Looking for .17 HMR scope advice

[Tallinar]

I'm looking to make my first foray into .17 HMR. Planning to mainly shoot benchrest at 100-200 yards, possibly dabbling in some varmint hunting at those ranges.

I'm looking to get into a CZ 457 Varmint with 20.5" barrel. I'm reviewing scope options. My optics budget is <$250. I'm looking for some suggestions. I'm still learning the scope world.

I had been looking at the Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40. Would this be a good fit for .17 HMR?

Thanks!

 

[12Bravo20]

Any variable power scope with adjustable parallax will work for you. And since you said you are going to be mostly shooting from a bench, I am going to suggest a scope in 5-25 or 6-24 magnification range.

So decide what featured you want in a scope

Do you want a simple duplex type reticle or MLI DOT, or Christmas tree reticle.
Do you want first focal plain or second focal plain.
Do you want an adjustable optective lease or side parallax adjustment knob.

It is easier to find simple duplex or other hunting type reticles in SFP (second focal plain) and of your Christmas tree type reticles will be FFP. MIL Dots can be found with either FFP or SFP. I personally would not bother with any type of BDC reticle since they never match up as they are supposed to.

There are plenty of budget scopes out there but finding a good one for under $250 might be the hard part. This will also depend on what features you want. I am going to suggest a MIL DOT or Christmas tree type reticle since you are going to be bench shooting out to 200 yards. These types of reticles are better for holding over for wind. Wind holdovers are important especially with any 17 caliber rimfire round since those 17 to 20 grain bullets are greatly effected by the wind.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have a Burris full field E1 6.5-20x50 mm. On both my 17HMRS. It's a perfect match for the round. I discovered how it matches. With my 1st one.

Burris Fullfield E1 6.5-20x 50mm Rifle Scope - Ballistic Plex

The 6.5-20x is the big boy in the Fullfield E1 family, and allows for some seriously long range hunting and shooting. This Fullfield E1 model has side adjusting parallax focus.

www.sportsmans.com

 

[Tallinar]

Do you want first focal plain or second focal plain.
Do you want an adjustable optective lease or side parallax adjustment knob.

For the first question, I was thinking second focal plain was going to be kind of the default in my price range. From what I've read, first focal plain seems more advanced, and I assume inherently more expensive. Maybe I am wrong on that?

As for adjustable objective lease vs side parallax adjustment, this is something I haven't quite gained an understanding of. Can you please elaborate on the differences? Thanks!

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have both side and front adjustable. I like both. So no preference.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive been gravitating to SF over AO simply because they are easier to adjust from shooting positions. I had one of those Burris on my 17HMR and it worked well. I eventually switched for a USO TS-12 since its glass was a little better and the smaller scope felt better on the gun to me.

Ive actually had quite a few of those Burris scopes, great options under 200 bucks.

 

[12Bravo20]

For the first question, I was thinking second focal plain was going to be kind of the default in my price range. From what I've read, first focal plain seems more advanced, and I assume inherently more expensive. Maybe I am wrong on that?

As for adjustable objective lease vs side parallax adjustment, this is something I haven't quite gained an understanding of. Can you please elaborate on the differences? Thanks!

A scope with parallax fixed at say 100 yards will cause errors in point of impact versus point of aim and/or blurry targets at shorter or longer distances. Here are a few links that can describe parallax better than I can.

https://www.snipercountry.com/scope-parallax/

https://www.fieldandstream.com/guns/what-is-scope-parallax/

An adjustable parallax, either side focus or adjustable objective, allow one to change the parallax for any given range which keep the reticle and target in focus for more precise shots. Now it is personal preference if you go with an adjustable objective or side focus on scopes.

As far as FFP and SFP, both have their positives and negatives.

With SFP scopes, the reticle stays the same size no matter if you are at the lowest or highest magnification. The negative to this is the reticle is only calibrated for one magnification setting, which is usually set to the maximum magnification. So the reticle will be off a little at other magnification levels. I'll use a MIL DOT reticle as an example. They are usually calibrated for the highest magnification. So on a 4-16 scope or a 6-24 scope, the reticle is only calibrated for either 12 or 24 power (depending on the scope magnification range).

