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Scope recommendations for .17 HMR

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Somebody View Drop Down
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    Posted: November/15/2004 at 19:35

Hi,

 

I am looking for scope recommendations for a newly purchased .17 HMR heavy barreled rifle.  The gun is intended to be used for varmint shooting of gophers and prairie dogs, some plinking, and some informal target shooting.  I would say that the rifle will primarily be shot at ranges from 25 to 150 yards.

 

I know somebody that has a similar rifle and he has a Nikon Monarch 6.5-20x44 scope on his rifle that seems very nice, but I am open to other recommendations.  I would not say that price is a big issue to me, because I am most interested in getting a quality scope on this rifle.

 

Thanks!

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redneckbmxer24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/15/2004 at 21:13

for that range you dont need that much power, and the burris has the ballistic plex reticle, and it is drop compensated, and i beleave it will word for the 17 hmr to 300 yards or something like that. i would look at either the 4.5-14x42 FF2, but if you want more quality, look at the black diamond 4-16 with the ballistic mildot, i think you'll fall in love with the reticle alone.

 

cory

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Somebody Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/15/2004 at 21:47

Can you tell me what the adjustable objective range is on the Burris scopes?

 

Thanks

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redneckbmxer24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/15/2004 at 21:49

hmm... im going to guess, and say its like 10 yards on the bottom to infinity, i dont have a parralax adjusatble one to verify it, but thats what it is in most cases.

 

cory

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Somebody Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/15/2004 at 22:00

Thanks, Cory!

 

I was searching on the internet for the Burris specifications on the adjustable objective, but could not find the actual numbers anywhere yet.  I would probably want to get that information verified for sure before I would order one, because of the typical shots with this gun probably being from 25 to 150 yards.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote larryh38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/16/2004 at 01:44

There is a scope made for the 17 rimfire cartridge made by bsa called the sweet 17. Three versions of power are made and each scope is calibrated for the 17 cartridge drop. Using a range finder to establish the distance.... than the top or vertical crosshair adjustment is in yards out to 300. Once the yardage is found turn this adjustment to the yardage indicated on the dial and the cross hairs are adjusted for for bullet drop. As mentioned , three versions are made.... 1 to 7 power... 3 to 9 power and I believe the last is 4 to 12 power in that area...

They are available at Cabelas. and range from 60.00 to 135.00 dollars

Larryh38

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/16/2004 at 11:45

Larryh38, you must really hate Somebody to be trying to talk him into a BSA!

 

ranburr

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Somebody Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/16/2004 at 12:36

Thanks for the advice.  Anymore suggestions from others?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redneckbmxer24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/16/2004 at 16:21

i ditto ranburr, stay AWAY from BSA, they arent worth the box they ship in.

 

cory

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote larryh38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2004 at 06:39
Bsa is a inexpensive scope and the 17cal does not have an excessive amount of recoil which is the main problem of any scope out on the market.. I have a H&R in 17 cal with a bull barrel on it and it works fine... If you want a expensive or mid range scope, there are a number available that will work... Not to many with a point of impact calibration system on them.... A mill dot scope in any brand will give you elevation indications but you will have to get familar with the methods of calibration.. If you want a expensive scope for it .... get a shepard for about 400 to 600 dollars, either a p1 or a p2 model.They have in the scope a series of circles base on the chest size of a animal... fitting the animal in them gives you the target point for diffrerent yardages. Another brand is leatherwood... Its the forrunner of the old art or realist scopes as used in the military for target yardage accomplishment. It has a additional adjustment ring or cam behind the magnification ring on the scope that lets you bracket the target and adjusts the cross hairs of the scope accordingly. If you want to really spend the bucks the get a Ziess, Leupoldl, Kahles, Springfield or the maximum Swarovski. Nikon will also work and the Monark is a very good scope by Nikon but it does not have target range indicator in it. We have all of these choices available at Cabelas




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote larryh38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2004 at 07:00

Objective lens adjustment on any scope is based on magnification capabilities of the  scope... the higher the magnification .... there is a decrease in the shorter yardage distances for example .... most three to nine variables have a adjustable objective range from ten to fifteen yards to infinite.... as the shorter magnification gets higher  or the higher magnification gets longer or higher.... the bottom or shorter objective distance gets further out.... example a scope with magnification adjustments from six to twentyfour power will have a minimum objective adjustment about the twenty five yard area.... but will still go out to infinity.

