Aim The Target Within The Target With The Best Scopes for .17 HMR Rifles
.17 HMR or .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire is a rifle cartridge developed by the ammunition company Hornady in 2002. This cartridge is a descendant of the .22 Magnum and is generally loaded with 17-grain bullets. The .17 HMR performs best when combined with a good riflescope. It will provide you with the best parallax settings for better aiming. In this guide, we will review 8 of the best scopes to improve the performance of .17 HMR rifles.
Top 8 Best Scopes For .17 HMR Rifles – Comparison Table
| Image | Description | Magnification | Objective Lens | Length | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | #1 - Nikon 6729 ProStaff 4-12 x 40 Black Matte Riflescope ** Editor's Choice - Best Scope For .17 HMR Rifles ** | 4 - 12x | 40mm | 14.1 inches | 9.4 | |
 | #2 - Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope ** Best Budget Scope For .17 HMR Rifles ** | 3 - 9x | 40mm | 16.2 inches | 9.1 | |
 | #3 - BSA 3-12X40 Sweet 17 Rifle Scope40mm | 3 - 12x | 40mm | 18.0 inches | 8.5 | |
 | #4 - Burris Fullfield II 2x-7x-35mm matte Ballistic Plex | 2 - 7x | 35mm | 12.0 inches | 8.4 | |
 | #5 - Hawke Sport Optics 4-12x50 Vantage AO IR Riflescope | 4 - 12x | 50mm | 13.7 inches | 8.8 | |
 | #6 - Simmons ProTarget TruPlex Reticle Side Parallax Adjustment Riflescope | 3 - 12x | 40mm | 14.5 inches | 6.7 | |
 | #7 - BSA S17-618X40SP 6-18X40 Sweet 17 Rifle Scope | 6 - 18x | 40mm | 13.3 inches | 8.1 | |
 | #8 - BARSKA 6-18x40 mm AO Hot Magnum .17 And .22 Interchangeable | 6 - 18x | 40mm | 16.2 inches | 7.6 |
Best .17 HMR Scope Reviews
#1 – Nikon ProStaff 4-12×40 Black Matte Riflescope Review
** Editor’s Choice – Best Scope For .17 HMR Rifles **
Nikon is considered the global leader in sports optics for quality, performance and innovated technology in giving the best riflescopes, binoculars, and field scopes.
ProStaff 4-12×40 makes any shot well within your comfort zone with its versatile 4-12x magnification, 40mm objective lens, and multi-coated lens. The high-end optical system allows 98% light transmission, thus offering adequate brightness even in low-light or low-contrast settings.
The zero-reset turret makes field adjustment simple. You just have to sign-in, lift the adjustment knob, rotate it to zero and re-engage.
The BDC reticle allows the hunter to hold on to ranges that might exceed previously expected possible ranges. The unique see-through ballistic circles will prove advantageous for long-range shooting. 3.7inches of constant, generous shooter’s eye relief is a great feature of ProStaff that hunters love.
With this scope, you can forget about recoiling cartridges. It comes with an O-ring sealed; nitrogen-filled water-proof and fog-proof housing and a support for the sunshade accessory that can protect during adverse conditions. Combined with a quick-focus eyepiece, compact design of 14.1inches and a lifetime warranty, this scope perfectly suits any hunter.
Nikon ProStaff is highly rated with customers. If you are looking to buy the best performer in the price range, this could be the option that will prove well worth every penny.
#2 – Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope Review
** Best Budget Scope For .17 HMR Rifles **
Bushnell is the industry leader in sports optics for over 65 years. The company is well-known for high quality, reliable and affordable optic products for sports purposes.
Bushnell has introduced Banner optics riflescope coated with proprietary Dusk and Dawn Brightness (DDB). This property includes a multi-coating process that results in giving the brightness and clarity hunter might need to fill tags during first and last minutes lights.
It has a high-powered, single tube design and variable scope that can be used for long-range center-fire shooting.
The scope gives 4-12x magnification and a 40mm adjustable objective lens which makes it ideal for long-range shooting. The multi-coated optics has multi-X reticle and a fast-focus eyepiece. The scope has dry nitrogen filling, 1/4inch MOA fingertip windage and adjustments on its elevation.