The reticle on FFP scopes changes in size as you change magnification levels. So on th lowest setting , the reticle will be very small and on the highest magnification, the reticle will be at its largest. At max magnification you will loose the bottom portion of the reticle. But the patine here is that the reticle is true with POA/POA at any magnification level.

As fares brand or model, I'l let others give you suggestions. I will say that I personally prefer a MIL DOT or Christmas tree reticle for precision target shooting. Christmas tree reticles are "too busy" for some people and that is okay. But for calling wind holdovers, they do come in handy.

 

[dranrab]

I have 2 of these on Rimfires and love them. Optical quality is excellent. They adjust as they are supposed to. Fairly lightweight. Adjustable parallax. Not Chinese like the Vortex Crossfire. Though the objective is 42, the bell size is equivalent of a typical 50, so allow for that with your rings. https://www.natchezss.com/droptine-45-14x42mm-matte-sb619-bu200077

 

[troy fairweather]

A little above your budget but maybe the next sales coming up the Sightron s-tac maybe a good choice, the 4-16 has a pretty fine crosshair but maybe nice for the 17.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have 2 of these on Rimfires and love them. Optical quality is excellent. They adjust as they are supposed to. Fairly lightweight. Adjustable parallax. Not Chinese like the Vortex Crossfire. Though the objective is 42, the bell size is equivalent of a typical 50, so allow for that with your rings. https://www.natchezss.com/droptine-45-14x42mm-matte-sb619-bu200077

I have few of them drop tine scopes too.

 

[Tallinar]

A scope with parallax fixed at say 100 yards will cause errors in point of impact versus point of aim and/or blurry targets at shorter or longer distances. Here are a few links that can describe parallax better than I can.

https://www.snipercountry.com/scope-parallax/

https://www.fieldandstream.com/guns/what-is-scope-parallax/

An adjustable parallax, either side focus or adjustable objective, allow one to change the parallax for any given range which keep the reticle and target in focus for more precise shots. Now it is personal preference if you go with an adjustable objective or side focus on scopes.

As far as FFP and SFP, both have their positives and negatives.

With SFP scopes, the reticle stays the same size no matter if you are at the lowest or highest magnification. The negative to this is the reticle is only calibrated for one magnification setting, which is usually set to the maximum magnification. So the reticle will be off a little at other magnification levels. I'll use a MIL DOT reticle as an example. They are usually calibrated for the highest magnification. So on a 4-16 scope or a 6-24 scope, the reticle is only calibrated for either 12 or 24 power (depending on the scope magnification range).

The reticle on FFP scopes changes in size as you change magnification levels. So on th lowest setting , the reticle will be very small and on the highest magnification, the reticle will be at its largest. At max magnification you will loose the bottom portion of the reticle. But the patine here is that the reticle is true with POA/POA at any magnification level.

As fares brand or model, I'l let others give you suggestions. I will say that I personally prefer a MIL DOT or Christmas tree reticle for precision target shooting. Christmas tree reticles are "too busy" for some people and that is okay. But for calling wind holdovers, they do come in handy.

Thanks for this. I understood parallax in general, just not the difference between the two types of adjustment. Sounds like they accomplish the same thing, just different.

 

[12Bravo20]

Thanks for this. I understood parallax in general, just not the difference between the two types of adjustment. Sounds like they accomplish the same thing, just different.

Yes you are correct, both achieve the same result but it different ways. I personally prefer side adjustment knobs since I don't have to reach out to the front of the scope to turn the objective bell. Others will prefer scopes with adjustable objectives. There really is no right our wrong answer on this, use what is more comfortable for you.

 

[Tallinar]

Though the objective is 42, the bell size is equivalent of a typical 50, so allow for that with your rings.

Thanks. I had been looking at the Burris 4.5-14x42 Fullfield E1 as well. Looks like it's the same size. I was intending to mount the rings directly to the receiver on the 11 mm dovetails. Seems like I would need high profile rings to fit this objective lens and still have room to get a cap on. Would you agree?

