Are you looking for a scope that’s compatible with your 6.5 Grendel? You are in the right place.
Hey guys, it’s Jason again and I got the 6.5 Grendel about 10 months back and just like you guys, I needed a scope as well.
So I went about testing 10+ scopes for over 4 months from a variety of brands such as Leupold, Vortex Optics, etc., and picked out 5 that stood out.
These scopes have been chosen based on important attributes such as build quality, optics clarity, turret quality, waterproofing, and so on to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.
If you want to skip over long details and purchase the best scope for 6.5 Grendel, I summarized my top picks for a quick-fire purchase.
- Leupold VX-5HD 7-35x56mm Riflescope (Top Pick)
- Vortex Optics Strike Eagle SFP Riflescope
- Bushnell Optics Drop Zone Reticle Riflescope (Budget Pick)
- Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope
- CVLIFE 4-16×44 Tactical Rifle Scope
Need more info on the scopes before you hit that buy button? This comparison table tells you about the scopes in brief.
Best Scope for 6.5 Grendel: In-Depth Reviews
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Leupold VX-5HD | • Magnification Range: 7x-35x • Weight: 26.1 oz. • Length: 15.6 in. | View Price |
 | Vortex Optics | • Magnification Range: 1-6x24 • Weight: 1.2 Pounds • Length: 24 Millimeters | View Price |
 | Bushnell Optics | • Magnification Range: 90 feet at 1X to 23 feet at 4X • Weight: 1.06 Pounds • Length: 24 Millimeters | View Price |
 | Primary Arms SLX | • Magnification Range: 4x14 | View Price |
 | CVLIFE | • Magnification Range: 4-16x44 | View Price |
1. Leupold VX-5HD 7-35x56mm Riflescope
If you are a serious hunter and have the big bucks to spend on a top-notch riflescope, the Leupold VX-5HD is a no-brainer, and here’s why.
Out in the wild, your scope is your eyes and clarity is paramount. Well, Leupold understands that.
This is why the scope is equipped with a premium quality lens that has multiple layers of a special of the proprietary Guard-Ion Hydrophobic Coating. This doesn’t just mean unparalleled light transmission for HD quality visuals but also protects the lens from dirt, dust, oil, etc.
And that’s irrespective of whether you use the scope at 7x, 15, or 35x. Yes, the scope has a whopping 35x magnification allowing you to scope and aim at a distance above 1000 yards.
Don’t you just hate when you move your head around when aiming and notice the reticle’s swimming? Don’t let parallax ruin your shots. Thanks to the side parallax adjustment, eliminating this problem takes no more than a few seconds.
Furthermore, ensuring you hit the bullseye with each freaking shot is the reticle that comes with hash marks that give you point accurate range estimations.
But if you are a newbie and want to avoid even the hassle of making adjustments based on these estimations, there is the Customized Dial System (CDS) that allows you to set the turrets based on your rifle and ammo once and for all.
The reticle works just as well whether you are hunting or practicing at dusk or dawn thanks to the proprietary Firedot illumination. This is further supported by the Twilight Max HD that gives you additional shooting light for about 15 mins.
Not just low light, the scope has also been tried and tested to work in extreme temperatures ranging from -40ºF to 160ºF. And making it fog-proof is the nitrogen purge.
As for the turrets, I love the fact that they are numbered. This in tandem with the audible click, and their smooth movement makes precise adjustments during tense situations a breeze.
And once it is set, just hit the push-button locking system to prevent accidental changes (the settings will stay for months irrespective of quick or sudden movements). But that’s not all.
Also, making it a beast of a scope is its rock-solid build. The aluminum build can take a beating (won’t crack even with a slight drop or constant recoil). Don’t believe me? Don’t have to. Leupold tests its scopes on the punisher that delivers recoil 3x of a .308 rifle.
Plus, you can leave it submerged in 3 feet of water as well since the scope has special sealants on the inside that keep the water from seeping in.
And if you still run into a roadblock, backing the scope is a lifetime warranty making it a risk-free purchase as you won’t have to pay a dime for repairs and replacements even 20 years after the purchase.
The only drawback of the scope is its price as it costs around $1800 but considering its build and features, it is worth every penny.
Pros
- Twilight light management system for 10-15 mins of additional light
- Reticle gives range estimations and is illuminated
- Delivers distortion-free visuals at any magnification
- CDS eliminates the need to adjust elevation and windage
- Turrets are numbered with good audibility for precise adjustments
- Push-button lock prevents accidental changes
- Passes rigorous testing done by Leupold on the punisher
- Works equally well in temperatures ranging from -40ºF to 160ºF
- It is 100% waterproof and fog-proof
- Side parallax makes parallax adjustment a breeze
- Ideal scope for 1000+ yards
Cons
- On the expensive side
2. Vortex Optics Strike Eagle SFP Riflescope
If you are looking for something slightly cheaper, the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle is just what you need. Here’s what I love and hate about it.
