11 Best Scopes For 17 Hmr of 2026 To Pinpoint Small Targets

1

Hawke Vantage 30 WA SF IR 4-16X50 Riflescope | Illuminated

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  8.6
• Brand
  Hawke

Key specs2

Reticle Design

Illuminated Rimfire .17 HMR

Parallax Control

Side focus adjustment

Pros & cons43

Pros

• Dedicated illuminated rimfire .17 HMR reticle matches the caliber trajectory directly
• Side focus adjustment corrects target blur and parallax across varying distances
• Wide-angle optical system with fully multi-coated lenses supports clear viewing
• Stout 30mm tube body offers waterproof and shockproof construction for field hunting

Cons

• Large 50mm objective lens requires medium to high rings to clear rifle barrels
• Heavier 30mm chassis adds bulk compared to standard 1-inch rimfire optics
• Specific reticle subtensions do not match standard .22 LR or centerfire bullet drops

2

Malcolm 3X Gen II Short Telescopic Sight – 17" Rifle

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  7.1
• Brand
  hi-lux

Key specs2

Tube Diameter

3/4 inch

Intended Firearm Style

Engineered for vintage lever-action rifles, SASS competition, and BPCR shooting setups.

Pros & cons33

Pros

• Authentic vintage exterior styled specifically for classic lever-action rifles
• Micrometer mounts and sliding ring assembly allow fine physical adjustments
• Dedicated 17-inch steel body provides period-correct aesthetics

Cons

• Narrow 3/4-inch tube diameter limits internal adjustment range and optical ring options
• Fixed 3x magnification lacks the zoom needed for tiny varmint targets beyond 100 yards
• Lacks caliber-specific drop compensation marks for high-velocity .17 HMR ballistics

3

Weigand Combat Weigand No Drill and No Tap Mount for

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  8.5
• Brand
  Weigand Combat

Key specs1

Receiver Fitment

Designed specifically for Ruger 77/22 and 77/17 factory receiver cutouts without drilling.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Installs directly onto Ruger 77/17 and 77/22 receivers without drilling or tapping
• Converts proprietary Ruger receiver cuts to accept standard modern scope rings
• Maintains zero across rimfire calibers including .17 HMR and .22 Mag

Cons

• Standalone mounting base that includes no optical scope or ring hardware
• Engineered strictly for Ruger 77-series rimfire actions and will not fit generic receivers

4

Weigand No Drill and No Tap Mount Compatible with Ruger

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  7.4
• Brand
  Weigand Combat

Key specs2

Elevation Cant

20 MOA built-in angle

Installation Method

No drill and no tap clamp

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Integrated 20 MOA elevation cant provides extra downward travel for long-range target adjustments
• Attaches securely to Ruger 77/17 and 77/22 rimfire receivers without permanent gunsmith drilling
• Durable black finish blends cleanly with factory blued or synthetic rimfire rifle configurations

Cons

• The 20 MOA forward tilt requires scopes with enough elevation travel to zero at close ranges
• Dedicated strictly to Ruger 77-pattern receivers and excludes flat-top Picatinny platforms

5

Monstrum RM135 and SG41244AO-B Bundle

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  9.3
• Brand
  Monstrum

Key specs2

Package Contents

Optic and RM135 mount hardware

Front Parallax System

Adjustable objective (AO)

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Combines the SG41244AO-B adjustable objective optic with matching RM135 mounting hardware
• Adjustable objective design allows front lens focusing to eliminate parallax errors
• Variable 4-12x zoom range handles small vermin targets across close to medium distances

Cons

• Bundle packaging requires verifying included mount height matches your specific rifle barrel contour
• Reticle markings and turret adjustments are not explicitly matched to .17 HMR trajectory curves

6

Weigand Combat No Drill and No Tap Mount for Ruger

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  9.3
• Brand
  Weigand Combat

Key specs1

Mount Type

0 MOA receiver rail

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Zero-modification mounting system attaches directly into factory Ruger 77/17 receiver notches
• Provides a stable top rail for standard rings on .17 HMR and .22 caliber rimfire rifles
• Clean matte black anodized construction avoids gunsmith alteration fees

Cons

• Mounting base only, requiring separate purchase of optical scope rings and glass
• Standard 0 MOA base does not supply additional upward elevation travel for extreme long-distance shooting

7

Gamo BSA Optics Sweet 17 AO 3-12 x 40mm Rifle

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  9.3
• Brand
  BSA

Key specs2

Magnification Range

3-12x variable

Caliber Specific Turret

Calibrated for .17 HMR

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Calibrated elevation system designed specifically around flat-shooting .17 HMR ballistics
• Adjustable objective corrects parallax blur on small game at varying target distances
• Versatile 3-12x magnification window handles both woods stalking and open-field shots
• Moderate 40mm objective bell balances light gathering with lower mounting profiles

Cons

• Turret calibrations rely on specific .17 HMR bullet grain weights to stay true downrange
• Lacks reticle illumination for enhanced crosshair visibility against dense cover at dawn or dusk

8

Gamo BSA Optics Sweet 17 AO 3-9 X 40mm Rifle

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  9.2
• Brand
  BSA

Key specs2

Zoom Capability

3-9x variable

Objective Diameter

40mm

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Dedicated .17 HMR trajectory compensation assists quick elevation dialing in the field
• Adjustable objective collar sharpens target focus down to close rimfire shooting distances
• Compact 3-9x magnification profile keeps rifle balance light and responsive in field brush

