FN is credited with creating one of the most sophisticated, trusted and battle-ready heavy-duty rifles of all time in the SCAR 17S. But its popularity is not limited to the special ops alone. The perfect ergonomics combined with the .308’s powerful performance is making this a sought-after do-all rifle for many an enthusiast. From SHTF to target shooting to keeping the odd scumbag out of your property, this versatile rifle can do everything.
To amplify the performance and exploit the maximum of its target shooting range, you need a quality scope mounted on it. Considering that the heavy recoil from the 7.62 NATO will rattle the ancestors of a newbie shooter, a strong pair of hands and a recoil-resistant scope is a must-have. At the same time, your choice must be a versatile one that can switch from long distance to crosshair in the blink of an eye.
Today, we take a look at some of the best scopes for SCAR 17 that have been recommended and vetted by expert marksmen and ex-military guys who have had hands down experience with these guns. To ensure that we cater to all kinds of gun enthusiasts, we have tried to keep our selection as diverse as possible.
Top 4 Best Scope for SCAR 17 – Comparison Table
| Image | Description | Magnification | Objective Lens | Length | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | #1 - Trijicon ACOG 3.5x35 Riflescopes ** Editor's Choice - Best Scope For SCAR 17 Rifle ** | 3.5x | 35mm | 8 inches | 9.6 | |
 | #2 - Vortex Viper PST 1-4x24 Riflescope ** Best Budget Scope For SCAR 17 Rifle ** | 1 - 4x | 24mm | 13.9 inches | 9.2 | |
 | #3 - Nikon M-308 4-16x42mm Riflescope | 4 - 16x | 42mm | 13.5 inches | 8.8 | |
 | #4 - Bushnell Tactical Elite ERS 3.5-21x 50mm G2DMR FFP Reticle Riflescope | 3.5 - 21x | 50mm | 20 inches | 9.0 |
#1 – Trijicon ACOG 3.5 X 35 Scope Dual Illuminated Chevron .308 Ballistic Reticle
** Editor’s Choice – Best Scope For SCAR 17 Rifle **
The Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) from Trijicon is a feature-rich scope and our last pick of the best scopes for SCAR 17. It boasts of an illuminated ballistic reticle, a waterproof all-weather housing and fully multicoated optics that provides a versatile scope for distortion-free visuals.
But it’s not all features on paper. When put to the test, the ACOG performs on-par with some of the $2000 scopes that we have tested in the past.
The Review
The Trijicon ACOG has a 35 mm diameter objective in a 7075-T6 military-grade aluminum alloy housing that is coated with an anodized weather-resistant finish. It is nitrogen filled to ensure that your visuals are uninterrupted even in foggy weather.
It is one of the most compact scopes that we have reviewed for the SCAR 17S, and it fits perfectly with the LA Rue lt100 mount which is also a recommended buy if you plan to mount this on the SCAR 17S.
Unlike most military grade riflescopes which rely on an external adjustment system, the ACOG uses an internal adjustment system that is far more reliable and precise. To ensure glare-free visuals even in bright daylight, the ACOG includes a fluorescent fiber light gathering system. The brighter it is outside, more the reticle glows. Similarly, in low light, it has a faded glow which is perfect even for people with corrective eyesight.
And when there is no ambient light, the tritium phosphor lamp, which is a battery-free dual-illumination glow-in-the-dark feature, kicks in and illuminates the triangle, crosshair or the dot.
The elevation and windage adjustment knobs are perfectly positioned and extremely easy to adjust. All that you need is a small coin or a screwdriver.
Performance
Adjusting the reticle in 1/3 MOA increments gives you the precision you desire for target shooting. Combine that with the battery-free illumination, the caliber-specific ballistic reticle, and the internal adjustment system which allows the scope to hold zero to perfection, it becomes one of the most advanced and most reliable combat shooting riflescopes that you can invest in.
