Good scope for the 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is what you need to increase its performance and achieve better results.
When Hornady introduced a brand-new rifle cartridge to the world back in 2007, no one could have predicted just how popular this round would become.
Right now, many consider the Creedmoor to be the king of long-distance calibers. There may be those that doubt the terminal ballistics at the range but no one can argue its accuracy and flat trajectory
The 6.5 mm bullet was originally designed for target shooting, but it has since ascended to the top of the hunting ammunition game and is lauded by many hunters for its versatility and long-range capabilities.
While the 6.5 Creedmoor is ballistically superior to the.308 Winchester, it also duplicates or beats the.300 Win Mag’s trajectory with less recoil.
With good shooting skills, this rifle can guarantee accuracy up to 3000 yards on long-range target shooting. But of course, not all of you will want to shoot quite that far, so different scopes may suit a shorter range.
It is highly recommended to newcomers as an excellent caliber for mid-range hunting and tactical rifle shooting.
In this article, we explore the capabilities of the 6.5 when paired with a high-quality scope.
Contents
- 1 What makes it so special?
- 2 How Far Will Your Bullet Go?
- 3 Bullet Drop
- 4 What kind of scope should you be looking for?
- 5 The 5 Best Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor 2020
- 5.1 1.Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Rifle scope
- 5.2 2.Vortex Optics Crossfire II – The Best for Short to Medium Range
- 5.3 3. Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Scope – №1 For Long-Range
- 5.4 4.Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope 6-24x50mm–The Best Long Range Scope for the Price
- 5.5 5.Nikon Black X1000 6-24x50SF Matte IL x-MOA
- 6 What kind of scope should you be looking for?
- 7 Conclusion
What makes it so special?
It can accurately hit a target 250 yards away with less than a 1″ bullet drop from a standard 24″ barrel. Since a 6.5mm is a relatively large cartridge, it certainly can go much farther. In very few areas of our country, are you likely to get a 600+ yard shot?
The inherent accuracy of the 6.5 Creedmoor is based on the fact that 6.5 can remain supersonic out beyond 1,400 and 1,600 yards, respectively.
While the 6.5 Creedmoor duplicate or even surpasses the trajectory curve of the.300 Winchester Magnum, this is the cartridge that does this without excessively shortening barrel life or giving punishing recoil.
How Far Will Your Bullet Go?
If you’re a hunter hoping to test your limits, you’ll need the best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor. Although some scopes are more powerful than others, they’re not always ideal for every type of shooter.
For the 6.5 Creedmoor in a 24″ barrel, keep these measurements roughly in mind:
- Long Range: 700 yards and above
- Medium Range: 300–700 yards
- Close Range: Under 300 yards
In comparison with other calibers, 300 yards is pretty long.
Bullet Drop
- At 100 yards and below: expect a bullet drop below 2,000 ft-lbs
- At 450 + yards: expect 1,000 ft-lbs and below
These above facts ensure the Creedmoor delivers an outstanding performance bullet and enough power.
| Scope Image | Scope | Price |
|---|---|---|
 |
Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Riflescope - Best for Low Light | Check Price |
 |
Vortex Optics Crossfire II - The Best for Short to Medium Range | Check Price |
 |
Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Scope (№1 for long-range) | Check Price |
 |
Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope 6-24x50mm–The Best Long Range Scope for the Price | Check Price |
 |
Nikon Black X1000 6-24x50SF Matte IL x-MOA | Check Price |
What kind of scope should you be looking for?
The type of scope you need largely depends on the type of shooting you prefer. Here are a few key things to consider when you’re searching for a 6.5 Creedmoor scope.
Magnification
6.5 Creedmoor has an effective target range of around 1,000 yards, but for hunting, it caps out at around 500 yards. This is because that’s where the round slows to below 2,000-fps, the velocity needed for bullet expansion.
When engaging moving targets at relatively close distances (300 yards is close for the 6.5 CRDMR), you’ll need a scope with magnification that falls in the 4-9x range.
Long-range shooting needs a scope capable of 15x magnification or more. You can get away with less when medium-range shooting, but we’d still recommend a product with at least 9-15x magnification.
Therefore, you need a scope that excels in medium to long ranges. Exactly how much magnification you want depends on whether you’ll be using it as a target or hunting scope.
Glass Quality
Most important is a bright, crisp sight picture.
If you zoom in on a target, but can’t distinguish details, that magnification is virtually useless. A scope should allow for excellent light transmission and should have good color fidelity.
Lens coatings can help with this. To ensure you have a crisp, clear image, even at the upper end of the magnification range, look for a scope with XD or ED glass and fully multi-coated lenses.
