Since its release, the .17 HMR has quickly become one of the most popular small game, varmint and target shooting rifles, and with good reason as its increased accuracy makes it an excellent choice for taking out gophers, prairie dogs, squirrels and other small animals at distances up to 250 yards or more.
Achieving an accurate shot at these distances obviously requires the use of a scope, but you may be surprised to learn that the best scope for 17 HMR may not be the same as what's the best scope for your other rimfire rifles. There are a number of different reasons for this, which should hopefully become clearer after looking at what makes this rifle different than its other rimfire predecessors.
*Updated in 2018
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The 5 Best Scopes for 17 HRM Rifles
Each of these scopes are reviewed in more detail below.
A Quick Introduction to the .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire
For many years, the .22 Long Rifle was the go-to weapon of choice for most people looking for a versatile small caliber rifle for plinking, target shooting or small game and varmint hunting. As technology progressed and people began looking for something that packed a bit more punch, the .22 Magnum rimfire was eventually released.
However, in 2002, Hornady teamed up with Marlin and Ruger to release something even more revolutionary, the .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire—capable of producing a similar velocity and impact power as the .22 Magnum, while offering a more accurate short range shot due to its flatter trajectory. In fact, it is generally considered to be the most accurate, flattest shooting and highest velocity rimfire cartridge ever produced for this type of shooting. Still, a scope is an absolute necessity, as the bullets these rifles fire are really no bigger than a BB.
Like other rimfire rifles, the 17 HMR also produces very little recoil—making it a great choice for younger hunters or those just learning how to shoot. Of course, it also produces less recoil than the .22 Magnum due to the smaller caliber. Due to its immense popularity, there are now a wide variety of different .17 HMR rifles on the market, meaning you can typically pick up a decent rifle without having to spend a huge wad of cash. That being said, there are also some truly world class weapons out there if you're willing to spend top dollar.
Considering all of the many benefits when compared to either the .22LR or .22 Magnum, it's no wonder that many people have claimed that the .17HMR basically made .22 caliber rimfire rifles obsolete. However, unless you plan on shooting at targets at incredibly close range, say under 50 yards, you really can't justify owning one of these rifles without putting at least a decent quality scope on it.
Best Scope for 17 HMR: Why You Need a Specialized Scope
The flatter trajectory of the .17 HMR means you really need to choose a scope that’s been specifically designed for this caliber rifle, or at least one with a ballistic turret or ballistic reticle designed for it, as this will help you more easily account for the increased bullet drop you'll experience when shooting at distances over 100 yards.
Both ballistic turrets and ballistic reticles will go a long way towards improving your distance accuracy, but choosing between the two really comes down to personal preference, as either one will effectively do the same job.
As the bullets tend to drop quite dramatically after 100 yards or so, you'll want to be able to easily and accurately compensate for this. Of course, you could always just try to aim a bit high and hope for the best, but considering the size of the bullet and the size of the target when shooting gophers and such, ballistics will give you a huge boost in accuracy.
For those who are unaware, a ballistics turret allows you to raise or lower the sight based on the distance of the shot, allowing you to compensate for the bullet drop without having to aim above your target. On the other hand, a ballistic reticle (often called a bullet drop compensator) works in a similar fashion, except it uses additional dots in the reticle below the crosshair for greater distances. Basically, if you're shooting a target at 200 yards, your shot will be dead on if you line it up inside the circle marked for that distance.
So, while you'll find many models that don't have either of these features, if you want the best optics for .17 HMR, you really should upgrade to one that does.
Best 17 HMR Scope Reviews
There are quite a decent number of 17 HMR scopes recommended for almost every purpose, but in truth, the main difference really comes down to price. Luckily though, there are a huge range of quality models on the market, ranging in price from more basic models costing less than $100 to higher end optics that run as high as $500 or more. Best of all, there's really no difference between the best scope for 17 HMR Marlin, the best scope for 17 HMR Savage or any other brand for that matter.
Basically, as long as you buy a decent quality scope that's designed for the 17 HMR, the results will be the same no matter what rifle you put it on. So with all that being said, here are some of the top scopes in every price range.
Burris Timberline 4.5-14x32 with Ballistic Plex Reticle
With so many excellent scopes out there, choosing the top one definitely wasn't easy. However, for the combination of price, quality and versatility, the Burris Timberline 4.5-14x32 is more than worthy of the top spot. One great feature of this model is the Adjustable Objective—a must-have for any high quality rimfire scope, as it helps you eliminate problems with parallax error, enabling you to instantly and accurately focus on your target at any distance from 7 yards to infinity. As well, it also comes with fully multicoated lenses, providing an incredibly bright, clear picture even in low light situations.
Another reason it makes the top spot is due to its magnification range, as while you probably won't need 14x magnification very often on a .17 HMR, it never hurts to have that option. In addition, Burris' Ballistic Plex Reticle makes it super easy to compensate for bullet drop. So, while it does cost a bit more than the other available reticles, it's well worth the money. In fact, if it weren't for this particular reticle, this scope would be a bit lower on the list.
With a lifetime warranty, this scope is built to last and will definitely get the job done. That being said, if you're not willing to spend around $250 on a rimfire scope, there are definitely cheaper options out there.
Leupold VX-II 3-9x33 EFR
At the top end of the price range is the Leupold VX-II 3-9x33 EFR, which features an Extended Focusing Range adjustable objective to overcome any parallax error. As the only fully multicoated scope on this list, it obviously provides by far the clearest and brightest image, making it the perfect choice for those looking for the highest quality.
Although it may be the least powerful scope on the list, with only 9x magnification, you really shouldn't ever need anything much more powerful than this considering the distance limitations of the 17 HMR. As well, you'll probably find that the image at 9x magnification is just as clear with this scope as the same target seen through any of the other scopes on this list at 12x or 14x magnification. Of course, you have to be willing to pay to get the best, as this scope will usually set you back around $400. In fact, that's the only reason it isn't top of the list, as some people may find that the difference in quality between it and the Burris Timberline isn't big enough to justify the extra money.
Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40
Just a hair below the Burris in both price and quality, the Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 rimfire is definitely still a great scope. The picture quality is excellent, comparable to many scopes that cost twice the price thanks to its fully coated optics. As well, it should easily stand up to any weather conditions due to it being fully waterproof and fog-proof.
Considering you can often pick one up for only around $150, there's really not much you can complain about with this scope. That being said, for the 17 HMR, you'd be better off spending the extra money on the BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) reticle instead of the standard Nikoplex.
Bushnell Banner Dusk and Dawn 4-12x40
One thing many people use their 17 HMR for is shooting varmint, such as coyotes, which are most active around the nighttime. This scope is specially designed for exactly these situations, as its multicoated lenses provide increased light and visibility for low light situations like dusk or dawn. In fact, it far outperforms many more expensive scopes in these situations.
For a price just over $100, you definitely shouldn't expect this to be the world's greatest scope, as it is not without its flaws. That being said, you'll be hard pressed to find a better scope for the same price, and especially if you frequently shoot in the early mornings or late evenings.
BSA Sweet 17 3-12x40
BSA produces a range of different scopes designed specifically for 17 and 22 caliber rimfires. While the BSA Sweet 17 isn't exactly known as the highest quality scope on the market and is definitely the poorest performer on this list, it is still your best option in the lowest priced category. It's durable, easy to sight in, and best of all, features an Adjustable Objective, something not even found on many more expensive scopes. Although no one would mistake this scope with the Leupold, or even the Burris or Nikon, it's still probably the best scope for 17 HMR you'll find for less than $100.
