Can you recommend a scope for my .17 HMR?

[J_Hensley]

Hey guys, I’ve been searching for an affordable scope to place atop my little Marlin 917 .17HMR.

What I would really like is a leupold 6.5-20x40 with a duplex reticle. However, this is a little more than I can reasonably afford.

This rifle won’t see more than 200yds.
With all of the wisdom on this board, can you all recommend anything?

My criteria
-SILVER
-x16 or higher maximum magnification
-40mm max objective lens
-duplex type reticle
-$300-$400 budget (hopefully)

 

[J_Hensley]

Any brands you guys would recommend I steer clear of?

 

[Schandler]

I have a couple Ritons R-3 reticle that i couldn’t be happier with. I have 2 tikkas t1x and a couple cz 17 Mach 2‘s with this scope. They just do not miss what you’re shooting at Especially if you weigh and sort ammo ! The dot is really sweet and very clear And track great

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Honestly I use a Leupold 3-9x33 EFR. Having owned and shot a 17hmr now for around 15 years, I can't imagine it being worth shooting at anything past 100 yards let alone 200.

So to me a 3-9x is perfect

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

What will you be shooting at? I've run some pretty inexpensive 2-7 and 3-9x scopes on 17hmr's for plinking and killing critters. They worked well enough for me at that. If I were competing, I'd get better optics with better tracking and test ammo lots and have a tuner, yada, yada. Nothing wrong with any of that unless the gun is for busting a groundhog in the yard. Then it might be a little overkill to have a March on it. But...to each their own and their budget. Never anything wrong with good scopes.

 

[Rick300]

I have several Sightron S-Tacs, including one on a 17HMR. They are a pretty good match for that

 

[hogpatrol]

Check out the Burris Signature HD 2-10 with ballistic reticle. Last I checked around 350.

 

[J_Hensley]

I currently run a vortex 3-9, my eyes aren’t fantastic and it doesn’t seem like enough magnification for me. I really would like at least 16x. The higher the better, but I really am just hunting paper. Unless squirrels and such become an issue around the house.

 

[Just Say Moe]

I have a Burris Full Field E1 4.5x14 on mine. Since you want 16x or more, I'd try the FF IV 4-16. The E3 reticles are very useful.

 

[Rick300]

If you are going to use it around the house make sure to get a scope that will focus at short range. The S-Tac I referenced above goes down to 10 yards. They are a very good deal when on sale. I think I paid $249 for most of mine.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Silver color may be very difficult nowadays.
You might try Natchez.

 

[J_Hensley]

Silver color may be very difficult nowadays.
You might try Natchez.

It is, there are places that will cerakote scopes. They don’t bake them, but it adds $100 to the cost…

I have been prowling ebay on an almost daily basis for used Leupolds, Nikons, Burris, even Bushnell.

I have a Leupold 3-9 with the “Leupold dot” reticle and it is my favorite reticle.

 

[Alguapo]

I run old Nikon 6-18x40 Buckmasters on a Savage 93 R17 and a CZ American 17 HMR. Can't get them anymore but the power range seems to be about perfect.

 

[J_Hensley]

I run old Nikon 6-18x40 Buckmasters on a Savage 93 R17 and a CZ American 17 HMR. Can't get them anymore but the power range seems to be about perfect.

I have come across a couple on ebay, haven’t been able to snag any of them. I had a really nice Nikon M223 scope a handful of years ago. That was a great scope.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I have come across a couple on ebay, haven’t been able to snag any of them. I had a really nice Nikon M223 scope a handful of years ago. That was a great scope.

https://cameralandny.com/
Have you tried these guys.

 

[J_Hensley]

https://cameralandny.com/
Have you tried these guys.

I have browsed their site. I’ve only been searching for the last couple of weeks. Cameraland seems to have good deals on new stuff, but their used section doesn’t exist. Unless used scopes are listed along with everything else.

I’ve also been keeping an eye on the classifieds here. I don’t want to post a WTB ad just yet. I’m not sure I’ll be ready to pony up he cash if something is offered.

I’ve mostly been searching comparing and bookmarking.

 

[jpx2rk]

I've got a Athlon 6-18x Talos on my Savage 17hmr, I can hit sage rats at 100-125 yds w/o issue. Splat effect goes way down beyond that, JMO.

 

[Dimner]

Silver is your limiting factor.

I would go with a used Leupold or Vintage Weaver. The place I see the most silver scopes come up is our scopes and optics classifieds area. Put a wanted AD up there and I bet you will be able to find something pretty easy.

It also may be helpful to search the completed sales in that area. It will give you an idea of type of stuff could be available.

 

[Alguapo]

If you like Vortex you can try AAoptics.com . Refurbished with the full Vortex Warranty. They have some great deals. May have to be patient.

 

[J_Hensley]

Thank you guys for all of your input. I'm happy to be patient to find a good deal. I have been scouring the classifieds to see what I can expect to pay.

I should have clarified, I probably won't shoot out to 200yds. That's just the max range I have available to me. My back yard range is limited to 100yds.

I did grab a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40 off of ebay this morning for $200.

It is not exactly what I'm looking for, but it will work well for the time being. I'll probably move it to a different rifle when I find the Leupold I really want.