Durability
You want a scope that’s waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. A single-piece scope body made from a rugged material like aircraft-grade aluminum can help ensure shock proofing. Features like o-ring seals and nitrogen or argon purging will ensure fog and waterproofing.
Reticle
An FFP reticle is located at the front of the magnification lens. In this position, the reticle expands and contracts concerning the magnification.
In scopes with an SFP (second focal plane) reticle, the markings are only valid at one level of magnification.
The 5 Best Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor 2020
Our favorite scopes for hunting and competitive distance shooting are the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Scope and Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Riflescope.
We’ll also compare them with three popular rivals: the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44mm AO, Nikon black X1000 6-24x50SF Matte IL x-MOA, and Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope 6-24x50mm SFP Scope.
All five scopes are of high quality and guarantee good performance.
1.Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Rifle scope
| Specs |
| – 5-20x Magnification – 50mm Objective lens – 30mm Tube Diameter – 62-4.41 in Eye Relief – Front Focal TMR Reticle – Weight: 21.7oz |
The Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm SF Riflescope is our second choice for the best long-range scope, particularly when combined with 6.5 Creedmoor rounds. The VX 3 is one of the top scopes in the Leupold line.
The scope uses the traditional style slow focus eyepiece, which allows the shooter to make very precise adjustments to match their eye. Fitted in front of the eyepiece is the power to select ring that has a throw lever attached to it that allows for quick and easy magnification adjustments.
The reticle is a Front Focal which magnifies along with the image to provide greater accuracy in range estimation and ballistic information.
A Custom Dial System (CDS) built-in on this scope, making it easier for you to dial up for longer shots. The CDS enables you to match the set-up to your ammo, which in this case would be the Creedmoor 6.5 cartridges.
The lens has a special Diamond Coat 2 coating, which is an ion-assisted lens coating. Ultimately, this kind of coating helps with the lighting and is heavily resistant to abrasion.
This riflescope was made for long-range shooting and ballistics. This scope boasts a 20×50 magnification, which is ideal for long-range targeting.
Features
- The VX 3 is made from tough materials.
- The Leupold VX-3i has a 6.5-20x zoom power. Armed with this, you’ll have the means to rapidly lock-in and hit a target.
- The VX-3 has a 50 mm objective lens. The lens on this scope has been amplified so you do not have to worry about tracking from a distance.
- There is Dual Spring Tension Target Adjustment built-in. With this, a shooter can fine-tune his aim and shoot with accuracy.
- The scope has the Twilight Max Light Management System. This allows the scope to display colors accurately.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has Diamond Coat 2 coating. | Stiff elevation turret, especially when new |
| Excellent in low-light conditions. | The eye relief could ideally be a little wider. |
| Includes a Custom Dial System | |
| Made and manufactured in the USA. | |
| Sleek-looking 30mm design. | |
| Side focus: parallax adjustment for easy focus in any shooting position. | |
| Absolute waterproof and fog proof for optimal performance in extreme weather. |
2.Vortex Optics Crossfire II – The Best for Short to Medium Range
| Specs: |
| – Magnification–6-18x – Eye Relief–3.7 inches – Field of View -15.2-5.2 ft/100 yds – Tube Size–1 inch |
Vortex’s Crossfire II is much more than just a ‘good’ scope. It offers impeccable quality for a lower price than you might expect.
The scope’s Dead-Hold BEC MOA offers medium-range shooters near-zero parallax and a lens that minimizes reflections.
A 1-inch tube diameter 4x zooms and incredibly versatile top-end magnification makes this scope the perfect choice for an endless list of rifle-topping tasks. It also has a customized hashmark that reduces the need for user estimations on holdover and windage.
For close to medium range shooting with 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges, it’s hard to find a better scope than the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44mm AO.
It’s durable, reliable, and all any hunter could ask for. With the scope only being 19 oz, it’s an excellent addition for any beginner as well.
Features
- Fully Multi-Coated.
- The 4-12×40 Adjustable Objective Crossfire II riflescope is one of many configurations in the Crossfire II line.
- The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is good for hunting/shooting at varying ranges where estimating holdover is a concern.
- Constructed from a solid block of aircraft-grade aluminum for strength and rigidity.
- O-ring seals prevent moisture, dust, and debris from penetrating for reliable performance in all environments.
- Adjustment for rifle scope’s objective lens provides image focus and parallax removal.
- Capped reset turrets are finger adjustable with MOA clicks that can be reset to zero after sighting in.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Weather Resistant | Finicky Eye Relief |
| Dead-Hold Reticle | Less than perfect eye relief |
| Fast-Focus Eyepiece | |
| Fully Multi-Coated Lenses |
3. Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24x50mm SFP Scope – №1 For Long-Range
Among the much quality optics that Vortex has manufactured, their best line is the HS-T line, and out of that line, the 6-24×50 shines the most. Improving on its predecessors, this scope is one of the best scopes for the 6.5 Creedmoor.
