Best Scope for 6.5 Grendel – Top 10 Best 6.5 Grendel Scopes Reviews

One thousand yards. Ten football fields. Over half a mile. That might sound like a ridiculous distance for any rifle round to be accurate at, but that is exactly what the 6.5 Grendel is capable of. The 6.5 Grendel is a highly accurate and low recoil round that combines with the AR-15 platform to create a weapon capable of extremely long ranges. A high end set of optics is required to fire at those kinds of ranges. Check out the list below to learn more about the ten best scope for 6.5 Grendel rifles.

Invented in 2002, the goal of the 6.5 Grendel was to create an AR-15 round that surpassed the performance of the 5.56/.223 in the 200-800 yard range. By using a shorter and larger diameter case, the creators of the 6.5 Grendel were able to pack in more gunpowder while still having room to utilize bullets with a high ballistic coefficient (BC).

Ballistic Coefficient (BC) is the measure of a body’s ability to overcome air resistance. In the world of shooting sports, the higher the ballistic coefficient of a bullet, the more accurate it will be as the shooting range increases.

The 6.5 Grendel retains a higher terminal energy at 1000 meters than both the 5.56 NATO and 7.62×51 NATO rounds thanks to that high ballistic coefficient. A lighter Grendel bullet even has more armor piercing capability than a heavier 7.62 NATO bullet at 1000 meters. In other words, the 6.5 Grendel packs at a punch at the extreme ranges it can be used at.

Even though it is capable of accurately striking targets in the 1000 yard range, that doesn’t mean that is the 6.5 Grendel’s only purpose. In fact, it makes for an excellent hunting rifle as well. This is especially true for those who want to hunt with an AR-15 in a state that doesn’t allow the common .223 cartridge for deer hunting.

If you don’t have time for the details, check out the list below for the best rated scopes for 6.5 Grendel:

1. Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 3-18×44 Riflescope
2. Monstrum G3 6-24×50 Rifle Scope
3. Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope
4. Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24×50 Riflescope
5. Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm Riflescope
6. Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm Riflescope
7. Nikon Black FX1000
8. Feyachi RDS-22 2MOA Micro Red Dot Sight
9. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40
10. Nikon M-Tactical 4-16X42SF

When considering a scope for a 6.5 Grendel rifle, there are several important factors to consider. Those factors will also depend on what you want to do with your 6.5 Grendel rifle. A scope for long range precision shooting will require different features than a scope for hunting at intermediate ranges.

Here are a couple of the important things to look out for when shopping for a 6.5 Grendel scope.

How to Choose 6.5 Grendel Scopes?

Magnification

It goes without saying that hitting a target at 1000 yards is a challenge. However, that becomes an even bigger challenge if you are using a scope that doesn’t have enough magnification. If long range shooting is your goal, look for a variable power scope that has a high end magnification level of 14x, 18x, or even 24x. This will go a long way towards shooting accurately at those extreme ranges.

For hunting or target shooting at more intermediate ranges, you can get away with a lower magnification level. A variable power scope also makes sense for these purposes, but a high end magnification range of 9x, 12x, or 14x will be sufficient.

Glass Quality

Buying a scope with low quality glass is never a good idea. It might seem ok at first, but frustration will soon set in as you try to clearly see your target at long ranges. Do yourself a favor and pay close attention to the quality of the glass in the scopes you are considering. Luckily, glass quality has come a long way and you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to get a scope with good glass.

Reticle

The type of reticle in a 6.5 Grendel scope is another important consideration. The reticle will be the tool that allows you to use your scope and rifle to its full capabilities. It can’t be changed without buying a new scope, so make sure you are satisfied with the style of reticle in the scope you choose. There are a lot of excellent options that help to compensate for holdover and windage and that even help to estimate the range of a target.

Now that you are more familiar with the features to pay attention to, read on to see the list of the top ten best scopes for 6.5 Grendel rifles!

Best Scope for 6.5 Grendel on the Market Reviews

 1   Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 3-18×44 Riflescope

The Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 3-18×44 rifle scope is an excellent set of glass to pair with a 6.5 Grendel AR-15 rifle. Capable of performing at both intermediate and long ranges, this scope features fully multi-coated optics that produce a clear and bright sight picture. The zero resettable tactical turrets allow you to quickly dial in adjustments and the one piece 30mm tube makes the Strike Eagle durable and rugged.

This scope is equipped with a glass-etched second focal plane EBR-4 illuminated reticle. This reticle allows you to quickly and easily estimate the range of targets while also allowing for on the fly holdover and windage corrections. With 11 brightness settings and a side mounted parallax knob, the Strike Eagle provides a crisp reticle image in any lighting conditions.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
Illuminated EBR-4	3x – 18x	23.90 oz

 2   Monstrum G3 6-24×50 Rifle Scope

The 6-24x magnification range of the Monstrum G3 is ideal for long range shooting which is exactly what the 6.5 Grendel excels at. This scope is hard to beat for the budget minded shooter. It will provide the performance you want from your rifle optics without breaking the bank. Despite the affordable price range, Monstrum did not cut corners on the durability of the G3. This scope, built from 6061 aircraft grade aluminum, features locking turrets, all brass mechanics, and a Type-III 8625 hard-anodized finish that meets military standards.

The optics of the G3 also make the grade for what is needed in a 6.5 Grendel scope. The lenses are fully multi-coated to reduce lost light transmission from glare or reflection. With an etched first focal plane (FFP) reticle, shooters can easily range targets at any magnification level. This scope from Monstrum also features an adjustable objective (AO) lens that allows shooters to carefully focus on various targets.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
Illuminated Type-H	6x – 24x	30.00 oz

 3   Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope

The Primary Arms SLX rifle scope is another great 6.5 Grendel scope option for shooters on a budget or for shooters who want a straightforward scope without any fancy bells and whistles. Featuring a FFP Mil-Dot reticle, the SLX can be used to easily estimate ranges as well as holdover and windage corrections without any confusion that can come from more complicated reticle designs.

