Today, the 6.5 Creedmoor has seen a spike in popularity particularly among long range shooting enthusiasts and big game hunters. Not only is it ideal for long range hunting and target shooting, but it also ideal for beginners looking to hunt game at mid ranges. It is also known to provide great muzzle energy which ensures that you harvest game more ethically regardless of the size.
Any rifle chambered in this top-performing caliber should be equipped with a quality scope. Whether you use your 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting or tactical rifle shooting, a good scope will help you hunt and shoot like a professional. But finding a quality 6.5 Creedmoor scope is not an easy task especially when you are on a budget.
To help, we have created this review to help you find the best scope for you 6.5 Creedmoor if you have an under $500 budget. These scopes are quality yet reasonably affordable. They will help you take advantage of the 6.5 Creedmoor precision capabilities and take your hunting/shooting skills to the next big level. Without further ado, let’s get started.
What Makes a Great Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor?
A great scope for 6.5 Creedmoor is made of several things that will help it deliver the performance that you need. One of these things is wide magnification. The 6.5 Creedmoor is one of the most popular long range cartridge out there. With a wide and high powered scope, you will be able to use it to engage targets at different distances that you need.
Additionally, a great scope has excellent construction that enhances its strength and durability. The most sought-after scope for 6.5 Creedmoor are made from aircraft grade aluminum. This is a high grade material which maximizes durability while remaining lightweight. It also gives the scope better shock-proof and recoil-proof ability.
Moreover, a great scope for 6.5 Creedmoor is fully waterproof and fog proof. It also offers generous eye relief and it is made with high quality optics which deliver brilliant, vivid and color accurate images in all situations.
Best Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor Under $500
Let us now take a look at the best scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor under $500 available on the market today.
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
The 6.5 Creedmoor is considered to be the king of long-range calibers and it makes sense to pair it with a high-quality scope like the Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm. This rifle scope is engineered to amplify the performance of long range cartridges and this makes it a perfect choice for the 6.5 Creedmoor.
It has a variable magnification which spans for 4x up to 12x. With this magnification power, the scope offers the perfect combination of wide field of view at close quarters and better target acquisition for distant targets. It is also equipped with a large objective lens to ensure that you receive clear sight pictures across the whole zoom range.
This rifle scope has an ultra-lightweight body which not only enhances its portability, but also disperses recoil to offer unmatched durability and performance. It also features a crisp second focal plane Tri-MOA reticle that aids in quick target acquisition and a Twilight Light Management System which delivers amazing image brightness and crispness, even in poor light conditions.
Moreover, the scope is made ready for rugged use. It has a solid 1-inch main tube crafted from aircraft grade aluminum. It is also fully waterproof, fog proof and shockproof to persevere anything nature throws at it.
Features
- Twilight Light Management System
- Second focal plane Tri-MOA reticle
- 1-inch main tube
- Variable magnification
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Lightweight aircraft grade aluminum body
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- CDS side focus
- 1/4 MOA windage and elevation adjustments
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Clear and quality images
- Long eye relief
- Offers great value
Cons
- Lacks reticle illumination
2) Burris Fullfield II Hunting Scope
The Burris Fullfield II is a premium traditional hunting scope built with lasting durability. If you are looking for the best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor under $500 primarily for hunting, this is it. It brings to the table a wide selection of features suitable for a wide range of hunting applications.
First, the scope has a variable magnification range from 4.5x to 14x, which makes it ideal for hunting at varying ranges and in different environments. At the low 4.5x, the scope provides a large field of view that aids in easy identification of targets. It then provides quicker target acquisition at long distances with the high 14x magnification. Besides, it has an adjustable parallax focus on the objective end for added accuracy when hunting at long ranges.
The scope features high-quality optical glass which provides great resolution as well as exceptional clarity and contrast. It also has multi-coated, no-glare optics to let you hunt game more efficiently even in poor lighting conditions. Furthermore, it boasts an ultra-lightweight design which enhances portability and makes it easy to mount and use. Above all, this Burris hunting scope is built to withstand shock and vibrations for greater durability and it is fully waterproof and fog proof.
