Author Topic: a target/varmint scope for a future .17 HMR (Read 1932 times)

lostsniper308 · « **on:** April 03, 2005, 03:32:55 PM »

I was planning to buy a Savage .17 HMR bolt-action rifle. Uses are long range (for a .17) target and rodent control. i've got a thing for distance shooting and a .308 is too big for a Rabbit. I can't spend $200+ on a scope for a rimfire but i want a rather high mag AO scope. i like the Tasco target & Varmint 6-24x42 and this so far is my #1 choice so far but i wanna hear what y'all say.

Keith L · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2005, 04:30:41 PM »

I have several of the old Japaneese tascos that are fine. Ihave one of the new Chineese Tascos and it is junk. I can't speak for them all but I don't like the one I have. I have a BSA Sweet 17 on my Savage HMR and a Bushnell 3200 Elite on my Contender Rifle 17 HMR. I like them both, the Slite 3200 has an edge in clarity. The bushnell is a little out of your price range. I looked through at least ten identical BSAs before I got one that I liked. The range adjustment really works.

Sad fact is that one has to spend real money to get good glass. Many of us accept something less than the best, including me.

Good luck!

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2005, 01:16:57 PM »

hmmm well i re-thought it and while still stuck on Tasco i realize the 2.5-10 (i tink) is best cause i'd move WAY too much to fire on 24x so a lesser 10x will make things easier.

Keith L · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2005, 01:20:53 PM »

I shake to much to shoot a 10X well offhand. I find a rest whenever I can, wherever I can.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2005, 02:47:20 PM »

LS308, you're moving just as much on 10x as 24x, it's just not as obvious, that's why target shooters use high power optics, up to 40x, so they know when the sight picture is perfect and there is no movement....for offhand shooting, high mag isn't necessary.

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2005, 03:12:52 PM »

Quote from: lostsniper308

I was planning to buy a Savage .17 HMR bolt-action rifle. Uses are long range (for a .17) target and rodent control. i've got a thing for distance shooting and a .308 is too big for a Rabbit. I can't spend $200+ on a scope for a rimfire but i want a rather high mag AO scope. i like the Tasco target & Varmint 6-24x42 and this so far is my #1 choice so far but i wanna hear what y'all say.

I wouldn't touch that Tasco POS if I were you. There IS a reason why Tasco went bankrupt. Things haven't improved since being bought out of bankruptsy by Bushnell. For the money try the BSA Contender Target/Hunting Scope 6-24X40mm A/O T.T. Go to http://www.bsaoptics.com/productdetail.asp?ID=456&Prod_Code=CT624X40TS to see them. Excellent scope for the price. These are NOT the BSA scopes of just a few years ago. Lawdog

NimrodRx · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2005, 06:37:01 PM »

How bout a Mueller? I put the Mueller Tactical 4X16X50 on my Marlin 917 VSF and have been very happy. I don't think I could have done better for the money. $201 delivered to my door from OpticZone.

The lit mil-dot reticle is awesome. Very nice scope at a very nice price.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2005, 03:24:39 AM »

I've got several old Tasco World Class scopes that are fine. Looked at the new ones and wouldn't touch one! Looked at a Simmons the other day and would probally try one, real clear.

S.S. · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2005, 07:18:56 AM »

LostSniper308,
I have one of the Tasco scopes that you asked about
in the original post. So far I have been pretty pleased with it.
Mine is on a Marlin .17 instead of a Savage, and it does make
the rifle "TOP HEAVY" but not enough to be destracting.
I on the other hand have had several of the BSA scopes and
none of them seem to hold a zero for long. They also just do not
look clear to me either. the image is fuzzy and none of
the adjustments seem to help.

Lawdog · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2005, 09:08:36 AM »

Quote from: S.Sumner

LostSniper308,
I have one of the Tasco scopes that you asked about
in the original post. So far I have been pretty pleased with it.
Mine is on a Marlin .17 instead of a Savage, and it does make
the rifle "TOP HEAVY" but not enough to be destracting.
I on the other hand have had several of the BSA scopes and
none of them seem to hold a zero for long. They also just do not
look clear to me either. the image is fuzzy and none of
the adjustments seem to help.

