Who has the best scope for a .17 HMR Rifle!
- Thread starter sstkmkrr
- Start date
I have an additional comment.
Earlier in this thread, there was a 'disagreement' about how much magnification is needed.
You mentioned this rifle/scope combination will be a critter shooter under 150 yards.
Being it's a 17hmr...it doesn't have a lot of knockdown power. At 100 yards, it only has about 130 lb-feet of energy. A 223 (which is not known as an especially powerful centerfire) at the same distance is 1000 lb-feet of energy.
So for most animals, the 17hmr has to be used as a precision gun. You can't just blast...lets say a groundhog, anywhere in the torso and expect it to be killed instantly. (like you can often do with a 223) You have to go for mostly a head or heart shot.
I would side with the group of shooters that would want more power than a 3x9 power scope under these circumstances. Using magnification to help with a precision shot.
Earlier in this thread, there was a 'disagreement' about how much magnification is needed.
You mentioned this rifle/scope combination will be a critter shooter under 150 yards.
Being it's a 17hmr...it doesn't have a lot of knockdown power. At 100 yards, it only has about 130 lb-feet of energy. A 223 (which is not known as an especially powerful centerfire) at the same distance is 1000 lb-feet of energy.
So for most animals, the 17hmr has to be used as a precision gun. You can't just blast...lets say a groundhog, anywhere in the torso and expect it to be killed instantly. (like you can often do with a 223) You have to go for mostly a head or heart shot.
I would side with the group of shooters that would want more power than a 3x9 power scope under these circumstances. Using magnification to help with a precision shot.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Thank you, Ohio. To that end, and with all due respect for JRS, whom I'm certain is an accomplished precision shooter in his own right, I offer the below photo to better illustrate my earlier point.
In the shade, a rockchuck is virtually the same color as these rocks below, which at 165 yards is where I shot six of them off this rock pile last June. If I had been using 6X, I could not have seen any of them at all, as every one was head-shot with my Anschutz 1517 17HMR....only part of which was visible on all six of the critters. Even using my Leupold 8X bino's, I could not visually positively confirm four of the six chucks....only the riflescope at 10X or 12X showed what was "chuck", and what was "rock/shadow".
Another shot of the "Six Power Defiant" chucks in bright sunlight. In the shade past 100 yards, they turn into "camo-masters" in the rocks and junipers.
As a youngster, I cruised the rock piles in the sage and junipers with my old Cooey .22LR single shot rifle with irons shooting these guys. Not much died past 50 yards then, and now it seems generations of chucks later, they've gotten even better at their hiding skills making us spend more on optics in order to SEE the little buggers past 100 yards.
To the OP: Lots of choices and opinions. Consider a variable of around 4-12X in as good a scope brand as you can afford, and you'll have all the scope needed for ghogs at 150 yards. JMO
In the shade, a rockchuck is virtually the same color as these rocks below, which at 165 yards is where I shot six of them off this rock pile last June. If I had been using 6X, I could not have seen any of them at all, as every one was head-shot with my Anschutz 1517 17HMR....only part of which was visible on all six of the critters. Even using my Leupold 8X bino's, I could not visually positively confirm four of the six chucks....only the riflescope at 10X or 12X showed what was "chuck", and what was "rock/shadow".
Another shot of the "Six Power Defiant" chucks in bright sunlight. In the shade past 100 yards, they turn into "camo-masters" in the rocks and junipers.
As a youngster, I cruised the rock piles in the sage and junipers with my old Cooey .22LR single shot rifle with irons shooting these guys. Not much died past 50 yards then, and now it seems generations of chucks later, they've gotten even better at their hiding skills making us spend more on optics in order to SEE the little buggers past 100 yards.
