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Best 6.5 Creedmoor Scopes

PSA 6.5 Creedmoor Front
We take a look at some of the best optics on the market for 6.5 Creedmoor rifles across various price ranges and uses.
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.
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    I’ve seen plenty of new calibers come and go, but when the 6.5 Creedmoor hit the streets, it looked like it had the bones to be an excellent cartridge.

    It had a lot in common with the .308, which made it easy to adapt to various rifles while offering a flatter trajectory and better ballistic coefficient.

    Less recoil, a greater effective range, and a versatile projectile helped guarantee its success and cement it as one of the most popular choices amongst precision-oriented shooters.

    Assorted 6.5 Creedmoor (L to R: Federal FMJ, Soft 129gr, Ballistic Tip 120gr, Gold Medal 140gr)
    Assorted 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo

    But as with any long-range round, the presence of an optic just makes things better. With that in mind, we rounded up some of the best optics to help you get pointed in the right direction for your next 6.5 Creedmoor rifle.

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    THE QUICK LIST

    Why You Should Trust Us

    I’ve spent a lifetime shooting that started in a family that hunted every season they legally could. From there, I joined the United States Marine Corps and spent five years as an infantryman. In the middle of my Marine Corps career, I began writing and have never stopped.

    Savage Impulse

    I love shooting, and I love guns — weird guns, old guns, new guns, tactical guns, and sporting guns. I’m a continual student of firearms, and I strive to educate myself to provide the best information possible to the readers of Pew Pew Tactical.

    Best 6.5 Creedmoor Scopes

    1. Burris Signature HD 5-25x50mm

    Let’s start with a long-range option that won’t break the bank.

    The Burris Signature HD 5-25x50mm comes in under $800 while delivering a nice magnification range for extended distances.

    A set of fingertip-adjustable turrets makes adjustments easy, and the push/pull locking design helps ensure accidental adjustments won’t be a problem. Turret feedback is very tactile, and a zero stop makes field adjustments a breeze.

    Adjustment graduations are a very precise 1/4 MOA per click, so you can really dial in those adjustments to get things just right.

    The Signature HD series has several reticle choices, including a 6.5 Creedmoor-specific option featuring a BDC designed for the 140-grain ELD projectile and a nice illuminated center point.

    Burris HD 6.5 Creedmoor reticle
    6.5 Creedmoor Reticle (Photo: Burris)

    When you dial up the magnification and look out to those 800 to 1,000-yard ranges, some distortion will be present. It’s not enough to make you miss, but it’s noticeable. It isn’t the world’s crispest glass, but it’s about as good as it gets for under a grand.

    Overall, the Burris Signature HD will help you extend your effective range and make it a bit easier to hit those ways out there targets with your 6.5 Creedmoor rifle without costing an arm and a leg.

    Best Budget Option
    $676
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    2. Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm

    Leupold is a classic American optics company with a great track record of making excellent variable optics.

    Their Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm is a step up from the Burris in both quality and price.

    Leupold Mark 5HD
    Leupold Mark 5HD

    The first thing you’ll notice is that you see everything. I mean everything. While the optic is made in America, the glass is from Japan. Japanese glass is typically ahead of everything but German glass, so take it for what you will.

    You get great edge-to-edge clarity with little to no noticeable distortion. Additionally, Leupold offers more than a half dozen reticle choices.

    Ultimately, it’s up to you, but the PR2-MIL is a solid option for long-range shooting with the 6.5 Creedmoor. You get plenty of elevation and windage holds and a combination design that forms a nice pyramid for placing those shots right where you want them.

    Leupold Mark 5HD 25x
    Leupold Mark 5HD at 25x

    The Mark 5HD is also surprisingly light at only 30 ounces.

    Overall. the Mark 5HD punches well above its price tag and is backed by a fantastic warranty. Ultimately, this is likely one of the better options for someone getting into long-range shooting without taking a plunge into optics that cost more than multiple rifles.

    What do you think of the Leupold? Rate it below!

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    3. NightForce ATACR 7-35x56mm

    NightForce is often considered the cream of the crop.

    Their ATACR is a step into the big-boy realm of long-range optics. It’s one of the most popular long-range shooting optics on the market and is a dominant force in the competition world.

    Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm (Photo: Special Purpose Rifles)

    ATACR is not only a fancy acronym for advanced tactical riflescope; It’s likely the clearest glass on the market. At the least, it is the crispest optic I’ve ever looked through.

    High-quality glass backed by hand bedding delivers something else entirely. Distortion isn’t an issue, and the sight picture is bright even at extended ranges. Everything is clear, and colors are easy to see and differentiate from.

    Reticle selection includes a variety of options that all revolve around long-range shooting. You can pick from MIL or MOA, and the Horus TREMOR3 seems particularly impressive with its wide variety of elevation and windage compensation.

    Horus TREMOR3 reticle
    Horus TREMOR3 Reticle (Photo: Nightforce)

    The magnification range of 7-35X can be somewhat limiting. It’s a pure long-range scope, and at short and even moderate ranges, it won’t be the fastest scope.

    Everything from the bar stock machined tubes to the hand-fitted lenses reflects quality, care, and attention. These are the optics trusted by professionals around the world for a reason. You’re looking at spending at least $3,500, but consider it an investment in quality.

    4. Vortex Razor HD Gen 3 6-36×56 FFP

    Vortex makes every kind of optic at every price point but has definitely made their mark with their premium line of variable optics.

    Razor HD Gen III 6-36x56mm (Photo: Pistol-Forum)

    The Vortex Razor HD Gen 3 is one of those high-quality scopes. And for the money, it might just be best in class.