Cons

• Maximum 9x magnification limits target identification on tiny pests past 150 yards
• Reticle crosshairs lack illumination settings for low-light morning or evening hunts

9

Vantage IR Riflescope 4-12x40 AO, 1", Rimfire .17 HMR (Etched)

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  9.1
• Brand
  Hawke

Key specs2

Reticle Construction

Glass-etched illuminated rimfire .17 HMR

Main Tube Size

1 inch

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Glass-etched .17 HMR reticle features illuminated holdover aim points matched to the cartridge
• Adjustable objective ring dials out target parallax error from close range outward
• Standard 1-inch tube diameter provides broad compatibility with common rimfire ring mounts
• Practical 4-12x zoom range gives ample target detail without adding excessive scope length

Cons

• Smaller 40mm objective lens transmits less light during dusk than 50mm alternatives
• Electronic reticle illumination requires monitoring battery charge for lighted operation

10

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

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  7.8
• Brand
  BSA

Key specs1

Turret System

Multi-grain calibrated elevation drum

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Multi-grain elevation turret drum adjusts drop compensation for different .17 HMR bullet weights
• Adjustable objective allows front-end focus correction for sharp sight pictures on small targets
• Balanced 3-12x magnification range covers both woodland ground squirrels and pasture varmints

Cons

• Multi-grain turret caps must be manually swapped or reset when changing ammunition types
• Non-illuminated crosshair makes reticle tracking difficult against shadowy brush

11

Vantage IR Riflescope 4-16x50 AO, 1", Rimfire .17HMR (Etched)

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  8.0
• Brand
  Hawke

Key specs2

Objective Bell Size

50mm

Maximum Magnification

16x

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Large 50mm objective lens maximizes light gathering during early morning and late evening hunts
• Glass-etched illuminated .17 HMR reticle stays crisp against dark brush and distant targets
• High 16x upper magnification provides critical target definition on micro-sized varmints
• Adjustable objective bell allows exact parallax removal across long rimfire distances

Cons

• Large 50mm bell requires taller scope rings that can raise cheek weld height
• Longer optical housing increases overall weight on lightweight rimfire rifles

Last update on 2026-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Do you need a dedicated .17 HMR reticle or calibrated turret?

Yes, a caliber-matched reticle or elevation turret eliminates trajectory guessing past standard rimfire ranges. Scopes like the Vantage IR Rimfire .17 HMR feature etched reticles designed specifically for this cartridge, while models such as the BSA Sweet 17 use a multi-grain turret matched to bullet weight. Standard rimfire optics calibrated for .22 LR introduce holdover errors because .17 HMR shoots considerably flatter past 100 yards. Choosing a caliber-specific system allows you to maintain accurate holdovers on small targets without converting ballistics charts in the field.

Is 3-9x magnification sufficient, or do you need 4-12x or 4-16x?

A 3-9x scope works well for general rimfire distances, but higher magnification options like 3-12x, 4-12x, or 4-16x provide the target resolution needed to spot small varmints at extended range. Models such as the Vantage IR 4-16x50 AO or BSA Sweet 17 AO 3-12x40 allow you to identify partially hidden targets in heavy brush. While a 3-9x40 optic offers a wider field of view for rapid target acquisition, dialing up to 12x or 16x helps you pinpoint precise shot placement before pulling the trigger. Match your zoom range to your expected shooting distances and target dimensions.

Why is adjustable parallax necessary on a .17 HMR rifle scope?

Adjustable parallax prevents reticle shift and eliminates focal blur when switching between close shots and targets past 100 yards. Standard rimfire scopes often have fixed parallax set at 50 yards, which can create aiming errors and a blurry image on distant targets. Optics with an adjustable objective (AO), such as the BSA Sweet 17 AO or Vantage IR 4-12x40 AO, allow you to dial out parallax error directly at the objective bell. Side focus (SF) mechanisms, like that on the Hawke Vantage 30 WA SF IR, provide the same optical alignment from a turret mounted on the scope body.

Should you select a 1-inch or 30mm scope tube diameter?

It depends on your required elevation travel and your rifle mounting setup. A 1-inch main tube, found on scopes like the Vantage IR 4-12x40 AO, keeps the setup light and fits widely available rimfire rings. A 30mm tube, featured on the Hawke Vantage 30 WA SF IR, provides a larger internal adjustment range and accommodates wide-angle optics with fully multi-coated lenses. When pairing your scope with rings, confirm proper barrel clearance for the objective bell, particularly when selecting larger 40mm or 50mm lenses.

How do you mount a scope on rifles with proprietary receivers like the Ruger 77/17?

You can use a dedicated conversion rail to mount standard rings without drilling into your rifle. The Weigand Combat No Drill and No Tap Mount attaches directly to factory Ruger 77/22 and 77/17 receiver cutouts, creating a solid base for standard ring mounts. For shooters planning long-range elevation adjustments, Weigand also produces a 20 MOA black rail compatible with the Ruger 77/17 to preserve upward turret travel. Always verify your receiver model and ring height to ensure your scope's objective bell and bolt handle clear cleanly.