Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle

Description

The Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor is a 6.5 Creedmoor bolt action rifle with a 22-inch barrel, a walnut stock and 4-round capacity. It sells for $751, and it’s in stock. It’s a solid match for deer, black bear and long-range targets.

Inside the Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor

This is the classic Howa 1500: blued steel and a walnut stock. It’s a traditional hunting rifle built on the same action Howa uses across the 1500 line.

Every Howa 1500 starts with a forged and machined receiver and a one-piece bolt with two lugs. The three-position safety has a middle setting that lets you work the bolt to unload while the rifle stays on safe.

The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge

Hornady introduced the 6.5 Creedmoor in 2007 as a match cartridge. It caught on with hunters too, and it’s now one of the best-selling rifle rounds in the US. It fires long, high-BC bullets that hold their speed and resist wind, so it’s popular for target shooting from 300 to 1,000 yards. With the right bullet it’s a proven deer and black bear round, and recoil is noticeably lighter than a .308.

Factory loads usually run 120 to 147 grains. The standard 1:8 twist stabilizes the long 140 and 147 grain match bullets as well as lighter hunting bullets. If you want the technical side, the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard covers chamber dimensions and pressure. Here’s the history of the 6.5 Creedmoor too.

Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor specs

• Model: Howa Hunter
• Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
• Barrel length: 22 inches
• Twist rate: 1:8
• Stock: Walnut stock
• Magazine capacity: 4 rounds
• Overall length: 42.25 inches
• Safety: three-position
• Sights: none, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
• Price: $751

Who this rifle is for

It’s for hunters who want a traditional wood-stocked rifle that shoots straight and lasts.

Best 6.5 Creedmoor loads for this rifle

Try a few factory loads before you settle on one. Barrels have preferences, and a 20-minute test at the range tells you which load to buy in bulk. Hunting loads cost more, but they’re made to expand and hold together on game. Use them in the field and cheaper ammo for practice.

Seasons, legal calibers and hunter education rules vary by state. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hunting page links to state wildlife agencies and public land where you can hunt.

More about the Howa Hunter

Howa’s walnut-stocked Hunter rifles keep things simple. You get the 1500 action, a hammer-forged barrel and a good-looking wood stock that most hunters still prefer.

Your first range trip

Bring a solid rest, a few targets and at least two boxes of ammo. Start at 25 yards to get on paper, then move to 100 and make your final adjustments with three-shot groups. The 6.5 Creedmoor really shines past 300 yards, so once you’re zeroed, it’s worth getting time at longer distances and writing down your drops.

Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor vs similar Howa rifles

A few close relatives, in case a different finish, barrel or price fits you better:

• Howa 1500 Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor: a different configuration, $499
• Howa 1500 Standard Hunter 30-06: chambered in .30-06 Springfield and a threaded muzzle, $625
• Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 PRC: chambered in 6.5 PRC, $625
• Howa Walnut Hunter 22-250: chambered in .22-250 Remington and a threaded muzzle, $613

You can also browse all Howa Walnut Stock Rifles and Howa 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles, or see every Howa bolt action rifle we stock.

Care and storage

Store the Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor unloaded, in a dry place, with the magazine out. After rain or snow, dry it off and wipe the metal down before you case it. A clean, lightly oiled bore and tight action screws are most of what keeps a Howa shooting the way it did on day one.

How buying a rifle online works

We send the Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor to the FFL dealer you choose. They run the federal background check, you sign the transfer form, and the rifle is yours. The ATF explains the rules in its firearms questions and answers. State and local laws vary, so check yours before you order.

Questions about the Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor

What caliber is the Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor?

It’s chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 1:8 twist.

How many rounds does it hold?

It holds 4 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber.

Does it come with a scope?

No. It’s drilled and tapped, so you can mount the scope and rings you prefer.

Is the barrel threaded?

Not on this model. Several of our other Howa rifles in this caliber come threaded.

Get the Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor while it’s in stock

Ready to order? The Howa Walnut Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor is $751 and ships to your FFL. If you’re stuck between two models, send us a message and we’ll give you a straight answer.