Best Scopes for 17HMR in 2023 – Top 10 17HMR Scope Reviews

Developed in 2002 by necking down a .22 Magnum case to take a .17 caliber bullet, the 17HMR remains a popular round. It works well for small game and varmint hunting.

A fitting scope should be paired up with a rifle shooting this caliber. Therefore, in this article, we will run you through ten excellent scope options for 17HMR rounds. We’ve included a strong range of options that offer a variety of features to suit particular needs.

We’ll also weigh up the main pros and cons of each scope to give you a good outline to work from when comparing them.

Now, let’s check out the best scopes for 17HMR and find the perfect one for you…

Top 10 Best Scopes for 17HMR in 2023 Reviews

1 Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Side Focus Riflescope

Straight in, we have this Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Side Focus Riflescope. It comes with a sleek black finish and is 100 percent waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof due to the o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged design.

The Custom Dial System (CDS) makes long-range shots a lot easier because no holdovers or basic calculations will be needed. Instead, the dial will be customized to your specific rifle for the 17HMR you’ll be using.

Lens quality…

The lenses use Diamond Coat 2 technology, which is an ion-assist lens coating for better light transmission. Plus, the coatings offer a strong level of abrasion resistance.

There’s a Twilight Max Light Management System in place, which adds up to 20 extra minutes of light suitable for shooting. As well, the system reduces glare and produces crystal clear edge-to-edge image quality.

Lightweight and precise…

The construction features a lightweight 30mm main tube, and the scope is designed, machined, and assembled in the USA. You’ll benefit from very precise 1/4 MOA finger click adjustments for windage and elevation.

Lastly, the VX-3i 4.5-14×40 has a magnification range that makes it very versatile, with the ability to serve your interests in short, mid, and long-range targeting.

2 Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane Riflescopes – Best Second Focal Plane Scope for 17HMR

Next, we have this very popular Crossfire II from Vortex to check out. This configuration (one of many) is made in the second focal plane and uses a one-inch tube design. It has a Dead-Hold BDC reticle, making it an ideal choice for hunters and sports shooters who commonly find estimating holdovers a problem.

Comfortable viewing…

You’ll benefit from a very forgiving eye-box with this scope for comfortable viewing and targeting. These aspects, along with the fast-focus eyepiece, help you to find and acquire your target rapidly.

The lenses are fully multi-coated and have anti-reflective properties so that you won’t give off glare on a sunny day. Also, expect super bright and clear visuals in various light conditions due to the high-quality engineering of the lenses.

There’s also a maximum elevation adjustment of 60 MOA, and the capped reset turrets are finger adjustable with MOA clicks. These can be reset to zero very simply after sighting in on a target.

How is it made?

Using a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, Vortex gives you a super strong and lightweight scope option to be proud of. It’s made shockproof and is O-ring sealed, as well as nitrogen purged to prevent water and fog from entering into the reticle.

3 Vortex Optics Razor HD 5-20×50 First Focal Plane Riflescopes – Best First Focal Plane Scope for 17HMR

Here we have another Vortex Optics offering in the form of a Razor HD 5-20×50 First Focal Plane Riflescope. This is the EBR-2B MOA version, as opposed to the EBR-2B MRAD model.

Long-range precision…

It uses high density, extra-low dispersion glass, and premium XR coatings, which provide exceptionally crisp, bright, and clear visuals for long-range targeting. Plus, index-matched apochromatic lenses are used for color correction over the entire spectrum.

As a glass etched first focal plane riflescope, you gain excellent versatility, and sub tensions will remain accurate right down the zoom range. Additionally, the brightness levels can be adjusted to 11 different settings to suit your shooting environment.

Parallax removal…

Due to the built-in side focus function, optimal image focusing, and parallax removal can be achieved. And, the fast-focus eyepiece enables quick reticle focusing and targeting.

Furthermore, their Rapid Zero Return system stops the turret from dialing below sight-in range, using high-quality steel components.

It’s made with a single 35mm aluminum tube that is precision machined and anodized for long-lasting performance. It’s also waterproof, fog proof, and ArborTech coatings have been applied to protect the lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt.

4 Hawke Riflescope Vantage IR – Best Illuminated Scope for 17HMR

The Hawke Riflescope Vantage IR is a one-inch monotube, machined from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum. It also uses a special erector system for internal stability.

Recoil ready…

Using a torque zoom ring and fast focus eyebell, smooth magnification adjustments can be easily made. Also, the adjustments will remain firmly in place, even after being exposed to heavy recoil.

This design is also made shockproof to withstand rugged use out in the field. Plus, it is O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged, making it fog-proof and waterproof.

With low profile non-snagging fingertip turrets in place, a shooter can easily make precise ¼ MOA adjustments for better long-range accuracy. And, there is an adjustable objective for parallax correction that works from ten yards to infinity.

A Rimfire 17HMR reticle…

Made specifically for 17HMR rounds, this reticle offers 12x magnification and has aiming points that are pre-calculated for this caliber. This means you’ll be able to zero with incredible accuracy down the range or out in the field.

