Looking for the best scopes for the 6.5 Grendel? You have come to the right place. In our buying guide today, we are going to take you through the best scopes for 6.5 Grendel available for sale. The 6.5 Grendel is majorly used for long-range hunting or competition shooting.
Pairing it with the best scope for 6.5 Grendel not only improves your shooting accuracy but also boosts your shooting confidence knowing that you have everything you need.
What Makes a Great 6.5 Grendel Scope?
To have a dependable shooting solution, you need to find the perfect scope for your rifle. The 6.5 Grendel has hit the gun community by storm and could arguably be the next big thing. Although 6.5 Grendel is not a long-range precision powerhouse like the 6.5 Creedmoor, it delivers impressive long-range performance.
Coupled to the right optic, the ammo can be pushed to 1000 yards. This cartridge shines at medium ranges. To realize all of the benefits of this hunting round, a great optic is paramount. Nobody can refute that.
Firstly, a 6.5 Grendel scope should be powerful to sight targets at intermediate distances and long-range distances. The intended use of the scope will determine the power of your preferred scope.
However, a long-range scope would be great as it will give you the freedom to test the limits of your rifle and the cartridge. Since this ammo is true hunting round, look for riflescopes with a magnification of 4x to 12x. This power will be adequate for various hunting situations.
A quality optical system is another facet of a great 6.5 Grendel scope. The lenses used in the scope should be made of high-quality glass to optimize light transmission. Make sure the lenses are coated with anti-reflective and anti-glare layers.
This will help when sighting the targets as you are assured of sharp and crisp images. A larger objective lens is also good as it provides a large field of view and gathers more light for superb low-light performance.
Lastly, a great 6.5 Grendel scope should have a tough construction to ensure reliability and durability. Waterproofing and fog proofing capabilities help a scope to deliver excellent performance in all weather conditions. Look for scopes filled with dry gases like nitrogen or argon. Also, manufacturers seal the tubes to prevent internal fogging.
10 Best Scopes for 6.5 Grendel
Given the wide selection of 6.5 Grendel scopes available on the market, you should first identify the shooting activity you intend to use the scope for. This will play a huge role in what scope you should choose. With that in mind, let’s take a look at top-rated scopes for 6.5 Grendel suitable for the modern firearm owner.
1) Athlon Ares ETR UHD Riflescope
The ETR First Focal Plane Riflescope is all you need to take your long-range shooting to a whole new level. The scope is loaded with top-notch features that make your 6.5 Grendel shooting better.
For starters, the scope comes with UHD extra-low dispersion glass. This gives you bright and sharp image views with true-to-life color representation. Additionally, the lenses are fully multi-coated to enhance the transmission of light.
The scope comes with an illuminated reticle with 6 illumination settings. This gives you the versatility to shoot under different lighting conditions. The reticle is housed on the first focal plane.
Another impressive feature about the scope is the long 3.9-inch eye relief. This impressive eye relief will keep your eyes safe in case you are using a heavy recoil rifle. Overall, this is a powerful scope with notable reliability and functionality.
Features
- Superb 4.5x-30x magnification
- Illuminated reticle
- High-quality UHD extra-low dispersion glass
- Multicoated lenses
- Precision zero stop system
Pros
- Impressive eye relief
- Lifetime warranty
- Great value
Cons
- Expensive
2) Bushnell Engage Riflescope
If what you are looking for in a 6.5 Grendel scope is flexibility, you can hardly go wrong with the Bushnell Engage Riflescope. This scope uses MOA reticle which is ideal for hunters and target shooters among many others.
The lenses are coated with an ultra-wideband coating for optimum brightness, clarity, and true color representation across the light spectrum. Not to mention that the lenses have an EXO barrier protection that sheds dirt and oil and prevents the lens from scratches.
Another notable feature is that the locking turrets stay on zero or any other set setting. Plus you’ll need no tools to operate these turrets. Weighing about 1.26pounds, all Bushnell Engage Riflescopes are light, easy to carry around, and easy to mount as well. You can take them anywhere you want and they will give you full confidence in the field.
Features
- Deploy MOA reticle
- Ultra-wideband coating
- Zero-reset turrets
- Brilliant and clear lenses
- Versatile 4-16x magnification
Pros
- Generous 3.6” eye relief
- Backed by Bushnell lifetime warranty
- Flexible
- Lightweight
Cons
- Costly
3) Sightmark Core TX Riflescope
If you are on a budget, the Sightmark Core TX Riflescope is your ideal option. This heavy-duty scope is packed with an array of high-end features at a price that’s hard to pass.
