As you venture into the world of hunting with your 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, investing in a high-quality scope is essential for maximizing your shooting potential. This article on the Best Hunting Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor, will delve into quality scopes that can enhance your accuracy and confidence.
Why is The 6.5 Creedmoor so Popular?
The 6.5 Creedmoor has gained popularity among hunters and long-range shooters for several reasons:
- Ballistic Performance: The 6.5 Creedmoor offers excellent ballistic performance, with a high ballistic coefficient (BC) and moderate recoil. This allows for flat trajectories and retained energy at longer ranges, making it effective for hunting and target shooting.
- Accuracy: The 6.5 Creedmoor is known for its inherent accuracy. The combination of the cartridge design, efficient case geometry, and high-quality bullets results in consistent and precise shot placement.
- Long-Range Capability: The 6.5 Creedmoor is capable of delivering consistent and accurate performance at extended ranges, making it popular among long-range shooters and hunters who need to make precise shots at a distance.
- Recoil: The 6.5 Creedmoor generates moderate recoil, which is manageable for most shooters. This makes it comfortable to shoot, allowing for faster follow-up shots and improved accuracy.
- Availability of Ammunition: The 6.5 Creedmoor has become widely adopted, leading to wide availability of factory-loaded ammunition in various bullet weights and configurations. This makes it easy for shooters to find suitable ammo for their rifles.
- Barrel Life: The 6.5 Creedmoor is known for its relatively long barrel life compared to some other high-performance cartridges. This can result in cost savings over time for shooters who put a lot of rounds through their rifles.
What is The Range of The 6.5 Creedmoor?
In general, the effective range is up to 1000 yards for target shooting and hunting. The cartridge’s high ballistic coefficient (BC) and moderate recoil allow for flat trajectories and retained energy at longer distances, making it well-suited for long-range shooting.
What is The Best Rifle Length for 6.5 Creedmoor?
Many shooters find that a barrel length of 22-24 inches strikes a good balance between maneuverability and velocity.
Best Hunting Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor
1) Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen I 6-24×50 Riflescope
The Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen I 6-24×50 SFP Riflescope is a versatile and high-performance optic designed for precision shooting and hunting applications.
With its 6-24x magnification range, the offers a wide field of view at lower magnifications thus allowing for detailed target acquisition at longer ranges.
Has a 50mm objective lens that ensures ample light transmission, making it suitable for use in low-light conditions. Also features optics are fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission and image clarity, providing a clear and crisp sight picture.
In addition, the scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece for quick and easy reticle focusing. Has a durable single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube that is shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof.
Specifications
- Magnification: 6-24x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 4.0 inches
- Field of View: 17.8-5.1 feet/100 yards
- Tube Size: 30mm
- Turret Style: Tactical
- Adjustment Graduation: 1/4 MOA
- Travel per Rotation: 12 MOA
- Length: 15.5 inches
- Weight: 23.4 ounces
- Reticle: EBR-1 MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (SFP)
- Battery: CR2032
Pros
- Has high-quality optics with fully multi-coated lenses for excellent light transmission and image clarity.
- Versatile 6-24x magnification range suitable for a wide range of shooting applications.
- First Focal Plane (SFP) reticle maintains subtensions accurate at all magnification levels.
- Durable construction with a single-piece aluminum tube that is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.
- Tactical-style turrets for easy and precise adjustments, with a tactile and audible click for each adjustment.
- Fast focus eyepiece for quick and easy reticle focusing.
- Illuminated reticle with 10 brightness levels for low-light conditions.
- ArmorTek coating protects exterior lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt.
- Backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty, which is a lifetime warranty covering any defects in materials or workmanship.
Cons
- Some users may find the scope to be a bit heavy at 23.4 ounces.
2) Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm M1C3 Riflescope
The Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm M1C3 FFP Riflescope is a high-end optic designed for long-range shooting and tactical applications.
Its a 5-25x magnification range and a large 56mm objective lens, this riflescope offers exceptional clarity and detail at extended ranges.
With a first focal plane (FFP) reticle ensures that the reticle subtensions remain accurate at all magnification levels, making it easier to estimate range, holdover, and windage corrections.
One of the key features of the Mark 5HD is its M1C3 ZeroLock adjustments, which provide a precise and repeatable 1/10th MIL adjustment for both elevation and windage.
Also features turrets that have a locking mechanism to prevent accidental adjustments and a tactile and audible click for each adjustment, allowing for quick and easy zeroing and adjustment in the field.
The scope is also fully multi-coated to maximize light transmission and minimize glare, thus providing a clear and bright sight picture even in low-light conditions.