The Vortex Optics Viper HST 6-24x50mm SFP Riflescope is the ideal scope for a wide range of long-range shooting activities. The reason is that Vortex combined the best features of two of their best-selling scopes to develop the Viper HST riflescope.
This scope is built into a tough 30mm single-piece tube that maximizes internal adjustment and strength.
The Riflescope is designed to have the maximum long-range capability, as well as wind deflection ability. The Viper HS-T features a parallax that works on one lithium battery.
The scope has incorporated fully multi-coated lenses that enhance light absorption to allow visibility in low light. The coatings also enhance clarity and color contrasts which improve the image quality.
The VMR reticle has a custom design to ensure your target stays consistent, whether you’re shooting from up close or a distance away.
Smooth finger clickable makes it a piece of cake, adjusting the scope. The addition of CRS Zero Stop allows for a convenient way to return to zero after temporary elevation corrections. This feature is useful when attempting to dial large multi-rev corrections.
When used in tandem with the Viper HS-T’s elevation turret, catching transitory bullet drop adjustments becomes a breeze.
| Specs |
| – 6-24x Magnification – 50mm Objective lens – 30mm Tube Diameter – 0 in Eye Relief – VMR-1 Reticle – Weight: 22.6oz |
Features
- 4x magnification zoom.
- Side focus for parallax adjustment.
- Target-style turrets for easy adjusting.
- CRS Zero Stop for a return to zero option.
- VMR-1 Reticle for accurate hold at extended ranges.
- O–ring seal makes the scope waterproof and fog proof.
- The exquisite coating gives protection and illumination for lenses.
- The scope’s body is argon-filled to prevent internal fogging and is watertight and shockproof as well.
- The scope surface boasts a matte-black, hard-anodized finish, which reduces reflection of the scope body and resists scratching and corrosion.
- For added benefit, Vortex has applied Armtek coating on the lenses to prevent scratches and stains as well as repel water, oil, dust, and fingerprints as well as to provide low light dispersion and a clear image.
- With a generous 4″ eye relief, the Viper is designed to maximize long-distance shooting and ranging abilities.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 4-inch Eye Relief. | Blurry sight picture at 24 mags. |
| Clear mag power from 6 to 20. | There is a narrow eye relief window. |
| An amazing sight, picture clarity. | Adjusting mag power requires force. |
| Robust and responsive turrets. | Tweaking the mag power requires force. |
| Impeccable accuracy at long range. | |
| CRS Zero Stop aids in return to zero. | |
| CRS for large multi-rev adjustments at speed. | |
| SFP reticle for precise and accurate long-range shots. | |
| MAG View fiber optic a visible magnification setting reference point. | |
| Exposed tactical-style turrets provide fast and accurate adjustments. |
4.Athlon Optics Argos BTR Riflescope 6-24x50mm–The Best Long Range Scope for the Price
The Athlon Optics Argo BTR offers all the great features and capabilities of a solid long-range riflescope. If you want the best scope available but you can’t afford Vortex prices, this is the one for you.
This affordable riflescope from Athlon has a superb optical quality for a model in this price range. Featuring fully multi-coated glass, the Argos BTR offers bright, crystal clear images even in low light environments.
The scope provides a range of adjustments from fast focusing to elevation, illumination, parallax side focus, windage, and, of course, magnification. Its controls are efficient and uncomplicated.
The Athlon Optics Argos BTR is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it extremely durable and stable to guard against the scope becoming moved during a hunt.
The Argos BTR offers 3 inches of eye relief and is made with shock-resistant material that is ideal for big game hunters.
Our favorite feature of the Athlon BTR is its reticle, which has a first focal plane design to position it right in front of the lenses.
Value-wise, it’s hard to question the Argos BTR 6-24×50 as the best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor rounds. Simply put, no other scope delivers as much for as little.
| Specs |
| – Magnification–6-24x – Eye Relief–3.3 inches – Field of View -16.7-4.5 ft/100 yds – Tube Size–1 inch |
Features
- Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses give you a better light transmission to bring optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum.
- FFP reticle stays valid at all power settings, allowing you to fully use the specially designed reticle that shrinks or grows along with your target as you zoom in or out.
