Scope for a .17 HMR

Football12 · #1 03-03-2013, 03:11 PM

I'm going to be buying a .17 HMR mainly for gophers and some long range target shooting. I've just started researching and shopping around for scopes. Just wondering if anyone else has a .17 HMR and if so have any recommendations. Thank you for the advice.

foxhunter540 · #2 03-03-2013, 03:14 PM

vortex crossfire 3x9x50 on my 17 awesome

Alberta Bigbore · #3 03-03-2013, 03:16 PM

I have a Bushnell Banner .17 on one of my 17hmr`s. Its not too expensive... and its really clear. The ballistic compensator is very accurate. We were shooting eggs this morning out to 100 yards, and pop cans out to 170 today. But... I would like to put a Vortex on both my 17`s soon.

teledogs · #4 03-03-2013, 03:37 PM

I had the same Bushnell Banner as AB Bigbore & it was very accurate but I did switch to a 10x40 Bushnell Elite 3200 Tactical. Very nice scope.

bobalong · #5 03-03-2013, 03:55 PM

I put a Mueller 4.5x14x40 AO on my .17 and picked up a Vortex Viper 6.5x20x50 side focus for the new SuperMag when it comes in.

Football12 · #6 03-03-2013, 04:07 PM

Okay thanks for the info so pretty much everyone here is saying to go with a vortex?

Ormachek · #7 03-03-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Football12

Okay thanks for the info so pretty much everyone here is saying to go with a vortex?

If by everyone you mean 3 guys......I'm now becoming partial to Nikon prostaff for a quality affordable scope. 4-12x40, $240 at cabelas

wally338 · #8 03-03-2013, 04:19 PM

I would look at a Ziess 4.5-14x44,it is a little more expensive but well worth it.

4thredneck · #9 03-03-2013, 05:55 PM

6-24x50 Nikon Monarch.

260 Rem · #10 03-03-2013, 06:03 PM

Some things to consider:
* Anything with a larger objective than 40mm may look a bit clunky on a rimfire
* Side focus is nice for gopher shooting as ranges can vary from 20 - 175M with .17HMR
* Scope brightness is usually not a factor during regular gopher hours
* 17 HMR is pretty flat and appropriate holdover is easy to master

Football12 · #11 03-03-2013, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

Some things to consider:
* Anything with a larger objective than 40mm may look a bit clunky on a rimfire
* Side focus is nice for gopher shooting as ranges can vary from 20 - 175M with .17HMR
* Scope brightness is usually not a factor during regular gopher hours
* 17 HMR is pretty flat and appropriate holdover is easy to master

Thanks those are some good points at this point I'm leaning towards either a Nikon pro staff 4-12x40, Nikon buck masters 4.5-14x40 or a vortex crossfire 4-12x44

SHORTMAG · #12 03-03-2013, 06:25 PM

The 17HMR is a very accurate little gun. If you want to see the potential that it has, then get a little more magnification in your scope.
I started out with a 3-9x40 on my first 17..and when I realized the little guns potential, I swapped it out and got a stainless heavy barrel Savage. I stuck an old Bushnell 6-18x 50 on it(( $150.00)).....THAT'S when the fun really got started.
Couple of buds shooting at a 100 yds. At a 10 dot target...each dot is 1/2 inch in diameter....10 shots ea...1 per dot.....each dot is worth 50 cents!
Great little gun for kids too.......they can shoot spent 12 ga hulls or spray painted wallnuts @ 100 yds....loads of fun. Good luck with your decision

260 Rem · #13 03-03-2013, 06:55 PM

Another suggestion is to make sure you check the short range focus as some scopes will not focus with the parallax adjustment below 50 yds..and for gophers you will need to get down to 20M --- although those distances for a 17 are a lot of "overkill" But, when you are in a gopher patch, there are going to be some close-up shots.
I have used a Buckmasters 6-18, Bushnell Banner 4-12, Leupold VX11 6-18, Bushnell 17 2 -10....
On the higher mag scopes I generally set the power down to 12 as 18 gives a very small field of vision and can make it hard to find the gopher once you see it with your naked eye or binocs. Then, at closer ranges, the high powers can feel like you are looking through a tunnel.
Check these things carefully in making your decision.

Alberta Bigbore · #14 03-03-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

Another suggestion is to make sure you check the short range focus as some scopes will not focus with the parallax adjustment below 50 yds..and for gophers you will need to get down to 20M --- although those distances for a 17 are a lot of "overkill" But, when you are in a gopher patch, there are going to be some close-up shots.
I have used a Buckmasters 6-18, Bushnell Banner 4-12, Leupold VX11 6-18, Bushnell 17 2 -10....
On the higher mag scopes I generally set the power down to 12 as 18 gives a very small field of vision and can make it hard to find the gopher once you see it with your naked eye or binocs. Then, at closer ranges, the high powers can feel like you are looking through a tunnel.
Check these things carefully in making your decision.

Some use a .22lr for the close up work though..

260 Rem · #15 03-03-2013, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

Some use a .22lr for the close up work though..

I agree, but I personally find it a pain to switch over as I set up on a bipod with the 17 (sitting on my butt)...and the switch requires lifting the bipod which is extended to 21" over my legs, setting it to the side..and grabbiing the 22. I typically use the 22 out to 100M and after everthing is cleaned up, switch to the 17. But of course, there are always some that still pop up 5M away....

