Best Scopes for 17 HMR - Top 10 Optics for 2022

The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire or most commonly known as the .17 HMR, has become one of the most popular rifle calibers on Earth over the course of this last decade. This specific firearm is known to be one of the unparalleled weapons when it comes to hunting purposes.

But it can only do so much on its own when used alone; it needs a scope that will help you be precise and accurate when shooting in the field. So, if you are looking for the best scope for 17 HMR to pair with it, I am telling you that you have come to the right place. With this, choosing the best night vision scope for 17 hmr also improves your hunting performances on the field at low-light conditions.

Here, the best scopes that are compatible with your .17 HMR will be discussed along with their descriptions and features. But first, a buying guide or some of the things that you should consider before buying the .17 HMR scope will be discussed too in order to have a full grasp of understanding.

Now that you already know some of the basic knowledge that you should know about .17 HMR and the things that should be considered when buying a scope, it is time for you to see the list of the best scope for 17 HMR that you may get at the markets these days:

10 BEST SCOPES FOR 17 HMR

Best Scopes for 17 HMR in 2022 - Reviewed

1. BARSKA AO Hot Magnum Riflescope

BARSKA’s AO Hot Magnum Riflescope (.17 and .22 Interchangeable 30/30) is one of the scopes that are specifically designed for .17 Rimfire Rifles. With that reason, it is considered the best scope for 17 HMR to provide excellent performance.

This scope weighs 20 ounces and is extremely durable. It has a matte black finish, which makes it one of the coolest looking scopes that you can get at the markets these days.

Specifications:

➢ High-Quality Lenses

This scope has multi-coated lenses that are paired with 30/30 reticles. Also, the glass on the lenses is made from high-density optics. With all these features combined, you will be able to use this scope at most times without doubting its reliability. Just like most scopes, you can expect this specific model to perform best during the daytime. Surprisingly, it works just as well at night. Also, its lenses are adjustable for easy parallax corrections.

➢ Waterproof, Fog-proof, and Shock-proof Properties

This specific scope model is designed to be reliable and durable by having properties that make it waterproof, shock-proof, and fog-proof. With both its durability and reliability, you will be able to use it during adverse situations—including the harshest and the toughest one. You will surely have no problem with this scope’s performance and longevity.

➢ Magnification Range

This scope offers a wide range of magnification settings from which you switch from one setting to another without exerting a lot of effort. It offers a range of 6X to 18X—truly one of the scopes that are perfect for short and very long ranges of shooting and hunting.

Pros

Cons

2. Vortex Crossfire II Scope

Vortex Crossfire II is the best scope for 17 HMR available at a reasonable rate in the optics market. It is not a high-end scope but it is the most famous budget rifle scope with a good reputation that can be used in hunting applications.

Using crossfire, you can clearly aim the target with a variable magnification range. It comes with a 10 cm long eye relief to prevent your eyes from injuries due to the recoil effect.

Specifications:

➢ High-Quality Optics

With the built of this scope’s lenses and glasses, the image you will see through your scope is of good quality and resolution. Even at a far distance, you will be able to see your targets easily. The lenses are fully coated with an anti-reflective coating to ensure detail-rich images.

➢ Construction

Crossfire II is designed with a single piece aircraft-grade aluminum housing which provides the scope strength and shockproof performance. The interior of the riflescope is filled with nitrogen and sealed, to prevent fogging due to moisture and rain.

➢ Versatility

This Vortex Scope is specifically designed to have a wide range of uses—may it be for amateur applications, sports shooting, observation, varmint hunting, and even for night video recording.

Pros

Cons

3. Bushnell Engage Riflescope

Bushnell’s Engage Riflescope is one of the perfect scopes for 17 HMR. This scope cannot be of great benefit for a .22 LR rifle as much as it can for .17 HMR; that is because .17 HMR can shoot almost twice the range that .22 LR can.

Also, the brand of Bushnell offers a lifetime warranty for this specific model of scope, and that is one of the reasons why this scope is made truly worth its cost. This scope is very light in weight—it just has a weight of 19.3 inches, and it has a total length of 13.6 inches.

Specifications:

➢ Magnification Range

This scope offers a wide range of magnification settings that you can easily switch from one specific option to another. To be specific, this scope has a magnification range of 4X to 16X that makes it one of the best scope for 17 HMR and provides you a great hunting experience. With this magnification range, this scope for 17 hmr has the capability to shoot the targets that are in the distance of twice the 22LR, so the shooters will get excellent performance, particularly while hunting the small varmints.

