Gun Digest: Building A .22 Creedmoor Rifle

The 6.5 Creedmoor is ubiquitous. So much so that it has surpassed the venerable .308 in popularity in new rifle sales. While the 6.5 CM has become a new kind of standard, it’s also spawned a series of cartridges. These include the 6mm CM, 25 CM, and the 22 CM. The latter of which turns the “ho-hum, jorts-and-New-Balance” cartridge into a fire-breathing drake from the North. And, it’s easy enough to build one of these fire-breathers on your own. That’s precisely what Ian Harrison did in his latest article on Gun Digest.

22 CREEDMOOR?

But why 22 Creedmoor over other 22 caliber options on the market? According to Harrison, “The .22 Creedmoor gives the user access to heavy-for-caliber bullets, which really take the .224 to another level in terms of downrange lethality, and an easy-feeding case design.” Thanks to modern case and bullet design, the 22 CM can take advantage of the latest advancements, outpacing others. And for those who have heard horror stories about bullets vaporizing due to the twist rate and velocities of 22 CM, those issues have been rectified. “Today, barrel manufacturers have switched to a slightly larger bore diameter, so as not to stress the bullet quite as badly, and as a result they can be counted on to actually reach the target rather than turning into lead and copper dust”.

THE BUILD

The 22 Creedmoor is a barrel burner. Especially when pushing things to the max end of the spectrum. If the barrel reaches 1,000 rounds, call it good. To help offset costs and because a new barrel will need to be turned relatively frequently, Harrison sought out Helix 6. Helix 6 has a proven reputation but doesn’t break the bank for carbon-wrapped barrels. The 18-inch tube has a slightly larger bore of 0.219, allowing the rifle to fire heavy-for-caliber bullets at impressive speeds.

The Springfield Armory Waypoint action is at the core of the rifle. Many people aren’t aware that it can be ordered standalone, but you must contact Springfield directly to do so. The action has all the fit, finish, and features you’d expect from a high-end 700-pattern action, without the long waits often seen in the custom world. The bolt design and overall build reinforce why it made such a strong initial impression and continues to impress.

The build diverges from the usual trigger suspects, opting for a Rise Armament Reliant Hunter, favoring a smooth, rolling break that feels perfect on a hunting rifle. Everything is housed in MDT’s CRBN stock, which combines ultralight weight with real-world adjustability and smart hunting-focused details. Finishing off the build is B&T’s Print XH-556 suppressor, a clever mix of titanium and Inconel that keeps weight low while still offering plenty of life.

AMMUNITION

Currently, as Ian astutely points out, the biggest limiting factor with 22 CM is ammo availability—only Hornady and Nosler are loading it. But if you roll your own, then you have plenty of options. If you do reload it, start with a powder like H4350 or another slow-burning powder in the same range. Ian loaded a variety of ammo using RCBS dies and Peterson brass, with bullets from Hornady and Sierra. For powder, he used options from Hodgdon and Vihtavuori.

EVERYTHING ELSE

The rig features a Leupold VX-6 HD 3-18×44 scope. Since it primarily serves as a hunting rifle for coyotes and medium-sized game, a second focal-plane reticle is preferred, as FFP reticles tend to fade at low magnification, especially in low light. For the bipod, a Spartan Precision was used with an M-LOK adapter on the MDT CRBN stock. This provides the user access to the Spartan ecosystem.

ZOOMING OUT

The end result is a rocket rifle that vaporizes any varmint or small game in its path. This build represents what you could easily do from home with a few tools and a little know-how. For more articles like this, make sure to check out Gun Digest and Carnivore Magazine.