Question if you will. Just how old were those BSA scopes you are talking about? Reason is BSA over hauled their manufacturing process two years ago and now their scopes are clear to the edge and hold their point of aim. Their air rifle approved line of scopes are holding up under such "scope killers" as the RWS 48/52, 350M, Beeman Kodiak, etc. These rifles have a reputation for doing in even high dollar scopes. Lawdog

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2005, 03:10:37 PM »

hmmmmmm i'm planning a Mueller for a .223 Barrel H&R Ultra. That BSA looks nice and that overhaul is re-assuring. But how bout this? http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=192195 Redfield® 4-12 x 40 mm Rifle Scope, Matte Black

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2005, 03:16:31 PM »

Someone at RFC got one of those from SG, he was surprised to see that it was a Japan built Redfield....call em and ask, if it is, go for it, he really liked his!!

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 05, 2005, 03:19:38 PM »

what Japan top of overseas built scopes? I also found the BSA PAnther 3-10x40 http://www.riflescopes.com/products/PAN310X40NEW/bsa_3-10x40_panther_riflescope.htm

S.S. · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2005, 06:05:39 AM »

The last BSA I bought was probably a Year Ago,
But who knows how long it had been in the Stock room of the Store
before I bought it.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** April 07, 2005, 06:29:50 AM »

:roll:

greenjeans · « **Reply #15 on:** April 07, 2005, 07:23:44 AM »

I have the Bushnell 4 x 12 - 40 AO on both my sportsters and really like them. They are $70. at Wally World. Can't find the same Model # on the Bushnell site so must be made specially for Wal-Mart. Probably more power than needed on the .22, but liked the one on the .17HMR so much I bought another. If you don't want to spend much money they seem to be a great deal for the money.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #16 on:** April 07, 2005, 12:14:09 PM »

You said you couldn't spend $200 on a scope........If you tell us how much you want to spend we might be able to help better......If you can spend the full $200, how about a Leupold rifleman 3 X 9?

I personally have a Bushnell elite 4200 4 X 16 on my Savage and with the clarity, can see the little .17 holes at a hundred yards just fine....something that I read the BSA can't do at the same power setting....and I have poor aged eyes!....rather than going for a high power "inexpensive" scope, how about going for a lower powered "quality" scope? You just might see better with it than with a higher powered "low quality" scope........just a thought....

Keith L · « **Reply #17 on:** April 07, 2005, 02:12:47 PM »

No doubt your Bushnell is clear at higher powers, but it is an "expensive" scope. I have two 3200s, a 3X9 and a 5X15 that I like fine, but they are twice or more the price of my BSA Sweet 17. That one I can also see the holes at 100 yards from my Savage 17 HMR. Your 4200 is at least a third more expensive than my 3200s, and quite a nice piece of glass at that!

victorcharlie · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2005, 03:07:59 AM »

The 3200 is a good scope as well......The point I was trying to make is that a lot of posts that I've read on other forums is that the .17 needs an 8 X 24 or higher power in order to see the holes in the paper at 100 yards......that hasn't been a problem with the 4200....

Keith L · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2005, 10:40:35 AM »

I have a 3200 5X15 in a Contender Carbine barrel in 17HMR, and a 3200 3X9 on a 17 Mach II Contender barrel. I like them as well as any scope I have ever owned. And I agree that 16 is as much as I need. And if one goes to a cheap enough scope the target is foggy at that magnification anyway.

Good shooting!

Wizzle Pig · « **Reply #20 on:** April 20, 2005, 03:21:41 AM »

Natchez has the new Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 mildot on sale for 114.95. I use mildot scopes on all of my rimfires but instead of using the mildots for range estimation as they were intended, I use them as hold over points. Using this method, I have made shots out to 200 yds on whistlepigs with my Iszmash Biathlon Basic .22 LR. My buddy does the same thing out to 300 yds with his savage .17 hmr.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** April 20, 2005, 06:09:46 AM »

Please support our forum sponsors when ever you can, Jon at The Optic Zone has that scope for the same price and will beat most other retailers on price and shipping....and you can't beat his service!!

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3302