260 Rem · #16 03-03-2013, 07:14 PM

I did look at a scope at Wholesale that I considered for switching between the 17 and a hunting rifle...but it was a tickle heavier than i wanted...but it would probably be a good choice for a multi-use rig. Bushnell Legend HD 4.5 - 14 X 44mm with side focus...think it was about $400.

mikeash1976 · #17 03-03-2013, 07:33 PM

I just bought a Nikon Prostaff Rimfire in 3x9x40 for my CZ452 Lux. So far I love it. Got the 150 BDC and sighted it in at 50 yards so far. Very accurate and looking foreword to using the BDC! Worth a look for sure!

Alberta Bigbore · #18 03-03-2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

I agree, but I personally find it a pain to switch over as I set up on a bipod with the 17 (sitting on my butt)...and the switch requires lifting the bipod which is extended to 21" over my legs, setting it to the side..and grabbiing the 22. I typically use the 22 out to 100M and after everthing is cleaned up, switch to the 17. But of course, there are always some that still pop up 5M away....

LOL....

Im looking forward to the season. I scored some serious permissions this year east of edmonton for some dogtown slayage!!

wally338 · #19 03-03-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

Another suggestion is to make sure you check the short range focus as some scopes will not focus with the parallax adjustment below 50 yds..and for gophers you will need to get down to 20M --- although those distances for a 17 are a lot of "overkill" But, when you are in a gopher patch, there are going to be some close-up shots.
I have used a Buckmasters 6-18, Bushnell Banner 4-12, Leupold VX11 6-18, Bushnell 17 2 -10....
On the higher mag scopes I generally set the power down to 12 as 18 gives a very small field of vision and can make it hard to find the gopher once you see it with your naked eye or binocs. Then, at closer ranges, the high powers can feel like you are looking through a tunnel.
Check these things carefully in making your decision.

A quality scope will focus in close and eliminate a lot of the tunnel vision, hence my suggestion on the Ziess.

Percher · #20 03-03-2013, 07:50 PM

I switched out my Vortex 4-12x40 with adjustable objective for a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 with side focus on my Volquartsen 17 HMR Semi Auto. Not knocking Vortex, it definitely ranks up there with scopes twice it's price just wanted a scope with side focus. The side focus is so much faster and handy going from 20 yard shots out to 200 for your next shot on gophers.

By the way...Volquartsen was bombarded with emails and phone calls inquiring as to whether they would be offering a semi-auto chambered in the 17 WSM. They are still in the early stages of prototypes, engineering and testing.

foxhunter540 · #21 03-03-2013, 08:08 PM

i have a vortex 6.5x20x44 side focus on a 22 mag and the cost was alot cheaper than the ziess and just as clear so another vote on the vortex

ToXicXxX · #22 03-03-2013, 10:38 PM

Had a tasco worldclass on my last .17, nothing special, but it worked for what I used it for.

260 Rem · #23 03-04-2013, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

LOL....

Im looking forward to the season. I scored some serious permissions this year east of edmonton for some dogtown slayage!!

Go far enough East and you will go broke using a 17HMR in a gopher patch. Back in the good old days, up to about 3 yrs ago, a buddy and I would get tired and quit after disposing of about 500 of the little critters. Thats why we use 22's for "bulk" shooting. Last few years, some spots have had die-off's and populations are down, probably due to disease in overpopulated fields.
I did use a World Class Tasco 2 - 8 X 32mm for several years on a 22 and found it to be a great scope. About 2004 was the last year they made that particular model. Because it had no adjustment for parallax, it was necessary to be carefull to center my eye consistently..but not many gophers looking down the tube from the objective lens end lived to complain.

4thredneck · #24 03-04-2013, 12:18 PM

One thing you have to remember is on a gopher gun you will be looking down the scope a lot so in my opinion you want the best you can afford. I like a lot of magnification on my gopher gun as well.

rembo · #25 03-04-2013, 04:05 PM

lots of info here for sure.

Most 17 HMR's have the potential to be quite accurate out to 150 yards or so.

I think you should run a scope with an AO to take adavantage of the accuracy potential.

My CZ American 17 HMR is running an old Leupold VariX-III 3.5-10 with an AO and a tapered cross hair reticle. Works just fine.

Metalmike123 · #26 03-04-2013, 05:51 PM

Whatever you go with, I recommend you get an AO

IR_mike · #27 03-04-2013, 08:48 PM

Minox 3 x 15 x 42.

Football12 · #28 03-04-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IR_mike

Minox 3 x 15 x 42.

I already have that scope on my tikka t3 30-06 it's an awesome scope

Faststeel · #29 03-04-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

Some things to consider:
* Anything with a larger objective than 40mm may look a bit clunky on a rimfire
* Side focus is nice for gopher shooting as ranges can vary from 20 - 175M with .17HMR
* Scope brightness is usually not a factor during regular gopher hours
* 17 HMR is pretty flat and appropriate holdover is easy to master

X2
IMHO there no added benefit to mid to high end glass on a gopher shooting rifle as are only shooting on bright sunny days. The 17 bullet moves around quite a bit with the slightest breeze so any kind of extended range shooting might become very frustrating. Mueller, Hawke, Banner, Buckmaster all perfect products for gopher banging. I have some 5-15's Legends on a couple of my 17's and I mostly shoot on 5 power in the field. FS

cody c · #30 03-05-2013, 07:21 AM

I vote a crossfire vortex or similar in a magnification of about 4-16 or 6-24 in a 44-56mm objective.

There is a few reasons I say this size magnification and objective.

1. The 17 is good out to at least 100 yards, maybe 200 with a good rifle on a windless day (for gophers anyways).

2. Gophers are small targets, getting the crosshairs centered on a gopher is not the same as getting them centered on a white tail or elk obviously.

3. As said above, when shooting gophers you'll spend a lot if not most of your time looking through your scope, unlike hunting big game, you will appreciate or dislike your scope based on its abilities after a couple hours, so purchase with this in mind.