First, the scope is crafted with aircraft-grade aluminum. This enhances its strength and durability while keeping weight at a minimum. The whole unit is coated with a hard-anodized finish to minimize glare and enhance durability.
In terms of optical performance, the optics are fully multi-coated for optimal light transmission under different lighting situations. To top it all, the scope is equipped with exposed windage and elevation turrets for easy adjustment.
Another notable advantage of the scope is the illuminated reticle. If you prefer to hunt under different light environments, there are 5 brightness settings for you to choose from. Setting 1 is best for low light conditions while setting 5 works for bright light conditions.
Features
- Red/green illuminated reticle
- Aircraft-grade aluminum housing
- Singe-piece 1”-tube diameter
- Fog-proof, shockproof and waterproof
- Lockable, exposed turrets
- Fully multi-coated lenses
Pros
- Light and portable
- Budget-conscious
- 5 brightness settings
- Scope rings and battery included
Cons
- Warranty not so good
4) Pinty Pro 3-9×32 Mil-Dot Tactical Rifle Scope
Pinty combines price and performance in this tactical riflescope to give you a highly functional scope at a decent price tag. The 3-9x magnification works well for close to medium-range targets. Featuring a fast-focus eyepiece, the scope gives you quick and easy reticle focusing. It also holds zero pretty well for accurate target acquisition.
Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, the scope is durable and light. It is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for reliable waterproof and fog-proof performance respectively.
When it comes to optical performance, the optics are fully multi-coated for bright and clear-sight pictures. For the price, this scope offers great features that a good scope for 6.5 Grendel should have.
Features
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Decent 3-9x magnification
- Aircraft-grade aluminum housing
Pros
- Affordable
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Not heavy
Cons
- Can’t handle heavy and repetitive recoil
- Short eye relief
5) Vortex Crossfire II Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
This 6.5 Grendel scope from Vortex is packed with tons of high-end features at a not-so-high-end price. It strikes the perfect balance between quality and price. This riflescope offers long eye relief and an ultra-forgiving eye box as well.
These two features provide comfortable views of the target while keeping your eyes safe from heavy recoil rifles. You also get a fast-focus eyepiece which ensures rapid and simple reticle focusing.
When it comes to construction, the scope’s single-piece tube is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. This makes it rugged and durable to ensure many years of field use. The whole unit is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to deliver waterproof and fog-proof performance.
Another impressive thing about the scope is the fully multicoated lenses for optimum light transmission. It gives you a better and clearer viewing from dusk to dawn. Overall, it is a high-performance riflescope that is ideal for hunting/shooting at varying distances.
Features
- Fully waterproof and fogproof
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Suitable for shooting at varying ranges
- Adjustable objective for parallax elimination
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Fully multi-coated lenses
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Superb optical brightness and clarity
- Long eye relief
Cons
- High magnification makes the eye box unforgiving
6) Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x44mm Riflescope
When you need a reliable rifle scope for long-range shooting, this Strike Eagle riflescope delivers the precision needed to take down long-range targets.
The scope’s edge-to-edge sharpness delivers the optical excellence needed to capture bright images in any lighting conditions. For enhanced accuracy in poor lighting conditions, the FFP is illuminated to ensure pinpoint accuracy.
The Strike Eagle 3-18x rifle scope is a top contender among the best scopes for 6.5 Grendel. The perfect balance of magnification range helps you deal with close-range targets and distant targets 1000 yards away with unrivaled precision. The reticle is on the first focal plane which is useful when executing long-range shots.
Another positive attribute of the Strike Eagle riflescopes is their high-quality and durable construction. The glass used to make the lenses is phenomenal and delivers excellent light transmission for sharp images. The tube housing the optics is crafted from aircraft aluminum for strength and uncompromising integrity.
The rifle scope is also designed to deliver reliable performance as its tube is purged with dry gases to keep moisture out and keep the lenses clear for life. The scope is also waterproof and shockproof to ensure you have a dependable companion for your long-range rifle.
Another notable attribute of this rifle scope is the throw lever that facilitates seamless and quick magnification changes. In addition, the scope has a fast-focus eyepiece to allow swift and easy focusing of the reticle.
