Federal’s 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak has won the 2026 Caliber Award in the Best Ammunition New Product category. The award was presented by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) in partnership with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) during the NASGW Expo in Phoenix.
Recognition for a new take on 6.5 Creedmoor
The award recognises a product that applies Federal’s Peak Alloy case technology to the established 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. Federal describes +Peak as a high-pressure version that retains the conventional cartridge’s external dimensions. The company says the ammunition is loaded to 80,000 psi and can deliver velocities around 300 feet per second above standard 6.5 Creedmoor loads, with select loads exceeding 3,000 fps.
That combination is the central point of difference: Federal is pursuing a significant velocity increase without changing the external dimensions of the cartridge. Federal says the ammunition is compatible with existing 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, but owners should still check the ammunition packaging and their rifle manufacturer’s guidance before use. Never assume compatibility from cartridge dimensions alone.
What the award means
The NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards cover seven new-product categories. Federal says an independent panel of 18 industry professionals, including wholesalers and media members, judged entries on factors such as uniqueness, market need, value, ingenuity and presentation.
For long-range shooters, the award brings further attention to the +Peak system and Federal’s effort to extend Peak Alloy technology beyond the 7mm Backcountry. The performance figures are manufacturer claims rather than independent results, and actual velocity will vary with the load and test setup.
Federal’s announcement and product information are available from Federal Ammunition and its 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak product page.
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