Optics for .17HMR

[UnSafe]

OK. I ordered a Sportster in .17HMR and am now interested in a reasonable cost scope for it. I've bought good (Leupold VXIII) and bad (Simmons 2.5-10 x 50mm) glass in the past and want to get on with a decent deal on a scope that matches this rifle.

I see that Midway has the BSA Sweet 17 3.5-12x scope for $79 this month. Neat feature if the bullet drop feature works, gimmick if not.

Short of dropping several hundred for a scope on a $133 rifle, what scopes can y'all recommend. Links appreciated, if you know of a particularly good deal.

PS- Intended use- Plinking, varmint/ pest control and fall turkey season (Legal in OK).

[quickdtoo]

The 17hmr is a little expensive to plink with for most people, so that leaves varmint/pest control. Several scope polls at RFC revealed most shooters opting for 4-12x as minimum and more going with 6-18x or 6-20x and more. I have 6-20x40 Bushnell Scopechiefs on a pair of Marlins, a 4-16x40 Bushnell Elite 4200 on a CZ452 American and a 6-18x40 Japan Tasco one of my Sportsters and a 4.5-14x40 Simmons ATV on the 17M2 Sportster. I can't tell ya the BSA scope is good or bad, several at RFC have em, but there have been several sold on their FSOT forum, too, dunno what's up with that. A lot of RFCers have the Simmons 44Mag scope on their 17hmrs and are real happy with em if you're looking for scopes in that price range. I would recommend sticking with the Banner line in that price range if a Bushnell is in your future. Bushnell has a new scope out with the BDC reticle caibrated for the .17hmr trajectory, but it's only a 3½-10x, which may be suitable for your needs. If you want a bit more power, the Mueller 8.5-25x44 Tactical Mildot is a real fine scope, too.

http://theopticzone.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=38

http://muelleroptics.com/8.5-25x44-Mil-Dot.htm

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111367

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109438


Sportster w/Simmons ATV

[cwlongshot]

I agree with Tim.

I ALWAYS mount a adjustable objective scope on my rim fires, unless it is a specfic rimfire scope. Mostly because I prefer the higher powder scopes on them. As a rule, I prefer Leupold scopes to any other... BUT I usually mount far less expensive glass on my rimfires.

Having said that,   I currently have a 2X7 Leupold rimfire scope on my 17M2 and a Nikon 4.5X14 AO on my 17HMR.


Here is both of my 17's:


I have a 6X18 AO Bushnell trophy on my RWS air rifle!! Mostly because it is rated for airgun service. But its awesome watching pellet impact @18 power, of garden critters!!!

As far as comparing the scope price to the rifle price, DONT WORRY ABOUT IT!!  ALL my C.F. Handis have scopes costing twice what the rifle cost me...SO WHAT! As long as you can afford it, why not put the best glass you can on them???  Just buy the best glass you can afford, you wont regret it. I have had very good luck with Simmons and Bushnell on my rimfires in the past.

 Good luck,
 CW

[cheatermk3]

That's one gnarly forked-horn Elk antler, if what I'm seein' is what I think I'm lookin' at--where did you pick it up?

[lostsniper308]

For the .17HMR i will always pick the BSA Sweet .17 series. Them scopes catch more flak than they deserve. Mine is absolutly perfect, dead on shots from 175yrd to 225 and in wind compensating. AO markings are on so i can get really close ranges with it. The only thing i would say it needs is a Mil-dot reticle to bring out the full use of the BDC elevation turret.

[Zeke Menuar]

Came a little late to the party.

I have the 17HMR Sportster.  I have my old Tasco 3x9x40 on it now.  It shoots good.  Good enough to shoot the tees out from under golf balls at 100 yards.  After 100 yards I expect to need more magnification.

Anyone here have the Mueller 8.5-25x44AO Tactical Mil Dot Target Scope(what a mouthful!) sitting on a Sportster?  

http://www.muelleroptics.com/8.5-25x44-Mil-Dot.htm

This offer may be too good to pass up.  

