Are you looking for the best scope for 17 HMR? We will help you find a reliable scope that will deliver exceptional precision and accuracy.
The.17 HMR is known for its flat trajectory and excellent accuracy, making it a popular choice among varmint hunters and precision shooters. To fully realize its potential, it must be paired with the appropriate scope.
In this guide, we will delve into the world of scopes designed to complement the capabilities of the .17 HMR, exploring their features, advantages, and considerations.
What to Shoot with 17 HMR?
The 17 HMR is a popular and versatile cartridge for varmint hunting and precision target shooting. The .17 HMR is exceptionally effective for varmint and small game hunting. It’s known for its flat trajectory and accuracy, making it ideal for taking down pests like squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, and prairie dogs at relatively long ranges.
It is a popular choice for precision target shooting and plinking. Its flat trajectory and minimal recoil make it enjoyable for shooters of all skill levels to practice and hone their marksmanship
Best Scopes for 17 HMR Rifles
1) Leupold VX-Freedom CDS 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
At first glance, the VX-Freedom 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope impresses with its rugged design and sleek aesthetics. Built to withstand the harshest conditions, this scope exudes durability and dependability, making it suitable for any hunting or shooting adventure.
One of the standout features of the VX-Freedom is its Twilight Light Management System, which ensures optimal brightness and clarity in low-light conditions. Whether you’re hunting at dawn or dusk, this system enhances visibility and ensures a clear sight picture for accurate shot placement.
The VX-Freedom’s scratch-resistant lenses increase longevity by protecting against scratches, abrasions, and other damage that can affect optical performance over time. This ensures that your scope remains clear and precise shot after shot, season after season.
The Scope has MOA click turrets, which allow for exact windage and elevation changes with both auditory and tactile feedback. Additionally, the sight includes Leupold’s Custom Dial System (CDS), which improves accuracy by laser-etching the dial to match your ballistics. The CDS allows you to dial in your shots quickly and confidently, eliminating the need for holdovers or ballistic calculators.
Features
- 50 mm Objective Lens Diameter
- 3 – 9 x Magnification
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Field of View, 33.1 – 13.6 ft at 100 yds
- Eye Relief 4.2 – 3.7 in
- 3:1 Zoom Ratio
- Weight: 14.6 oz
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Twilight Light Management System.
- Rugged Design
- Scratch-Resistant Lenses
- Custom Dial System (CDS)
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Has a short mounting area
2) Vortex Diamondback Tactical 3-9x40mm Riflescope
A major highlight of the Vortex Diamondback 3-9x44mm is the advanced optical system that produces clear, high-quality images even at the highest magnification power. Also, this rifle scope’s fully multi-coated optics and ED glass elements guarantee that you will receive sharp image views from dawn to dusk.
The ease of use of this scope is notable. It boasts a fast-focus eyepiece that makes it easy to focus the reticle, a raised rib on the magnification ring that makes it quick and easy to change the magnification, and a reticle that is straightforward to use even for newbies.
The scope does not weigh like a tank but is built like one. It is manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum that withstands anything that comes with mother nature.
Further, because it is completely waterproof and fogproof, it is designed to provide dependable, all-weather performance. The scope has a highly durable hard-anodized finish on the exterior to conceal your hunting position.
Features
- Adjustable 3-9x magnification
- 44mm objective lens
- First focal plane reticle
- Fast focus eyepiece
- Made of aircraft-grade aluminum
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Hard anodized finish
- ED glass elements
Pros
- Intuitive design
- Generous eye relief
- Bright and clear views
- Notable tracking performance
Cons
- No reticle illumination
3) Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 2-7x32mm Rifle Scope
Smaller name than the rest but gives huge performances. At the heart of the Vantage scope is a classic Mil-Dot reticle, which provides multiple aim points for hold-over and hold-under, ensuring precise shot placement with your 17 HMR. The accurate mil spacing, with four Mil Dots in each direction, offers shooters the flexibility they need to adjust for windage and elevation with confidence.
