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Nosler Varmageddon 6.5 Creedmoor 90 gr Flat Base Tipped

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Ammo Reports Team 2 6.5 Creedmoor

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Official Specs

ME verification: 90 gr × 3,300² ÷ 450,400 = 2,176 ft-lbs — matches the published figure exactly.

BC note: Nosler does not publish BC for the Varmageddon 90 gr FBT. The estimated ~0.310 reflects the flat-base design’s lower aerodynamic efficiency compared to boat-tail hunting bullets. Flat-base varmint bullets shed velocity faster at distance — this is acceptable for varmint use where shots rarely exceed 300 yards and explosive terminal performance at short range is the priority.

Ballistics Table

Calculated. Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. BC (G1): ~0.310 (estimated for 90 gr flat-base tipped varmint bullet).

BC estimated — Nosler does not publish for this load. Trajectory figures are representative for this bullet class.

Key takeaway: at 3,300 fps this is the joint-fastest factory load in the series (matching the Barnes Vor-Tx 100 gr TTSX). The 90 gr flat-base bullet drops faster than boat-tail alternatives past 250 yards — 17 inches at 300 yards vs 15–16 for heavier boat-tail loads — but for varmint hunting inside 300 yards this is irrelevant. At 200 yards the load is essentially flat with only 5.7 inches of drop. Explosive terminal performance at high velocity is the design goal, not long-range trajectory.

Why 6.5 Creedmoor for Varmints?

The 6.5 Creedmoor is primarily known as a precision long-range hunting and competition cartridge. Using it for varmints is less common than dedicated varmint cartridges like .243 Win, .22-250, or 6mm Creedmoor — but it makes sense in specific scenarios:

• Single rifle versatility — a hunter with a 6.5 CM rifle for deer/elk who also wants to shoot prairie dogs without buying a dedicated varmint gun
• Existing barrel, different use — Varmageddon ammo turns a precision rifle into a varmint tool without a barrel change
• Low recoil varmint experience — 90 gr at 3,300 fps in 6.5 CM has less muzzle blast than equivalent loads in .22-250 or .243 Win while delivering comparable terminal performance

The trade-off: dedicated varmint cartridges like .22-250 and .243 Win achieve similar or higher velocities with lighter bullets that shed less barrel life. Using a 6.5 CM for high-volume prairie dog shooting is less economical than purpose-built varmint cartridges. For occasional varmint work in a rifle used primarily for deer, the Varmageddon load is a practical choice.

The Varmageddon Bullet Design

The Nosler Varmageddon FBT (Flat Base Tipped) is engineered for one purpose: maximum explosive terminal performance on varmints:

• Ultra-thin jacket — designed to fragment violently on impact; this is intentional for varmint hunting where explosive energy transfer and minimal ricochet risk are the goals
• Polymer tip — initiates expansion immediately on contact; no delay in jacket peel-back
• Flat base — simpler manufacture for consistency; flat base designs can achieve excellent accuracy at short to medium varmint ranges; BC is lower than boat-tail but acceptable within 300 yards
• High velocity design — tuned for maximum fragmentation at 3,300 fps; at this velocity the thin jacket disintegrates rather than mushrooms

The Varmageddon is definitively not a deer or elk bullet — the ultra-thin jacket would perform unpredictably on larger game. Nosler’s product line for deer starts at the Ballistic Tip (120 gr).

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and similar small varmints at 50–300 yards where explosive terminal performance eliminates follow-up shots
• Foxes and coyotes at 100–250 yards where rapid incapacitation is the goal
• Hunters with a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle who want varmint capability without a second gun
• Nosler brass collectors and reloaders who want high-quality cases after firing

Not the right tool for:

• Deer, hogs, or any game larger than coyotes — the ultra-thin Varmageddon jacket is not designed for and will not perform reliably on medium or large game
• Long-range varmint shooting beyond 350 yards where the flat-base design’s lower BC produces steeper drop than boat-tail varmint bullets
• High-volume prairie dog shooting where per-round cost ($2.40) is a concern — dedicated .22-250 or .243 ammunition runs significantly cheaper
• Lead-free requirements — lead-core construction
• Self-defense — not designed or rated for it

