ANOKA, Minnesota –– Federal Ammunition's new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge has been presented with the Caliber Award in the Best Ammunition New Product category by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), in partnership with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA). This year's Caliber Awards were announced during an appreciation dinner at the 2026 NASGW Expo, held October 13-15, in Phoenix, Arizona.
"When Federal introduced the 7mm Backcountry cartridge in 2025, we redefined high-performance rifle ammunition," said Jesse Whiteside, Federal's Vice President of Product Management and Research & Development. "And this year we were excited to roll out another Peak Alloy cartridge option. Our 7mm Backcountry and all-new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak usher in a new era of ammunition and truly unlock unprecedented performance."
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, meaning many hunters and target shooters likely already own a rifle capable of shooting it. With a Peak Alloy case, it's loaded to 80,000 psi, producing muzzle velocities 300 fps faster and beyond 3,000 fps in select loads, while maintaining similar perceived recoil.
Learn more at: 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak.
"We know the Caliber Awards offer a balanced approach to recognizing and honoring new, innovative products," said Jason Nash, Federal's Vice President of Marketing. "Judges were asked to consider the uniqueness, market need, the value of the product, ingenuity, and presentation. Product innovation like this is a huge team effort. We thank our employees for making this product happen. We also thank all our industry partners, including customers, media partners, and firearm manufacturers for the support. This is a great honor."
The annual NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards honor the best new products in seven product categories, including new ammunition. The Caliber Awards are chosen by an independent panel of 18 industry professionals, encompassing hundreds of years of experience in the shooting sports industry. The panel comprises wholesalers and media members who stay abreast of product trends and innovations.
Federal Ammunition products are available at dealers nationwide and online. For more information on all Federal products and to sign up for notifications about new product availability, rebate promotions, and other brand news via email, 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.