Deer hunting can be a daunting task if one isn’t fashioned with the proper gear like a 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge and the best scope to do the job. This is because deer are swift and extremely sensitive to a visit from strangers.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has gained popularity in recent years for its long-range accuracy and minimal recoil, making it a favorite among hunters and precision shooters alike. To get the most out of this rifle, you need a high-quality scope that can help you make accurate shots at longer ranges.
With so many scopes on the market, choosing the best one for your 6.5 Creedmoor can be overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll dive into the best deer hunting scope for 6.5 Creedmoor rifles to help you make an informed decision and take your hunting game to the next level.
What Makes the Best Deer Hunting Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor?
When it comes to selecting the best deer hunting scope for the 6.5 Creedmoor, there are several key factors that hunters should consider:
Magnification Range
The magnification range of a riflescope determines how much it can zoom in on the target. A scope with a higher magnification range can be advantageous for long-range shots, but may not be as useful for closer shots. For 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, a magnification range of 3-9x or 4-12x is generally considered ideal for deer hunting.
Reticle Type
The reticle is the crosshairs in the scope that help the shooter aim at the target. There are several different reticle types available, including duplex, mil-dot, and BDC (bullet drop compensating) reticles. Duplex reticles are the most common and simple to use, while BDC reticles are designed to compensate for bullet drops at longer ranges.
Objective Lens Size
The objective lens is the front lens of the scope, which determines the amount of light that enters the scope. A larger objective lens can provide a brighter and clearer image, but can also make the scope heavier and more expensive. For deer hunting with a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, an objective lens size of 40-50mm is generally recommended.
Quality
A high-quality scope should be durable, waterproof, and able to withstand the rigors of the hunting environment. Look for scopes with sturdy construction and quality materials, as well as features such as fog-proofing and shock-proofing.
Best Deer Hunting Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor- Our Top Picks
1) Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II boasts a magnification range of 5-25x, making it ideal for long-range shots of deer and other games. This scope has a 50mm objective lens that provides a bright, clear image, even in low-light conditions.
The scope’s first focal plane reticle allows for accurate holdovers at any magnification, making it easier to take long-range shots accurately.
This rifle scope is constructed with a 30mm tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which provides excellent durability and resistance to shock and recoil. It is also waterproof and fog-proof, making it suitable for use in a range of weather conditions.
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II features a precision-glide erector system that ensures smooth magnification changes, as well as a fiber optic rotation indicator that provides a quick and easy visual reference for the shooter.
The scope also has an illuminated reticle with 10 brightness settings, allowing for easy target acquisition in a variety of lighting conditions as well as a zero-stop elevation turret that allows for quick and easy adjustments.
Specifications
- Magnification: 5 – 25 x
- Exit Pupil: 2 – 10 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 4.8 – 24.1 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.4 inches
- Weight: 31.2 oz.
- Length: 16 inches
- Battery Life: 150 hours
Pros
- Wide magnification range
- Durable construction
- Waterproof and fog-proof
- Illuminated reticle with 10 brightness settings
Cons
- None
2) Burris Signature HD Scope 5-25×50 mm Rifle Scope
The Burris Signature HD Scope has a magnification range of 5-25x, making it an excellent choice for long-range shooting. The 50mm objective lens provides a bright and clear image, even in low-light conditions.
The Burris Signature HD scope is constructed with a 30mm tube that is made from aircraft-grade aluminum for durability and resistance to shock and recoil. It is also waterproof, fog-proof, and nitrogen-purged, making it suitable for use in harsh weather conditions.
The scope features an innovative Posi-Lock system that locks the turrets in place, ensuring that the scope stays zeroed in, even after heavy recoil. Its windage and elevation turrets have finger-adjustable knobs, making it easy to make precise adjustments on the go.
Another feature is its Hi-Lume multi-coating technology which enhances light transmission and reduces glare, providing a clear and bright image in all lighting conditions. The scope’s reticle is also illuminated with 11 brightness settings, making it easy to acquire targets in low-light conditions.
Specifications
- Magnification: 5 – 25 x
- Exit Pupil: 3.3 – 16 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 22.5 – 4.5 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.3 – 3.6 inches
- Weight: 24 oz.