The Strike Eagle also delivers an excellent magnification range 24x making it a good choice for scoping and shooting at a distance of 800+ yards.
Yes, there’s slight distortion on the sides at that magnification but that’s negligible and doesn’t interfere much. Ensuring that is the special Extra-low dispersion (XD) glass with anti-reflective coating for good light transmission, in turn, delivering good colors and crisper images.
This also comes with a side parallax adjustment knob so no more wavy reticle to ruin your shot. Also, ensuring accurate aim is the SFP reticle that not only remains large and clear at all magnification levels but also gives you bullet drop and holdover estimations.
Plus, you have the freedom to go for your hunting trips in the evening or early morning as well as the reticle boasts of an amazing 11 brightness levels.
But doesn’t that mean low battery life? Yes, the battery life is a bummer but don’t worry. The reticle has been etched onto the glass and thus is clearer than most others in the price range in low light without illumination.
The turrets here are also numbered and have good audibility so even if you are using a scope for the first time, you should have no trouble making precise adjustments irrespective of the situation.
Oh, and they are smooth as well and won’t change unless you want them to as you can put a cover on them after the changes. It also provides it protection against hits and bumps.
Another reason hits and bumps don’t impact the scope is its aircraft-grade aluminum build. Even water and fog don’t have any impact on the performance as the scope has sealed o-rings and a nitrogen purge to keep the lens from fogging.
Vortex Optics also ensures you remain safe and hidden from the dangers in the wild by providing the scope with a hard-anodized finish that reduces glare. It also adds a layer of protection against scratches.
But if you still have trouble, just visit any service center and have your scope repaired or replaced at no extra cost as all Vortex Optics scopes are backed by a lifetime warranty.
On the downsides, I would have liked a bit more eye relief. 3.5” inches isn’t bad but a little more would have been great.
Pros
- Comes with 24x magnification
- Delivers good colors and sharpness with XD lens
- The reticle has 11 brightness levels for low light
- The reticle is etched onto the glass for good visibility without illumination
- The SFP reticle provided holdover and bullet drop estimations for accuracy
- Excellent build, plus, it is waterproof and fog-proof
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- A hard-anodized finish improves camouflage by reducing glare
- Turrets are numbers, smooth, and are audible
Cons
- Average battery life
- More eye relief would have been better
3. Bushnell Optics Drop Zone Reticle Riflescope (Budget 6.5 Grendel Scope)
Are you a beginner and don’t want to spend big on a rifle scope just yet? What if you could get one for less than $200? Say hello to the Burris Optics Drop Zone Riflescope.
For a budget scope, there are a few things that stand out. For example, I was impressed with the reticle that comes with bullet drop compensation for improved accuracy.
It is also pretty bold on the outside with a thin center for the same reason. You will even latch onto moving targets in a jiffy thanks to the quick focus eyepiece.
And while it only has 4x magnification, the multi-coated lens means you can use the full range of the magnification allowing you to take shots and scope at distances of 200+ yards with ease.
Cheaper scopes don’t always have the best turrets but this Bushnell scope doesn’t disappoint.
That’s because it has white markings and numbers. Plus, it is smooth with a loud audible click for precise adjustments. It is also grippy and tall so whether your hands are sweaty or wet, you should have no trouble gripping it.
Each click of the turret adjusts it by 0.1 ml ensuring pinpoint accurate adjustments.
Though cheaper, Bushnell hasn’t compromised a bit on build quality. It is made of high-grade aluminum so it can handle the rigors of the wild. Plus, there is the same hard-anodized finish that helps with camouflage while improving durability.
It is also waterproof with sealed o-rings performing their task with great efficiency and then there is the nitrogen purge as well so you can use the scope in cold temperatures without fog playing spoilsport.
This Bushnell scope is also one of the most compact scopes on the list so carrying it or putting it away when not in use is easy (will easily fit into drawers and smaller shelves or even backpacks).
And protecting it from dust and dirt when it isn’t in use are the covers.
On the downsides, the scope isn’t ideal for low light situations as the reticle doesn’t have any illumination and as mentioned above, it has less magnification range.
Unlike the previous, scopes it doesn’t have a lifetime warranty but 30-years is good enough.