 

PS.    Burris scopes are also good scopes and will run you in the 250 to 400 dollar range depending a reticle configuration... mill dot etc. lighted  or not..

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redneckbmxer24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2004 at 09:41

actually the problem with cheap riflescopes are not from recoil, a 22 can have scopes falfunction on them, and scopes will come from the factory, and not hold zero, and have major defects, and BSA is a prime example. BSA's are the biggest peices of crap i have found, and i dont know how anyboyd coyuld be fooled into buying one. i have a contender 6-24x50 that i know use as a tool for turn in rings. and burris scopes are anywhere from about $180-700, burris scopes are among some of the best out there. shepard, and leatherwood are also some crappy scopes, and i wouldnt have them on a BB gun. i dont nessesarly buy stuff for the price, i buy them for quality, and none of the scopes you mention (larry) are of any quality, and you really should do soem research before advising somebody to get a POS optic.

 

cory

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2004 at 16:44

Essentially what cory said but nicer.

 

ranburr

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Somebody Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/19/2004 at 18:21

Thanks for the additional input.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote larryh38 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/20/2004 at 04:43
Nobody is recommending any scope but showing him some of the options available.... Its his choice . Leupold is the number one seller at Gander Mountain and Cabelas of all scopes on the market. Burris is second and is also the majority of returns in both major sporting goods stores.
Larry
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Somebody Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/20/2004 at 10:19

You are correct, Larry, in that I am interested in hearing from a variety of people on what they may be using or suggest for a .17 HMR rifle, but the final decision on which one I decide to purchase is up to me.

 

I still would not mind hearing any other suggestions from additional people either.  With the cooler weather setting in and the holidays coming up, it is not critical to me that I have to make a decision in the next couple of days either.

 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote esldude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/22/2004 at 19:18

I had exactly that Nikon scope on a 17hmr.  I didn't think the magnification too much, though that would depend on your uses of it.  That scope is marked on the AO to 50 yards and goes past it.  It will work

down to around 30 yards.  Is very clear, bright and adjusts correctly.  It is large and long, but on a heavy barrel 17hmr shouldn't be a bother.   The 17 hmr can be very precise.  Even out to 150 yards.  So the 20x lets you watch the bullet contrails sometimes and easily see the results otherwise. 

 

The Burris scopes are good.  I own a couple.  But the other scope I would suggest is the Bushnell Elite 4200.  Either a 6-24x or 4-16x if that suits you.  It is available in a mil-dot.  That might not be quite as good as a ballistic plex.  But can be used much the same way.  And the 4200's seem as good as any I have looked thru. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gray Fox Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2004 at 09:49

Hi,

In my humble opinion, since recoil is not an issue on a .17HMR, I decided on  the BSA  3-12x Sweet 17 for my Savage 93 stainless  bull barrel. The scope is very clear and the AO is a great asset.   I have sub MOA accuracy @ 100 yards and you don't need a spoting scope because you can see the little .17 cal holes with the Sweet 17. I compaed this scope to my Leupold VX-III and for $89.00 I'll take the BSA sweet 17.   My only gripe about the scope is the rubberised finish. I don't think it will endure ruff treatment in the field. But for a varmit/target scope its fine.

 

 

" any Indian can get a deer, it takes a chief to get a turkey"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2004 at 13:22

Somebody,

Taking into account the range you will be shooting, the caliber, your targets and your desire to purchase a quality scope I would recommend the Burris Ballistic Plex reticle as it can easily be used for .17 bullet drop.

 

The Burris Ballistic Plex reticle was designed to work with just about any caliber and comes with detailed instructions and decals, that depict what the lines represent for different calibers, that you can stick on your rifle stock.  Here is what the hold overs work out to be for .17 Hornady Magnum 17 grain Hornady VMax bullet moving at 2550 feet per second.

