Federal's +Peak 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo Tested for Velocity Gains
Federal is pushing the 6.5 Creedmoor further with a new steel-alloy-cased +Peak load that the company says adds serious velocity without requiring a new rifle.
Snapshot
American Rifleman tested Federal's 130-grain 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak Terminal Ascent load against the standard 130-grain Terminal Ascent across three rifles with different barrel lengths. The +Peak cartridge uses the same reloadable steel-alloy case tech introduced with 7 mm Backcountry, running at pressures well above standard SAAMI limits for the Creedmoor.
Key points
- Higher pressure ceiling: +Peak cases allow operating pressures up to 80,000 psi, compared to the 62,000 psi SAAMI max for standard 6.5 Creedmoor brass.
- Velocity claims: Federal states +Peak ammo boosts velocity roughly 300 fps over standard 6.5 Creedmoor and 100 fps over 6.5 PRC.
- Shoots in existing rifles: The ammo is designed to run through current 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, though Federal recommends checking with your manufacturer; CVA specifically says it's not compatible with its break-action models.
- Government interest: The U.S. Army has secured Government Purpose Rights to the +Peak technology, and Federal plans to supply 40 million rounds.
- Wear trade-off: American Rifleman notes the higher pressures mean more barrel wear, but argues that's manageable since +Peak doesn't need to replace standard loads for everyday shooting.
Quick take
American Rifleman's testing found the +Peak ammo ran clean through all three test rifles with no extraction issues, and the review frames it as a practical way to squeeze more performance out of a cartridge most hunters already own rather than forcing a switch to something bigger. If you've got a 6.5 Creedmoor and occasionally want more punch out of a short barrel, this is worth a look before you buy a new rifle.
Read the full story: americanrifleman.org