The Best 6.5 Creedmoor Magazine: The Best Mags for the Best Round

Last Updated on May 18, 2023.

Depending on the type of rifle you own, you might be limited to what type of 6.5 Creedmoor Magazine you can use – like with Savage, Ruger, or bolt-action models. However, if you have an AICS pattern, your options expand – like with the best overall choice, the Magpul AR .308 25RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Window Magazine. This 6.5 Creedmoor magazine isn’t necessarily a 6.5 Creedmoor, but it is Magpul’s offering for anyone looking to shoot something bigger than 5.56mm. 

The Magpul AR .308 25RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Window Magazine is remarkably durable, withstands a lot of abuse, and the base plate is flared, offering better control during loading, unloading, and reloading. The large-capacity magazine can be a bit bulky for precision shooting, which is where the Magpul AR .308 10RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Magazine might come in handy. 

One of the biggest appeals of this magazine, though, is the ability to see into it and check and count your remaining firepower quickly. Although it isn’t the cheapest option on the list, it isn’t the most expensive either – so you can’t go wrong if you choose durability and affordability in one package.

Since there are plenty of options for AICS pattern firearms, take a look and see which 6.5 Creedmoor magazine will be the perfect companion for you.

Comparison Table

One good thing about 6.5 Creedmoor is that the parent case is a .308. So 6.5 Creedmoor will fit in most .308 or 7.62×51 magazines. That alone gives you quite a few options for magazines.

Now, if you have a bolt-action rifle, there’s a good chance that your only option is factory magazines.

Have a Savage rifle? You pretty much have to use a Savage 6.5 Creedmoor magazine.

Shooting a Ruger rifle? You’ll need Ruger 6.5 Creedmoor magazines.

And so on and so forth.

However, if you have an AICS pattern rifle, like a Remington 700, or an AR pattern rifle. You have a lot more options. We’re going to cover those options here.

Best Choice

Magpul AR .308 25RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Window Magazine

Key Specs:

  • Caliber:

7.62×51 NATO (.308 Winchester)

  • Fabric/Material:

Polyester/Spandex Blend

  • Capacity:

25 Round

Pros:

High reliability 25 round polymer magazine.

Transparent MagLevel windows.

Lightweight polymer cost effective.

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Skip Straight to Product Reviews

1. Overall Best 6.5 Creedmoor Magazine

3. Polymer 6.5 Creedmoor Magazine for Bolt-Action Rifles

4. Hybrid 6.5 Creedmoor Magazine

5. Compact 6.5 Creedmoor Magazine

6. 6.5 Creedmoor Magazine for Precision Rifles

Table of Contents

The Best 6.5 Creedmoor Magazines Reviews: Feeding the Best with the Best

The overall best 6.5 Creedmoor magazine is up for review first. The best 6.5 Creedmoor magazines from various categories will be popped into the magwell in order of price.

The most affordable magazines are first.

The magazines that deliver performance with zero regard to cost are near the end.

Read about the magazines that fit your budget. We’ve got a lot of magazines to slap around. So be ready for a lot of info.

Overall Best

1. Magpul AR .308 25RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Window Magazine

Key Specs:

  • Caliber:

7.62×51 NATO (.308 Winchester)

  • Fabric/Material:

Polyester/Spandex Blend

  • Capacity:

25 Round

Pros:

  • Super durable polymer construction.
  • Flared base plate offers better control for loading and reloading.
  • Window shows you exactly how many rounds are in the magazine.
  • Anti-tilt follower and polymer feed lips ensure reliable operation and long lifespan.
  • Offered in 25 and 10-round capacities.

Cons:

  • 10-round model has very occasional feed issues.
Check on Palmetto
Other Options

Magpul magazines have been the gold standard in AR magazines for quite a while. And the Magpul AR .308 25RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Window Magazine is Magpul’s offering for those who shoot something bigger than a 5.56mm.

Technically this isn’t a Magpul 6.5 Creedmoor magazine, as you may have guessed from the name. It’s a .308 magazine. But 6.5 Creedmoor fits. And this magazine delivers reliability, even with 6.5 Creedmoor.

Also, PMAGs are remarkably durable. The feed lips hold up longer than steel feed lips, because the magazine body doesn’t warp. And the polymer can’t rust. So these magazines withstand a lot of abuse and last for a long time.

Additionally, the base plate is flared to give you better control during loading, unloading, and reloading.

And, as you may have guessed from the name, this magazine has a window. So you can see your round count quickly and easily.

Unfortunately, the 25 round model can be a bit bulky for precision shooting. If you need something more compact, you can get the Magpul AR .308 10RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Magazine.

Just check the function before you get too serious with the 10 round PMAG. The shorter mag (very) occasionally has feeding issues with 6.5 Creedmoor.

Even so, if you need magazines, these magazines are the most reliable and affordable option. And you can’t go wrong with a stack of PMAGs.