- Length: 3 inches
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 65/65 MOA
Pros
- Durable construction
- Waterproof and fog-proof
- Easy to adjust
- Shockproof
Cons
- None
3) Meopta Optika6 5-30x56mm 34mm Tube Rifle Scope
The Meopta Optika6 5-30x56mm Scope is designed with a powerful magnification range of 5-30x that is ideal for long-range shooting. It has a 56mm objective lens that provides excellent light transmission for easy target acquisition even in low-light conditions.
The scope is built with a rugged and durable construction and a 34mm tube, which provides additional durability and allows for greater elevation adjustments. It comes with an illuminated reticle for added visibility in low-light conditions. The reticle is located in the second focal plane, which allows for quick and easy target acquisition at high magnifications.
Meopta Optika6 scope features a Zero-Stop elevation turret which allows the shooter to easily return to the zero point, even after making significant elevation adjustments. The windage and elevation turrets are also finger-adjustable allowing easy adjustments while shooting.
The Meopta Optika6 scope is also built with Meopta’s proprietary MeoBright lens coating, which provides exceptional light transmission and clarity, ensuring that the shooter can get a clear and bright image of the target
Specifications
- Magnification: 5 – 30 x
- Exit Pupil: 1.9 – 9.5 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 3.6 – 24.6 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.94 inches
- Length: 44 inches
- Adjustment Range: 80 MOA
- Twilight Factor: 7 – 41
Pros
- Rugged construction
- Illuminated reticle
- Zero-Stop elevation turret makes it easy to return to the zero point
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof
Cons
- Waterproof to 1m only
4) Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
The VX-Freedom scope features a sleek and rugged design, and offers a magnification range of 4-12x, making it ideal for shooting at medium to long-range distances. The 40mm objective lens provides excellent light transmission, while the 1-inch tube provides additional durability and stability.
The Leupold VX-Freedom scope reticle offers enhanced visibility and precision. The reticle is located in the second focal plane, allowing for easy and quick target acquisition at higher magnifications.
It uses the Twilight Light Management System which optimizes the transmission of low-light wavelengths, ensuring that you have a clear and bright image of the target, even in challenging lighting conditions.
The Leupold VX-Freedom scope is built with a rugged and durable construction which is suitable for use in all types of weather conditions. It is also built with Leupold’s proprietary scratch-resistant lens coating, which protects the lenses from scratches and abrasions.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4 – 12 x
- Exit Pupil: 3.4 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 10 – 21.5 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.7 – 4.9 inches
- Weight: 16.1 oz.
- Length: 5 inches
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 80/80 MOA
Pros
- Wide magnification range
- High-quality optics
- Rugged, durable construction
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof
- Supported by a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
5) NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Rifle Scope
The NightForce SHV 5-20x56mm Rifle Scope features a 56mm objective lens, which provides excellent light transmission and image clarity even in low-light conditions. The magnification range of 5-20x is ideal for long-range shooting, and the scope offers a parallax adjustment range of 25 yards to infinity, allowing for precise aiming at any distance.
The NightForce SHV scope is built with a 30mm tube, which provides additional durability and stability. It has a second focal plane reticle and also features a zero-stop elevation turret that allows for quick and easy adjustments.
The elevation and windage adjustments are in ¼ MOA increments, providing fine-tuned accuracy for precise shots. The scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece that allows for quick and easy reticle focusing.
The NightForce SHV scope is built with rugged and durable construction, making it suitable for use in all types of weather conditions. It is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof, ensuring that it can withstand the toughest hunting environments.
Specifications
- Magnification: 5 – 20 x
- Exit Pupil: 2.5 – 8.7 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 5 – 17.9 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Adjustment Click Value: 0.25 MOA
- Length: 15.2 inches
Pros
- High-quality optics
- Wide magnification range
- Rugged and durable construction
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof
- Illuminated reticle with 11 different brightness settings
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Quite expensive
6) Vortex Venom 5-25x56mm FFP Rifle Scope
The Vortex Venom 5-25x56mm riflescope features a 56mm objective lens and a 34mm tube that provides excellent light transmission and a wide field of view. It has a first focal plane reticle which ensures that the reticle subtensions remain accurate throughout the magnification range.