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

General notes:

• The Nosler Varmageddon line has a solid reputation in the varmint hunting community — the FBT design produces the violent fragmentation that varmint hunters seek
• At 3,300 fps in 6.5 Creedmoor this load generates significant muzzle blast and is at the upper end of pressure for this cartridge — within SAAMI limits per Nosler’s development, but notable for hunters sensitive to concussion
• Flat base accuracy at varmint ranges (50–250 yards) is fully adequate — the flat base vs boat-tail accuracy debate is primarily relevant at extended ranges where the FBT is not intended to operate

Competitors

Context note: there are very few factory 6.5 CM varmint loads. The Barnes 100 gr TTSX is the most similar in velocity (3,300 fps) but uses all-copper construction — designed for pronghorn, not varmints. The Varmageddon 90 gr FBT is the only dedicated varmint load in this report series for 6.5 Creedmoor.

Price Reality

• Typical retail range: $46–50 per box of 20 (~$2.30–2.50/round)
• Cost context for varmint use: prairie dog and ground squirrel hunting can involve 50–200+ rounds per day; at $2.40/round this is significantly more expensive than dedicated varmint cartridge ammunition (.22-250 at $0.60–1.00/round, .243 Win at $1.00–1.50/round)
• Occasional use value: for the hunter who shoots varmints a few times per year using their existing 6.5 CM rifle, 1–2 boxes per season at $2.40/round is entirely reasonable
• Fair price benchmark: under $48/box is reasonable for Nosler Varmageddon; this is the only option in its specific niche within 6.5 CM

Where to Buy

Nosler Varmageddon 6.5 Creedmoor 90 Grain Flat Base Tipped (Box)

Nosler's varmageddon line of loaded ammunition and component bullets features a highly accurate polymer tip or hollow point combined with a flat base design.Varmageddon products were created for the high-volume varmint shooter who requires the utmost precision.Loaded with nosler brass varmageddon...

$47.99 at Ammunitiondepot.com

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FAQ

Is the Nosler Varmageddon 90 gr appropriate for coyotes?

Yes — the Varmageddon FBT at 3,300 fps is well-suited for coyotes at 100–250 yards. The ultra-thin jacket produces rapid incapacitation. The load will also preserve the hide better than some heavier bullets by fragmenting rather than passing through, though no varmint/predator bullet is fully predictable on pelt condition. For coyote hunters specifically, this is a viable load in a 6.5 CM rifle.

Why use 6.5 Creedmoor for varmints instead of a dedicated varmint cartridge?

The main reason: you already own a 6.5 CM rifle. Dedicated varmint cartridges like .22-250 and .243 Win achieve higher velocities with lighter bullets at lower cost per round — they are better tools for high-volume prairie dog shooting. The Varmageddon load makes sense when you want varmint capability from your existing deer rifle without investing in a second gun. The ammunition cost is higher, but for occasional varmint use the savings from not buying a second rifle easily offset the per-round premium.

Will the Varmageddon 90 gr damage my 6.5 Creedmoor barrel faster?

All rifle barrels wear over time, and higher-velocity loads with lighter bullets can accelerate wear. At 3,300 fps, this load pushes at the upper end for 6.5 Creedmoor. For occasional varmint use (a few hundred rounds per year), barrel wear is not a meaningful concern — 6.5 CM barrels are rated for thousands of rounds at normal hunting velocities. For high-volume prairie dog shooters (thousands of rounds per season), a dedicated varmint rifle is a better investment to preserve the precision 6.5 CM barrel for its primary purpose.

Can I use this on deer in an emergency?

No — the Varmageddon ultra-thin jacket will not produce adequate penetration on deer-sized game. It is designed to fragment explosively on small varmints. On a deer, the bullet would likely disintegrate without reaching vital organs through hide and muscle. The minimum appropriate Nosler bullet for deer in 6.5 CM is the 120 gr Ballistic Tip. Never use varmint bullets on medium or large game.

Submit Your Data · Real-World Results

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Last updated: April 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions) · Page will update automatically as submissions are approved.

Nosler Varmageddon 6.5 Creedmoor 90 Grain Flat Base Tipped (Box)

$47.99

in stock