Metal Magazine

2. D&H Industries, Inc. AR .308 6.5 Creedmoor Magazines

Key Specs:

  • Caliber:

6.5 Creedmoor

  • Fabric/Material:

Steel

  • Finish:

Black

Pros:

  • Slick black finish ensures smooth feeding.
  • Anti-tilt follower keeps rounds aligned.
  • Witness holes to see how many rounds you’ve got.
  • Available in 10 and 20-round capacities.

Cons:

  • 20-round model is very occasionally difficult or impossible to fully seat in the magazine well.
  • A tad heavier than polymer magazines.
Check on Brownells
Other Options

The D&H Industries, Inc. AR .308 6.5 Creedmoor Magazines are probably the only reliable metal .308 magazines. And reliability is always a top priority.

The reliability probably comes from the finish. It’s a black finish, with some kind of teflon compoundIt’s slick and promotes smooth feeding.

These magazines also use high-visibility orange followers that look like Magpul anti-tilt followers. They may not be manufactured by Magpul. But the design is very similar. And they keep the rounds aligned well.

Also, these magazines have witness holes. They’re not as easy to use as a window. But you can see how many rounds you’ve put into the magazine while you’re filling it.

You can get these magazines in 10 and 20 round capacities. However, the 10-round model is the most reliable. The 20-round variant has very occasional fit issues that make it difficult or impossible to fully seat into the magazine well.

And, as you probably guessed, these magazines weigh a bit more than a polymer magazine. The difference is only an ounce or so. But there is a difference.

If you want metal magazines, though, these D&H mags are definitely your best option. And they’re not even that expensive. So you can stock up on them, if you need.

Polymer Magazine

3. Magpul Short Action AICS 5RD PMAG

Key Specs:

  • Caliber:

7.62x51mm / .308 Winchester

  • Weight:

3.2 oz

  • Capacity:

5 Round

Pros:

  • Resists corrosion and warping better, and therefore lasts longer, than steel magazines.
  • Flared base plate makes your magazines easy to handle during rifle manipulations.
  • 5-round capacity complies with hunting regulations.
  • Can be modified to accept 6 rounds.
  • Much more affordable than most factory AICS pattern magazines.

Cons:

  • Polymer feed lips give your bolt action a bit of a gritty feel, though it’s not a reliability issue.
Check on Palmetto
Other Options

The Magpul Short Action AICS 5RD PMAG is basically just a Magpul PMAG that fits AICS pattern rifles… Basically.

First, it’s polymer. It resists corrosion and warping better than most factory magazines. So it could easily outlast the magazines that came with your rifle.

Additionally, this magazine has the same flared base plate that you get on a Magpul PMAG. It’s easy to grip and control for loading and reloading. And the base plate is metal, to meet AICS standards.

This magazine is designed with a 5-round capacity to comply with most hunting laws. However, the follower is also designed to be modified so that the magazine can accept 6 rounds, which is better for competition and tactical shooting.

Last, and certainly not least, this magazine costs a lot less than many factory AICS pattern magazines. So it’s a lot easier to get a bunch of them, if you need a stockpile.

Ultimately, if you want the most affordable and reliable magazines you can get for your bolt gun, this Magpul 6.5 Creedmoor magazine is the way to go.

Hybrid Magazine

4. Lancer L7 Advanced Warfighter Magazine

Key Specs:

  • Caliber:

.308 Winchester

  • Weight:

.4 lbs

  • Capacity:

10 Round

Pros:

  • Steel feed lips produce super smooth and reliable feeding.
  • Polymer body makes these magazines lightweight.
  • Translucent body enables you to see exactly how many rounds are left in your mag.
  • Offered in multiple colors to ensure that you look cool at all times.

Cons:

  • Steel feeder pawls feed smoothly and reliably, but are more prone to warping than polymer feed lips.
Check on OpticsPlanet
Other Options

The Lancer L7 Advanced Warfighter Magazine is designed to give you the benefits of a polymer magazine, with the smooth feeding of a steel magazine.

There’s a steel sleeve around the top of this magazine that forms the feed lips. That way your rounds feed super smoothly, with minimal resistance from the coated feeder pawls. This gives your rifle the best reliability.

Then, the body is polymer. That keeps everything as lightweight as possible.

And the polymer is translucent. So you can see how many rounds you’ve got left in your mag at all times which is suitable for fast, tactical shooting.

Also, the baseplate is flared to make it as easy as possible to pull your magazines from your pouches. The base plate also has a switchable drain, which can be configured for shooting in ultra wet conditions.

Last, but not least, these magazines come in multiple colorsThat way you can look cool. Because looking cool is the first step in being an operator.

The only downside is that the steel feed lips will eventually warp. Don’t get me wrong: these magazines still last for a really long time. But steel has its limits.

Even so, you’ll get more than your money’s worth from these magazinesIf you want lightweight magazines that feed super smoothly, these Lancer 6.5 Creedmoor magazines are for you.