ZM

[UnSafe]

OK, I searched RFC and here for rimfire scope opinions and ended up with the Simmons 44 Mag 6.5x20 with illuminated mil dot reticle and Burris signature rings. The scope is on sale for $99 at Sportsman's Guide, and with the discount codes from AK47.net, the total was $102 shipped.

Worth a try.

The 17HMR Sportster I ordered from Wal Mart got shipped to the new, unfinished supercenter in town, was refused and returned. the Sporting goods Mgr. took care of it and promises that it will arrive in 2-3 days.

Looks like it's going to be a Christmas present now.. :wink:

[lostsniper308]

sure the simmons will work but im bound to BSA and thier Sweet .17 3-12

[czbuff]

the bsa sweet 17 i got is a good scope the only problem i have is in low light . on hi powers . it gets blury my rifle is manlt used for treerats  in denst hardwoods. it well get another scope in the neer futher

[nea243]

i have a tasco varmint 6-24x42mm mil-dot on my 17 hmr with zee rings from midsouth for $100 little blury on higher power but still clear enough for me :eek:

[Sourdough]

I put the BSA Sweet 17 in my .17HMR Sportster.  Seems to be perfect for this cartridge and gun.  Haven't had any low light problems yet, but don't expect to either.  Not with up to 22 hours of sunlight, and it never gets dark, during the summer.

[FirstFreedom]

My scopes on *magnum rimfires*:

1.  NEF Sportster, .17 HMR - Bushnell Scopechief (discontinued model) 6-20x40mm with AO.  I believe, though not totally sure, that the new line of "Scopechiefs" from Bushnell are not to the same quality as the old scopechiefs like this one...anyone know for sure?

2.  Marlin 922M, .22 WMR - Bushnell 'Banner' line, 4-12x40mm with AO ($99 at Academy).


And for spits & giggles, scopes on other 'varminters':

3.  NEF Handi Ultra laminated, .223 rem - Mueller Eradicator 8.5-25x50mm

4.  Mauser 98 action w/ Remington Sendero 'take-off' barrel, .243 Win - Bushnell 'Banner' line, 6-18x50mm with AO

5.  RWS 48, .177 pellet - Burris 'Compact', 3-9x32mm with AO (all Burrises are supposed to be rated to withstand magnum springers, as are all Leupolds, most Bushnells, and some Simmonses)

6.  Crosman RM377 (similar to a Quest 800) - (same as above), a Bushnell Banner 4-12x40mm with AO.

And just for further FYI, scopes on non-varmint centerfires:

7.  NEF Handi standard contour, .243 win - Burris Fullfield 2 - 1.5-5x20mm

8.  Howa 1500 .25-06 - Tasco World class 3-10x40mm, mildot reticle (hmm, might be 3-9x40)

9.  Armalite AR10 - Bushnell Elite 3200, 2-7x32mm

10.  Savage 110 .270 win - Mueller Sport Dot, 3-10x44mm

11.  Marlin 1895, .45-70 govt - Bushnell 'Trophy' line, 1.75-4x32mm with circle-X reticle (blashpemy, I know).

As you can see, I like low-priced (but decent) scopes.  So far so good.  But then there's the $600 Trijicon Accupoint on my $99 Marlin 60, so go figure...

[quickdtoo]

There is no current Bushnell Scopechief, they are no longer made. Here's a pair of the last 6-20x40 models made....on 17hmrs, no less!! :wink:

Tim

[lostsniper308]

never even touch BSA its poison to a rifle
turned my .17 Sportster into a joke.
its toast now and im sifting through my post WWII scopes for something.

[lostsniper308]

the bsa sweet 17 i got is a good scope the only problem i have is in low light . on hi powers . it gets blury my rifle is manlt used for treerats  in denst hardwoods. it well get another scope in the neer futher

give it time it'll shut down.

[17 hummer]

for 150 you can get a hawke 4-12x50 thats what i got i like it