NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Precision Hunter Build—Caliber and Rifle

American Rifleman Staff

posted on July 24, 2016

Support NRA American Rifleman DONATE

** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The first step of a Precision Hunter build is to choose a caliber capable of the name. For that, I selected one of my favorite cartridges—the 6.5 Creedmoor. Introduced in 2007 by Hornady, the 6.5 Creedmoor has distinguished itself as an inherently accurate and flat shooting cartridge. With cartridge selected, the options for economy rifles were narrowed a bit. In the end, the Ruger American Predator was chosen for its cold-hammer-forged barrel, reliable action and the excellent Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger.

For previous installments in this series, please enjoy the following:

NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Precision Hunter Build—The Theory
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Precision Hunter Build--Rifle Stock and Bedding

Latest

Federal's New 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak: The Peak Alloy Case Goes Mainstream

Federal introduced its high-pressure Peak Alloy case design with the 7 mm Backcountry in 2025. Now, the company is incorporating it into high-pressure 6.5 Creedmoor loads with the +Peak design.

News, Ammunition

I Carry: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC in a JM Custom Kydex Holster

In our latest "I Carry" video, a Springfield Echelon 4.0FC is outfitted with Aimpoint's new COA enclosed-emitter red-dot optic, and to carry this optic-equipped handgun, we've selected a JM Custom Kydex holster.

Reviews, News

The Armed Citizen® June 5, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Armed Citizen, News

Multi-Caliber MK24 to Replace SCAR-H For SOCOM

U.S. Special Forces will soon be replacing their 7.62-NATO-chambered SCAR-Hs with a new, barrel-swapping MK24 Mid-Range Gas Gun-Assault (MRGGA) gun capable of running either 7.62 NATO or 6.5 Creedmoor.

News, Guns

Rifle Renaissance 2026: Exploring Rifle Skills Beyond Marksmanship

Being able to shoot in contextual situations, shoot from unusual positions, manipulate the rifle quickly and rapidly adjust one’s position based on distance are all essential skills for a well-trained rifleman. To train these abilities, The Complete Combatant hosted the first annual Rifle Renaissance event in March 2026.

News, Tips & Techniques

New Guns For 2026: A Full Guide

While it’s claimed the firearms industry is experiencing a slowdown, that hasn’t meant a stall to innovation. It means gunmakers are working harder than ever to earn your business.

News, Guns