Hornady introduced the 6.5 Creedmoor in 2008 and only a handful of long-range competitors really cared. But in 2014, after the movie “American Sniper” came out, Chris Kyle was vaulted to John Wayne status, and instead of a cowboy hat and a six gun, everyone wanted a sniper rifle and a tattoo. Today, the Creed is phenomenally popular, and that movie, along with those aspiring to have sniper-like skill, have influenced our hunting rifles and the way we use them. Some of these influences have been good. Others, not so much.
GOOD GIFTS
One benefit long-range shooting has brought to the hunting rifle is the adjustable length of pull, which is now quite common. Steyr incorporated it into the Scout Rifle in 1997, but custom builders have been crafting rifles…