As you can see it is very simple to shoot any where from 100 - 300 yards with this reticle.  The Burris Ballistic Plex reticle is available in several scopes.

  1. 2-7x36 Matte Finish, Short Mag for $259.95
  2. 3-9x32 Matte Finish, Compact for $269.95
  3. 3-9x32 Matte Finish, Quad Knobs, Compact for $266.95
  4. 3-9x32 Matte Finish, Short Mag for $269.95
  5. 3-9x40 Matte Finish, Fullfield II with FREE 20x50 Burris Landmark Spotting Scope for $197.95
  6. 3-9x40 Matte Finish, Fullfield II with FREE 8x32 Burris Landmark Binocular for $199.95
  7. 3-9x40 Silver Finish, Fullfield II for $218.95
  8. 3-9x40 Gloss Finish, Fullfield II for $198.95
  9. 3-9x40 Matte Finish, Illuminated, Fullfield II for $315.95
  10. 2.5-10x44 Matte Finish, EurDiamond for $432.95
  11. 3-10x40 Matte Finish, Signature Select for $376.95
  12. 3-10x40 Matte Finish, Illuminated Signature Select for $473.95
  13. 3-10x40 Matte Finish, Posi-Lock, Signature Select for $400.95
  14. 3-10x40 Matte Finish, Posi-Lock, Illuminated, Signature Select for $498.95
  15. 3-10x40 Matte Finish, EuroDiamond for $424.95
  16. 3-9x50 Matte Finish, Fullfield II for $274.95
  17. 3.5-10x50 Matte Finish, Fullfield II for $319.95
  18. 3.5-10x50 Matte Finish, Illuminated, Fullfield II for $380.95
  19. 3-12x44 Matte Finish, Signature Select for $396.95
  20. 3-12x44 Matte Finish, Posi-Lock, Signature Select for $423.95
  21. 3-12x50 Matte Finish, EurDiamond for $475.95
  22. 4-12x32 A/O, Matte Finish, Compact for $317.95
  23. 4.5-14x32 A/O, Matte Finish, Short Mag for $325.95
  24. 4.5-14x42 A/O, Matte Finish, Illuminated Fullfield II for $433.95
  25. 4.5-14x42 A/O, Matte Finish, Fullfield II with FREE 12-24x50 Burris Landmark Spotting Scope for $339.95
  26. 4-16x44 A/O, Matte Finish, Signature Select for $429.95
  27. 4-16x44 A/O, Matte Finish, Posi-Lock, Signature Select for $478.95
  28. 4-16x44 A/O, Matte Finish, Illuminated Signature Select for $546.95
  29. 4-16x44 A/O, Matte Finish, Posi-Lock, Illuminated, Signature Select for $571.95
  30. 4-16x50 Side Focus, Matte Finish, Black Diamond for $579.95

I would go with the 4.5-14x42.  Great power range, reasonable price, comes with free spotting scope, and it has an adjustable objective for parallax and mounts down low.



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/25/2004 at 13:25

....and for the Sweet 17, don't knock it until you try it.  Most BSA scopes are guilty by association and deserve the warnings but some are OK.

 

 

 

The BSA Sweet 17 line of scopes are made specifically for 17 caliber rifles.  The BSA scopes utilize a bullet drop cam (located on the elevation adjustment) instead of a hold over reticle like the Burris Ballistic Plex.  It takes a little more time to compensate this way but it is just as effective.  There is a noticeable optical / mechanical difference between the two as well, hence the considerable price difference.  The BSA Sweet 17 scopes are a lot of fun for plinking and informal target shooting.  The Burris has the edge for more serious target or low light hunting.  Both are great scopes for 17 caliber rifles but they are made to serve two different markets.

BSA Sweet 17 2-7x32.....$59.95

BSA Sweet 17 3-12x40 A/O.......$89.95

BSA Sweet 17 6-18x40 A/O.....$109.95 comes w/ FREE 15 piece professional boresighter (limited time only)

 

BSA Boresighter



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