6.5 Creedmoor Scope

[Patriot-2000]

Got a Ruger American 6.5 Creedmoor for my Birthday and Christmas present. I had a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40 so I mounted it and was surprised at out of the box accuratcy 3/4" at 100 yards with inexpensive FMJ Ammo.

I don't benchrest shoot anymore ..use to in the Army but setting this rifle up for a 500 yard hunting situation.

Question: Should I leave the scope or upgrade to a Leupold VX- Freedom 4-12x40 Creedmoor ..Got Ballistic Dots for Creedmoor velocities up to 500 yards.

I know there may be better choices but I'm a Leupold person and staying within CEO/ Wife budget.

[chrisk]

If you are shooting groups that good and you like the scope why change it?

[Patriot-2000]

Good point and with practice at longer Ranges to see how different loads behave .. it will work.

[DaveC]

If you have the spare cash, I would.
It might be my weak eyes, but the 9 on the 3x9’s leaves me wanting when the target is way out there compared to the 12’s & 16’s.

[McClain]

It all depends on what size groups you are comfortable shooting at that distance. With a 9x scope you are not going to be able to focus in on a small target or spot very precisely. As the saying goes "aim small, miss small", but at that distance you are not likely going to be able to aim at a very small target very precisely with a 9x optic. A 12 to 20x would certainly be easier to shoot small groups. Also, regarding the bullet drop reticle in that scope, you would be very lucky if those hold over marks match your ammo well enough to make precise shots at the various ranges. If you do use it, you will need to test them at their designated distances with the ammo you plan to shoot and make notes. My preference for longer range shooting is simply to use a dial-in MOA or MIL turret and develop a drop chart for each bullet/load/condition I plan to use. I even prefer this over a customized turret because I rarely hunt under the same conditions, or use the same ammo, all the time. But that is just my preference, your situation may be different.

[Patriot-2000]

I'll try a Vortex Scope
Does anyone have experience with a Vortex Dead Hold BDC Reticle Vs traditional Duplex Reticle

[MitchParker]

Like others have said...if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, I'd consider the upgrade. However, if you're shooting well currently, why tempt fate?
-M

[duckhunter175]

Don't buy any gimmick reticle or turrets that are cartridge/velocity specific.

They make some budget minded scopes with the Tri-MOA reticle (1 moa hash) and for not much more jangle you can get into a decent VX3 with a locking turret and adjustable parallax and better glass.

Just stick with something that has easy 1 moa subtensions, if its SFP then know what magnfication subtends and go find your dope.

[Chase4556]

I’m a zoom snob. Most of my rifles have at minimum 14x. You can always dial it back, but can’t add more. I am a huge advocate that upgrading your scope to something with more magnification will never HINDER hunting(unless we are talking LPVOs). I would absolutely look into something better suited for taking those 500 yard shots. You mentioned a Leupold with a creedmoor reticle, understand that there are way too many variables at play for a preset reticle to be accurate. Now if it had a MIL/MOA reticle, that can be used for accurate holds if you have a dope chart to accompany the rifle.

I too like Leupold, but the rifleman is pretty bottom end. Without looking at different options I would see what Burris has in the same price range. I know some frown, but I own quite a few Vortex scopes, and for the money they are decent… a Vortex Diamondback Tactial 4-16 would be a great option in the $400 range. I know I know, but I’ve had good luck with my vortex scopes and for the price they offer a lot of features. I run a gen1 PST on my Ruger precision rifle and it has been great.


That being said… I have a 3-9x50 Nikon Prostaff on my primary hunting rifle. BUT I’m not making 500 yard shots, more like 200 max where I hunt.

[Chase4556]

Also, another good option would be to find out what ammo the rifle likes. I mean it shoots it great, you have shot an animal or two(pigs are great for this) and you like how it performs. Buy a ton of that ammo. Also will need chronograph velocity numbers, not off the box numbers.

Then go buy you a Leupold with the CDS dial. Send Leupold the data they need and get the CDS. Need to shoot 500yds, dial it to 5. My buddy has one on a 204 Ruger and it was accurate out to 450yds. We never shot it past that. I will be getting one for the VX6 6-24 I put on my 300wm.

[Big pig]

Accuracy of the Ruger does not surprise me. FMJ does.

I would sell that Rifleman here and jump to a higher magnification Leupold. 4x12 minimum.

I have a 3x9 on mine, but is an old Zeiss that’s clear as a bell and I just a close range hunter.

[El Paisano]

I had a deadhold bdc on the first scope I had on mine (Ruger American Predator 6.5 CM). After a little practice I could get first shot hits out to 600 yds on steel. BUT, I needed and got a scope with a better reticle for distance. I now have a and really like the reticle on a SWFA fixed power scope. Mine is 12X but would rather have a 10X. I also have 2 other scopes with very good reticles, the best of which is a Sightron STAC 3-16X42. The Vortex 5-25X50 PST is a big, great scope, but the reticle is too busy for what I use it for.
The point is, with a reticle that is marked either in MOA or MILDOT, and knowing your trajectory and distance, your chances of a first round hit go way up.