➢ High-Quality Lenses

This scope is constructed to have premier protective lenses that are paired with anti-reflective properties to make it very reliable when it comes to shooting in the field. The multi-coated lenses provide great brightness and color accuracy even in no light conditions. With these features combined, you will be able to enjoy using a scope that is resistant to different harmful substances such as oil, dust, water, debris, and fog. It is built to withstand rough environments and critical weather conditions.

➢ Easy Adjustments

This scope does not need any tool when you want to adjust some of its settings when you are in the field. That is one of the reasons why this scope is very convenient to use. It would not require much effort when you want to have parallax adjustment; you have a mounted dial that you can use.

Pros

Cons

4. BARSKA AO IR Blackhawk Riflescope

BARSKA’s AO IR Blackhawk Riflescope is also one of the best scopes that you might want to consider when you are planning to buy a scopes for 17 HMR.

This best barska scope comes from a brand that is well-known in the riflescope industry—that is because of this manufacturer’s reliability to produce very high-quality scopes. As expected, this scope is not an exception to that reputation; in fact, it lives up to that.

Specifications:

➢ Long Eye Relief

This reticle scope is designed to have long eye relief that will assure your head and your eyes to be safe when you are shooting. Its eye relief ranges from 1.9 inches to 6.5 inches. With that eye relief, this scope will not require you to perfectly position your head when shooting. In that case, you would not have any difficulty in shooting quickly.

➢ Magnification Range

This scope is one of the scopes that have the widest range. It is truly perfect for a .17 HMR because it has a magnification setting that ranges from 6X to 24X. With that given range, shooting for a distance of 500 yards to 600 yards would never be a problem that you will encounter.

➢ Illuminated Reticle

This scope is designed to have an illuminated reticle that is available in two colors—red or green. With this feature, you would be able to spot your targets easily. Also, with the illuminated reticle that this scope has, you will be able to use this scope even in low-light conditions without experiencing any problems such as losing your sight picture in glares or reflections.

Pros

Cons

5. BSA Optics SWEET 17 AO 17 CAL DPX SP Riflescope

BSA Optics’ SWEET 17 AO 17 CAL DPX SP Riflescope is another scope that is specifically designed for your .17 HMR cartridge and it is also one of the best BSA scopes.

This scope will be very accurate within a very long range of distances—you would be surprised at how well it functions when used for the distance of 200 and 300 yards. This scope is very versatile too, since it can be used for a .22 rimfire.

Specifications:

➢ Ruggedly and Aesthetically Designed

This scope is another model that has both the cool-looking and durable exterior that you want to have. With its great design comes the durability that will surely make you adore it.

➢ Easy Adjustments

This scope has the feature of having easy adjustments—you would not need any tool in order to switch from different modes when in the field. This feature is a good one since it would not distract you when you have a serious shooting activity.

Your concentration would not be disturbed since the adjustments you need would not require much effort from you. Also, this has adjustable turrets that do not need tools; the use of your fingers would suffice.

Another easy adjustment that you can make with this scope is its easy adjustable focus—you will be able to do judge ranges with this feature.

➢ Reliability

This scope is one of the most top-rated and preferred scopes by hunters and shooters since it performs very well and lasts long too.

Pros

Cons

6. Tasco Target / Varmint Riflescope

Tasco’s Target / Varmint Riflescope is one of the best scopes for varmint hunting that are designed for in the wild. So, if you are one of those hunters who have not yet found the perfect scope for 17 HMR, then this one is truly a must-try.

This scope is quite long when it is measured; its total length is 18 inches. But it is very light in weight—it just weighs 19.6 ounces; thus, making it very easy to carry anytime, especially when you are a spontaneous person who loves to go for unexpected hunting activities.

Specifications:

➢ Waterproof, Shock-proof, and Fog-proof Properties

This scope is engineered and constructed to be waterproof, shock-proof, and fog-proof. With all these properties, this specific scope model is made durable and reliable. Even when used during the toughest and harshest conditions, this riflescope will be reliable. Also, it can withstand rugged use since due to the way it was constructed.

➢ High-Quality Optics

This scope is designed to have multi-coated optics that will surely be responsible for making you see bright and clear images of your surroundings. Also, with this scope’s optics, you will be able to rely on it even when there is a very little amount of light in the field.