The eyepiece measures 12inches in length and weighs 15ounces. It has a fully shockproof, waterproof and fog-proof design which gives 3.3inches of eye relief to the shooter. The product is covered under limited lifetime warranty. Banner is rated high stars by Amazon customers. You could either opt for a cheaper version with a basic scope or go for a high-end scope one with a few extra bucks.
#3 – BSA 3-12×40 Sweet 17 Rifle Scope Review
BSA Optics is into manufacturing binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes and other shooting accessories since 1996. The company is known for producing quality riflescopes at affordable prices. BSA came with their first riflescope specifically designed for .17 HMR in 2004.
This is a widely known scope among veteran game and target shooters. It gives an added advantage for successful shooting experience.
The quick change turret system is specifically calibrated to go with multiple grain weights for .17HMR, .22LR, .223, .243, .270, .30 and .06 calibers. It has an adjustable objective and consists of 17gr turret drums.
The scope gives a magnification of 3-12x with a compact size of 13.5inches and weight of 19.40ounces. It has an objective lens diameter of 40mm with a view of the field at 100yards.
The scope gives optimum eye-relief to the shooter of 3inches, parallax setting at a range of 10-infinity, click adjustment of 1/4inch and adjustment range of 30-30. It is designed to be shockproof, waterproof and fog-proof and is a good buy for anyone on a budget. It also holds a limited lifetime warranty.
Be prepared to experience the thrill of better shooting with the Sweet 17 riflescope. This scope is a good performer and has received great reviews from Amazon clients with a great rating.
#4 -Burris Fullfield II 2x-7x-35mm Ballistic Plex Review
Burris products are renowned for modest pricing and forever warranty. It is one of the recognized brands representing Sports and Outdoor products by Vista Outdoor.
Fullfield II riflescope is a hybrid of classic scopes with modern manufacturing features. The best Burris feature of Forever Warranty covers this scope too. The scope’s optical glass gives amazing clarity and excellent contrast for delivering exceptional performance. The scope is multi-coated with a no-glare lens that helps in hunting under drastic and compromised conditions.
The simple eyepiece and power-ring come with a no-slip grip to allow for quick adjustments. The steel on steel clicking adjustment settings help accuracy in repeatable settings. This is a fully shockproof, waterproof and fog-proof scope that aids in a perfect hunting experience in any given condition. It gives an eye relief of 3.1-4.1inches.
The scope is just 11.4inches long and weighs 12 ounces. It has ballistic Plex reticle and has a click value of 1/2MOA, windage adjustment of 60MOA with no parallax adjustment possibilities. Fullfield II is a matte finish scope and has magnification range from 2-7x.
This is one of the best-rated scopes on Amazon. You could buy this for a better price from online sites using various offers. Fullfield II gains high rating among Amazon clients and is one of the best choices for .17 HMR.
#5 – Hawke Sport Optics Vantage IR Riflescope Review
Hawke Sport Optics Vantage riflescopes make great entry-level optics. It comes with great features for its price. It has multi-coated, layered optics that transmits light clearly to give a sharp picture. The scope has a glass-etched illuminated reticle that helps early morning or late evening shooting under dim light.
It consists of strong and highly durable 1inch monotube body to handle the point of impact. Eyepiece has a fast-focus feature with high torque zoom ring that makes this scope well-suited for any type of shooting.
Zero-in has covered fingertip turrets to prevent accidental adjustments. The scope has 1/4MOA. The reticle is glass-etched and has five levels of brightness with red for bright and green illuminations for low lights.
The scope gives objective of 40mm and a 4-12x optical system. Hawke Sport Optics Vantage has side focus of 10yards to infinity and gives the shooter constant eye relief of 3.5inches. The whole scope length comes to 13.6inches and weighs 18.1ounce.
With lightweight aluminum alloy housing and nitrogen-filling for water and fog-proofing, the Vantage rifle is rated best to be used on most calibers and offers resistance to recoil. Hawke has designed this scope for mid-long range use at an affordable pricing.
#6 – Simmons ProTarget TruPlex Reticle Riflescope Review
Vista Outdoor is a global manufacturer of outdoor products and recreation materials. Simmons is a Vista Outdoor brand that produces high-quality riflescopes and binoculars since 1983. Their products are looked forward to for their innovation and durability.
