17 Remington scope recommendation.

[BUTTS]

I have a 12" 17 Remington barrell that I need to scope. Shoule I buy a rifle scope or pistol? And which one do you recommend?

[plugger]

I have the same barrel and I have a couple of long eer pistol scopes that I use. Lobo 2x and Leo 2-8. The long eer is a cost well worth it for me, I like to shoot from a Millet rubber rest and it is very comfortable on a bench. In the field I think it may be more necessary to have that longer eer. The pros will chime in soon so let's see what they say. I'm sortta new so just MHOP. 

[wvjoetc]

Butts,
 
I have three barrels that I use a rifle scope on a 10" 22LR a Super 14 22LR and a 17HMR2.  I just feel more comfortable using a rifle scope on these and to be honest I shoot better.  These three have no recoil to speak of, I also have a heavy flat forearm that David D made for me that works great off a rest.  The center fire 17 will have a some recoil to it and using a rifle scope would I think for me would not be user friendly.  My thought on a scope for a 17 Remington would be something like a 2x6 power scope, as far as brands go to your local gun shot and try them out to see which one fits your eyes the best.  Let us know what you decide,
 
Joe

[Curtis]

I have a cheap (Simmons 2.5-10x50mm) rifle scope on a 14" 22rf barrel.  I didn't know if I would like it, but reading the forums some folks praised and some folks abhorred the use of a rifle scope on a pistol, hense my reason for going cheap.  I have to say that it is lots of fun for target practice.  I have several other 22 barrels with open sights and a pistol scope for when I'm not in the mood for that.  Some use it in the field with a bi-pod but I have no experience in that use.
 
I think the range of your 17 remington just about rules out a 2x pistol scope.  I have seen some fixed power pistol scopes in higher magnifications (Burris if I remember right) on the used market from time to time.  My preference for a versatile pistol scope is the Leupold 2.5-8 power.  Even in the used market they don't come cheap though ($350 to $375).  I have one on my 7-30 Waters barrel and one on my 223 barrel.
 
I think it boils down to you will just have to try a rifle scope for yourself if you want to see if it fits your needs and style of shooting.  I'm not sure if the 17 has sufficient recoil to be a problem with one.  If you have the money to spend, just get the Leupold 2.5-8 variable pistol scope.  It will do anything a rifle scope will do except pull in lots of light in those few minutes at each end of the day.
 
Good luck,
Curtis
 

[The Old Redneck]

I have a 15" barrel in 17 Remington that now has the 2 X 8 Leupold. I have tried rifle scopes on handguns and hunting they just do not work for me because of the short eye relief. I like the 3 x 12 Burris with the adjustable ao off the bench but not hunting. As you increase the power your eye relief gets shorter on handgun scopes. I am over 6' tall with long arms so I want all the eye relief I can get. You can get much cheaper handgun scopes than Leupold. I shoot with several different brands and on low or no recoil guns it does not matter much. The optic quality of some of the cheap scopes has gotten very good over the years. I shot a 22 rimfire with a China made scope a while back that was extremely good.

[BUTTS]

I found a 30-30 barrel with a Leopould VX 2.5-8 scope today for $175. Gotta love garage sales!! Now I need a scope for the 30-30.

[Ladobe]

I won't use rifle scopes on any handgun (zero, zip, nada), just old school personal choice, same as putting scopes on lever rifles or any but traditional PC scopes on muzzies.   
 
I've had a couple of 14", and a 15" barrel in 17 Remy for the Contenders, and for my uses wanted the most magnification simply because they are easily capable for long range.   Had an old model Burris 10X Target on the first one many years ago, bought a Burris 3-12 for the other one I used, and had another of the same for the third I never got around to shooting before I sold it.   The variables obviously give you more latitude for uses.   Any of them you choose would work fine... the 17Rem is not going to hurt any of them mounted correctly.