Features
- EBR-7C reticle
- Illuminated reticle for enhanced low-light visibility
- Top-notch glass for increased resolution and enhanced color fidelity
- Fully multi-coated lenses for increased light transmission
- Durable and rigid construction
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Shockproof
- Fast focus eyepiece
Pros
- Illuminated reticle for low-light accuracy
- Unbeatable long-range precision
- Excellent magnification range
- Unrivaled brightness and resolution
- Guaranteed for life
- Fluent and transparent turrets
Cons
- Expensive
7) Nikon P-Tactical .308 4-12×40 Matte BDC800
Nikon P-Tactical .308 4-12×40 is another long-range riflescope ideal for 6.5 Grendel. This riflescope performs incredibly well when it comes to long-range shots. The scope is renowned for its top-notch optical performance.
The optical system features bright, fully multicoated optics that deliver bright, clear and true-to-life images even in dimmest environments. All Nikon P-Tactical scopes feature rugged, one-inch aircraft-grade aluminum housing.
This durable yet light construction is designed to provide long-lasting durability for many years of field use. Not to mention that the scope is O-ring sealed to lock out moisture, dirt, and debris.
The scope also offers generous and consistent eye relief that helps you get on target easily while keeping your eyebrows safe from this heavy recoil rifle. Another notable and impressive feature is the versatile zoom range.
It’s designed to meet the needs of different shooters by providing a wide field of view at low-end magnification and detailed views at high-magnification settings. Besides, the windage and elevation turrets are marked clearly for quick and easy adjustments.
Features
- Precise, ergonomic turrets
- Spring-loaded instant zero-reset turrets
- Robust aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Versatile 3x zoom
- Bright, fully multicoated optics
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Shockproof construction that shrugs off recoil
Pros
- Fairly light
- Generous and consistent eye relief
- Works great in dismal environments
- User-friendly
Cons
- Fixed parallax
8) Vortex Optics Strike Eagle SFP Riflescopes
Here is another Vortex riflescope suitable for the 6.5 Grendel. The Strike Eagle 1-6×24 has been brought up to date to give you better speed, versatility, and dependability.
Featuring a true 1x on the low end, the scopes adapt to a wide range of shooting scenarios. It also lets you engage different targets from close-range to long-range.
The scope is built to handle the harshest outdoor environment. It has a one-piece main tube crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. This tube is waterproof and fog proof for all-weather performance and shockproof to shrug heavy recoil. All air-to-glass surfaces feature an anti-reflective coating for better image clarity and brightness.
On top of that, the scope has a fast-focus eyepiece for quick and hassle-free reticle focusing. Weighing about 1.2 pounds, the scope is fairly lightweight, portable, and convenient for any activity that requires you to trek for long with your firearm.
Features
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
- Anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces
- Aircraft-grade aluminum housing
- 30mm tube diameter
- Versatile 1-6x zoom
Pros
- Fairly lightweight
- Long-range accuracy
- Updated design for optimum versatility and quick handling
Cons
- Small eye box at high magnification
9) Vortex Optics Viper HS-T SFP Riflescope
If you are hunting for a high-end scope with high-end features, the Vortex Viper HS-T Second Focal Plane Riflescope is your ideal choice. This is a highly versatile scope with excellent resolution and color fidelity.
The optical performance of this riflescope is impressive. It features extra-low dispersion glass that increases image resolution and color fidelity. The lenses are fully coated with several layers of XR coatings to enhance light transmission and reduce glare.
Moreover, the lenses have a protective Armortek coating which sheds dirt, oil, and dust. When it comes to construction, the scope is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum. This gives you long-lasting durability.
The scope is also O-ring sealed and argon purged for a dependable waterproof and fog-free performance. The other impressive features on the scope include versatile 4x zoom, side focus parallax adjustment, and a fast-focus eyepiece.
Features
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Second focal plane reticle
- Armortek lens coating
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction
Pros
- Magnification versatility
- Lightweight
- Adjustable parallax
Cons
- Small eye relief window
10) Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope
The Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope is a versatile yet cost-effective scope suitable for hunters, marksmen, and tactical competitors all over the world.
Having a reticle that doesn’t change throughout the magnification level, this optic remains the best for 6.5 Grendel. Other than that, the reticle with 6 brightness levels for better low light performance.
Built with high-strength aluminum, this heavy-duty scope will withstand anything thrown at it. Not to mention that it is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-free to ensure all-weather performance.
Another notable feature about the scope is the exposed tactical turrets with zero reset. Plus, the 30mm main tube is compatible with multiple rings and mounts.