Clear and crisp visuals, 3.5x magnification, multicoated optics, great visibility in zero light and Ballistic drop compensation (BDC) reticle for 300 Blackout caliber. What more can one ask for?
The Verdict
Irrespective of whether you are looking for a SHTF scope or one for bush hunting, the ACOG has you covered with its fast focusing and crisp visuals. You don’t need unreliable batteries either. The best part? You can aim with both eyes open with the Bindon Aiming Concept, even though that does take some getting used to.
#2 – Vortex Viper PST 1 – 4x24mm Riflescope
** Best Budget Scope For SCAR 17 Rifle **
It is a given that you need a variable scope to go with a rifle that is as versatile as the SCAR 17. With a one-piece 30 mm tube construction and 1-4x power with a 24 mm objective lens, the Vortex Viper PST 1 is one of the best scopes for SCAR 17.
Vortex is a name that needs no introduction in the world of optics. But if you are new to the brand, then you’d be pleased to know that it is an American company. However, a few of their scopes, including the PST 1 is manufactured in the Philippines. That takes nothing away from the near-perfect quality that this scope boasts of.
The Review
Out of the box, you will be greeted with the aircraft-grade aluminum single-tube construction that makes the Viper PST 1 feel meaty in your hands. The moment you hold this in your hands, you’d know that this is a good quality scope. The all-black matte anodized finish gives you perfect camouflage in the day and gives you the much-needed stealth in low light.
The exterior is coated with a special scratch-resistant coating which Vortex calls ArmorTek. Even if you are running through the bush, this will not look like scratched and scraped for sure.
The Viper PST1 is waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof making it a versatile choice for all kinds of terrain and weather conditions.
One of the best features of the Viper PST1 is the reticle, which has a unique design. It has an illuminated circle on the center which is divided into four quadrants and has another illuminated red dot in the middle. Scales for windage and elevation allow you to track windage and drop calls.
Performance
The Vortex Viper PST 1 with its variable power and the ability to switch from 1x to 4x in a jiffy, is a perfect scope for the SCAR 17. If you are a bush game hunter, then you will not leave your home without this scope in tow. The 3 and 4 magnification gets you so close to the action. The same goes true for hunting big game that always needs a scope with a low power setting.
To top it off, it has a bundle of impressive features like the fingertip adjustable turrets with a one-touch reset, increments in ½ MOA clicks and a very responsive feedback as you adjust it.
Visibility is clear and crisp, and you can easily hit targets up to 300 yards away with pinpoint precision. Combine this with the turrets and the reticle, and you have a great quality scope that does complete justice to the power of the SCAR 17. Not to forget that the 4 inches of eye relief are a welcome addition to the features.
The Verdict
The Vortex Viper PST 1 is a very reliable scope with exceptional quality optics and some very impressive features that let you find your targets and stay locked on. Irrespective of whether you are looking for an upgrade or adding a new one to your collection, this fits right in.
#3 – Nikon M-308 4-16x42mm Riflescope w/ BDC 800 Reticle, Black
With a specialized design that caters to the trajectory of the .308 WIN/7.62 NATO round with 168gr HPBT bullet and an 800 Bullet drop compensation reticle, the Nikon M-308 is one of the best scopes for SCAR 17 heavy duty rifle.
A noticeably slimmer profile as compared to some of the higher priced models – (Check Current Price) and a very attractive price tag may make you skeptical about the performance. But the M-308 offers flawless precision even at 1000 yards and focuses sharply in the blink of an eye, precisely what you need from a scope for the SCAR 17.
The Review
Out of the box, the all-black matte anodized finish looks sleek. It also has a lightweight and slimmer profile than some of the other scopes that we have reviewed for the SCAR 17. But the Nikon M-308 is every bit as rugged. It is fog proof and weatherproof making it an ideal choice for outdoor applications.