Features
- 1-inch main tube
- 4.5x-14x variable magnification
- Durable and shockproof construction
- Ballistic plex reticle
- Knurled knobs
- Waterproof and fog proof
- High-quality precision-ground lenses
- Adjustable parallax focus
- Multi-coated, no-glare optics
Pros
- Compact and ultralightweight
- Budget-friendly cost
- Excellent clearness
- Well made
Cons
- Shorter eye relief on high magnification
3) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12×40 AO Dead-Hold BDC (MOA) Riflescope
Next on our list is the Crossfire II 4-12×40 AO rifle scope. This scope offers the perfect combination of durability, precision and versatility. It uses a second focal plane Dead-Hold BDC reticle which makes it ideal for hunting and shooting at varying distances where there is a concern on holdover.
This scope makes long distance hunting and shooting a walk in the park, thanks to the versatile 4x zoom range. It also comes with an adjustable objective lens for parallax elimination and a fast focus eyepiece for simple and quick reticle focusing. Better yet, it has fully multi-coated which provide exceptional image brightness and clarity in any lighting conditions.
Another thing that makes the scope stand out is the durable construction. With the hard anodized finish and robust aircraft grade aluminum body, the scope will give you many years of field use. It also features capped reset turrets which provide additional protection from bumps and accidents especially when you are using the scope in unfamiliar terrains.
To top it all, this rifle scope is O-ring sealed to protect the optics from moisture damage and nitrogen purged to deliver a lifetime of thermal stability and fog proof performance.
Features
- Adjustable objective
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Long eye relief
- Resettable MOA turrets
- Anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses
- Hard anodized finish
- Aircraft grade aluminum body
- Second focal plane Dead-Hold BDC reticle
Pros
- Simple to use
- Value for money
- Excellent craftsmanship
- Amazing warranty
- Exceptional optical quality
Cons
- Lacks reticle illumination
4) Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12×40 Second Focal Plane Riflescope
Vortex is known to make high-quality optical devices and this is clear in the Diamondback 4-12×40 riflescope. This rifle scope is one of the many configurations in the Diamondback lineup of Vortex. It uses a second focal plane BDC reticle and a variable magnification up to 12x which makes it ideal for long range applications.
Weighing just 1.4 pounds, this scope is lightweight and easy to carry. The lightweight design also helps disperse recoil to provide unmatched durability. Furthermore, the scope is equipped with a fast focus eyepiece which allows for simple reticle focusing for quicker target acquisition. It also has metal-on-metal precision turrets which offer you the ability to zero reset after sighting in.
This riflescope is built to offer unbeatable durability. It has a solid 1-inch main tube crafted from high-grade aluminum. On the outer surface, the scope has a hard anodized finish which mitigates rust and corrosion for greater protection. Furthermore, it is sealed on both ends with high-quality O-rings and Argon purged to provide a lifetime of fog proof and waterproof performance.
In addition to everything else, this scope has fully multi-coated lenses which amplify transmission of light to provide clear and bright images views from when the sun rises till dawn.
Features
- Hard anodized finish
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Fast focus eye piece
- Lightweight design
- Solid 1-piece tube
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Metal-on-metal precision turrets
- Precision-glide erector system
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Variable 4-12x magnification range
Pros
- On par with the Vortex good reputation
- Excellent clarity and brightness
- Competitive pricing
- Portability
Cons
- Short eye relief
5) Athlon Optics Neos 6-18×44 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
When hunting at long ranges with a 6.5 Creedmoor, you need a good optic that provides crisp images to increase your success. This is what you get with the Neos 6-18×44 Second Focal Plane Riflescope from Athlon. It offers an impressive list of features while staying on budget.
One of the key features this scope has is the BDC 500 IR reticle. With this reticle, the scope delivers a high level of precision at long ranges, even during low light settings. Besides, the reticle is etched on glass to offer higher resistance to recoil. The scope also has fully multi-coated lenses which provide bright and vivid image views across the whole light spectrum to enhance your shooting accuracy.
This Neos rifle scope is solidly built to stand up to harsh weather conditions, rough use and heavy recoil. It has a heat-treated one piece tube crafted from aircraft grade aluminum. It is also purged with nitrogen to keep the lenses fog free and sealed to protect the optics from moisture and dust.
Features
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Heat-treated one piece tube
- BDC 500 IR reticle
- Broad 6-18x magnification
- 1-inch main tube
- Matte finish
- Glass-etched reticle
- Aircraft grade aluminum body
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Crystal clear optics
- Versatility and repeatability
Cons
- Smaller eye relief
6) Vortex Optics Viper Parallax Adjustment Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
Another best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor under $500 on our list is the Viper 6.5-20×50. This scope is your ideal choice for long range hunting and shooting. It boasts a wide magnification which spans up to 20x and a Mil Dot MOA second focal plane reticle which is good for long distance shooting.