- The 6061T6 aircraft-grade aluminum tube that has exceptional strength and superior mechanical integrity will protect these world-class optics no matter what punishment you throw at it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Use of Argon for Waterproofing |
| Illuminated Reticle | |
| Great light transmission | |
| Great value for the money | |
| High resistance to recoil | |
| FFP reticle for easier tracking | |
| Shock absorbing works great | |
| Advanced fully multi-coated lenses |
5.Nikon Black X1000 6-24x50SF Matte IL x-MOA
Designed for long-range shooting, Nikon’s Black X1000 has a variable 6 to 24 magnification range and a 50mm objective lens, but there is also the option of a 4 to 16 power range. According to the specs, this scope is considered being most accurate at 18x.
While most big game hunters rarely take shots over 500 to 600 yards, this scope coupled with a 6.5 Creedmoor might just give you the capabilities to hit your target at over 700 yards.
Our favorite feature of the Nikon Black X1000 is its beautifully engraved glass reticle. It can shift between ten different illumination settings.
Like the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T, the scope comes with a parallax adjustment function to support greater accuracy despite any windage and holdover considerations.
This is one of the more rugged scopes on our list as the Nikon Black X1000 is waterproof, fog-proof, and is also crafted with shockproof material.
The most surprising feature of the Nikon Black X1000 long-range scopes is the price. And all are backed by Nikon’s no-fault repair or replacement policy. If one of these scopes ever needs service, just send it in, and it’ll be fixed or replaced at no charge.
For those who want to touch targets at long range, Nikon’s Black X1000 scope is well worth a look.
| Specs |
| 6-24x Magnification 50 mm Objective lens 30 mm Tube Diameter 6-4.0 in Eye Relief Illuminated FX_MOA FFP Reticle |
Features
- Full multilayer coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces.
- Multiple layers of anti-reflective coating maximize light transmission, brightness, and contrast.
- Glass-etched, the illuminated reticle is located in the second focal plane.
- Side-Focus Parallax adjustment turret-mounted knob allows adjustment without changing shooting position.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Well-designed eye relief | Reticle doesn’t feel as ‘true’ at full power |
| Robustly weather resistant | |
| Efficient parallax adjustment turrets | |
| Accuracy is high in all light conditions | |
| Excellent reticle with control over colors |
What kind of scope should you be looking for?
The type of scope you need largely depends on the type of shooting you prefer. Here are a few key things to consider when you’re searching for a 6.5 Creedmoor scope.
Magnification
6.5 Creedmoor has an effective target range of around 1,000 yards, but for hunting, it caps out at around 500 yards. This is because that’s where the round slows to below 2,000-fps, the velocity needed for bullet expansion.
When engaging moving targets at relatively close distances (300 yards is close for the 6.5 CRDMR), you’ll need a scope with magnification that falls in the 4-9x range.
Long-range shooting needs a scope capable of 15x magnification or more. You can get away with less when medium-range shooting, but we’d still recommend a product with at least 9-15x magnification.
Therefore, you need a scope that excels in medium to long ranges. Exactly how much magnification you want depends on whether you’ll be using it as a target or hunting scope.
Glass Quality
Most important is a bright, crisp sight picture.
If you zoom in on a target, but can’t distinguish details, that magnification is virtually useless. A scope should allow for excellent light transmission and should have good color fidelity.
Lens coatings can help with this. To ensure you have a crisp, clear image, even at the upper end of the magnification range, look for a scope with XD or ED glass and fully multi-coated lenses.
Durability
You want a scope that’s waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. A single-piece scope body made from a rugged material like aircraft-grade aluminum can help ensure shock proofing. Features like o-ring seals and nitrogen or argon purging will ensure fog and waterproofing.
Reticle
An FFP reticle is located at the front of the magnification lens. In this position, the reticle expands and contracts concerning the magnification.
In scopes with an SFP (second focal plane) reticle, the markings are only valid at one level of magnification.
Conclusion
Scopes are integral for any rifle, and that applies to the Creedmoor. Hopefully, this guide has helped you narrow down your search for the best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor. Now it’s up to you to pick a favorite. Each of these scopes is a top-quality product so that you won’t go wrong choosing any of them.
The best ‘value for money’ scope is the Vortex Crossfire II. However, it’s mostly designed for close to medium-range shooting.
We’ve given you 5 great scopes with different features and at great prices to help you decide on the best 6.5 Creedmoor scope for you. Using it, you’ll improve the power and performance of the great rifle.
Whether you’re competing or hunting, the scope you’ll pick will be suited for your preference.
Creedmoor come highly recommended in competitive circles for good reason. You don’t need a pricey scope to shoot well, but it’s typically the difference between great target shooting and next-level target shooting.
However, any rifle scope set-up is only as effective as the shooter sitting behind it. Be sure to spend some time honing your shooting skills, and you’ll be impressing your shooting buddies in no time.
| For other rifle and scope types check: |
| 1. Best Scopes For .300 Win Mag – Top For 2021 2. Best NcStar Scopes Review – 2021 Edition |