Compact Magazine

5. Accurate Mag AICS Pattern Magazine

Key Specs:

  • Weight:

.3 lbs

  • Finish:

Black nitride

  • Capacity:

5 or 10 Round

Pros:

  • Double-stack design makes these magazines as short as possible, so they don’t interfere with any shooting position.
  • Steel body and feeder pawls ensures that your bolt movement is super smooth.
  • Black nitride finish delivers exceptional corrosion resistance for a super long lifespan.
  • Available in 5 and 10-round capacities for hunters and competitive shooters.

Cons:

  • Expensive.
Check on Brownells
Other Options

The Accurate Mag AICS Pattern Magazine is a standard capacity magazine. But it’s shorter than many aftermarket and factory magazines.

That’s because this is a double-stack magazine. Many AICS pattern magazines are single stack. So they tend to be a bit longer. Or they only hold 4 rounds.

These magazines give you a 5 or 10-round capacity in a magazine that’s about the size of a 4 or 8 round magazine.

This is nice for both hunters and competition shooters because the magazine is less likely to interfere with your shooting position.

Then, these magazines are steel, with a black nitride finish. Steel is pretty standard in bolt-action magazines.

Steel is nice because it keeps your bolt movement super smooth, unlike a polymer magazine where you can sometimes feel the round and the bolt sliding over the feed lips.

Also, the black nitride finish ensures that these magazines resist corrosion and last as long as possible.

Unfortunately, these magazines are not cheap. They cost about as much as many factory AICS magazines. They won’t save you money. But they will save you space.

If you need standard capacity magazines that keep your rifle streamlined and easy to use in unorthodox shooting positions, these Accurate Mag model are the best magazines for the job.

6.5 Creedmoor Magazine

6. Accuracy International Short Action AICS Magazines

Key Specs:

  • Material:

Steel

  • Finish:

Matte Black

  • Capacity:

5 Round

Pros:

  • Manufactured under ridiculously tight quality control. You’ll never get a lemon.
  • Coated in a dry-lubricating finish that ensures rounds always feed super smoothly.
  • Dry lubricating anti-tilt follower prevents hangups inside the magazine.
  • Tempered spring delivers consistent pressure so that every round is easy to chamber.

Cons:

  • Really expensive.
Check on OpticsPlanet
Other Options

So, what does AICS even stand for? Well, AICS stands for Accuracy International Chassis System.

That means that, technically, the Accuracy International Short Action AICS Magazines are the only true AICS 6.5 Creedmoor magazines.

The big deal with anything that you get from Accuracy International is the quality control. Accuracy International spends a lot of time and money to ensure that everything that comes out of their factory is perfect.

These magazines are built to the exacting Accuracy International quality control standards. So you know they’re going to work.

And they’re solid steel magazines, with a dry lubricating finishThat way your rounds always feed super smoothly.

The follower is also a self-lubricating anti-tilt follower to keep your rounds aligned and eliminate hangups.

Then, everything is powered by a tempered steel spring that provides consistent pressureThat way the first round is just as easy to chamber as the last round.

All in all, these are really nice magazines that will last for a very long time.

What’s the catch? Well, they’re expensive as heck. They’re not quite as expensive as some factory magazines (what the heck, Savage?). But you’re definitely gonna fork over some cash if you want to stockpile these magazines that goes well with the right suppressor.

However, you DO get what you pay for. And these AICS are top of the line magazines for top of the line precision rifles.

The Final Shot

6.5 Creedmoor is definitely a special round. And your 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is probably a special rifle, or at least a well-loved rifle. So why feed your 6.5 Creedmoor rifle with trash magazines?

Get the best 6.5 Creedmoor magazines. And you’ll get the best reliability and smoothest operation from your long range battle rifle.

You don’t even need to spend that much money to get good 6.5 Creedmoor magazines (even though you can spend a lot of money, if you want). Now that you have an idea on what magazine should you be getting. On a related topic, check out our article on how much magazine should you be stockpiling.

Magpul AR .308 25RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Window Magazine

Key Specs:

  • Caliber:

7.62×51 NATO (.308 Winchester)

  • Fabric/Material:

Polyester/Spandex Blend

  • Capacity:

25 Round

Pros:

  • Super durable polymer construction.
  • Flared base plate offers better control for loading and reloading.
  • Window shows you exactly how many rounds are in the magazine.
  • Anti-tilt follower and polymer feed lips ensure reliable operation and long lifespan.
  • Offered in 25 and 10-round capacities.

Cons:

  • 10-round model has very occasional feed issues.
Check on Palmetto
Other Options

If you need good magazines without blasting your budget, get the Magpul AR .308 25RD PMAG LR/SR Gen M3 Window MagazineIt’s a reliable magazine. And it’s really affordable, compared to some of the other 6.5 Creedmoor magazines out there.

You can also check:

Creedmoor Barrel Reviews