Best Scopes For 17 HMR Rifles

The 17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire) shooting rifle’s unprecedented start is still a hot topic a decade and a half later. Part of the reason for its fame is its advanced accuracy.

This makes it an exceptional rifle for taking out squirrels, prairie dogs, gophers, as well as other small animals at ranges 250 yards or even more. However, the rifle cannot achieve this level of accuracy without an equally great scope.

One can view a more transparent image because the objective lens diameter gathers large amounts of light and provides a large exit pupil which makes the image brighter.

There are two types of magnification, fixed and variable. Variable magnification offers flexibility while shooting at different ranges, targets, and light conditions. It also provides a wide field of view at a lower magnification.

Luckily, firearm accessories manufacturers have designed specific units to match the needs of these unique guns.

In this review, we aim to provide you with reliable, unbiased information on the best scopes for 17 HMR rifles currently available.

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope

From design to performance, the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle scope is nothing but impressive. Featuring Bushnell’s proprietary Dusk and Dawn Brightness (DDB) technology, this scope delivers optical focus, sharpness, and clarity even during those very low light situations.

Similarly, the scope is fog, shock, and waterproof to allow you to hunt even in the most extreme weather conditions.

The scope provides you with a 40mm objective bell with 3×9 magnification and multi-coated lenses, which are responsible for superior performance at dusk and dawn.

To add to the already great features, the Banner Dusk & Dawn features a Multi-X reticle, which makes it easier than ever for you to find the range. A Multi-X reticle features heavy lines that intersect at the center with more exceptional aiming lines.

The 0.75 MOA allows for easy adjustment of windage and elevation while the fast-focus eyepiece provides for quick targeting. This 17HMR scope is made from a single-piece aluminum tube dry-filled with nitrogen to boost resistance to elements while at the same time guaranteeing durability.

Even more amazing is that all these features come at a very friendly price tag that even beginners can afford. It is the scope of choice if you want to hunt small games, including varmints and coyotes.

Pros:

One of the most competitively priced scopes for 17HMR
Multi-X reticle is highly versatile and incredibly reliable
Made of shockproof, fog-proof and waterproof material
Unique unit for dusk and dawn hunting of small game
Multi-coated lenses with high magnification provide for image clarity and sharpness

Cons:

The scope may have a hard time focusing at the highest possible magnification
The eye forgiveness is a little too tight at the highest magnification
General quality control problems are expected in the price range

BSA 3 – 12×40 Sweet 17 Rifle Scope

The brand BSA stands out as one of the best companies in producing high-quality and reliable firearms and firearm accessories. Their Sweet 17 riflescope can attest to the quality of their firearm accessories.

This 17HMR scope features fully coated lens optics with a 40mm objective lens and 3-12 magnification. These features work synergistically to give the Sweet 17 a performance like that of the high-end models.

With a fog-proof, shockproof, and waterproof construction, you can expect this scope to serve you optimally regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. More incredibly, the scope is calibrated for the bullet drop of the usual 17HMR rounds.

The scope also boasts of a quick-change turret system as well as a 3-inch eye relief that is great for the 17HMR rifles. You can drive tacks 200 yards without a problem if you have the Sweet 17.

A unique feature that is present in Sweet 17 but absent even in some of the most expensive scopes is the ability to adjust the objective. This allows for sharper, crisper images and therefore shooting accuracy.

With all these advanced features, I am confident this is the best scope for 17HMR you can ever buy at the cheap price range within your low budget. The Sweet 17 is a worthwhile investment for varmint and coyote hunting.

Pros:

A surprisingly affordable 17HMR riflescope
Awesome optical quality thanks to coated lenses offering sharper, clearer images
Performs well even at the highest possible magnification
Optimized for durability; shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof
Sweet 17 rifle scope comes with BSA’s limited lifetime warranty
Its BDC turrets are performance-oriented and easy to use

Cons:

Some units have faulty elevation adjustments, but BSA is working on the flaw
Sighting may be difficult at first, but it improves with experience

Hawke Sports Optics Vantage 4-12×40 AO 17HMR IR Riflescope

The Vantage 4-12×49 17HMR scope is the ideal choice of a scope for mid to long-range use. It features a partially illuminated crosshair reticle. This high-quality reticle presents 5 selectable brightness levels for use in almost any lighting conditions in either green or red.

The green lighting is great for ambient light or using NVDs (night vision devices) in extremely dim light situations or even in total darkness. The red lighting, on the other hand, comes in handy in low-light situations.

The scope’s 40mm objective lens is optimized to bring in more light compared to smaller objectives while at the same time maintaining a very low profile.

Its covered turrets with adjustable parallax are functionally designed to help guard against unintentional adjustments. To add to this, a knurled rheostat and fast-focus collar provide you with rapid adaptation to changing situations.

We cannot forget Vantage 4-12×49’s 11-layered fully multi-coated optics that deliver crisp clear images. This kind of versatility translates to impressive performance.

As common with all high-quality riflescopes, the Vantage features a single-piece main tube made of one-inch anodized aluminum. Furthermore, the aluminum housing is O-ring sealed and nitrogen-filled to be water, fog, and shockproof.

