There are a ton of scopes that you can get for a 17 HMR rifle.
In this list, we take a glimpse at the best ones for the job. To know if a certain scope model is ideal for your rifle, go through the article in detail. If you want to skim through, just take a look at the top 3 picks.
If you are new to rifle scopes, it can be very intimidating to choose one from the list. You need to keep in mind the type of lenses you’re getting, reticle, magnification ranges as well as brightness offered by the scope.
A good scope can make your life easier when it comes to hunting, and a cheap inferior scope will make it harder to aim at the target- even more so under dim light conditions.
The HMR 17 Rifle was launched over two decades ago, but it’s still one of the more popular rifles when it comes to consumer choice. If you are into varmint hunting or long-distance shooting, you will find that this will suit your needs perfectly.
Let’s take a look at the best scopes for a 17 HMR RIFLE that are available in the market.
Table of Contents
Best Scopes for a 17 HMR Rifle
Our Verdict
The Hawke Riflescope Vantage IR is a fantastic piece of equipment that is designed to be extremely durable and high-performing.
The one-inch tube on this scope is built out of aircraft-grade Aluminium that is built to last. The scope also features a fast-focus eyeball that offers precise zooming on targets that are far away.
Even after a heavy recoil from your shot, the scope will remain at a smooth magnification thanks to the fantastic build.
Talking about optical clarity, the scope has a total of 11 layers that ensure the crispness of the image. The scope isn’t too heavy either, so you can rest assured that it won’t feel like baggage when out on the field.
If you are into scopes with solid magnification, this one is a great choice as it offers 12x magnification and will ensure that you don’t miss your target as much as you would with a cheap scope that performs inaccurately.
The scope also offers a choice among green and red illuminations so you can work with the one that you prefer.
In my opinion, a practical scope has got to be bright as well as sturdy, so this one is a great choice for you.
Our Verdict
At the second place, we have the Nikon Prostaff P3 scope which is an excellent choice for a budget scope that performs amazingly. It offers maximum light transmission and brightness which will help you achieve good results even under dim conditions.
Any scope that is high quality features a fully multi-coated lens to make sure that there are no reflective losses.
On this, the choice of material is aircraft-grade Aluminium that’s built to last. It’s also very light and comfortable to hold in your arms.
What I really like about this is that it is shockproof, so you won’t bruise your arms while using it.
I also love that the magnification scale on this is 3-9x which means that it will be flexible for shooting across a variety of ranges.
The scope works perfectly with 17HMR rounds but can be recalibrated to suit any other rounds that you are using.
If you are impressed by brands paying attention to minor details, you will love this scope as it has a smooth-turning quick-focus eyepiece and the spring-loaded instant zero-reset turrets for elevation and windage adjustments.
Our Verdict
Vortex is a brand that I am very fond of, and for obvious reasons. The Razor HD 5 – 20x 50 is built out of premium materials and offers an exceptional level of brightness.
What I like about the Razor scope is that it is simple to use and you can get the most out of it in no time at all.
You will also love that the brightness levels on this can be adjusted to 11 different levels so you can adjust the scope according to the brightness of the environment.
Our Verdict
The BSA 3 – 12x 40 is a multi-grain turret scope that works ideally with 17HMR bullets.
If you would like a convenient scope that’s not too heavy and has a Duplex reticle, I would strongly advise you to go for this one.
Complete with a fully multi-coated lens and exceptional brightness, this scope is an ideal choice for hunting enthusiasts on a budget.
A fair eye-relief can massively enhance your experience while out on the field.
It is also waterproof and fog proof thanks to the O-ring seal and Nitrogen purging.
I really love the neat aesthetics on this thanks to the beautiful matte with black color.
Our Verdict
The CVLIFE Hunting Rifle scope has wide magnification lens and features maximum transmission. The image quality is also very bright.
It comes in green or red illuminations which can be very helpful if you are interested in one of these. The mounts on this are also included which makes this scope a great choice.
It also has five different levels of illumination which offers versatility in choice.
Talking about comfort, the scope is not only very durable thanks to the aircraft-grade Aluminium, but it is also lightweight making it suitable for use on rough terrains as well. Outdoor conditions can be unpredictable, and the fact that this scope is actually waterproof and weatherproof makes it a fantastic choice on a budget.
You also get two scope mounts on this, which include 20mm weaver dovetail rails. If you are excited about doing minor repairs on your own, you also get an Allen key for quick adjustments as well as cleaning cloth and a cover for the lens.
What I really love about this is the fact that this has a good eye relief at 3.52 inches which makes it super comfortable for you to view through the scope.
Our Verdict
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II scope is a fantastic choice that has a second focal plane.
Built on a tough one-inch cylindrical frame of aircraft-grade Aluminium, the Crossfire II scope is not only affordable but also offers a Dead-Hold BDC reticle that comes in super handy when having to deal with holdovers.
The eye box is also very easy to get used to and will help you never miss a target.
Talking about the brightness and image quality, the images produced by this are very bright and feature maximum transmission with anti-reflective properties.
I also love that the lenses on this are fully multi-coated, so won’t affect the image quality. The reset turrets on this can also be adjusted with fingers and reset instantly during use.
The scope is also shockproof as well as weatherproof which makes it an awesome scope to own.
Our Verdict
If you are in the market for a scope with exceptional accuracy and clarity, it’s hard to beat the Bushnell Multi-x Reticle rifle scope. There are many things that I like about this – the main ones being the multi-coated lens and how bright the images are even under low light conditions.