Pros
- It costs less than $200
- Great build and it’s waterproof
- Nitrogen purge makes it fog-proof as well
- Come with a multi-coated lens for good clarity at 4xor 1x
- You get lens covers for protection against dust and dirt
- Get improved camouflage with the hard-anodized finish
- Turrets are numbered, smooth and audible
- The reticle gives you bullet drop compensation for accuracy
- Backed by a 30-year warranty
Cons
- The reticle isn’t illuminated or etched onto the glass
- Lesser magnification range thus ideal for short distances
4. Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope
If you need a mid-range scope with decent clarity, good durability, and one that’s easy to use, Primary Arms has you covered.
What I like most about this scope is its ACSS R-Grid 2B reticle. This reticle is known for its horseshoe and chevron center reticle that works amazingly well at close range while the Mil-Dot grid provides accurate holds for point accuracy at long distances.
Another reason why it is so good for close range and long-range both is that the reticle is an FFP reticle which means it grows or shrinks based on the magnification used.
As for the magnification, you get a good 14x magnification with a fully usable range. Making that possible is the multi-coated lens.
The reticle works well in low light as well as it has 6 brightness levels.
Once you know the estimations, adjusting the turrets is easy. Again, I am glad they are numbered and the audible click is loud enough so you know exactly when the adjustment has been made. They are also tall and grippy
Plus, they have a 0.1 Mil click value for 100% accuracy. These features are well-supported by the side-adjustable parallax and fast focus eyepiece that further improve image clarity while allowing you to lock onto targets quickly even when they are moving.
Durability, as expected from a brand like Primary Arms, is top-notch. This is down to the aluminum build of the scope. You can also use it in cold weather or rain without any hassles.
Keeping the lens free of fog is the nitrogen purge while the sealed o-rings ensure rain or even submerging the scope in water doesn’t hinder performance. The 30mm single-tube build holds its own against recoil as well.
On the downsides, the scope only has a 3-year warranty. Plus, it has a small eye relief of 3.2-inches and thus needs to be used carefully or you run the risk of ending up with a scope bite.
Pros
- The reticle is ideal for both long and short-range shots
- You get 6 brightness levels for low light
- Comes with side-adjustable parallax and a fast-focus eyepiece
- Great build and recoil-resistance
- It is waterproof and fog-proof
- Turrets have numbered markings with a loud click
- Each click is 0.1 Mil for better accuracy
- Comes with 14x magnification for distances of 500 yards
- Good clarity at 14x with multi-coated lens
Cons
- It has a small eye-relief
- The warranty could have been better
5. CVLIFE 4-16×44 Tactical Rifle Scope
Last but not least comes the CVLIFE Tactical scope and if you have an extremely tight budget, this is worth the consideration as it costs around $50.
Apart from its low price, one thing I like about the scope is that it has two reticle colors to choose from. While green is suited for low light, red and black work well in daylight (you’ll never lose the reticle irrespective of the background or light).
Plus, it has markings on it for windage and elevation estimations along with a built-in sunshade (bright sunny day, dusk, or dawn, your accuracy won’t suffer with this baby around).
Also, it is rare for scopes this cheap to have tall, grippy turrets with numbers and white markings so I was pleasantly surprised when the CVLIFE scope had exactly that
Yes, the turrets could have been smoother but these numbers with audible clicks sure do ensure precise adjustments. And the wrench needed to reset the turrets is included in the package.
It also has a 16x magnification but the visuals start to distort as you move adobe 10x which still is pretty good for distances of 350 yards.
While I wouldn’t submerge it in water, you should have no trouble using it in light rain. Its aluminum build also makes it capable of withstanding some abuse.
Apart from the wrench, also included in the package are 20mm rail mounts that allow you to use the scope right out of the box while saving you extra bucks you would otherwise spend on buying the mounts.
Pros
- Costs less than $100
- Turrets are numbered with a loud click
- The reticle gives elevation and windage estimations
- You can choose between red and green reticle illumination
- It has a sunshade to cut glare on sunny days
- Get good visuals to up to 10x magnification
- Comes with a wrench and 20mm rail mounts for quick mounting
Cons
- It isn’t a waterproof scope
- Distortion on the sides at higher magnification
- Average battery life
- Turrets and dials are a tad tighter
My Final Verdict
Those are my favorite 6.5 Grendel scopes for 2022. Leupold tops the charts as it offers amazing visual clarity while checking pretty much every other box.
On the other hand, Vortex and Primary Arms scopes make good, cheaper alternatives. And for budget buyer’s there’s the Bushnell scope that costs less than $200.
So, do you think I missed out on any of the scopes? If yes, do write to me in the comments section below or via the contact page.
You can also send in your questions related to 6.5 Grendel and its scopes and I’ll them answered within 24-hours.