Another great feature is the five levels of red or green illuminations you can choose from. These options should allow you to target in a wide variety of light conditions, and it uses rheostat tech for brightness adjustments.

Excellent value for the money…

There are also 11 layers of optical coatings for supreme clarity, and it weighs in at only 18.1 ounces. And we’ll mention that Hawke is a British brand that gives you great value for the money with this scope option.

5 BSA 3-12X40 Sweet 17 Rifle Scope with Multi-Grain Turret

BSA delivers with this 3-12X40 Sweet 17 Rifle Scope, featuring a multi-grain turret, and it is made especially for use with 17HMR bullets with 17-grain and 20-grain loads. It’s also adjusted incrementally to allow an elliptical bullet drop between 100 and 300 yards.

Find your target…

The optics on this scope are fully multi-coated to provide super clear visuals downrange or when out hunting. There’s also 3-12x variable power magnification to make use of with a 40mm objective lens.

It uses a Duplex reticle, weighs in at 19.4 ounces, and has a length of 13.5 inches. You also benefit from four-inch eye relief and a maximum internal adjustment of 30 MOA. The MOA clicks are in ¼ increments too.

Need something durable?

For the price, it’s impressive that this scope is made waterproof and fog-proof due to the O-ring seal and nitrogen purging process carried out in the assembly. Additionally, it’s a shockproof design that will withstand a decent amount of recoil, as well as knocks and bumps.

Lastly, the smooth shadow matte black finish works well to reduce unwanted glare. And, we appreciate the seven feet minimum field of view available at 100 yards.

6 Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope – Best Big Game Scope for 17HMR

Moving on now, let’s check out this Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope. It features 3.3 inches of eye relief and has a 3-9x variable power magnification paired with a 40mm lens.

HD clarity for low light conditions…

This Banner optic is treated with Bushnell’s DDB multi-coating process for clear, bright, and crisp imagery in low lighting. And, to ensure this clarity is maintained, the scope has been dry-nitrogen filled to prevent fogging. Plus, you can utilize the fast focus eyepiece to quickly find your targets.

Made to last…

It’s also 100 percent waterproof and shockproof. This means the scope works well in harsh environments, and it can handle heavy recoil, as well as knocks and bumps out on a hunt.

The construction is a one-piece tube design, which has been used for good strength and durability. Furthermore, you can make use of ¼ MOA fingertip adjustments for windage and elevation on this Multi X reticle.

After big game?

The ultimate purpose of this scope is for big game hunting. It can be used effectively with 17HMR rounds on rifles, shotguns, or muzzleloaders to give you exceptional accuracy across the board.

7 BARSKA 6-18×40 mm AO Hot Magnum .17 And .22 Interchangeable 30/30 Rifle Scope

Next in line, we’re checking out this high-performance Barska riflescope. It’s built with very impressive bullet drop technology and works well with both 17HMR and .22 BDC rounds. You also benefit from 6-18x variable power magnification and a 40mm objective lens.

Crystal clear…

The 30/30 reticle with a second focal plane is ideal for a classic hunting style. You’ll get extremely clear and bright visuals because of the multi-coated optics and wide objective in place. It’s also worth mentioning that parallax can be removed since the objective lens is adjustable.

The adjustment click value for this scope is ¼ MOA, and the eye relief is a decent 3.1 inches. As well, this is a fully waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof design that is suitable for harsh environments.

Built-in compensation…

The elevation knob on this Barska is precisely calculated to compensate for the elliptical drop of the 17HMR with a 17-grain bullet. This also applies to various other loads in .22 caliber ammo.

Included in this package are scope caps, BDC turrets, and a lens cloth. Overall, we believe this to be a great value for the money option for what’s on offer.

8 Nikon Prostaff P3 3-9×40 Riflescope

Now we’re taking a look at this Nikon PROSTAFF P3 3-9×40 Riflescope, which comes in black and has a one-inch tube diameter. It’s a second focal plane riflescope that has a 75 MOA adjustment range with ¼ MOA clicks.

Versatile shooting…

The fully multi-coated lenses allow for maximum light transmission, contrast, and brightness for superb clarity in various light conditions. This is ideal for hunters that want to get their shots in at dawn or dusk.

Built with aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, it’s rugged and lightweight construction. It has a good level of shock proofing to deal with heavy recoil and the inevitable bumps and bashes out in the field. And, it’s impervious to water and fog due to the O-ring seal and nitrogen purging.

Will it match well with the rounds?

The 3-9x magnification gives plenty of flexibility for shooting at different ranges. And, with the help of Nikon’s Spot On Ballistic Match Technology, you calibrate this scope to work perfectly with 17HMR rounds. Plus, it can be recalibrated to suit any other rounds you are using.

Finally, some of the more impressive features include the smooth-turning quick focus eyepiece and the spring-loaded instant zero-reset turrets for elevation and windage.

