Gimlet Posted June 15, 2011 Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 (edited) I'm looking for recommendations for a new scope for my .17 hmr. I've been let down by a cheap air rifle scope and I've decided I'm never buying a scope again that I wouldn't want to keep. So I want something decent that will stay the course without spending silly money. I'm getting a Zeiss Duralyt for my .308 to replace a Leupold 3-9x40 which I bought from a mate as a stop-gap. Its too small a lens and to little mag for my hmr use so it will become an air-rifle scope. For my hmr I want minimum 12 power mag, fixed or vari, I don't mind. I find I rarely use more than 12x but I certainly wouldn't want less- rabbits at 100 yds in the base of a grey hedge in the middle of winter are too hard to find with less. I want 50mm object minimum for light gathering and the best build and glass quality I can get for under £400 or thereabouts. I used to favour mildot reticles but I find that with a 100 yd zero and the scope left on 12x mag the amount of holdover needed at 150 yds is not enough to make the dots worthwhile. But I don't like really thick posts/stadia lines, so any fine line reticle I guess is what I'm saying. SGC are offering Meopta 3-12x50 for £380ish. They also showed me a nice Burris with a very nice fine reticle. Clarity and light gathering are key. And how much difference does a 30mm tube make? Suggestions please. Edited June 15, 2011 by Gimlet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted June 15, 2011 Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 This will be interesting, I generally stay away from scope recommendations, there are FAR too many out there, and whatever anyone wants to say, it gets far too personal to call as well, on top of which EVERYONE has the best scope! ATB! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted June 15, 2011 Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 MTC viper and a bit of change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted June 15, 2011 Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 I've got a Nikon Monarch 6-24x50 in the classifieds right now for that kind of money. I may be biased, but it's pretty sweet. I don't want that much magnification plus I'm probably selling the gun it is on. It is nice and bright and crystal clear. I highly recommend it. The Monarch and Bushnell Elite (3200 and 4200) are the best value for money IMO. I take either over a same priced leupold. Thanks Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted June 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 I've got a Nikon Monarch 6-24x50 in the classifieds right now for that kind of money. I may be biased, but it's pretty sweet. I don't want that much magnification plus I'm probably selling the gun it is on. It is nice and bright and crystal clear. I highly recommend it. The Monarch and Bushnell Elite (3200 and 4200) are the best value for money IMO. I take either over a same priced leupold. Thanks Rick I did think about a Nikon Monarch. I would be paying more for high mag which I wouldn't use though. 12x really is enough. I looked at the Bushnell elite too, but again that was 24x mag which pushed the price up. The guy at SGC told me Leupold had bought out Bushnell so there is now nothing to choose between the two. The Leupold is a lot dearer though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted June 16, 2011 Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 the guys at SGC told you wrong. Leupold bought Redfield, but that doesn't make a redfield the same as a leupold. The Bushnells and Nikons come in other mags as well. I had a 5-15 3200 on my HMR and it was a great scope. The 4200 come sin 4-16 and 6-18 flavor. In Nikon I think there is a 4-16 monarch and there is a 6-18 and 4.5-14 buckmaster, both great scopes and ust right for an HMR. thanks, rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRDS Posted June 16, 2011 Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 I have a Leupold 12 x 40 with a fine Duplex on my Quad Varmint and it is absolutely perfect for the HMR, it is plenty bright enough with the 40MM front lens and you can sit it lower. Buy from the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 16, 2011 Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 personally I'd steer away from a fixed 12mag simply because at last light if you back a cheaper scope back you gain time. I've a 4-16 nikko sterling on mine and will change it at some point but the magnification range suits the hmr well. In your situation I'd buy the meopta and at that price definitely a good buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted June 16, 2011 Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 I use the Redfield 3-9 x50 on the 17hmr... good clear vision, its not the best scope but a fair price for your money i would give it 8/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted June 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 personally I'd steer away from a fixed 12mag simply because at last light if you back a cheaper scope back you gain time. I've a 4-16 nikko sterling on mine and will change it at some point but the magnification range suits the hmr well. In your situation I'd buy the meopta and at that price definitely a good buy It was that same Nikko Sterling that let me down. Bought it with the gun as a combo deal from SCG. It was ok except clarity was poor at long range and high mag. Then one day I just couldn't shoot better than 1-2" groups zeroing. Tried everything, bought new cleaning kit, removed the bipod, floated the barrel and still no good. Then I tried the Hawke scope off my air rifle and immediately started keyholing at 100 yds. Good point about fixed mag in poor light. Magman's suggestion of MTC Viper is tempting for the amount of spec you get for the money. Though I'd go for the Taipan, I think it is, because MTC say it is centrefire spec and if a scope is to be a keeper it has to be up to centrefire use. Though I'm slightly put off cheap(er) scopes after the Nikko Sterling experience. I am warming to the Meopta though. There was a topic running on here ages ago between some members discussing scopes for stalking rifles. Someone said he had a Meopta, sold it and regretted it. Couldn't find a scope to beat it for optical quality even amoung top end European glass. Don't expect it was a £400 model though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEREALTHRILLER Posted June 16, 2011 Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 Nikon monarch lovely scopes for the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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