17 HMR Scope Recommendations

[texasguy4]

I recently picked up a SV93R17BTV-AT and it will be my first venture in the .17 HMR world.


After several days of researching scopes, my mind is a complete fog. Most of my shooting will be at paper @ 100- 150 yards, with an occasional East Texas squirrel hunt thrown in.


I would like some feedback on what scopes are y’all are actually using on the 17 HMR and some recommendations.

I would like to keep it under $300.00 and because of my poor eye sight, I am thinking of going to around 16x magnification. Any thoughts/suggestions?

[celltech]

For cheap a Nikon Bushmaster II 4-12x40.

Getting to 16x on the cheap is a bit more of a reach. You could go with a fixed SWFA SS 16x42...which might not be good for close up rodent shots, or even a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16x44 for around $320 when on sale. But both of these might be overkill for a lightweight rimfire rifle.

A Nikon Prostaff 5 3.5-14x42 is in between and in your budget as well.

These are all decent quality scopes, especially for the $$$, but you could dip into that low end rung of BSA/Barska/Tasco and get crazy magnification for next to nothing...although I would bet the view is like looking through milk.


Good luck in finding something that works for you...

[Jester560]

Go up another $50 and get an Athlon Argos btr 6-24×50. That includes etched illuminated reticle and side focus from 10 yards to infinity. They track perfectly and return to 0 everytime. No need for a spotting scope to 200 yards.

This is what I have on my Mark ll FV-SR and I love it.

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[Smokey262]

This is a good match for that cartridge, right at your price point

https://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/...pe-4.5-14x42mm

https://www.amazon.com/Burris-42mm-F.../dp/B000MM2QU8

[texasguy4]

Thanks ....I found this Vortex:
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO SFP Riflescope Dead-Hold BDC MOA
It gets pretty good review. Anyone tried one?

[jpx2rk]

I have a Athlon Talos 4x16 on my 17, like it so far but only had it together for about 150 rds.

[Jester560]

Thanks ....I found this Vortex:
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18x44 AO SFP Riflescope Dead-Hold BDC MOA
It gets pretty good review. Anyone tried one?

I looked at the Crossfire ll and wasn't impressed. I bought a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-16×40 and was less than impressed. Returned the DB and got the Athlon. That is my extent of dealings with Vortex.

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[texasguy4]

I went with a Nikon Prostaff 5 3.5-14x40 SF Rifle Scope, M BDC FFP

[celltech]

I went with a Nikon Prostaff 5 3.5-14x40 SF Rifle Scope, M BDC FFP

Great choice! I have a couple on my long range AR10/15s and have no complaints. Although mine are both SFPs and will be curious to hear how you like the FFP version.

[JUS1MO]

That should do the job...

[Jester560]

The bdc increments will not be the specified yardage unless it is a rimfire scope. You v will need to just shoot it to see what yardage applies to each. This still applies to a rimfire scope somewhat but will be closer that a scope setup for centerfire. I hope it is an adjustable objective or close shots, 25 and 50 yards, will be parallax rich.

Good luck

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[celltech]

The BDC indicators will work fine as long as it's based on the cartridge you are firing. I took a few assumptions and built a test 17 HMR profile in my Strelok app. Using a Federal 17gr vmax coming out at 2530 fps, with a 100 yard scope 0, the BDC markers will be 160, 208, 246, and 297 yards respectively. The top of the bottom thick hash mark is 338 yards.

[J.Baker]

I run a Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x with DOA 600 reticle on my 17 HMR. Works out fairly well with a 50 yard zero.

X-hair = 50/100
Dot 1 = 152
Dot 2 = 206
Dot 3 = 264
Dot 4 = 322

This is with Hornady 17gr V-max ammo which averages 2536 fps through my rifle (three 10-shot strings averaged). That calculated data is pretty spot on as I've had consistent hits out to 275 yards on groundhogs, but I typically limit my shots with the 17 HMR to 200 yards as beyond that it doesn't reliably get the job done.

[Jester560]

I run a Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x with DOA 600 reticle on my 17 HMR. Works out fairly well with a 50 yard zero.

X-hair = 50/100
Dot 1 = 152
Dot 2 = 206
Dot 3 = 264
Dot 4 = 322

This is with Hornady 17gr V-max ammo which averages 2536 fps through my rifle (three 10-shot strings averaged). That calculated data is pretty spot on as I've had consistent hits out to 275 yards on groundhogs, but I typically limit my shots with the 17 HMR to 200 yards as beyond that it doesn't reliably get the job done.

You just proved my point with your DOA 600. Thanks!

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[Jester560]

The BDC indicators will work fine as long as it's based on the cartridge you are firing. I took a few assumptions and built a test 17 HMR profile in my Strelok app. Using a Federal 17gr vmax coming out at 2530 fps, with a 100 yard scope 0, the BDC markers will be 160, 208, 246, and 297 yards respectively. The top of the bottom thick hash mark is 338 yards.

Yes they will work fine once he figures out the yardage as shown in the post below yours. I do believe I specified that about a rimfire scope since THE OP didn't say. However, Nikon doesn't offer a rimfire scope in 3.5-14.

I looked it up. It is parallax adjustable from 50 yards to infinity. The reticle is intended to be used with the Nikon ballistic app for subtension yardage.

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[celltech]

The BDC "dots" in the reticle are a fixed MOA apart from each other. If you know the ballistics of your rounds you can figure out the yardage points for any type of gun/ammo. The rimfire BDC could even work for a 300 Mag...it makes no difference.