The .17 HMR, also known as the .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, is highly regarded for its exceptional performance in dispatching small varmints and games. Its remarkable flat trajectory and rapid expansion make it a top choice for this purpose.
While it may be a bit costlier for recreational plinking, those seeking enhanced accuracy for longer distances will find the .17 HMR to be exceedingly capable.
Vortex scopes have gained the trust of shooters and hunters due to their reputation for quality, clarity, and precision. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best Vortex scopes tailored specifically for .17 HMR.
Factors to consider when choosing .17HMR scope
- The glass in your scope should provide clear and vivid images, enhancing visibility and target acquisition during these challenging lighting situations.
- The magnification range to consider would be a minimum of 3-6x for closer shots, up to a maximum of 10-15x for those occasions where you require a bit more zoom.
- Since you’ll be engaging targets at varying distances, having a parallax adjustment feature is indispensable. This allows you to swiftly eliminate parallax errors on the go, ensuring that your shots remain precise and on target.
Top 4 Best Vortex Scopes for .17HMR
- Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44mm 30mm Tube First Focal Plane Rifle Scope
- Vortex Crossfire II AO 4-12x50mm 1in Tube Second Focal Plane Rifle Scope
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire, Second Focal Plane
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
Vortex Diamondback 4-16x44mm 30mm Tube First Focal Plane Rifle Scope (Best Vortex Scope for .17 HMR)
The Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-16×44 stands out as a top choice for .17 HMR enthusiasts, offering a versatile and high-performing solution for a wide range of shooting applications.
Its exceptional glass clarity and reticle design are worth noting, providing distortion-free, crystal-clear images even in challenging low-light conditions.
The EBR-2C reticle located in the first focal plane, allows for smooth magnification adjustments without tint or glare.
In terms of usability, the Vortex Diamondback offers a generous 4 inches of eye relief and a wide eye box, ideal for those who prefer shooting with both eyes open.
This scope’s durability is another strong suit, constructed from lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum with a fully anodized finish. It has withstood various durability tests, including drops, submersion in water, and impacts, maintaining its functionality admirably.
The tactical turrets on the Diamondback are a standout feature, with fully exposed, zero-resistance adjustment, and a tactile texture for easy grip.
These turrets audibly click with each ¼ MOA adjustment, ensuring quick and precise changes without diverting your attention from the crosshair.
Additionally, the parallax adjustment is easily accessible in the field, allowing for parallax elimination from ten yards to infinity.
Pros
- Extra-low dispersion (XD) glass enhances resolution.
- Fully exposed turrets
- Minimal glass dispersion for a brighter sight picture.
- The magnification rib allows for swift magnification changes.
- EBR-2C tactical glass etched reticle
- Fast-focus eyepiece for effortless adjustments.
Cons
- No true 1x magnification.
Vortex Crossfire II AO 4-12x50mm 1in Tube Second Focal Plane Rifle Scope
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 4-12×50 emerges as a superb budget-friendly choice for those seeking an affordable and reliable optic for their .17 HMR rifle.
This scope, priced below $200, surprisingly offers excellent optical performance, boasting fully multi-coated lenses with an anti-reflective coating that ensures a clear image while avoiding alerting your targets.
The glass clarity remains impressive, especially at lower magnifications, although at higher magnification settings, there is a slight softening and muted effect on the image.
While it may not rival high-end optics, given its cost, the glass quality proves to be a valuable asset, offering great performance for small game hunting and pest control.
The 50mm objective lens plays a pivotal role in low-light scenarios, effectively gathering light to provide a clear sight picture. It excels in situations where visibility can be challenging, such as nighttime hunting when paired with a red light.
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle integrated into this scope enhances its suitability for hunting and shooting across varying ranges, particularly when holdover estimation is a concern.
This reticle is designed for fast target acquisition, with well-spaced lines that don’t crowd the image, providing an unobstructed view.
The Vortex Crossfire II offers a forgiving eye relief between 3.9 to 4.4 inches, ensuring that there are no concerns about “shooting your eye out,” even at the highest magnification settings.