Features
- Variable 4-14xmagngication
- Illuminated FFP reticle
- Heavy-duty construction
- Waterproof, shockproof and fog-free
- Exposed tactical turrets with zero reset
Pros
- Backed by a 3-year warranty for defects
- Cost-effective
- Fairly light
- Clear glass
Cons
- None
See Also
- Best Riflescopes for 6.5 Creedmoor
- Best Side Focus Rifle Scopes
- Best Rifle Scopes for 300 Win Mag
- Best Gamo Air Rifle Scopes
- Best Rifle Scopes for 400 Yards
Best Scopes for 6.5 Grendel Buying Guide & FAQs
Things to Consider When Choosing a 6.5 Grendel Scope
Magnification
The ideal magnification of the scope you plan to buy primarily depends on what you intend to use it for. If you are looking for a scope for plinking or target shooting, try to get a scope with variable magnification. 2-12x or 3-9x will work well. For long-distance shooting, you can use a scope with as high as 18x or 20x magnification.
Eye Relief
This is the distance between your eye and the scopes ocular lens. A scope with decent eye relief gives you comfortable views of the target and keeps your eyes safe from heavy recoil rifles.
The good thing about 6.5 Grendel is it produces low recoil. This means that a scope with a short eye relief will work. To be on the safe side, try to look for a scope that offers at least 4 inches of eye relief.
Objective Lens
The objective lens is the part of the scope positioned at the front. Its main function is to collect and transmit light into the scope. Generally, if the objective lens is big, it will collect more light which results in bright and clear image views. However, large objective lenses add pretty much weight to the scope.
Weatherproof
The other important factor to consider is weatherproof reliability. A waterproof and fog proof scope is important if you’ll be using it for hunting. The body of the scope should be nitrogen-filled to prevent fog from forming inside and O-ring sealed to lock out dirt and moisture.
What is the Best Red Dot Sight for 6.5 Grendel?
The SIG SAUER ROMEO5 1x20mm 2 MOA Red Dot Sight is a versatile red dot sight that delivers speedy target acquisition and precise aim in any shooting situation. If you are looking for a reliable red dot sight to pair with your 6.5 Grendel the Romeo 5 is a great choice.
This compact red dot sight features 8 daylight illumination settings and 2-night vision settings. This dual function makes it ideal for any hunting application.
When the red dot sight is paired with a red dot magnifier, you have a dependable shooting solution to aim at targets 300 yards away.
The red dot sight is designed to handle harsh recoil, so you don’t have to worry about the rifle’s recoil damaging the optic. For unparalleled performance, mount the Romeo 5 on your 6.5 Grendel rifle.
How Much Eye Relief do you Need?
Most are the times that eye relief is overlooked when choosing a riflescope. It’s equally important just like the magnification. Eye relief refers to the distance between the scope and your eye.
Adequate eye relief is needed to prevent bruising your brow after firing. The eye relief of a riflescope will affect where the scope can be mounted and how far you will need to when sighting through the scope.
This is particularly important when shooting at mid ranges and long ranges. These distances need the shooter to be in the right position as only then will you see the target. The 6.5 Grendel is low recoil round and so eye relief of 3.5 to 4 inches will be adequate to promote safe shooting.
Best Scopes for 6.5 Grendel FAQs
Q: How Much Magnification Do You Need?
It depends. If you are looking for a scope for plinking or target shooting, try to get a scope with variable magnification. 2-12x or 3-9x will work well. For long-distance shooting, you can use a scope with as high as 18x or 20x magnification.
Q: How Much Eye Relief Do You Need?
6.5 Grendel produces pretty much low recoil compared with other cartridges. This means that a scope with a short eye relief will work. To be on the safe side, try to look for a scope that offers at least 4 inches of eye relief.
Q: First Focal Plane or Second Focal Plane?
Choosing between an FFP and SFP largely depends on your shooting skills and personal experience as well. A second focal plane reticle is going to give you a better, cost-effective scope for any shooting activity. On the other hand, a first focal plane will be worth looking into if you are a seasoned long-range hunter/shooter.
Q: Do You Need an Illuminated Reticle?
If you plan on using the scope mainly in low-light conditions, a scope with an illuminated reticle will be worth looking into. It will give you great visibility and better target acquisition even in dismal environments.
Conclusion
We hope that the information provided above has given you insight into the best scopes for 6.5 Grendel. Remember that what you intend to use the scope will play the biggest part in which model suits your needs. Grab any of the scopes above and make your shooting/hunting activity more competitive.