    It doesn’t quite meet the ATACR levels, but if it’s not equal, it’s only a half-second behind in a foot race. Vortex’s HD optical system gives shooters a beautiful sight picture for those long-range shots — edge-to-edge clarity, no distortion, and great colors.

    You get all that for almost $1000 less than the ATACR.

    Vortex EBR-7D MRAD reticle
    Vortex EBR-7D MRAD reticle (Photo: Vortex)

    There are multiple reticle options, all of which are illuminated. The illumination is bright enough for shooting at high noon in washed-out environments.

    The magnification range does limit you to moderate and long ranges, but that’s the point of the 6.5 Creedmoor for most shooters. The Razor Gen 3 series has been Vortex’s best showing yet, and it’s an excellent pairing for almost any platform.

    Best for Competition
    $2,759
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    5. Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44mm

    Like most things made in Germany, Swarovski optics are precision-oriented tools that excel at helping shooters put small bullets into small targets at distance.

    If you are a hunter who prefers the precision, lower recoil, and hard-hitting nature of the 6.5 Creedmoor, then the Swarovski Z5 is for you.

    Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44
    Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44mm (Photo: RKB Armory)

    Not everyone needs to hit targets at 1,000 yards, and many hunters want to take deer humanely. The magnification range of the Z5 allows for both close and fairly long-range shots.

    Range is relative to the task, and long-range for hunting is usually much closer than long-range for PRS. A lower magnification range not only lowers the price over 5-25x options but also allows for more light transmission. Grabbing that last bit of light, even at 200 yards, is critical for hunters.

    The BRH reticle is much more simple than most of the other reticles shown. Swarovski even offers a plain duplex-style reticle.

    Most animals feature fairly good natural camouflage; a brown deer in a fall forest can blend in easily. The brilliant Swarovski glass makes it easy to differentiate colors.

    A long eye relief also makes it easier to get a good overall sight picture for those closer shots, and the BRH reticle helps keep things in focus and allows you to make easy wind and elevation calls.

    While it won’t be the best for long-range competition, the Swarovski Z5 gives you an excellent hunting optic that can be flexed into multiple roles.

    Best for Hunting
    $1,399
    at Amazon

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    6. Riton 7 Conquer 4-32x56mm

    The Riton 7 Conquer 4-32x56mm is another decent budget option for 6.5 Creedmoor shooters.

    Riton has been making waves in the optics community since branching out from red dots, and they have delivered impressive scopes at a great price point.

    The Riton 7 Conquer has been updated for 2023

    While it might not be the first choice for a duty scope or the one to take home first place in a national competition, it’s perfect for the beginning competitor, weekend warrior, or average Joe who just wants to stretch their rifle out.

    The clarity is decent, some chromatic aberration is visible, and there is some color distortion.

    With a slightly lower-end magnification, the 7 Conquer works well at a wide variety of ranges. Like the Z5, it could be used for hunting; however, it’s a bit heavier and larger than the Z5.

    PSR Reticle (Photo: OpticsPlanet)

    Riton uses a first focal plane fully illuminated PSR reticle for precision shots with a pyramid design for simultaneous windage and elevation calls. It’s mostly daylight bright, but it can be lacking if you are in a super bright environment.

    For a budget-friendly and versatile option, the Riton 7 Conquer 4-32x56mm delivers.

    $1,599
    at OpticsPlanet

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    7. Tangent Theta 5-25x56mm Professional

    Let’s end this list with one of the best optics on the market, period.

    Tangent Theta 5-25x56mm (Photo: Sniper’s Hide)

    If you want to be a serious competitor with a serious setup, the Tangent Theta is for you. Be warned, the Tangent Theta 5-25x56mm will cost over $5000, so make sure budget isn’t a consideration.

    What does five grand get you? First, we get a level of clarity that makes you almost feel physically closer to the target — It’s a stunning sight picture.

    Secondly, they are designed to be as rugged as a tube of aluminum and glass can be. It’s a heirloom optic, meaning you’ll pass it down to your kids, and it’ll work fine.

    The Tangent Theta is available in 8 different reticles, including the outstanding Gen 3 XR pictured above. (Photo: Armament Technology)

    The Tangent Theta is premium in every regard, from the tactile and audible adjustments that are extremely precise to the magnification ring and daylight-bright illuminated reticle.

    It’s no surprise it is a common sight amongst the top shooters in the world.

    If you want to sling 6.5 Creedmoor like a pro, the Tangent Theta will certainly help you get on target.

    Best High-End Scope
    $5,219
    at OpticsPlanet

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Final Thoughts

    When shooting at ranges where there is a perceivable time between the shot being fired and hitting the target, you know you need a nice optic.

    Sig Sauer 6.5 Creedmoor Hunting

    Good glass isn’t cheap, but we tried to include something for everyone. However, we know there are tons of other excellent optics out there as well.

    Do you have any experience with any of these scopes? What optics do you think should be on the list? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for more long-range accessories? Check out our article on the Best Rifle Bipods!

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    1 Leave a Reply

    • Thomas Winch

      I usually like your reviews, but this time I think you missed one. The Primary Arms line of optics with the ACSS Apollo 6.5 Creedmoor/.224 Valkyrie FFP reticle available in multiple scope options from 3x18x44 to 6x30x56. I have the 3x18x50 version and it's so good it's like cheating. I can personally attest to the holdovers being dead on accurate out to 600 yds. The reticle ranges out to 1000 yds, but I think you'd need greater than the 18x magnification versions to test it out past 1000. Semper Fi...

      October 29, 2023 9:51 pm
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