Scope suggestions for a .17 HMR

MTmud

New member
What scope would you suggest for a .17 HMR? I've always been a Leupold fan, but this is a rimfire, and I'm told that's a completely different scope science than a centerfire. I want a variable in at least the 3-9 range, maybe consider going up to 14 or 20X (which would be overkill for a 150ish yard gun) Any suggestions?
 
For an inexpensive scope I've really good luck with Cabela's Pine ridge scopes and they have a great warentee policy.
 
Mueller APV 4-14x40 is a good scope at a good price of $115 delivered. You need something higher that 9X to get the most out of a HMR.
 
The local (know-it-all $8/hr) gun counter guy at the sporting goods store tells me that a coventional scope won't work with a rimfire. He says I need to use a scope designed for the cartridge. I've had all kinds of different scopes on .22lr's & .22wmr's over the years from Leupold to Walmart trash & never had a failure. Is he full of it or what?
 
I understand parallax (kind-of?), the parallax is designed for a different range of use for different cartridges, with rimfire/shotgun/muzzleloader scopes designed for use in the approx 30-100+ yd range, and a centerfire scope parallax designed for a farther distance, right?
This "gun tech" specifically referred to the "different type of recoil" between a .17hmr auto and a larger centerfire bolt action. He is recommending me to stay away from the Leupold that I was looking at, and leaning toward a "rimfire" scope (sorry, I don't remember the model/manufacturer, but it was one I'd never heard of). I know better than to use a "cheap" scope on a hard-recoiling rifle (which this isn't), but anything decent should work on a rimfire. Recoil from one firearm to another is still just recoil, it only varies depending on the force/bullet weight/rifle weight, ect...
My point is, I think a scope that would work on a .243 win would work just fine on the .17hmr, as long as it was an appropriate power & reticle type, right?
In my opinion the single biggest difference in scope quality is the lense design/quality, am I correct?
 
I Have Bushnells on 3 of my Rifles... But I cant find anything wrong with the Mueller on my .204 either... its a pretty good scope.. good luck in your Choices
 
MTmud, the store clerk (jerk) is probably thinking of air rifles which CAN destroy normal scopes (they recoil both forward and backward, thus loosening the lenses and have scopes made specifically for them). As stated before, most scopes made for rimfire shells are only different in their distance of parallax (the rimfire scopes being shorter ie. 50 to 75 yards whereas normal rifle scopes are parallax free at 100 to 150 yards without an adjustable objective lens).

I assure you that any normal scope will hold up fine on an HMR. Put what you want on it.
 
i have a sightron II 6x24x42 on my savage. the optics are clear and precise.the lifetime warranty is great, if anything does go wrong with it, just take it to a aurthorized dealer and you will get a new replacement off the shelf, if the dealer has one in stock /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I had many Leupolds for many years. Just put the Nikon Monarch 3x9 up next to one and look through both. I have 2 now, and love em.
 
MTmud, You might look into the Pentax Gameseeker line up of scopes. I've bought two of these scopes recently and am VERY impressed with them for the money. I put a 3X9X40 on a Ruger 10/22 and a 4X12X40 on a Savage 17HMR. Both scopes have ballistic plex recticles. These scopes are nice and clear and seem to track very well when making up/down and left/right adjustments.
A guy on ebay (must be a dealer) always has a good selection of these scopes offered. He alway uses a *buy it now* option along with a *make best offer*.... I offered $10 less on the 4X12 and $15 less on the 3X9 and he accepted both. He also has free shipping on all the scopes. Good scopes for the bucks.
 
I put a BSA sweet 17 scope on my Marlin 17HMR. I used it on several gopher trips and it worked like a champ. Once sighted in at 100yds, you just need to turn the BDC on top of the scope to compensate for bullet drop.

The main reason I bought it was the features for the price. And then, I really liked the scope. It is clear, the BDC works very well (with 17gr bullets), and I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a scope for a rimfire that is pretty much a special purpose (gophers and cose PD's) gun.

They come in a few different powers. Here is a link to Midways page with the scopes on it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.exe/sea...or=all_products

bob
 
I just got a Savage model 93RTZ and topped it with a BSA "Sweet 17" scope. I'm very pleased with the accuracy and the scope is designed with the rifle in mind. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Gee used to put 3x9's on rimfires all the time. didn't know you weren't suposed to do that. BSA makes a sweet 17 that is suposed to be designed for the 17 HMR don't know for sure since I do not own one. But in general the scope is just the scope it don't know what it is on. as long as ity is sighted in properly it will function as designed, figuring the come up's is your job
 
I just bought a Burris 3X9 for my new CZ 17hmr. They are on closeout and I was suprised how bright it is. I have moderated my magnification, I used to buy 16x scopes but found that I don't lose much, if anything, with the lower power, and they are easier to use at night.
 
Any scope with an adjustable objective will take care of the parallax issue. I have a Volquartsen .17 and put a Zeiss 4X14 SF on it. Very $$$ but awesome shooter.
 


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