I bought a savage A17 with the heavy barrel and thumbhole stock. I will be mainly using this gun as a varmit gun in prairie dogging and raccoon hunting . Any suggestions ? Would like a 4-16 as Id be pushing the limits on the 17 at 100+ yards on the prairie dogs . Eye relief is big to me as well as focus at full zoom. Costs under $250 please.
17 HMR scope
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https://cameralandny.com/mobile/spe...uids][0]=dcbe7f10-9be8-0135-0345-00163ecd2826
Would probably be my recommendation if your ok with a large objective.
The other scope I'd recommend is the Bushnell UltraHD 4.5-14x44, they seem to be unavailable now tho.
If used is ok, take a look at the Nikon 4.5-14x40 Buckmasters on eBay. Those usually run around 150-200 in nearly perfect shape.
Would probably be my recommendation if your ok with a large objective.
The other scope I'd recommend is the Bushnell UltraHD 4.5-14x44, they seem to be unavailable now tho.
If used is ok, take a look at the Nikon 4.5-14x40 Buckmasters on eBay. Those usually run around 150-200 in nearly perfect shape.
Varminterror
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Just stuck a Bushnell Engage 4-16x44 on my 17WSM, huge upgrade over the Nikon Buckmaster II 4-12x40 it had previously.
How are those Engage? They looked pretty nice, but I haven't had a reason to order another scope lately so haven't tried one yet.
Varminterror
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The Engage seem to be great so far. I get a pretty deep discount on them, but I recommend them in their normal price class (Midway has the 4-16x for $360 today). The tool-less zero reset is nice, and the adjustments are crisp. I haven’t really ran a box test, but I have dialed in and out quite a bit in the sessions I have used it, and it’s been tracking true to trajectory, at least out to 400 with the WSMR. I have the Nikon 4.5-14x you mention, I get edge lensing with it above 11-12x, so it’s not my favorite scope, but it’s good enough for me to keep using. Comparatively, the Engage image looks more “live,” with the Nikon color contrast being a little more flat. The Engage is also a 44mm, bringing in that much more light, which helps with perceived image quality a lot too.
I do wish the Engage were offered in mil based reticles and adjustment. I’m VERY glad they went away from the BDC reticle with these, but my mind works much better in Mils than MOA.
I do wish the Engage were offered in mil based reticles and adjustment. I’m VERY glad they went away from the BDC reticle with these, but my mind works much better in Mils than MOA.
doubleh
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Several years ago my wife gave me a Marlin 917VS. I wanted a silver scope for it in 8 X 24 as it would be a prairiedog/jackrabbit shooter. At the time I could find nothing except a BSA. It's done it's job quite well and I see no need to replace it with a "better" brand name..
Anyone try a Hawke ? https://us.hawkeoptics.com/vantage-4-12x40-rimfire-17-hmr.html Not sure im 100% sold on the reticle
cdb1
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I can’t speak to that exact scope but I purchased a comparably priced 2-7 Hawke two years ago. I was going to replace a Burris Fullfield II 2-7 with the Hawke. When the Hawke came I compared it with the Burris. The Fullfield II glass was noticeably better to my eyes and the gap widened in low light so I kept the Burris. Your eyes may be different.
Grumulkin
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I have a Leupold 2-7X scope I bought used on eBay years ago. I don't remember the exact price but I'm sure it was quite a bit less than $200. It has been on a 458 Lott, a 204 Ruger and is now on a 17 HMR. I once took a crow with it at a bit over 300 yards and a raccoon at around 350 yards when it was on the 204 Ruger. It has served well on the 17 HMR to take crows, squirrels, ground hogs and raccoons.
I have also had Tasco, Bushnell and other cheap scopes. Yea, some times they'll serve a long time but I got rid of them after missing an easy shot on a coyote. In the few days since I had sighted it in, it was hitting about 10 inches higher at 100 yards than it was supposed to. So, take your chances with the cheapies. What I use now are mostly Leupold and Nightforce.
Fine Figure of a Man
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I have a Bushnell Banner 3.5-10x36 .17 Super AO on my Savage 17 HMR. This model is discontinued, don't know what replaced it.
My LGS gave me a great deal on it because it have been on the shelf for a long time. Came with several BDC dials for different trajectories.
The one I use can be marked on with a pen. If it's calm I can hit starlings more often than not out to 200 yds. A light breeze makes it pretty challenging past 75 or 100.
Banners get knocked by many. This is the only one I've had and it has taken some abuse and still works fine.
My LGS gave me a great deal on it because it have been on the shelf for a long time. Came with several BDC dials for different trajectories.
The one I use can be marked on with a pen. If it's calm I can hit starlings more often than not out to 200 yds. A light breeze makes it pretty challenging past 75 or 100.
Banners get knocked by many. This is the only one I've had and it has taken some abuse and still works fine.
With your budget, I agree with Nikon recommendation. But, if you have access to a buying club like I do, I would jump to a Leupold VX3i 3.5-10X. I have one on my Sako FinnFire II 17HMR and it's a really fine scope...my final cost was $270, only a smidge above your limit and way better than most scopes in that price range. IMO.
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