➢ Magnification Range

This scope is designed with a range that you can use whether you are shooting for short or long ranges. Perhaps, this is one of the scopes that have the widest range on this list. To be specific, it offers a magnification setting that ranges from 6X to 24X—truly a range that you can count on no matter the shooting activity you are doing. The Tasco scope contains a true Mil-Dot reticle with this range of magnification, and the 1/4 windage and elevation adjustment of this scope makes it the right choice for long-range shooting. This scope also has good quality adjustment turrets to make easy adjustments while operating with gloves.

Pros

Cons

7. Nikon P-RIMFIRE BDC 150 Riflescope

Nikon’s P-RIMFIRE BDC 150 Riflescope is one of the most excellent choices you can get when you are planning to buy a best scope for 17 HMR. If you are looking for a hunting scope that surely would not fail you, then this one might be your perfect choice.

This specific scope model is one of the most top-rated and preferred by shooters, especially for the purpose of plinking and hunting. This scope is designed to be extremely durable and portable—it just weighs 16.10 ounces. It has a matte black finish that makes it very cool in the exterior.

Specifications:

➢ Magnification Range

This scope is designed not just to have a magnification setting that ranges from 1X to 4X or 3X-9X. This one is quite a combination of those two magnification settings—this specific scope model is designed to have a magnification setting that ranges from 2X to 7X. With that range, this scope is made perfect for short-range shootings and also for long-range hunting.

➢ Easy Adjustments

One of the last things you would want to happen when you are in the field is being distracted because of your scope’s complexity. Of course, your priority should be focusing on your targets. With this scope’s simplicity, you would be able to focus and concentrate well in the field while being able to make quick adjustments regarding windage and elevation.

➢ High-Quality Lenses

This scope’s lenses are multi-coated and are constructed to have anti-reflective properties in order for you to enjoy the maximum light transmission even when shooting in low-light conditions. Also, the lenses would not experience fogging and other related issues because this scope is specifically designed to be O-ring sealed and nitrogen filled.

Pros

Cons

8. Nikon Prostaff P3 AO Riflescope

Nikon’s Prostaff P3 AO Riflescope is one of the best 3X to 9X scopes that are made and compatible for .17 HMR. This scope is known to be very versatile since it can adjust based on what purpose you are going to use it for—whether it be for target shooting purposes and for hunting purposes.

This scope is designed to be lightweight—it just weighs 15.07 ounces. Its weight is not the only thing that makes it portable, and it is also compact in size—its total length is only 12.5 inches.

Specifications:

➢ High-Quality Lenses

This scope is made with a very high quality of lenses that are multi-coated and engineered to have anti-reflective properties. With these features, this scope is made very reliable when it comes to transmitting the maximum light possible.

You will be able to see your surroundings through your scope with contrast and brightness. In addition, you will be able to enjoy the luxury of seeing vivid images from dawn until dusk.

➢ Quick Focus Eyepiece

This scope is made with a quick focus eyepiece that will make you have the ability to spot your targets quickly. This feature might be useful when you are joining in shooting competitions that require fast shooting skills.

Also, this feature comes in handy when you are hunting in the field—as you know, there are so many dangers that you might encounter out there, so it is better that you are equipped with scopes that will keep you safe and make you shoot quickly in just a matter of seconds.

Pros

Cons

9. Simmons .44 Mag Truplex Side Focus Riflescope

Simmons’ .44 Mag Truplex Side Focus Riflescope is also one of the scopes that you may choose when you are looking for the best scope for 17 HMR.

The brand that manufactured this scope is of great reputation when it comes to producing scopes that are of the best qualities. If you’re searching for the best .44 mag scope, it is also the perfect choice with excellent features.

Also, this brand does not offer quality only, they also sell these scopes for an affordable price. This scope has a very lightweight of 13.3 ounces, and it has a matte finish that makes it very aesthetic and cool on the outside.

Specifications:

➢ Magnification Range

This scope offers a wide range that is suitable for a short and long-range of shooting activities. With its magnification setting that ranges from 4X to 12X, you would be able to see your targets in detail at different distances.

➢ Waterproof, Fog-proof, Shock-proof, and Recoil-proof Construction

This scope is one of the most durable and reliable scopes that you will be able to find at the markets these days. With these properties and features combined, you will be able to use this scope in any condition—including the harshest and the toughest ones—with reliability, precision, and accuracy. You would not have any problem with this scope when talking about performing well and having a long-lasting life.

➢ Fast Focus Eyepiece

This scope is also designed with an eyepiece that will make you spot your targets quickly. This is an important feature that your scope should have to shoot more targets in just a lesser amount of time.

