.5 Creedmoor load, Hornady’s 140 grain ELD-M (Extremely Low Drag – Match) is the place to begin. Hornady literally invented the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, and this ammunition is often the benchmark against which all other factory loads are measured. It’s the round many rifle manufacturers use to test their own rifles for accuracy, and for good reason.

The magic is in the ELD-M bullet and its patented Heat Shield tip. Traditional polymer tips on other bullets can melt and deform in flight from aerodynamic heating, which changes the BC and hurts accuracy at long range. Hornady’s tip resists this effect, ensuring the bullet’s BC remains exceptionally high and consistent from muzzle to target. This combination of an innovative projectile, uniform powder loads, and high-quality brass makes it a go-to for shooters seeking dependable, sub-MOA performance right out of the box.

Federal Gold Medal 130 gr Berger for Match Shooting

When you see the "Gold Medal" name, you know you’re looking at a legacy of precision. Federal’s Gold Medal line has been a staple on podiums for decades, and their 6.5 Creedmoor offering loaded with the 130 gr Berger Hybrid OTM (Open Tip Match) bullet is a standout performer. This load is tailored for shooters who want a flatter trajectory at mid-range distances.

The Berger bullet is the star here. Known for their incredibly uniform J4 jackets, Berger projectiles are famous for their consistency. The 130-grain weight gives this round a higher muzzle velocity than its 140-grain counterparts, which means less bullet drop inside 600-700 yards. This makes it a fantastic choice for dynamic competitions like PRS (Precision Rifle Series) where targets appear at varied and unknown distances. The tradeoff? The slightly lighter bullet may be a bit more susceptible to wind at extreme ranges, but for many applications, its speed is a significant advantage.

Nosler Match Grade 140 gr RDF: Superior Ballistics

For the shooter obsessed with cheating the wind, Nosler Match Grade ammunition with the 140 grain RDF (Reduced Drag Factor) bullet is a top contender. Nosler is revered for its high-quality components, and their factory-loaded ammo brings that handloader-level of precision to everyone. This ammunition is built from the ground up for one purpose: achieving the highest BC possible.

The RDF bullet features an optimized compound ogive and a long, drag-reducing boat-tail, resulting in one of the sleekest profiles in its class. This design translates directly to less wind deflection and retained velocity way downrange. When you’re trying to connect with a small target at 1,000 yards in a tricky crosswind, that ballistic advantage can be the difference between a hit and a miss. Loaded in high-quality Nosler brass, this is a premium option for those pushing the limits of long-range performance.

Lapua Scenar-L 136 gr OTM: The Choice of Champions

In the world of precision shooting, the name Lapua is synonymous with excellence. Their brass is the gold standard for handloaders, and their factory-loaded ammunition carries that same uncompromising commitment to quality. The 136 grain Scenar-L OTM (Open Tip Match) is a favorite among top-level competitors for its remarkable consistency and forgiving nature.

The 136 gr weight offers a fantastic balance of velocity and ballistic performance. What truly sets the Scenar-L apart is its reputation for shooting exceptionally well in a wide variety of rifle barrels with minimal fuss. While some loads can be picky, the Scenar-L seems to find its sweet spot more easily. This reliability is why you see it so often on the firing line at major competitions. It carries a premium price tag, but for a serious competitor, the confidence that every single round will perform identically is worth the investment.

Sierra MatchKing 142 gr HPBT: A Legendary Projectile

Long before polymer tips and hybrid ogives, there was the Sierra MatchKing (SMK). This 142 grain Hollow Point Boat Tail (HPBT) is a legendary projectile that has been setting accuracy records for decades. While it may look old-school, its performance is timeless, and ammunition loaded with the 142 gr SMK remains a top choice for a reason.

The "hollow point" on a MatchKing isn’t for expansion; it’s a byproduct of a manufacturing process that creates a near-perfectly uniform copper jacket around a lead core. This concentricity is the key to its incredible accuracy. The 142-grain weight provides an excellent balance of BC and sectional density, delivering stable flight and great performance in the wind. For many shooters, this is the trusted, no-nonsense round that simply puts holes where you want them, time and time again.

Berger 140 gr Hybrid Target: For Handload-Like Quality

If you want the absolute pinnacle of factory ammunition performance, look no further than Berger’s own loaded ammunition. While Federal loads Berger bullets, this is Berger controlling the entire process, from primer to powder to projectile. Their 140 gr Hybrid Target load is designed to deliver the kind of accuracy that was once only achievable through meticulous handloading.

The "Hybrid" in the name refers to the bullet’s ogive, which blends a tangent and secant profile. This innovative shape gives it a very high BC without making it overly sensitive to seating depth, meaning it performs exceptionally well across a wider range of rifle chambers and throats. It’s the best of both worlds: easy to tune and ballistically efficient. For the shooter who demands the tightest possible groups without investing in a reloading press, this ammunition is as close to perfection as you can get in a factory box.

Fine-Tuning Your System for Sub-MOA Performance

Remember, even the most expensive match ammunition is only one component of a complete accuracy system. Your journey to sub-MOA precision doesn’t end with buying a box of high-end cartridges. It’s about finding the perfect harmony between your rifle, your optic, your ammo, and—most importantly—you. A quality barrel, a rigid stock, and a scope with reliable, repeatable adjustments are foundational.

The single most important step is to test several different loads in your specific rifle. Barrels have unique preferences due to tiny variations in chamber dimensions and harmonics. Buy one box each of three or four of the loads mentioned here and spend a day at the range shooting for groups from a stable position. Your rifle will tell you which one it likes best. Don’t forget that your own fundamentals—a solid shooting position, proper breath control, and a clean trigger press—are what ultimately unlock the potential of this incredible gear.

The quest for sub-MOA accuracy is a rewarding challenge that sharpens your skills as a marksman. Finding the right ammunition is a huge step, but it’s just part of the journey. Don’t get lost in the search for perfect gear; get out to the range, practice your fundamentals, and enjoy the simple satisfaction of sending a round exactly where you want it to go.