Specifications
- Magnification: 5-25x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 56mm
- Tube Diameter: 35mm
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.1 Mil per click
- Adjustment Range: Elevation: 32.9 Mil, Windage: 23.3 Mil
- Eye Relief: 3.6 inches
- Field of View: 20.5 feet at 100 yards (5x), 4.2 feet at 100 yards (25x)
- Parallax Adjustment: Side focus, 50 yards to infinity
- Length: 15.67 inches
- Weight: 32 ounces
Pros
- Has high-quality optics with excellent clarity and resolution, suitable for long-range shooting.
- Has First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle maintains subtensions accurately at all magnification levels.
- M1C3 ZeroLock adjustments provide precise and repeatable adjustments.
- Rugged construction that is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.
- Side focus parallax adjustment knob for quick and easy parallax adjustment.
- Fast-focus eyepiece for quick and easy reticle focusing.
- Various reticle options are available to suit different shooting needs.
- Leupold’s Full Lifetime Guarantee, which covers any defects in materials or workmanship
Cons
- Relatively heavy at 32 ounces, which may be a concern for some shooters.
- Some users may find the eye relief of 3.6 inches to be a bit short, especially at higher magnifications.
3) Bushnell Banner 6-18x50mm Riflescope
The Bushnell Banner 6-18x50mm Riflescope is a versatile and affordable optic designed for hunting and target shooting.
With its 6-18x magnification range and a large 50mm objective lens, the scope offers a wide field of view at lower magnifications and allows for detailed target acquisition at longer ranges.
Its multi-coated optics, provide bright, clear, and sharp images even in low-light conditions. The scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece, allowing for quick and easy reticle focusing.
Features a standard duplex reticle, which is easy to use and provides a clear aiming point. The windage and elevation turrets are easy to adjust, with a tactile and audible click for each adjustment, allowing for precise zeroing and adjustments in the field.
Specifications
- Magnification: 6-18x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Tube Diameter: 1 inch
- Reticle: Multi-X (duplex)
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Adjustment Range: 40 MOA (elevation and windage)
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Field of View: 17 feet at 6x, 6 feet at 18x
- Parallax Setting: Adjustable from 10 yards to infinity
- Length: 16 inches
- Weight: 19 ounces
Pros
- Affordable
- Good optical performance with a multi-coated lens for bright and clear images.
- Versatile magnification range of 6-18x
- Durable waterproof construction, fog proof, and shockproof.
- Easy-to-use duplex reticle for quick target acquisition.
- Adjustable parallax setting for improved accuracy at different distances.
- Lightweight design at 19 ounces, making it easy to carry and mount on a rifle.
Cons
- The eye relief of 3.5 inches may be a bit short for some shooters, especially at higher magnifications.
4) Athlon Optics Midas TAC 6-24×50 Riflescopes
The Athlon Optics Midas TAC 6-24×50 First Focal Plane Riflescope is a high-performance optic designed for long-range shooting and tactical applications.
Its 6-24x magnification range and a large 50mm objective lens, offer a wide field of view at lower magnifications and allow for detailed target acquisition at longer ranges.
Features exposed tactical-style turrets for easy and precise adjustments, with a tactile and audible click for each adjustment, allowing for quick and easy zeroing and adjustment in the field.
It is to withstand the rigors of field use, with a rugged and durable construction that is both waterproof and fog proof. The scope is also shockproof, ensuring reliable performance even in harsh conditions.
Also advanced fully multi-coated optics, which provide excellent light transmission and image clarity, even in low-light conditions.
Specifications
- Magnification: 6-24x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Reticle: APLR4 FFP IR MIL, APLR3 FFP IR MOA
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.1 MIL, 1/4 MOA
- Adjustment Range: Elevation: 29.6 MIL, Windage: 14.5 MIL
- Eye Relief: 3.3 inches
- Field of View: 16.7-4.5 feet at 100 yards
- Parallax Adjustment: Side focus, 10 yards to infinity
- Length: 14.6 inches
- Weight: 29.6 ounces
Pros
- Durable construction
- Has exposed tactical-style turrets for easy and precise adjustments, with a tactile and audible click for each adjustment.
- Zero stop feature on the turrets allows for quick and easy return to zero.
- Side focus parallax adjustment knob for quick and easy parallax adjustment.
- Illuminated reticle with 11 brightness settings for low-light conditions.
- Backed by Athlon’s Lifetime Warranty, which covers any defects in materials or workmanship.
Cons
- The weight of 29.6 ounces may be a bit heavy for some shooters.
- Some users may find the eye relief of 3.3 inches to be a bit short, especially at higher magnifications.
5) Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope
The Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope is a high-quality, variable-powered optic designed for long-range shooting and hunting.
