BSA Sweet 17

[AiredaleTerrier]

Anyone have one of these on a .17Handi?  I'm looking for a scope for a M2...

[d_hiker]

I have one on my .17 HMR Sportster.  I like it, the zoom is smooth, I have the 3-12x40mm model.  The bullet drop adjustment seems to work well.  I have not done a lot of testing with it  I sighted it in at 100yds using 17 grain Hornady ammo.  I dialed in 200 yds and was hitting pretty close to my point of aim.  When I bought mine it did not come with a turret for the 20 grain bullets nor for the .17 Mach2.  That would be something to check on.  In the past I have seen some say their optics were not clear at the higher magnification.  I have not had that problem.

[bscman]

The few BSA scopes I have handled have been pretty sad in terms of clarity/quality.

From the way they are discussed on RimfireCentral, I don't think you could pay me to own one. It seems like the lucky few get really great scopes, while the rest are very let down and return them immediately, or within a short period of time.

[backstrap]

I have 1 on a bolt 17hmr and its not very clear and i wouldnt suggest any body buying 1 i dont like mine and i wouldnt take 1 if somebody gave me another 1 and the compensator drop on mine didnt work like advertised in my opinion they are junk but thats my thoughts, if it were me i would buy any other brand of scope than BSA sweet 17. i have a bushnell 3by9 on my other 17hmr and love it

[njanear]

BSA actually made a series of scopes just for the .17 HM2, aptly named the BSA Mach IIs.  I bought 3 of them to go on my HM2s.  So far, they have been OK scopes - not as bright as the higher priced brands but also not as bad as some of the old Tascos and knock-offs that I used to have.  The crosshairs are a little thick, but the adjustments seem good - and with such low recoil, I doubt if the internals ever get knocked out of alignment from such.  The strange thing with all of them is that they all came with HMR turrets - a simple email to BSA got me the HM2 turrets. 

[d_hiker]

In this case it looks like it would be in your best interest to actually handle the scope you are going to purchase, if you decide to go this route.  I got mine on sale and because it was the last one they had (demo) and it would be a month+ before the next order got there, I got some additional knocked off the price.  Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't order one over the net unless I was prepared to return it, but if I found one cheap and I could look at it and through it, I might buy another one.  It has been awhile since I last looked at mine, but I don't think the turret was calibrated for distances of less than 100 yds.  But is set for 100 to 300 yards, I think for the .17 HMR & .17 Mach2 a range of 50 yds to 200 yds would have been better.  I guess you could get an extra turret and put tape over the numbers and do your own calibration for whatever your favorite ammo would be.

[Graybeard]

I picked up one from Midsouth Shooters Supply a GBO Sponsor back when I had a CZ in .17 HMR with plans to mount it for prairie dog shoot but my health required I cancel that trip. I never got around to mounting it and never shot the rifle before selling it off to a GBO member.

I did take the scope out of the box and looked it over pretty good even tho I never mounted it. I have no complaints about it really. In normal light it appears as bright as any other but might not in very low light situations but then how often are you likely to use your .17 HMR in low light? I figured I'd use it mostly in bright daylight and never worried about it.

I have another BSA mounted on my air rifle and it has been an excellent scope really. It never drifts off and has not needed to be adjusted since being put on a couple of years ago except when I changed pellet types. It's not as bright as a top name scope but then it didn't cost as much either. It has never let me down and I have no reason to say anything bad about it at all. For the job asked of it the scope works well. I figure if I ever get around to mounting that 3-12 made for the .17 HMR on one it too will do exactly what it is supposed to do.

Personally I think if you have a rifle chambered to the .17 HMR getting one of the BSA scopes made for them makes a lot of sense. I don't see it as the only choice but I think it would be a good choice.

[AiredaleTerrier]

I appreciate the replies.  I'm leaning toward the 2-7x32 since the majority of the time it will be used around the yard and the surrounding fields.  Sounds like the BSAs fit the bill here.  Thanks again...

[njanear]

It has been awhile since I last looked at mine, but I don't think the turret was calibrated for distances of less than 100 yds.  But is set for 100 to 300 yards, I think for the .17 HMR & .17 Mach2 a range of 50 yds to 200 yds would have been better.  I guess you could get an extra turret and put tape over the numbers and do your own calibration for whatever your favorite ammo would be.

The HM2 turrets they sent are actually marked for 50 to 275 yards.  As to how accurate those marked elevations are, I can't speak to.  The range I go to only goes out to 100 yards..   

[dwalk]

so far, so good for mine.

my oldest son had one (a BSA scope) on his 10/22 and hated it. he replaced it. swears he'll never have another BSA...

[GPR125]

I had a 3-12 mounted on a converted Ruger 77/22 magnum with a GM fluted barrel.  Once sighted in, it worked pretty good.  Range the target, set the dial and 5 for 6 at 220 yards.  Had to 2nd shot one as I hit low (my fault).  Warm day with no wind.   Worked pretty sweet until something long & fuzzy showed through the scope.  Don't know if it bothered anything, and BSA offered to repair, if I get it sent back.   I found the elevation easy to get out of zero, if you didn't keep an eye on it.  Had it turn one complete revolution up and suddenly everything was hitting low.  Got it back on paper and turned the knob and all was well,  Then the fuzzy showed up & I took it off.  They remind me of the old Tasco scopes; either crappy or Ok for the money.  There are optically superior scopes out there, but you gotta dig a little deeper into your pocket.  I find as time goes on, I don't want to waste it mounting replacement scopes all the time.  Mount it , zero and then I expect it to work.

[PHATINJUN]

I've got a 2-7  on the 17MII and a 3-12 on the 17HMR and they both work fine with no problems to date. Kurt

[tn_junk]

I've had two BSA scopes. One on a .357 MAX that didn't like the recoil and kept losing zero, and one on a .22 LR that, for the price, has been a decent scope.

alan

[Sourdough]

Have one on my .17HMR Sportster.  One ragged hole at 100 yards, Shots are high from there till 300 yards, where they come back on line.  At 200 yards shots are about 1.75 high.