Simmons ProTarget TruPlex Reticle riflescope promises enviable performance with spot-on accuracy and innovative design. ProTarget is made to give easy shooting experience with its extremely bright and sharp images.
The reticle makes it easier to pinpoint even the smallest of targets with the Rimfire rifle. With this, your small target is seen as a series of smaller targets to give a precise shot. Zero-in is made simple with fingertip adjustable turrets and side focus.
This riflescope has a full-matte finish and holds high-quality optics that gives HD clarity. It flaunts a beautiful design and is built to last even in the toughest conditions. It consists of a multi-coated lens, 1inch tube and a magnification of 3-9x.
The scope gives the objective of 40mm and 3.9inch eye relief. It weighs 20.4ounces and is a wonderful performer combined with .17 HMR. This can also be calibrated for .22 LR and are available in a configuration like 3-9x 40, 3-12x 40 and 6-18x 40inches. This scope is a wonderful performing, affordable scope.
#7 – BSA 6-18X40 Sweet 17 Rifle Scope Review
Sweet 17 is riflescope with a magnification of 6-18x and an objective of 40. The design consists of a 1inch tube with a black finish. The entire scope is 18.5inches long and weighs 2.22pounds. It comes with adjustable parallax and is calibrated for .17 HMR and .20gr. This is a great scope if used for target practice or plinking. It also supports hunting and tactical shootings.
The zoom-ring on the scope consists of an inner drum with markings and an inner ring that is fixed with a cutout window. The scope’s outer ring and markings are designed to turn when you make adjustments to the window facing the shooter.
The product comes with limited lifetime warranty and has average reviews from customers. You could buy this online from sites like Amazon. The scope is priced like full-fledged scopes, but if you are looking for this particular scope, you could avail online discounts and save a few bucks.
#8 – Barska 6-18×40 Hot Magnum Riflescope Review
Barska is a worldwide manufacturer of sporting goods using the latest technology and the best optical components that can give brightest possible images. The scope comes with a black matte finish. It holds the unique Bullet Drop technology and is being made in selected facilities in China.
The scope has 6-18x magnification, with a 40mm objective lens that comes with multiple coating. The lens has 30/30 reticles and has adjustable objective lens for setting up parallax corrections. It is specially calibrated for .17 HMR and has a pre-calculated trajectory compensation of 100-300 yards with just the turn of a dial. This scope is highly rigid and is 100% waterproof, shockproof and fog-proof.
The Hot Magnum gives the shooter an eye relief of 3.1inches and click value of 1/4. This can be interchanged with .22 BDC elevation knobs to be used on 40gr, 38gr, and 36gr .22 bullets. It holds an adjustable objective for better parallax correction. The scope has a length of 15.65inches and weighs 20.48ounces. It comes with accessories such as .22 BDC elevation knobs, lens covers, and lens cloth. This also comes along with a Barska limited lifetime warranty that will cover any damages to the scope.
Barska riflescope can be availed from online retailers with good discounts, making it an affordable scope with average rating among Amazon customers.
How To Choose The Best Scopes For .17 HMR Rifles?
If your .17 HMR lacks a riflescope, it may not have long-range accuracy and fast target acquisition. A specifically designed scope can resolve this. Here are a few tips to finding the right scope for your .17 HMR:
- Look for a scope specifically designed for .17 HMR. This is better than universal scopes since it is specially designed to improve the performance of this particular cartridge.
- Check for specifically calibrated reticles which will eliminate issues with regard to matching requirements and mounting.
- Preferably choose fully multi-coated optics that has a large objective lens which can deflect sun glare.
- Check if your lens can gather adequate light and has a wide field of vision.
- Look out for standard nitrogen-purged tube and O-ring sealed lenses to get maximum shock, water, and fog protection.
- Get a BDC reticle that is calibrated for .17 HMR to get better aim and fast target acquisition.
- Preferably, get a single solid tube construction which can comparatively withstand harsh conditions.
- Check if your scope can withstand rugged handling and recoil.
- Your choice of objective lens should be adjustable to get a parallax free, sharper image of your target.
Wrap-Up
To summarize, we have 2 clear scope recommendations for .17 rifle.
- Top Pick Overall: Nikon ProStaff 4-12×40
- Budget Choice: Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9×40
