Last updated on April 22nd, 2024
Having the best scope for your 6.5 Creedmoor can make a big difference to getting the most out of the cartridge, whether you’re long distance shooting, hunting, or using it for competitions. With seemingly endless scope options available, it can be a little overwhelming to find the perfect match for your budget. Here we delve into the top picks for scopes tailored to the 6.5 Creedmoor, based on range, budget, and intended use. From the high definition lenses of the Leupold Mark 5 HD to the budget friendly Vortex Strike Eagle, and from the versatile medium range Schmidt & Bender PM II to the competition ready Nightforce ATACR, we cover the range to help you make an informed decision. Additionally, we explore options for hunters with the Nightforce SHV, ensuring that no matter your application or budget, you’ll find a scope that meets your needs.
Best Long Range Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor: Leupold Mark 5 HD
The Leupold Mark 5HD series is a popular choice among long range and competition shooters all around the world. Leupold have earnt a reputation for providing quality optics. The Mark 5HD is built tough with its 35mm maintube, laying the foundation for a solid optic. The clarity of the glass in optics for long distance shooting is paramount and the Leupold doesn’t disappoint. Great low light performance.
Magnification changes are easy with a removable throw lever included. The Mark 5HD also offers a huge selection of six different reticles, including the feature rich TREMOR3, catering to shooters that prefer holdovers. The turrets of the Mark 5HD set high standards with a user friendly zeroing process and a distinctive button on the elevation turret to prevent accidental adjustments, enhancing reliability in the field. However, the windage turret is designed with a capped turret.
In terms of weight, the 5-25×56 variant is noticeably lighter compared to its competition, contributing to its appeal for long range shooters who value a balance between optic quality and portability. Summing up, the Leupold Mark 5HD stands out for its solid construction, exceptional glass clarity, and thoughtful design features. It’s an excellent option for those seeking a reliable long range scope to acompany a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle.
Best Long Range Budget Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor: Vortex Strike Eagle
The Vortex Strike Eagle series debuted in 2015 and quickly became a favorite in longrange shooting circles. Right out of the box, this model impresses with plenty of features like a throw lever and a sunshade whilst coming in at a great price point. Constructed with a 34mm maintube of aircraft grade aluminum, the 5-25×56 is designed to support long distance shooting. Its built a reputation over the years to provide great reliability at a low price. The scope’s weighs in at 30.4oz/861g which is a good weight considering its magnification range, substantial 56mm objective lens, and build quality.
The optical quality is housed in the 34mm maintube, enhancing reticle adjustment space and broadening the field of view. The significant 56mm objective allows increased light transmission, enhancing image clarity and contrast. The fully multicoated lenses provide great clarity. The Vortex Strike Eagle employs the EBR-7C reticle, available in either MOA or MRAD. This is a popular reticle known for its effectiveness for longrange shooting and also includes illumination to aid visibility in dim conditions, setting it apart from alot of other optics in its price category.
The turrets on the Strike Eagle are awesome, offering a great elevation range and precise repeatable adjustments, also included is a zero stop setting for easy return to zero after elevation changes. The exposed locking turrets ensure settings remain intact if accidentally brushed against. In conclusion, the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 has excellent features for the long distance shooter, zero stop, adjustable parallax, illuminated reticle, locking turrets, and quality lenses, all under the $1,000 mark. Coupled with a lifetime warranty, it represents a valuable option for those seeking a capable and affordable long range optic for a 6.5 Creedmoor build.
Best Medium Range Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor: Schmidt & Bender PM II
The Schmidt & Bender PM II has set a high standard for optical quality in rifle scopes, making the 3-20×50 an awesome medium range choice for the 6.5 Creedmoor. The precision of its turrets, superior glass quality, and long list of reticle’s have made the PM II one of my favorite rifle scopes I have ever used. The 3-20×50 in particular, has emerged as a popular choice for competitive shooters who value a solid scope with great performance. The PM II is built to withstand tough conditions, ideal for dynamic shooting scenarios and transitioning between different positions. Its built a reputation that it can maintain accuracy and zero in the field. Waterproof, fog-proof, and designed to handle extreme temperatures, the scope is slightly heavier than some counterparts.
The high quality SCHOTT lenses used in Schmidt & Bender optics means they provide an incredibly bright and high contrast image across all magnification levels. The PM II’s turrets are a highlight, offering tactile, precise adjustments with clear, audible clicks. The Schmidt and Bender PM II stands out as a top-tier scope for long-distance shooting, offering unmatched durability, optical clarity, and functional precision. Its extensive use in military and law enforcement underscores its reliability and performance. With a wide range of magnification options and reticle choices, the PM II caters to diverse shooting demands, establishing itself as a premier choice in the high-end optics market.