The knurled tactical turrets on the SLX scope feature audible click adjustments in 1/10 MIL increments. This allows shooters to precisely dial in their scopes for the highest level of accuracy possible. That level of precision is perfect for the 6.5 Grendel cartridge.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
Mil-Dot	4x – 14x	25.20 oz

 4   Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 6-24×50 Riflescope

The Viper HS-T rifle scope is another excellent 6.5 Grendel scope option from Vortex Optics. With an impressive level of magnification and a generously sized 50mm objective lens diameter, the Viper HS-T will provide a bright sight picture of even distant targets. Shooters also won’t have to worry about a blurry reticle or target image with the Viper HS-T. Utilizing both a reticle focus ring and a side parallax focus knob, clarity is never an issue.

The extra low dispersion glass lenses on this scope are fully multi-coated and the O-ring sealing and argon purging ensure that this scope is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. Color fidelity and superior resolution are also hallmarks of this scope from Vortex. Special coatings for both light gathering and scratch resistance have been applied to the lenses. Shooters can expect a lifetime of high end performance with the Viper HS-T scope.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
VMR-1 MOA	6x – 24x	22.60 oz

 5   Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm Riflescope

For a scope with extremely high quality glass, look no further than the Zeiss Conquest V4 rifle scope. Zeiss is known the world over for producing some of the best glass for a wide range of optics and their rifle scopes are no different. The Conquest V4 boasts 90% light transmission and Zeiss’ T* coating that provides crisp, high resolution images.

The glass isn’t the only thing that stands out with this scope. The sleek design looks great on any rifle and the illuminated reticle provides optimum brightness in any light conditions. The ballistic turrets feature 0.25 MOA click values and an external locking windage turret that is ideal for long range shooting. Built to Zeiss’ exacting standards, the Conquest V4 rifle scope is perfect for any shooter interested in precision long range shooting.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
Illuminated ZMOA-1	6x – 24x	24.33 oz

 6   Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm Riflescope

The Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm Riflescope is lightweight and features a low profile design that is a great option for shooters who want a quality scope from a trusted name. The VX-3i features a duplex reticle that performs best at intermediate ranges which makes this a great scope for 6.5 Grendel hunting rifles. It is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof for reliable performance in the field or on the stand.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
Duplex	4.5x – 14x	16.50 oz

 7   Nikon Black FX1000

If you want to start taking part in long range shooting competitions, the Nikon Black FX1000 is the best option. This scope features a 4-16x magnification range and an illuminated FX-MOA FFP reticle for long distance precision. The high-speed tactical turrets feature 25 MOA of adjustment per revolution and allow for rapid return to zero.

With a quick focus eyepiece, side parallax adjustment knob, generous eye relief, and complete waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof performance, the Nikon Black FX1000 is competition ready right out of the box.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
Illuminated FX-MOA	4x – 16x	23.30 oz

 8   Feyachi RDS-22 2MOA Micro Red Dot Sight

Despite its long range prowess, the 6.5 Grendel can still be used for close range shooting. If you are a three-gun competitor or just like shooting at shorter ranges, the Feyachi RDS-22 2MOA Micro Red Dot Sight is an excellent option. The 2 MOA dot is clearly visible even during the day and the fully multi-coated optics provide ample light transmission.

This red dot sight comes with a riser mount that allows it to be co-witnessed with existing iron sights. Eleven brightness settings and an anodized finish help round out the RDS-22 as a nice option for 6.5 Grendel rifles.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
2 MOA Red Dot	1x	5.46 oz

 9   Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40

The Crossfire II from Vortex Optics is another great budget scope for 6.5 Grendel rifles. The 3×9 magnification range is ideal for hunting and midrange target shooting. The O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged Crossfire II features a BDC reticle for fast and simple holdover and windage corrections.

Target acquisition with this scope is a quick process thanks to plenty of eye relief and a large field of view at every magnification level. This scope is protected by the Vortex Optics lifetime warranty and pairs well with the 6.5 Grendel to create an excellent hunting platform.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
Dead-Hold BDC	3x – 9x	15.00 oz

 10   Nikon M-Tactical 4-16X42SF

The tactical design and high end performance of the Nikon M-Tactical 4-16x42SF rifle scope is right at home on any 6.5 Grendel rifle. The robust 30mm main tube is constructed from a single piece of aircraft grade aluminum. The scope is then finished with a Type-III hard anodized matte finish for extreme durability. Combined with the O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged scope interior, the construction of the M-Tactical keeps water out, won’t fog up, and can withstand impacts.

The M-Tactical features Nikon’s BDC 800 reticle. Using Nikon’s Spot On ballistic calculator, shooters can plug in their favorite 6.5 Grendel ammunition and find out the exact holdover measurements for each circle on the BDC reticle. This makes it a simple task to shoot confidently at long ranges. The Nikon M-Tactical is an ideal match for an AR-15 chambered in 6.5 Grendel.

RETICLE	MAGNIFICATION	WEIGHT
BDC 800	4x – 16x	20.60 oz

Final Thoughts

The 6.5 Grendel is a true long range rifle cartridge. Easily capable of handling 1000 yard shots, a 6.5 Grendel rifle, whether it be an AR-15 or bolt-action, deserves a scope that won’t hinder its performance. Magnification levels, glass quality, and reticle design are all important things to consider before choosing a scope. The list above features ten of the best scope for 6.5 Grendel rifles and will help you make the right scope decision for your needs.