The Vantage scope’s capped low-profile turrets enhance its sleek and streamlined appearance while allowing for simple and intuitive adjustments. These turrets provide dependable performance with tactile feedback.
The Vantage scope, built on a sturdy 1-inch mono-tube frame, provides rigorous durability and recoil resistance, allowing it to survive the demands of hunting and shooting in a variety of environments. An adjustable parallax correction objective offers versatility, allowing shooters to produce a crisp and focused image at a variety of distances
An 11-layer fully multi-coated lenses maximize light transmission and clarity, providing bright and sharp images even in low-light conditions. Combined with the fast-focus eyebell and high-torque zoom ring, this scope offers quick and effortless target acquisition and magnification adjustments, allowing shooters to stay focused on the task at hand.
Features
- Mono-tube chassis
- Side focus control for parallax adjustment
- Adjustable objective for parallax correction
- 11 layer Fully Multi-Coated lenses
- High torque zoom ring
- 2 – 7 x Magnification
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Fast focus eyebell
Pros
- Classic Mil-Dot Reticle
- Capped Low-Profile Turrets
- Durable Construction
- High Quality Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
- Fast Focus Eyebell
- Smooth and easy magnification adjustments via a bellring
Cons
- Zeroing in can be challenging
4) Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Riflescope
Shooters and hunters looking for a good fit for the 17 HMR that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg should get the Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm riflescope. The scope qualifies as a top choice thanks to its robust build, clear optics, and formidable eye relief.
An exciting feature of the scope is the fully multi-coated optics that allow superior light gathering in all light settings. This ensures clear and bright images even in dismal lighting.
This scope’s variable 2-7x magnification makes it perfect for close- and medium-range shooting. Viewing distant targets up close offers a wide field of view and richness in every detail.
Like other top-notch scopes from Vortex, the Crossfire 2-7x32mm is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum for great performance in all terrains. The scope is waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof to enhance durability. This implies a job well done regardless of the environmental condition.
Another interesting attribute of the scope is the capped turrets that prevent accidental movements while providing extra protection from exterior components.
Features
- One-inch tube diameter
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- 2-7x magnification
- Capped turrets
- Hard anodized finish
- Made of robust aircraft-grade aluminum
- Fully multi-coated optics
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Suffices in all conditions
- Generous eye relief
- Affordable
Cons
- Non-illuminated reticle
5) Primary Arms SLx 1-8x24mm Rifle Scopes
Those who demand versatility with their 17 HMR rifle, can opt for an LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic) scope. These have become popular due to their low magnification which can be upped to cater to medium to long-range targets.
The Primary Arms SLx 1-8x24mm is one of the best performers in its class and pairing on a rifle with the 17 HMR would provide exceptional performance and reliability. One of its standout features is its full red reticle illumination, providing enhanced visibility in low-light conditions for quick target acquisition and engagement.
A quick focus eyepiece ensures rapid and precise reticle adjustment, allowing shooters to maintain focus on the target without delay. The scope also boasts low-profile, finger-adjustable turrets topped by new turret caps, offering tactile and intuitive adjustments for windage and elevation on the fly.
Additionally, the first focal plane construction allows for a small red-dot style reticle at low magnification, seamlessly transitioning to the features and accuracy of the popular Advanced Combined Sighting System (ACSS) reticle system at higher magnifications.
Finally, Primary Arms stands behind the SLx scope with a lifetime warranty, providing shooters with peace of mind and confidence in their investment.
Features
- 120 MOA W/E Adjustments
- Fully Multi-Coated optics
- 1-8x magnification
- Etched Reticle
- Moveable and replaceable magnification ring fin
- First Focal Plane
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Wide field of view
- Illuminated reticle
- Compatible with night vision
- Has a low profile
Cons
- None
6) Bushnell Engage Riflescopes
Coming up next is the Bushnell Engage Riflescope lineups. The scopes come with different magnifications such as; 2.5-10x, 3-9x, and 4-12 that make target acquisition easy and would work perfectly on a 17HMR rifle. All lenses of the scopes are fully multi-coated to deliver the sharpest and clearest images ever thought of.