I love that Bushnell has made the scope anti-fogging by filling the insides with dry Nitrogen. Personally, I have found that scopes that haven’t been properly weather-proofed tend to get into all sort of problems.
There is also the fast-focus feature on the eyepiece so you can aim on your targets swiftly. The scope is also shock-proof so you don’t have to worry about injuring yourself while shooting.
What I am excited to use on this is the ¼ MOA fingertip adjustment for windage and elevation. I would say that this rifle scope is good for pretty much anybody out on a hunting trip.
Our Verdict
Next on the list, we have got the Barska scope that is built from a value standpoint. If we are talking about the rounds, it works great with 17HMR and.22BDC rounds.
The magnification on the Barska scope is 6 – 18x which is a good range for most hunting enthusiasts. The 40mm objective lens also offers exceptional brightness and clarity.
What I really like about this is the fact that this has got a second focal plane which makes it ideal for long-distance hunting. Like all scopes on this list, the lens is fully multi-coated for maximum transmission.
I find it fascinating that Barska actually fine-tuned the elevation knob to account for the slight error while shooting with a 17 grain.
I also like that the scope comes with BDC turrets, a cleaning cloth, and shade covers.
Our Verdict
The Leupold VX rifle scope is a beautiful scope that has an elegant aesthetic touch. The scope is not only cool-looking but also offers great value.
The Leupold VX scope offers a magnification of 4.5 – 14x, and a 40mm objective lens. I really love that this scope is waterproof and will hold nicely to any weather extremes. It’s all thanks to O-ring seal and Nitrogen purging inside.
If you are concerned about the recoil from rifle, the scope is also shockproof.
What I really like about this is the fact that you don’t need to do any basic calculations or worry about holders as it has got CDS built in. CDS stands for Custom Dial System and is just something that will help you aim better.
Talking about the lens quality, these are fully multi-coated, so you don’t have to worry about loss in image brightness. Diamond Coat 2 has been used in the lens that also provides resistance to a certain level of abrasion.
The scope also has something called Twilight Max Light Management whose sole job is to give you shooting light. The system just helps you achieve better results while shooting by making the viewing port brighter.
A 30mm main cylinder has been used to build the rifle scope, and you will be happy to know that the scope has been built in USA.
You also get ¼ MOA finger click adjustments for adjusting to windage and elevation. The VX-3i 4.5-14*40 scope’s magnification range is well suited for both mid-range and long-distance shooting.
Our Verdict
The Nikon P-Tactical Rimfire Riflescope may be a bit down on the list but it’s certainly not a bad scope. The lens on this is a 32mm objective lens and the magnification range on this is 2 – 7x which is versatile enough for your needs.
When I am choosing scopes to buy, I always look for sturdy ones that will last me decades. The Nikon P-Tactical Rimfire rifle scope is built to last with the use of aircraft-grade Aluminium in construction.
The lenses on this are also fully multi-coated which ensures that the images you get are free from any reflective losses and the brightness is top-notch.
I also like that this riflescope features waterproof construction and is tested to be shockproof as well as weatherproof. I like knowing that my scopes are resilient to recoil during shooting and can handle rough conditions.
You also get an instant reset feature that will make your shooting experience smooth and easy. I also like the adjustable turrets that allow you to make minor adjustments so you are always locked in on the target.
Our Verdict
Whether you are into shooting animals from a long-distance or just want to have fun, you cannot go wrong with the Tasco Target scope.
The objective lens on this is a 42mm lens and the magnification range is 6 – 24x which is good enough for most shooting purposes.
Combined with a ¼ MOA windage and a crystal clear view, the Tasco Target scope makes for a very promising choice among the scopes on this list.
What I like about this scope is probably the fact that this scope lets you adjust turrets super easy, so you have full control over the process.
Our Verdict
The Bushnell Engage scope is a powerful scope that offers excellent magnification as well as optical clarity for the price.
You also get multi-coatings that help prevent brightness losses. The Engage scope is also weatherproof and well-calibrated to work perfectly with HMR shooters.
What I really love about this is that the scope holds quite well under all sorts of weather conditions. If you take good care of it, the scope will certainly last for many decades.
If you are looking for a budget scope that has got overall good performance and is super cheap, you might as well go with the Bushnell Engage 4 – 16x scope.
Our Verdict
The Primary Arms Classic Series riflescope offers an illuminated SFP Mil-Dot reticle which is a good one.
It is super cheap and intuitive for both beginners and hobbyists. The variable magnification ranging from 4x – 16x is a good range for anybody really and offers excellent value.
What I like about this scope is that it’s got 12 different brightness settings that you can use with ease to ensure that you get the best image every time.
Apart from these features, the Classic series scope also features adjustable turrets that work like a charm. You also get ¼ MOA clicks as well as a zero function that can be super handy if you need to reset the zoom to zero.
There is also a side-knob for quick adjustments.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect scope for your 17HMR can be quite a challenge but I hope that I have guided you in the correct direction.
You don’t need the most expensive out of the list to get started; in fact, even a cheap one can be an excellent scope for you if it’s bright and has got a good magnification range.
And lastly, regardless of the gear, you just need some practice to get better!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best scope for 17 HMR rifle?
I like the Razor HD 5 – 20x 50 riflescope as it is built out from durable materials, and features exceptional brightness and image clarity.
Does the price of a rifle scope matter?
By a bit, yes. But it’s mostly up to you to decide if the differences between a cheaper model and a premium one are significant. More often than not, you will find that it’s better to stick with a mid-priced scope than to go with scopes on the either spectrum.