Most of the rings on Amazon seem to be designed for picatinny, and the ones that are Weaver seem to be 3/8 and not 11 mm. Some advertise compatibility with both, but then folks in the reviews express disappointment with the 11 mm fit. Even then, most rings on Amazon seem to be pretty off-brand. I'd prefer not to break the bank for rings on a low-recoil rimfire, but also want to make sure I get something that properly fits.

I had been looking at these rings, but not sure they would be tall enough. Any advice?

 

[12Bravo20]

Check places that specialize in European optics and mounts along with reputable vendors that specialize in air rifles to find rings for 11mm dovetails.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I run UTG rings by Leapers. Cheap yes. But they hold solid. 11mm will work on 3/8th.

 

[12Bravo20]

I run UTG rings by Leapers. Cheap yes. But they hold solid. 11mm will work on 3/8th.

I have also used UTG rings without issues on rimfire rifles.

 

[dranrab]

Thanks. I had been looking at the Burris 4.5-14x42 Fullfield E1 as well. Looks like it's the same size. I was intending to mount the rings directly to the receiver on the 11 mm dovetails. Seems like I would need high profile rings to fit this objective lens and still have room to get a cap on. Would you agree?

Most of the rings on Amazon seem to be designed for picatinny, and the ones that are Weaver seem to be 3/8 and not 11 mm. Some advertise compatibility with both, but then folks in the reviews express disappointment with the 11 mm fit. Even then, most rings on Amazon seem to be pretty off-brand. I'd prefer not to break the bank for rings on a low-recoil rimfire, but also want to make sure I get something that properly fits.

I had been looking at these rings, but not sure they would be tall enough. Any advice?

You will almost certainly need high rings. There's some height variation from one manufacturer to the next, but with this scope, high is your best bet.

You should be able to go with these rings with no problem. Natchez is running 10% off right now. Natchez is an outstanding business. https://www.natchezss.com/grand-slam-steel-rings-1-high-matte-windage-adj-we49319

 

[12Bravo20]

You will almost certainly need high rings. There's some height variation from one manufacturer to the next, but with this scope, high is your best bet.

You should be able to go with these rings with no problem. Natchez is running 10% off right now. Natchez is an outstanding business. https://www.natchezss.com/grand-slam-steel-rings-1-high-matte-windage-adj-we49319

Natchez is definitely a good company and the Weaver ring are good. But I don't thing those will work for the OP since his rifle has an 11mm dovetail.

 

[LoonWulf]

Natchez is definitely a good company and the Weaver ring are good. But I don't thing those will work for the OP since his rifle has an 11mm dovetail.

Those are windage adjustable, both side clamps have screws....on wierd rails (like that .22 that the rail was actually form holding the action in the fixture nit mounting a scope .....you know the one......i don't remember the one ...) those are actually really useful. But they are annoying to install because of the adjustments.

I have a set of cz rings you could have, as well as an older set of those weavers. The CZs tho are 30mm

 

[wild willy]

BKL rings would work for you

 

[Tallinar]

Well, I got the rifle ordered. Went ahead and ordered a Burris 4.5-14x42 Fullfield E1 with side parallax adjustment. The 6.5-20x50 seemed tempting, but as I played with my 4x and a 3-9x I have sitting around, I have a hard time imagining that I'd like 6.5x as my minimum. If I do use this for squirrel, I think I'll appreciate having 4.5x as an option for shots inside of 50 yards. Only thing I am not sure of is how I will like the reticle in this one, but we'll see. The product listing indicates this should be their Ballistic Plex reticle, but I half expect it could be the Ballistic Plex E1. Either seems acceptable to me. I really don't have any experience beyond a pretty traditional crosshair, so I'm going into this with an open mind.

Decided to start with some high profile UTG high rings from Amazon. If those rings don't work out, I will look at some of the other options listed here. Also ordered new cleaning rod, etc. Never gone down below .22 caliber before, so needed some new cleaning digs. Also ordered six different boxes of ammo to get started and see what kind of rounds it'll like. We're committed now!

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[CraigC]

The aforementioned Burris 4.5-14x is a good one.

I put a Mueller 4-16x on my Savage 93 .17HMR about 15yrs ago, set it at 8x and pretty much left it there. Good for crows out to 250yds.