Rain, snow, fingerprints, and dirt are kept away as the lenses are coated with an EXO Barrier that repels water, oil, fog, dust, and debris.
The scopes come with a solid tube that optimizes strength and durability. The scopes are versatile with different reticle options, and my favorite is the reticle with thick crosshairs that are 0.18 MOA, which is visible without impeding the target. About the turrets, they are lockable to prevent accidental adjustments. They can also be adjusted tool-free.
Features
- Matte finish
- Deploy MOA reticle
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Side parallax adjustment
- Shockproof
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 3.6 inches of eye relief
- EXO Barrier protection on the lenses
Pros
- Exposed turrets enable rapid target acquisition
- Decent reticle
- Superb image quality
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
7) Leupold VX-6HD 2-12x42mm Riflescope
Buying the Leupold VX-6HD 2-12x42mm for your .17 HMR is one of the best buying decisions you can ever make. The scope is a champ, no matter the lighting conditions.
This is owing to its high-end optical features. Leupold’s Professional-Grade optical system, which provides outstanding light transmission for sharp and high-quality image views, is one of its highlights. Thanks to this and the Twilight Max HD Light Management System, the scope is the best for even in the most difficult lighting situations.
The illuminated reticle further enhances visibility. The 42mm objective lens is also a plus in gathering plenty of light.
Its construction is notable. The scope allows hunting in all environmental conditions as it is waterproof and fogproof. This is besides being shockproof.
The reversible throw lever allows seamless magnification changes on the fly. Zero Lock magnification adjustments deter unwanted adjustments and ensure a return to zero with utmost accuracy.
Features
- Constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum
- Twilight Max HD Light System
- Guard-ion rain-shedding coating
- Reversible throw lever
- 6:1 zoom ratio
- 30mm main tube
- Twin bias erector spring system
Pros
- Reticle illumination
- Solid construction
- Wide field of view
- Generous eye relief
- Weatherproof
Cons
- No BDC Dial
See Also
- Best Rimfire Scope for 200 Yards
- 8 Best Low Light Rifle Scopes for Deer Hunting
- 6 Best Binoculars for Hunting
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Scope for 17 HMR
Construction
When purchasing a scope, you should think about and check the materials used in its construction. Putting skills and features aside, you’ll need a scope that can withstand rough use and unfavorable weather conditions like torrential rain. In light of this, you should settle for a scope with a reputation for lasting a long time.
Lens quality
Having a scope with high-quality lenses will enable you to view bright, crisp images through it. You must find a scope that will enable you to see well in low-light situations, such as at night and on cloudy days. A high-quality lens will function effectively in any situation where you are engaged in shooting.
Adjustments
Another paramount factor is the adjustments. Of course, with so much going on in the field, getting derailed by a few adjustments is not something you want to experience. You will become more focused and able to concentrate more on the actual combat on the field with a good scope with effortless adjustments.
Weather resistance
It would be best to have a scope that can survive various weather conditions and other demanding situations. Look for a scope with a solid exterior finish that renders it fog-proof, waterproof, dust-proof, and resistant to various other elements that could damage it. It should withstand most of the harsh conditions you might experience in the field or the wild.
See Also
FAQs on the Best Scope for 17 HMR
1) What is the effective range of a .17 HMR?
The 17 HMR has an effective range of 200 yards. This can be extended with the proper scope.
2) What is the 17 HMR rifle used for?
Small game and varmint hunting at medium ranges are the main uses for the 17 HMR. With a range of up to 200 yards, the bullet’s velocity and precision make it perfect for hunting rabbits and raccoons.
3) Which bullet is best for the 17 HMR?
There are many excellent options when choosing a bullet for the 17 HMR. Also, Winchester varmint, CCI 20 grain, and Hornady 20 grain are included.
Conclusion
The best scope for 17 HMR is the one that best meets your budget, needs, and preferences. Luckily, there is a scope for everyone. With the guide above, you can make a buying decision. You can trust any of the scopes mentioned as they are explicitly designed for the 17 HMR.
See Also