With its 5-20x magnification range and a large 50mm objective lens, it offers a wide field of view at lower magnifications and allows for detailed target acquisition at longer ranges.
One of the key features of the TR23 AccuPoint is its advanced multicoated optics, which provide excellent light transmission and image clarity, ensuring a clear and crisp sight picture even in low-light conditions.
Built to withstand the rigors of field use, with a rugged and durable construction that is both waterproof and fog proof. The scope is also shockproof, ensuring reliable performance even in harsh conditions.
Specifications
- Magnification: 5-20x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Reticle: Mil-Dot Crosshair, Mil-Dot Crosshair w/ Green Dot, Standard Crosshair w/ Green Dot, Standard
- Duplex Crosshair w/ Amber Dot
- Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Adjustment Range: 40 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.8 inches
- Field of View: 19.1-5.1 feet at 100 yards
- Parallax Adjustment: Side focus, 10 yards to infinity
- Length: 13.6 inches
- Weight: 23.3 ounces
Pros
- High-quality optics with fully multi-coated lenses
- Battery-free illuminated reticle powered by tritium and fiber optics, providing a bright aiming point in any lighting condition.
- Durable construction
- Exposed tactical-style turrets for easy and precise adjustments, with a tactile and audible click for each adjustment.
- Zero stop feature on the turrets allows for quick and easy return to zero.
- Side focus parallax adjustment knob for quick and easy parallax adjustment.
- Backed by Trijicon’s Limited Lifetime Warranty, which covers any defects in materials or workmanship.
Cons
- The scope does not come with a sunshade, which may be necessary in bright conditions to reduce glare.
6) Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm Riflescopes
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm is a high-performance riflescope designed for long-range shooting and tactical applications.
Fully multi-coated, providing excellent light transmission and image clarity even in low-light conditions. Also features a single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube that is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.
Has exposed tactical-style turrets for easy and precise adjustments, with a tactile and audible click for each adjustment.
With its versatile 5-25x magnification range and a large 50mm objective lens, the scope offers a wide field of view at lower magnifications and detailed target acquisition at longer ranges.
Specifications
- Magnification: 5-25x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Reticle: EBR-2C (MRAD or MOA), EBR-7C (MRAD or MOA)
- Reticle Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP)
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.1 MRAD or 0.25 MOA
- Adjustment Range: Elevation: 25 MRAD or 70 MOA, Windage: 25 MRAD or 70 MOA
- Eye Relief: 3.4 inches
- Field of View: 24.1-4.8 feet at 100 yards
- Parallax Adjustment: Side focus, 25 yards to infinity
- Length: 15.79 inches
- Weight: 31.2 ounces
Pros
- Versatile 5-25x
- First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle maintains subtensions accurate at all magnification levels.
- Durable
- Exposed tactical-style turrets
- Zero stop feature on the turrets allows for quick and easy return to zero.
- Side focus parallax adjustment knob for quick and easy parallax adjustment.
- Illuminated reticle with 10 brightness levels for low-light conditions.
- Backed by Vortex’s VIP warranty, which is a lifetime warranty covering any defects in materials or workmanship.
Cons
- Some users may find the eye relief of 3.4 inches to be a bit short, especially at higher magnifications.
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Hunting Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor
When choosing the best hunting scope for a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, there are several factors you should take into consideration to ensure you get the right scope for your needs. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
- Durability: Opt for a scope that is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof to withstand the rigors of hunting in various conditions.
- Turret Style: Consider the type of turret you prefer. Tactical-style turrets with audible and tactile clicks are useful for making quick and precise adjustments in the field.
- Eye Relief: It is wise to always ensure the scope has adequate eye relief to prevent scope eye injuries, especially with heavier recoiling rifles like the 6.5 Creedmoor.
- Brand and Warranty: Look for a reputable brand with a good warranty. This ensures you get a quality product and have support if any issues arise.
- Price: Set a budget and look for a scope that offers the features you need within that budget. Remember, a quality scope is an investment that can last a lifetime with proper care.
FAQS
- What brands are known for making good scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor?
Some popular brands known for making good scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor include Vortex, Leupold, Bushnell, and Athlon. These brands offer a range of scopes with different features and price points to suit various needs.
- What features should I look for in a scope for 6.5 Creedmoor?
Look for a durable scope, that has clear optics, and is suitable for the ranges you plan to shoot. Features such as waterproofing, fogproofing, and shockproofing are also important for hunting in various conditions.
Final Thoughts
Forks, the scopes featured in this guide offer a range of features to suit different hunting styles and preferences, from rugged construction to advanced reticle options. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just starting, choosing the right scope can enhance your hunting experience and increase your chances of success in the field.
Related