Guns & Ammo magazine awarded Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge as Ammo of the Year for 2026 with an announcement to be published in an upcoming issue. This is the second consecutive year the editors have given Peak Alloy technology the esteemed honor. In 2025, Guns & Ammo honored Federal's new 7mm Backcountry cartridge, which also features Peak Alloy cases, the same prestigious title.
Federal's all-new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak is a high-pressure version of the trusted 6.5 Creedmoor. It has the same external dimensions as a conventional 6.5 Creedmoor and is compatible with existing 6.5 Creedmoor rifles. With a Peak Alloy case, it's loaded to 80,000 psi, producing muzzle velocities up to 300 fps faster and beyond 3,000 fps in select loads, while maintaining similar perceived recoil.
"We are extremely proud to have earned the prestigious designation of 'Ammo of the Year' from such an institutional publication and pillar in the industry, which Guns & Ammo certainly is," said Jesse Whiteside, Federal's Vice President of Product Development. "The Peak Alloy's forward-thinking technology and design deserve the positive attention the article gave to it. And for our company to receive this award two years in a row certainly speaks volumes for the future of centerfire ammunition."
"The decision ensured that Peak Alloy case technology could be experienced by as many rifles shooters as possible without requiring them to purchase a new rifle," said Tom Beckstrand, Guns & Ammo's Rifles & Optics Editor. "Shooting a 130-grain Terminal Ascent in a +Peak Alloy load improves velocity by adding approximately 300 feet per second more when compared to a brass cased equivalent. That's fast."
The patented one-piece Peak Alloy case enables safe handling of 80,000 PSI versus 65,000 PSI in brass cases, resulting in higher velocities and enhanced ballistics for flatter long-range shooting. This is especially beneficial for shooters who prefer smaller, lighter, shorter-barreled rifles typically configured for suppressors. With its impressive velocities, 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak even beats 6.5 PRC up to 100 fps in a smaller, lighter platform with no significant increase in felt recoil.
Learn more at: 6.5mm Creedmoor +PEAK.
Federal Ammunition products are available at dealers nationwide and online. For more information on all Federal products, visit www.federalpremium.com.
About Federal Ammunition: Federal, headquartered in Anoka, MN, is an ammunition brand of The Kinetic Group, owned by CSG, a globally diversified industrial group based in Prague, Czech Republic. Since 1922, Federal has been a leader in ammunition innovation, delivering high-quality sporting and hunting products to shooters worldwide. With a commitment to conservation and the outdoor community, Federal continues to manufacture industry-leading ammunition that enhances the shooting experience while supporting outdoor traditions.