Pros

Cons

10. Nikon Buckmasters II

Nikon’s Buckmasters II is one of the most aesthetic scopes on this list of best scope for 17 HMR. It has a matte black finish that is exceptional. Looks aside, this scope is also one of the best scopes when it comes to performance in the field.

Nikon is one of the best brands that is well-known to produce and manufacture the best scopes; this specific scope model is not an exception to that impression.

This scope has a total length of 12.3 inches and is very light in weight—it has a weight of only 13.1 ounces. This scope is specifically designed for hunting purposes and is truly compatible with your .17 HMR.

Specifications:

➢ High-Quality Lenses

This scope is constructed with high-quality optics that are fully multi-coated. With this feature, you would be able to rely on this scope even during low-light conditions such as nighttime and cloudy days. You need not worry about it performing less than how it does during bright conditions; you will still see extremely bright views and images of your surroundings through your scope.

➢ Waterproof, Fog-proof, and Shock-proof Properties

This scope is made reliable and durable with these features combined. This scope will be able to withstand adverse weather conditions and other harsh situations, including long periods of rugged use.

➢ Ballistic Match Technology

With this feature, you would be able to spot the exact aiming points through your scope’s reticle. This is a helpful feature, especially when you are wanting to be serious in hunting and catching a lot of targets.

➢ Limited Lifetime Warranty

The brand that manufactured this scope offers a warranty that covers all of its riflescopes. With this warranty, you would be able to be assured that your scope will be repaired or replaced when proven that it has some defects. The repair or replacement will cost you no money.

Pros

Cons

How to Choose the Best Scopes for 17 HMR

➣ Scope options for .17 HMR rifle

Using the correct scope will help to aim your target with perfection and shoot in a single shoot without wasting a bullet. There are plenty of scopes available in the market that make you confused to choose the correct scope which is fitted to your rifle. Make a perfect choice by selecting the correct scope with the required features based on your needs. The scope options are classified into two groups.

Caliber specific (BDC) scopes

Caliber scopes are Bullet Drop Compensating scope that uses a turrent system by pre-estimating the data of bullet drop depending on bullet weight and style. By installing the proper turrent, the user can turn the turrent to the required range and shoot the target easily.

Non-caliber specific scopes

Under this category, scopes are not particularly designed for .17 HMR and are the more common models preferred by hunters for any calibers. Make a decision by considering the magnification range, reticle option, features, design, and price before buying the scope.

➢ Material

Of course, when buying a scope, you should consider and look at the materials that it is made of. Skills and features aside, you will need a scope that will be able to withstand rugged use and adverse weather conditions such as heavy rains. With that said, you should look for a scope that is known to have a reputation of lasting long.

➢ Environmental Resistance

As mentioned above, you need a scope that will be able to withstand different weather conditions and other harsh situations. You should look for a scope that has a reliable exterior finish that makes it fog-proof, waterproof, dust-proof, and resistant to many other harmful substances that might destroy it. Look for a scope that is resistant to most of the tough elements that you may encounter in the wild or in the field.

➢ Lens

Having a scope that is designed to have high-quality lenses to help you to see clear and bright images through it. You have to look for a scope that will also be able to make you see well during low-light conditions such as nighttime and cloud days. A good quality lens will perform well at any given instance that you are in during your shooting activities.

➢ Magnification

One of the important things that you should look for is the magnification range of your scope. With a wide range of magnification, you would be able to assess whether your scope can be used in short and long-range shooting activities. So, be sure to have the magnification checked before you decide to buy one.

➢ Adjustment Turrets

One of the things that you want in your scope is to be very easy to adjust—of course, with a lot of things going on in the field, being distracted with some adjustments should not be in your dictionary. A good scope with easy adjustments will make you focus and will help you concentrate more on the real fight in the field.

Takeaway

With a lot of scopes at the markets these days, it is surely hard to pick the best since all of them claim to be of good quality. If you are one of those hunters/shooters who are long wanting to find the perfect scopes for 17 HMR, I hope the above review helped you.

With the best scopes for 17 hmr mentioned here, surely, your choices have been narrowed down. You need not worry about getting a mediocre scope anymore because all of the above-mentioned scopes for your .17 HMR are proven and tested to be of great qualities and performance.

As we always say, you must choose the scope that is best compatible with your use. Choose the scope that makes you comfortable. You will be at your best skills when you are comfortable with the scope you are using.