3-15 x 44 .......Too much scope for a 17 HMR?

surfclod

surfclod

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Hopefully going to get some hours in the gopher patch with my new Anschutz 1517.

Has been wearing some cheaper optics since I got it but want to give it some nice glass with a European name. Was planning on a 1" tube & 40mm objective in the 4-12 range. After trying a 6-18 (too much magnification for the offhand shots) as well as a 3-9 (not enough mag to find the eyeball in tufts of grass).

However I do have a Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15 X 44 from a PRS type build that I no longer have. Is it going to be too bulky & awkward on my 17 HMR or would it be a nice versatile scope.

Maybe Ive already got the perfect scope?
 
I love the Bushnell 2.5-16x42 on my 17hmr gopher guns. So much that I have it on both of my gopher getters, the 17hmr and the 223. Same goes for my dad, a 17hmr and .204 have the same scope.

I agree that 6x on the low end of the range is too much magnification, it is a problem at close ranges. And you really don't need more than 15x on the top end. So that 3-15 is perfect.

The Bushnell is pretty light and small, though not like a little 3-9, but smaller than a PRS type scope.
 
surfclod said:
Hopefully going to get some hours in the gopher patch with my new Anschutz 1517.

Has been wearing some cheaper optics since I got it but want to give it some nice glass with a European name. Was planning on a 1" tube & 40mm objective in the 4-12 range. After trying a 6-18 (too much magnification for the offhand shots) as well as a 3-9 (not enough mag to find the eyeball in tufts of grass).

However I do have a Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15 X 44 from a PRS type build that I no longer have. Is it going to be too bulky & awkward on my 17 HMR or would it be a nice versatile scope.

Maybe Ive already got the perfect scope?
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I think 3-15 is perfect for gophers, and the illuminated reticle will help on cloudy days. It has a fussy eye box and it's a bit heavy, but it will allow you to stretch the hmr on a windless day quite far and the glass is very good. I'd run it.
 
I just put a Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50 on my 1517 and like it as it is light weight, fairly clear and I like the reticle. Got a good deal new so thought to give it a try. No gophers yet but just sighted it in on the weekend at 100 yds and it is pretty good. Not sure I will use the full power all the time but nice for ranging. Sorry tried to get the photos upright but....failed
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No such thing as too much scope on a gopher gun. If you can't see them - you can't shoot them! Depending on the terrain, I find that a 4-16 is just about perfect for those shots out to 150 yards. At one time I even had an old Bushnell 6-24 on my gopher gun. As mentioned the 6X made it difficult if they popped up within 10 yards or so, but it was really nice to be able to see them clearly at 80 or 100.
 
dugasgunner said:
Burris 4.5-14X42 is also an excellent choice.
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^I'd love one of those, and really dig the E1 reticle. I've never hunted with one, but the glass is really nice and in good light, I imagine the reticle would be bold enough.

I know nothing about the scope the OP Is asking about, but 3-15X with decent glass sounds about perfect to me. My gopher-slaying 17HMR wears a 6-18XAO, vintage Bushnell Banner. If I used that gun more than every 2-3 years, I'd consider upgrading the scope, but I never found 6X to be "too much" on the lower end. Even though you CAN, we rarely shoot gophers at distances less than 30-40 yards, and 6X isn't too much for that. Provided the scope has SF/AO that lets you dial down to those ranges.
 
surfclod said:
Hopefully going to get some hours in the gopher patch with my new Anschutz 1517.

Has been wearing some cheaper optics since I got it but want to give it some nice glass with a European name. Was planning on a 1" tube & 40mm objective in the 4-12 range. After trying a 6-18 (too much magnification for the offhand shots) as well as a 3-9 (not enough mag to find the eyeball in tufts of grass).

However I do have a Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15 X 44 from a PRS type build that I no longer have. Is it going to be too bulky & awkward on my 17 HMR or would it be a nice versatile scope.

Maybe Ive already got the perfect scope?
Click to expand...

If you are going to shoot little pissing gophers at a variety of ranges, I think it is a good choice. If your are going to shoot moose at those same ranges, then the scope is a mistake.
 
Winz said:
In isolation, this is the most funny thing a gunner could say. :p Ubique
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Never even realized how ironic that was till you pointed it out. I spent my career in the military shooting sh!t I couldn’t see. Man if I could just use area munitions on gophers - now that would be a fun day in the gopher patch.

Cheers bud. :)
 
Interesting you found your 6-18 had too much magnification.

On my 17HMR for grouse and rabbits (anywhere from 10 to 100 yard shots) I am using an Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 IR. Has been fantastic.
 
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