The scope is built to withstand harsh conditions, featuring a rugged waterproof construction, fog proof, and shockproof. It has exposed tactical turrets that are highly customizable and has Vortex’s Zero Stop elevation turret, which allows shooters to return to their zero point quickly and easily.
The Vortex Venom 5-25x56mm riflescope is also equipped with a side focus knob, which allows for quick and easy parallax adjustment. The scope is compatible with most rifles and is ideal for long-range hunters and shooters who demand top-of-the-line performance.
Specifications
- Magnification: 5 – 25 x
- Exit Pupil: 2.24 – 11.2 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 4.71 – 21.21 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.6 inches
- Weight: 35 oz.
- Length: 15.3 inches
- Height: 3.75 inches
Pros
- High-quality and durable
- Wide magnification range
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof
- Easy-to-use adjustments
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
7) Primary Arms GLx Series 4-16 x 50mm Riflescope
The Primary Arms GLx Series Scope features a durable, rugged design with a 50mm objective lens that provides excellent light transmission for hunting in low-light conditions. The scope features an illuminated reticle with several brightness settings, allowing for easy target acquisition in any lighting condition.
The GLx Series scope is constructed from high-quality materials that are both waterproof and shockproof, ensuring it can handle the demands of the hunting environment. The scope also features a fast-focus eyepiece, allowing for quick and easy reticle focusing. Its turrets provide tactile and audible clicks, making adjustments simple and fast.
The scope’s advanced reticle provides precise aiming points and windage holds at extended ranges. The reticle is placed in the second focal plane, meaning that it stays the same size throughout the magnification range, making it easy to use at any magnification.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4 – 16 x
- Exit Pupil: 3.13 – 12.5 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 6.3 – 23.7 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.5 – 3.6 inches
- Weight: 23.5 oz.
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 25 Mil Rad
Pros
- High-quality optics for adequate light transmission
- Versatile magnification range
- Durable construction
- Illuminated reticle for low light use
Cons
- None
8) Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44mm Rifle Scope is made with a 44mm objective lens that provides a bright and clear image, even in low-light conditions. It features a first focal plane reticle that remains accurate at any magnification, making it easier to estimate range, windage, and holdover corrections.
The Diamondback scope has a fast-focus eyepiece allowing you to easily and quickly adjust the reticle to your eye for optimal clarity. It also comes with an adjustable objective that allows parallax correction and improved accuracy at different ranges.
The scope’s turrets provide audible and tactile clicks, making adjustments fast and easy, and the scope’s zero-reset feature makes it simple to set the scope’s zero and make adjustments on the fly.
This scope is constructed with high-quality materials that are rugged and durable. It is then nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed, for waterproof and fogproof performance.
Specifications
- Magnification: 4 – 16 x
- Exit Pupil: 2.75 – 11 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 6.7 – 26.9 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.8 inches
- Weight: 23.1 oz.
- Length: 14 inches
Pros
- Made from high-quality materials
- Wide magnification range
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- An accurate reticle makes it easier to estimate the range
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
Related: 4 Best Long-Range Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor
Best Deer Hunting Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor FAQs
What magnification range is suitable for deer hunting with a 6.5 Creedmoor?
The ideal magnification range for deer hunting with a 6.5 Creedmoor is typically between 4x and 16x. This provides enough magnification to take accurate shots at medium to long-range distances.
What type of reticle is best for deer hunting?
The type of reticle that is best for deer hunting depends on the shooter’s preference. However, a reticle with a simple crosshair or a duplex reticle is a popular choice for deer hunting.
What is the benefit of a first focal plane reticle?
A first focal plane reticle remains accurate at any magnification, making it easier to estimate range, windage, and holdover corrections. This can be especially useful for long-range shooting.
Conclusion
6.5 Creedmoor is a powerful cartridge but pairing it with a good scope allows you to get the best of its performance. The best 6.5 Creedmoor scope has to include high-quality features that will allow you to take down deer easily at any range.
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