The scope’s eye box is particularly accommodating, making it easy to acquire your target swiftly, especially when hunting small game.
Elevation and windage knobs on the Crossfire II are crisp, finger-adjustable, and provide MOA clicks that can be easily reset to zero. The dials are precise and repeatable, offering a surprising level of performance for a scope in this price range.
The magnification dial operates smoothly with just enough resistance to prevent inadvertent adjustments, making zeroing a seamless process.
Pros
- Clear glass
- Second Focal Plane Reticle
- Waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof
- Simple to use
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Smooth adjustments
Cons
- At higher magnification, images are not as crispy
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire, Second Focal Plane
For users of 17HMR rifles, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire riflescope represents a purpose-designed, rugged, and optically exceptional selection.
Tailored especially for scout rifles, this scope serves as an ideal companion for successful wilderness hunts.
What sets this scope apart is the versatile V-Plex reticle situated in the second focal plane. This ingenious design allows you to adjust magnification without altering the reticle’s size.
The riflescope offers an outstanding 9.45 inches of eye relief and an exceptionally forgiving eye box, ensuring swift and precise aiming and target acquisition.
Scout rifles demand generous eye relief to enhance accuracy and expedite reloading, and this scope delivers precisely that.
Enhancing usability is the fast-focus eyepiece, facilitating effortless reticle adjustments for swift target lock-on. The scope’s anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses ensure clear and brilliant views, elevating the enjoyment of your hunting experience.
Turret adjustments are a straightforward affair with MOA clicks, and they can be conveniently reset to zero after sighting in, streamlining your shooting process.
Constructed with robustness in mind, this riflescope boasts a one-piece tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum. This construction not only ensures durability but also offers shockproof performance, capable of withstanding the recoil generated by your rifle.
Moreover, it boasts waterproof and fogproof attributes, courtesy of O-ring sealing and nitrogen purging, guaranteeing consistent performance in a wide range of weather conditions.
Pros
- Crisp and very clear images
- Exceptional eye relief.
- Convenient fast-focus eyepiece.
- Fully multi-coated lenses for improved light transmission.
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof construction.
Cons
- In some low-light conditions, there may be occasional suboptimal light transmission.
Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
The Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 Second Focal Plane Riflescope is a purpose-built and highly versatile choice, catering to the needs of both classic and traditional hunters.
This scope offers a magnification range between 3x and 9x, making it ideal for targeting within the common hunting ranges spanning 300 to 800 yards.
It features a BDC (Bullet Drop Compensation) reticle, allowing you to adjust for bullet drop on longer shots, which is a valuable asset for those engaging distant targets.
The second focal plane placement of the reticle ensures its size remains constant when adjusting magnification, avoiding unintentional obstructions at higher power settings.
The Crossfire II has fully multicoated lenses that enhance light transmission and durability, making it well-suited for use in various lighting conditions.
It boasts zero-reset-capable turrets for easy windage and elevation adjustments, contributing to improved shooting accuracy. The scope is designed to be balanced and easy to mount with a choice of rail or regular ring designs.
The Crossfire II has a magnification range between 3x and 9x, along with a 40mm objective lens, providing versatility across effective shooting distances. Its generous eye relief, ranging from 4.5 inches to 3.8 inches, accommodates users of various rifles.
In terms of durability and weatherproofing, Vortex has maintained its reputation for robustness. The Crossfire II is nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed, ensuring it is both waterproof and fog-proof, capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions.
Pros
- Very clear and bright
- Easy to zero
- Great eye relief
- Inexpensive
- BDC Reticle
- Durability
- Easy adjustments
Cons
No true 1x magnification.
Conclusion
When selecting the best Vortex scopes for .17 HMR rifle, there are several factors to consider. The choice of scope should be tailored to your specific shooting needs, whether you’re targeting varmints, small game, or simply enjoying some target practice.
Vortex offers a range of excellent options that provide clarity, precision, and rugged durability, ensuring that you get the most out of your .17 HMR rifle.