Best Medium Range Budget Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor: Vortex Venom
The Venom sits between Vortex’s Diamondback Tactical and Strike Eagle lines offering a less expensive alternative to the Strike Eagle. The biggest difference is the absence of illumination, locking turrets, and a slight compromise in glass quality compared to the higher priced Strike Eagle. Despite lacking some of these elements, the Venom still boasts essential features for long range shooting, such as a zero stop, a throw lever, the impressive EBR-7C reticle, and significant turret travel, maintaining its appeal for the budget conscious shooter.
The Venom features a durable 34mm tube made of aircraft grade aluminum, ensuring shock resistance. Its waterproof and nitrogen purged, offering reliable performance in harsh weather conditions. At 35oz/992g, it’s packing some weight but not bad compared to its competitors. For its price the fully multi-coated lenses of the Venom deliver decent performance, especially for engaging targets at medium range. The large 56mm objective lens aids in giving the optic a bright and clear image, beneficial for long distance shooting.
The first focal plane EBR-7C reticle, available in both MOA and MRAD variants. The reticle is a highlight of the Venom, offering great holdover capability. The Vortex Venom represents an excellent entry point into long distance shooting, providing some essential features without breaking the bank. It balances cost effectiveness with performance, making it a solid choice for beginners or those seeking a reliable, affordable long range optic for their 6.5 Creedmoor.
Best Competition Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor: Nightforce ATACR
Precision, clarity, and ruggedness, it’s all there with the Nightforce ATACR. This scope has emerged as a favorite for comp shooters where you are guaranteed to see an ATACR on the line at a PRS match. Out of the box the ATACR comes with high quality Tenebraex flip up covers, a cleaning kit, a multitool, a throw lever and a sunshade. The ATACR has a sturdy 34mm maintube, to house the high quality optical system within. The integrated throw lever is a thoughtful addition, addressing the need for quick magnification changes, a feature beneficial in dynamic shooting competitions.
The ATACR uses Extra low Dispersion glass that ensures good clarity and color contrast throughout the magnification range. The scope’s magnification range allows easy target acquisition at lower settings and detailed target engagement at higher magnifications. The field of view, crucial in spotting impacts and bullet trace performs well.
The ATACR’s high quality features, such as the superior ED glass and variety of reticle options, provide the competition shooter all they need in an optic to get the job done as smoothly as possible. The clarity, durability, and reliability are hard to beat for an optic in this price bracket. However, its heft and price tag may be deterrents for casual shooters or those on a strict budget. Yet, for the dedicated marksman, these are not drawbacks but rather the price for great performance.
Best Hunting Scope For 6.5 Creedmoor: Nightforce SHV
The SHV, stands for Shooter-Hunter-Varminter and is Nightforce’s more economically priced series, designed for a broad range of shooting activities. Positioned as the entry level option within Nightforce’s lineup, the SHV offers a compelling price to quality ratio. The SHV series, particularly the 5-20×56 model I used hunting in New Zealand, provides a versatile range suitable for both hunting and target shooting.
Manufactured in Japan, the SHV maintains the high manufacturing standards associated with Nightforce. While smaller and lighter than models in the NX8 and ATACR series, the SHV doesn’t compromise on essential features. Its 30mm maintube is crafted from aircraft grade aluminum and finished in an anodized matte black, delivering great aesthetics and durability. Despite being more affordable, the scope feels robust, ready for rough outdoor conditions.
The SHV features a clearly marked elevation turret with a user-friendly ZeroSet feature, differing slightly from ZeroStop but still effectively ensuring easy return to zero. The turrets provide positive, tactile feedback. There are two reticles available including a simple duplex hunting style and the MOAR reticle, ideal for both target shooting and hunting. The MOAR reticle offers great holdover marks without being overly complex. The clarity of the SHV’s glass is evident at both low and high magnifications, presenting a clear and bright image without chromatic aberrations or edge darkening, thanks to its large objective lens.
The Nightforce SHV provides an excellent option for hunters seeking quality without stepping into the euro price bracket. It maintains essential features like reliable turret clicks and the option for zero setting while offering various magnification options and reticle choices. While the throw lever is not standard, its addition can enhance the scope’s functionality in the field. Overall, the SHV represents a valuable blend of performance, quality, and versatility for its price.
Overall Pick’s
LONG RANGE PICK
Leupold MK5 HD
Great turrets, tough build from one of the best optics companies in the world
MEDIUM RANGE PICK
Schmidt & Bender PM II
High quality combined with tactile turrets and world class glass
We also have a separate list for the 8 Best Scopes Under $1000 and the 8 Best Premium Scopes Available in 2024.
PRECISIONRIFLE