.17 hmr, non AO high magnification?

migrant hunter

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Forgive me if this has been done before.
I have a cheap Bushnell 3-9x40 on my savage 17 hmr. It works, but the gun is capable of more.
I had a tasco 6-24 AO and hated it. Even before it started wandering around, the AO was a P in the A.
I want a little more magnification, with a fine reticle, for gophers out to 150 yds.
How much magnification do you want before paralax is an issue? I had a 4-12 elcheapo chinese thing on my .22 magnum when I lived in the UK years ago, and I wish I had brought it with me. Cost about 100 bucks and it was awesome.
What y'all using on your 17's? Will be on reduced hours at work in the new year, so no hurry. Thinking sub $200 and in time for gophers.
 
I have a 4 x12 Simmons and for a budget scope it's really good I've bashed it fairly good a few times out grouse hunting and has always held its zero. Good luck in your search
 
6-24 probably has the adjustable front bell for paralax? is'nt it a pain to use? I found that on gophers at ranges of 20-150 yds, I was always fiddling with the AO if I wanted to see clearly. Otherwise it was always out of focus. Side paralax is the way to go, but I can't justify spending side paralax kind of money.
 
I have a 4 x12 Simmons and for a budget scope it's really good I've bashed it fairly good a few times out grouse hunting and has always held its zero. Good luck in your search

Same here.

A bit out of your price range but a minox 3-15 x 42 has no side focus.

Forget if its a z5 or z3 but I might know of a BNIB unmounted one for a bit less than retail.
 
I use an elite 3-9x40 special edition with side focus on my HMR. I leave the sf at 100y for hunting mostly and adjust it accordingly when target shooting. Always read that better quality glass at lower mag trumps cheaper glass with more mag.
 
most centerfire scopes are parallax free at 100 yards... if you are shooting gophers from 100 to 150, you should have no issues.
But if you want to chase targets of opportunity from 20 yds to 150, then you probably want to spend the money on side focus.
 
Bushnell Banner Dusk to Dawn 6x24 AO. I don't seem to find it a PITA. I really like it. The sight picture at higher mag is tricky but doable.
 
6-24 probably has the adjustable front bell for paralax? is'nt it a pain to use? I found that on gophers at ranges of 20-150 yds, I was always fiddling with the AO if I wanted to see clearly. Otherwise it was always out of focus. Side paralax is the way to go, but I can't justify spending side paralax kind of money.

A good scope with adjustable parallax is an asset to rimfire shooting IMO. The issue here seems to be with cheap scopes. Bushnell Trophy would be the cheapest line I'd consider for what you want. Banners/Tasco/Simmons are junk as far as I'm concerned.
 
I agree, but does anyone really want to use an AO scope for gophers as opposed to a side paralax or none at all?
I'm thinking I'll go to maybe 12x or 14x without paralax adjustment, just for the ease of use. I find myself spotting gophers in the grass or crop with my binos, maybe having to range them with the laser, and then mess around with paralax adjustment. Gophers are'nt ususally that co-operative.
 
I agree with popcan (except for the 10-22 comment, yuck!) just use a centerfire scope of your choosing.

I just picked up a nikon prostaff 4-18 on a boxing day sale for cheap. Gonna view some gophers this spring thru it...
 
I agree, but does anyone really want to use an AO scope for gophers as opposed to a side paralax or none at all?
I'm thinking I'll go to maybe 12x or 14x without paralax adjustment, just for the ease of use. I find myself spotting gophers in the grass or crop with my binos, maybe having to range them with the laser, and then mess around with paralax adjustment. Gophers are'nt ususally that co-operative.

If you're on a budget, it is a feature that can be left out. As long as you have a consistent cheek weld, you'll hardly notice it. Something like a Bushnell Trophy or Vortex (Diamondback if you can) 4-12 should fit the bill.
 
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