9 Nikon P-Tactical Rimfire 2-7X32 Riflescope

Before we move onto the last scope, we’re taking a look at this Nikon P-Tactical Rimfire Riflescope. It comes with a compact 32mm objective lens and 2-7x variable magnification. This is also a second focal plane riflescope.

The construction…

Made with aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, this is a very rigid yet lightweight scope choice. And, since they are developed by expert marksmen, you’ll benefit from superb accuracy with this fully multi-coated optical system.

The brightness and clarity of this scope are impressive in various light conditions. Plus, the P-Tactical hash-marked reticle helps you calculate windage and elevation for accurate targeting in a hunting environment. The adjustments are ¼ MOA clicks, and there is a 90 MOA adjustment range. Additionally, you get 50 yards parallax and generous eye relief.

Rugged use…

Since this system is a waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof design, it can handle extreme weather conditions. As well, it can deal with heavy recoil and knock and bumps out in the wild.

There’s an instant reset to zero function in place to make your shooting experience straightforward and intuitive. Plus, the exposed turrets allow for repeatable adjustments down on the range, or out in the field.

10 CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope 6-24×50 AOE Red and Green Illuminated Gun Scope with Free Mount

Finally, here we have the CVLIFE Hunting Rifle Scope, which has a 6-24x variable magnification and a large 50mm objective lens. It also features green and red illumination and comes with free mounts.

Find your target…

With a wide 28 feet at 100 yards field of view, this scope is perfect for hunters that want to scan an area to spot their targets at a distance. Plus, it uses a quick tactical lock and zeroing for windage and elevation adjustments. And, the red and green illumination supports the mil-dot reticle with five brightness levels to choose from.

It’s made with a super-strong aluminum alloy that also makes it very durable. Yet it only weighs in at around 22 ounces, which isn’t bad for a 50mm objective and close to 16-inch riflescope – with a CR 2032 battery on board too.

What’s in the box?

Included in this package are two scope mounts for 20mm weaver dovetail rails only. You also get an Allen key, lens cover, and cleaning cloth. Furthermore, it utilizes ⅛ inch at 100 yards adjustments, and the eye relief is 3.52 inches.

Best Scopes for 17HMR Buying Guide

In order to choose the right scope for your 17HMR rifle, you need to consider the primary functionality. Some shooters want to shoot down the range and don’t necessarily need a rugged scope design. Others will be out on long hunting trips and will need their optic to serve them well in harsh conditions.

So in this section, we will choose suitable scopes for specific applications in the hope that we can help you choose the best scopes for 17HMR for your needs…

Best FFP Scope for 17HMR

First focal plane scopes are usually more expensive than the SFP options. But, they come with the advantage of keeping the subtensions the same at whatever magnification when you’re targeting. Hunters and long-range shooters especially like them because very accurate adjustments can be made.

We highly rate the…

Vortex Optics Razor HD 5-20×50 First Focal Plane Riflescope

…as it offers amazing long-range precision and a rapid zero return function. Plus, it’s not too expensive, either.

Best SFP Scope for 17HMR

Most of the scopes we have looked at have the reticle positioned in the second focal plane. Yet, one that we think sets a strong example of this type of scope is the…

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane, 1-inch Tube Riflescopes

Yes, it’s another high quality and great value for the money offering from Vortex Optics. The advantage you’ll have with this scope is that the reticle will appear the same size no matter what the magnification, which some shooters prefer.

The Hunters Choice – Best Hunting Scope for 17HMR

Nearly all of the scopes we’ve featured in this article are very well suited for hunting. However, if we had to pick one good all-rounder, we think the…

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope with 3.3-Inch Eye Relief, 3-9X 40mm

…is a formidable choice. Many hunters will resonate with the claim that most of what they are hunting comes out more often than not at dawn or dusk. This scope is designed to give you super clear visuals when there is low light. Plus, it is made to suit big game hunters shooting 17HMR ammo.

Best Value for the Money Scope for 17HMR

It’s always good to get bang for your buck! And, there are certainly some amazing scope deals to be had that perform almost unmistakably like more premium-priced options.

Therefore, we have opted for the…

Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Side Focus Riflescope

…which is packed full of features for a very reasonable price. It also has a Custom Dial System in place, which allows you to calibrate the scope to work accurately with your 17 HMR rounds.

Best Illuminated 17HMR Scope Choice

Lastly, we know many shooters love a good form of illumination for their reticle, and it can be difficult to gauge which scopes live up to what they claim.

A good recommendation is the…

Hawke Riflescope Vantage IR

This scope has five levels of red or green illumination built-in using rheostat technology for the brightness levels. It has reputable accuracy at long range and can withstand rugged use out in the field.

But, what are the Best Scopes for 17HMR

Thanks for reading through our ten best choice 17HMR scopes. We hope you now have enough information on some of the better scopes that will suit this particular round and your shooting requirements.

If we have to choose one scope to rule them all, it has to be the…

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope with 3.3-Inch Eye Relief, 3-9X 40mm

This is because it’s incredibly tough, versatile, full of strong features, and is great for hunting.

So good luck in finding a great scope deal, stay safe, and of course, happy shooting folks!