This scope offers unprecedented low light performance. It has a large 50mm objective lens, XD lens elements and XR fully multi-coated lenses which provide crisp, sharp and color accurate images from dawn till dusk. Furthermore, it has a MAG-Bar which allows for easy magnification changes and precision glide erector system to ensure smooth magnification adjustment, even under the harshest conditions.
When it comes to construction, the scope is made from a solid block of aircraft-quality aluminum to offer greater strength and rigidity. It also has capped turrets for added protection from impacts and an Armortek coating which shields the exterior lenses from scratches and dirt. This riflescope is also built to offer reliable performance in any weather condition as it is fully waterproof and fog proof.
And that’s not all. This Viper riflescope has side parallax knob which is easy to access in any shooting position. This makes parallax elimination a breeze. It also has a fast focus eyepiece which allows for fast and simple reticle focusing and a hard anodized finish to camouflage your position when hunting during broad daylight.
Features
- Fast focus eyepiece
- XR fully multi-coated lenses
- Shockproof and recoil resistant
- MAG-bar for easy magnification changes
- Precision glide erector system
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Side mounted parallax knob
- Second focal plane Mil Dot MOA reticle
- Capped turrets
Pros
- Superb light gathering ability
- Quality make
- Broad magnification range
- Simple to use
- Ample eye relief
Cons
- Can be slightly heavy for some
See Also
Criteria for Choosing the Best Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor Under $500
The following are some of the key things you should consider when looking for the best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor under $500.
Magnification
Since the 6.5 Creedmoor is made for long range shooting, you should match it with a scope that has high magnification to get the most out of it. A scope with a high magnification will help you acquire distant targets accurately and easily. For most hunting applications, a model with more than 10x maximum magnification will suffice. On the other hand, if you will be punching papers at extreme long ranges, you might need to extend the power up to 15x or more.
Glass Quality
After magnification, you should check the glass quality of the scope. Try and find the best glass quality you can afford. It will give you brilliant and clear image views even at the highest magnification setting. A tip is to get a scope with ED glass and fully multi-coated optics. With such a scope, you are guaranteed of better target acquisition even in low light settings.
Reticle
Different scopes out there have different reticle styles. In most cases, your ideal reticle will majorly depend on your individual preference as well as you shooting activity.
Since the 6.5 Creedmoor is such a long distance performer, having a reticle with either MOA or Mil Dot marks will be helpful. You will be able to compensate for wind drift and bullet drop at long distances and be able to shoot your targets accurately.
Construction
Choosing the best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor under $500 means getting a product that is built to last. This way, you will be able to use your scope year in year out. Solid construction is also important as it determines how reliable the scope is.
Scopes for 6.5 Creedmoor that are most sought-after are built from aircraft-grade aluminum. Such scopes are not just durable, but also shockproof and recoil resistant. To add on durability, make sure that you pick a scope that is fully waterproof and fog resistant, so you will be able to use it in any weather condition.
Weight
When shopping for the best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor, be activity specific. This will help you determine the ideal scope weight. If you plan to use the scope primarily for hunting, don’t go heavy weight. Instead, look for a product that is compact and lightweight for easy portability. On the other hand, you can afford to get a heavy scope if you will be using it from a stationary point.
Best Scope for 6.5 Creedmoor under $500 FAQs
- What is the effective range of a 6.5 Creedmoor?
The effective range of the 6.5 Creedmoor depends on the weapon you are using and the environmental condition. For target shooting, the 6.5 Creedmoor is effective up to about 1000 yards. However, this range reduces to about 600 yards when hunting as there are plenty of environmental factors that can affect its power.
- What is the best scope to put on a 6.5 Creedmoor?
The best scope to put on a 6.5 Creedmoor is one that is made for long range applications. When shopping for the best 6.5 Creedmoor scope, be activity specific so you are able to choose the best scope for your needs.
- What do numbers mean on a rifle scope?
Rifle scopes have two numbers which represent two different things. The first number represent the magnification power while the second number indicates the size of the objective lens. In a 4-12×40 model, the scope has a variable magnification power which spans from 4x to 12x and a 40mm objective lens.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are into hunting or tactical shooting, the 6.5 Creedmoor has so much to offer. Pairing it with a quality 6.5 Creedmoor scope will help you get the most from this cartridge. Hopefully, this guide has given you the information you need to make the right selection. Put into consideration you individual needs then focus on getting a scope that matches those needs plus your budget.