Pros:

Made of lightweight, durable, and shock-resistant anodized aluminum
Five selectable brightness levels allow for use in most light conditions
High-quality optics and lenses provide exceptional image quality
O-ring sealed and nitrogen-filled to be fog, water, and shockproof
The illuminated reticle is extremely easy to use and boosts targeting accuracy
The beautiful design gives a luxurious and professional appearance

Cons:

Quite expensive compared to most other 17HMR riflescopes, but this reflects its high quality
Has not been on the market long enough to receive enough reviews for effective analysis

Bushnell 613510A Rimfire Optics Scope

This rifle scope contains a tube with a 1-inch diameter, it weighs 425 grams and has a length of 318mm. The rifle scope has the following features, which are discussed in a little more detail.

This is an important feature because the scope can be used underwater. No matter how deep it is in the water, the inside will remain dry. During temperature changes such as humidity, the interior optical surfaces will not fog up, therefore, affording the user clarity.

These multiple coats allow superior light transmission and brightness, and this results in better clarity, especially during early morning and evening, when the natural light is not adequate.

The power of the objective lens feature enables you to catch a clear sight of the image. The resolution of the image is not compromised even as the magnification power is increased.

Replaceable BOO turrets enable easy dialing the number of clicks to compensate for the bullet drop during long-range shooting. The number on the turrets corresponds to the distance, for example, 1 stands for 100 meters, and so on.

These turrets are suitable for use with only one ammunition therefore when you change the ammunition you must also change the BOO turret to match it.

This is the distance within which the user can get a full viewing angle. If the viewer’s eyes fall outside this angle, then the field of view is decreased. Eye relief also affords the shooter safety in that it prevents eye injury since the shooter can maintain a safe distance to avoid recoil.

This rifle scope is light in weight, thus enhancing portability. This will reduce fatigue, which will be contributed to by covering long distances while carrying the rifle and the scope.

Pros:

It is waterproof and fogproof
Multi-coated optics
Power of the objective lens (3.5-10X 36mm)
Replaceable BOO turrets
Eye relief 34/86

Cons:

This is not suitable for a 200+ yard

BARSKA 6-18×40 mm AO Hot Magnum .17 And .22 Rifle Scope

The elevation knob will automatically calculate the elliptical drop of the .17 magnum rimfire, therefore, ensuring you hit the target spot on. It takes into account the trajectory and distance to be covered by the bullet.

During hunting, precision on the target is key if one wants to have a successful hunt, and this is made possible through clear vision. The high-density optical glasses assure the shooter crystal clear clarity.

Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, these features ensure that no weather conditions can tamper with the optical surfaces, and this, in turn, results in a smooth hunting period characterized by clarity and precision.

Field of view 45-145 feet, angle at which the observed region is visible at any moment. This scope boasts a higher resolution at longer distances, therefore, allowing a long-range scope for hunting.

Multi-coated optics, these coats are able to allow light transmission and brightness. This will provide a brighter and clearer image.

This lens is used to correct parallax. Parallax is an optical illusion whereby the image being viewed appears to be in two planes. The clarity of the illustration is the same, just that the image is on several planes. By adjusting the lens, the shooter brings the image into the same plane.

This scope has a magnification power of 6-18X. This is a higher power that enables one to view objects in clarity even over a long distance.

Pros:

High-density optical glasses
100% waterproof, fog proof and shockproof
Multi-coated optics
Adjustable objective lens

Simmons ProTarget TruPlex Reticle Side Parallax Adjustment Riflescope

This scope is fitted with a Triplex reticle which continues to market itself due to its precision and versatility.

This scope has turrets that can be adjusted in an instant. This feature aids in the sharp targeting of a mark and offers high resolution.

Multi-coated optics, as mentioned above, multi-coated optics enhance brightness, therefore, affording clearer imaging and perfect locking of the target in sight.

Other features include Magnification of 3-12x 40, weight 01 570 grams, eye relief (mm) 01 100, exit pupil (mm) 01 13-45, side parallax adjustment, and a click value (mm/100m) of 7.

This rifle scope is powerful and very accurate, therefore diminishing your chances of missing your target. This is a good scope for 17HMR because it supports sharp imaging that helps you capture even the smallest targets.

These scopes are efficient since they can lock in on a target over long distances while maintaining focus due to the superior magnification features. Safety is also a major advantage, and it is catered for by the eye relief which helps the shooter avoid the recoil which may injure the region around their eyes.

The weight of these scopes is also an added advantage since these shooters usually cover a lot of ground to get to their desired hunting ground. It is vital to be in good shape for hunting in order to maintain high levels of safety.

The multi-coated optics are an essential feature that improves brightness, especially for shooters who prefer to hunt at dawn or dusk. It brightens the image, therefore, improving clarity and focus.

The adjustable fingertip turrets enable instant shifts that save time and afford accuracy in a heartbeat, therefore, maintaining the mark.

Final Verdict

If you are into small game hunting then there is no better rifle for the job than a 17HMR. However, such a firearm will not serve you optimally if you do not complement it with the best scope for 17HMR.

This list is not exhaustive and our reviews may not be as comprehensive as dedicated reviews. Therefore, you can check out these products for more information to help you make an informed decision.

In conclusion, among the top rifle scopes that have been analyzed above, the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Reticle Riflescope is the best. It has a superior optical advantage because it can lock in on a target with accuracy regardless of the size.

Best Scopes For 17 HMR Rifles – Reviews & Ultimate Buying Guide

Best Scopes For 17 HMR Rifles