To the OP: Lots of choices and opinions. Consider a variable of around 4-12X in as good a scope brand as you can afford, and you'll have all the scope needed for ghogs at 150 yards. JMO
I hunt sage rats with my 17 HMR, which are about the size of a 12 oz. can. I've tried 2-7x, 3-9x, 4.5-14x and 5-20x. With my eyes and the 150 yard shots I limit my 17 HMR to, I like the 4.5-14x the best. Had a Burris Fullfield II but didn't like the adjustable objective because sage rats pop up at 25 yards when you are shooting at 150 yards. Ended up with a non-adjustable Sightron II 4.5-14x scope and it is ideal for my needs. Suffers minor parallax up close and long distance, but not so bad that I miss head/chest shots. In my opinion, this is the best scope for the 17 HMR.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a number of pals that I shoot ground squirrels with this debate over how much magnification is proper reminds me of a couple of them. The three of us often all watch the same squirrel, ready for a shot if one misses. Each time they shoot, there is a lot of whooping and high-fives. There are "heads", "tails", "legs" and all sorts of "guts" flying into the air. There are constant shouts of praise for their gunmakers and the bullet brands they are using. I used to tell them that it was a "miss" or "that was just to the left an inch" but after many mild disagreements over whether it was a hit, I now simply say "Yeah! Great shot!", knowing that three of five shot at were in pretty safe real estate and seeing precisely where the impacts were. Afterall, we are doing this for fun. What they saw was dirt and rocks flying into the air and, through their scopes, I am certain it may have resembled a "misting" hit. I am often using a scope set around 15x to 30x, depending upon the gun and the conditions - and what we are after. One guy uses a 4x12, the other a 6x20, neither of which have the greatest clarity, despite being popular name brand scopes. My pals think the world of their scopes and from years ago, I can recall the bliss of not having used, nor being able to afford - in my case, truly good scopes in a magnification suited for the deed. This is not to imply that what they are using does not get the job done to their satisfaction - it does. Sometimes, even having enough magnification is not enough. Clarity, brightness and contrast can make a 15X scope far superior in actual use than a crappy 24X. I'm sure someone believes his 7/8" tube 4x $7.99 BB gun scope is all he needs. He can have it. I'll just agree with him.
I mounted VX-IIs on both of my Ruger 77/17s with 4-12 magnification. Rarely do we go below 8x and usually keep it pegged at 12x. They're nice and clear and have AO so we can adjust for the distances. I would say a PD at 200 yards is pushing it although if you ask enough, you'll find guys that guarantee they can shoot PDs at 400 yards "all day long".
Even at 200 yards, you get some plops without exit. Sure you kill the PD, but not a spectacular display.
Even at 200 yards, you get some plops without exit. Sure you kill the PD, but not a spectacular display.
I will second that. My rimfires are all wearing Leupold VX 2 AO 6-18 scopes except my 1727f which carries a VX3L 3.5-10x56 that I had laying around doing nothing.If I didnt have that already ,that rifle would also be wearing a 6-18 VX2.Blondes and redheads....good analogy. With beaucoup choices out there, and having much experience with this very question myself, all three of my 17HMR's wear Leupold VX2 4-12x40mm's with AO with their excellent LRV or "Long Range Varmint" reticle, which is a fine duplex with two lower hashmarks for extended range. Mine is dialed at the main crosshair intersection at 100 yds, and the other two give me aiming points at 175 and 250 yards. Not expensive, and great optics for any 17HMR
This one is on my Anschutz 1517HB, and is quite effective on rockchucks out to 200 yds as long as head shots are taken:
I long ago gave up on "budget" scopes, and now my safe is full of Leupold-scoped rifles. The ability to service/modify any of their scopes right here in the USA (Portland, OR) is also a huge bonus. And at the end of the day, no headaches whatever (even with a 1" tube; not sure how that should make any difference, as I've got lots of 30mm tubed scopes too, and that has never entered into the equation).
This particular scope is a cataloged item, so it has good availability.
another vote for the Leupold 4-12, I found it almost perfect for my rifle.
Rick in O: my brother has that exact rig for our prairie dog trips to SD, great setup
Rick in O: my brother has that exact rig for our prairie dog trips to SD, great setup
This is what is on my Quad Trainer in 17HMR - focuses down to 10M if needed and capped target turrets if needed - absolutely love it -
Meopta 4-16x44
http://www.eurooptic.com/meopta-meo...d-turrets.aspx?utm_source=eoic&utm_medium=JAB
JB
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
I just bought one on close out for 730.00, when arrived I liked so much I bought three more. Only knock is there limited elevating travel, 40moa or so.
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
My CZ 455/17HMR wears a Nikon 3-9 with BDC reticle.. Great scope for the price..
I would go Leupold vx2 with AO or Sightron s2 big sky with AO. If we were talking .22lr at 50 or so yds. I would say 3-9 would be fine. At 150 or 200 yds. A rodent is going to look awful small with a 3-9. I recently bought a Nikon Pro Staff Rimfire 3-9 for a kid. It is a heck of a scope for 125 bucks.
I use a vx2 6-18 AO on my 17 HMR.
I use a vx2 6-18 AO on my 17 HMR.
March makes a good scope . Larry
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