Included in the package is a one-piece solid mount that adds to the value that this scope brings to the table. Functionality wise, this is a must-have if you are looking for elevation adjustment on-the-fly. Makes it so much simpler to adjust your trajectory. Nikon calls it Eye Box Technology, but that’s just a fancy name for the 4 inches of eye relief that the M-308 provides you with.
The 800 Bullet drop compensation reticle has multiple hold off marks in the form of circles, dots, and hash marks which allow precise aiming for long distance game hunting or target shooting.
Performance
The multicoated optics provide crisp and clear visuals with up to 95% light transmission. Even in low light, you will be able to lock on to targets with surprising ease.
The rapid action tactical turret allows you to take the point of focus from just 100 yards to 800 yards in one single rotation of the turret. And when you wish to reset it to zero, all you need to do is lift it up and rotate it to zero.
Everything from the crisp visuals to the fast adjustments makes this a perfect scope for low light hunting as well as casual target shooting. Combine that with the power of the .308 and the SCAR 17, and you have a very good combination that can hit distant targets precisely.
The Verdict
It is very difficult to find a great quality scope that’s fast and provides crispy visuals at a reasonable price tag. If you do find one that covers all the aces, it is usually a keeper. That’s precisely what the Nikon M-308 with BDC 800 is. It is fast, easy to use and extremely precise. It is highly unlikely that you can find a better deal.
#4 – Bushnell Elite Tactical G2 FFP Reticle Riflescope, 3.5-21x50mm
From being an obscure name that no one would consider for their battle rifles to being one of the most sought-after brands of scopes in the world, Bushnell’s rise has been phenomenal. And the success is to be attributed to their exceptional quality optics, like what you get with the Bushnell Elite Tactical G2. This is one of their top models from the immensely popular Elite Tactical range of scopes.
It boasts of features like a fast focus eyepiece, Front Focal Plane (FFP), wide knobs with a lower profile and 0.1 MIL click value in a total of 34 MILS.
The Review
Out of the box, the Bushnell Elite Tactical impresses you with a long ocular housing that is made of a single piece 34mm tube with a black matte anodized finish. With all brandings and markings staying true to the color scheme, it looks every bit a tactical scope that offers excellent camouflage.
The 34 mm tube means that it does look and feel a tad bulkier than its predecessors or some of the smaller scopes for the SCAR 17. But this extra diameter translates into more options for adjustments, both horizontally as well as vertically.
The eyepiece includes a rubber ring around it which protects your eyes from a case of ‘scope kiss’ which is very much a possibility with the SCAR 17. The missing locking ring may seem like a letdown. But on a rifle this size, there is enough resistance force to keep the eyepiece in place once adjusted.
The magnification power ring has serrated grooves which help you get a firm grip while adjusting the markings, which range from 3.5x through 21x. The elevation and windage knobs are wide and allow easy adjustments on-the-fly.
Performance
The Bushnell Elite Tactical really begins to shine once you set it up and aim for the target. While adjusting the elevation and windage, there are 5 MILS of adjustment in every revolution with each click being 0.1 MIL.
This makes it a perfect scope for range shooting and allows the SCAR 17 to go from 100 yards to 600 yards in just one single revolution of the knob. It goes way beyond 900 yards in two revolutions.
The Rainguard HD coated 50 mm objective lens performs flawlessly in any weather condition while the Ultra-Wide Band Coating gives you crystal clear imaging even in extremely low light.
The Verdict
A lot more can be written about the performance of the Bushnell Tactical Elite if we were not space-crunched here. To sum it all up, this is undoubtedly, one of the best top-end tactical scopes for the SCAR 17. It has the visuals and the features to make sure that you reach even the farthest targets with ease. Completely justifies the above-normal price tag. If you are looking for a serious scope without cutting corners, you’ve just found it.
Conclusion
All of these scopes are considered ideal for the SCAR 17S due to the generous eye relief that they provide in addition to the great visual quality, performance In varied light conditions and the easy adjustments on the field. We hope you enjoyed reading through this and it helps you narrow down on a good quality scope for your SCAR 17S.
