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scope choice
jwb267
Member Posts: 19,664 ✭✭✭
which is a better scope, or which would you choose
vortex viper 6.5x20x44 or burris fullfield E1 4.5x14x42
probably be mounted on a .17 magnum
Comments
"17 magnum" rimfire??
I wouldn't even consider either for use on such a short range tool.
I have the Burris sitting in front of me and going to mount in on a H&R Ultra 22 MAG and I think it's a great piece of glass.
i like the Burris scopes also, they work well for me. have one waiting in the box for my next rifle.
A 17-222 Magnum possibly?
Now you're talking my language!
Pics????
Leupold
Knowing what you mean by the .17 magnum would help some. Personally, anything I think is accurate enough, that I will shoot enough to warrant it, I put good glass on it. I have a Ruger 10/22 target with factory hammer forged barrel and Fajen adjustable stock that I put a Leupold Vari-X III scope on it.
If this is a .17 HMR, it would depend on your intended quarry (or target), the distance, and your eye sight. When I had younger eyes, a 3x9 was plenty for 300 yard prairie dog shots but now, I start at 6+. The longer and more sedentary the target is, the higher magnification I also go. I have an 8x25 now for prairie dogs, but for quick moving coyotes, unless they are out a couple hundred yards, it is too much.
I am a fairly die-hard Leupold fan but it annoys me when someone asks for help to choose between option a or b and people suggest XYX so not going to do that. If your ".17 magnum" is a .17 HMR or HMR2 and you are shooting less than 200 yards and/or on moving targets, then I'd suggest the Burris for the lower power. For targets or other less mobile shots or at longer ranges, then the additional magnification certainly helps. Just don't over-magnify. For some of us, we sense a "need" for more powerful scopes for longer shots. While this is certainly proving more true as my eyesight fades, people have been making extraordinary shots of 1km+ with magnification at or below 10x.
SAV BMAG TARGET 17WSM 22 HVY SS GREY THUMBHOLE
Product Details
Designed specifically for the red-hot, flat-shooting 17 Win. Super Magnum cartridge, the B.MAG Target represents a whole new class of rimfire rifle. Thread-in barrel headspacing, rear-locking lugs and a cock-on-close bolt maximize accuracy at long ranges, while user-adjustable AccuTrigger™ technology allows crisp, customized trigger pulls. Added features include a stainless steel heavy barrel, gray laminate thumbhole stock, compact action, center-feed rotary magazine, matte blued barrel and soft rubber butt pad.
17 WSM sits at the top of the heap as far as rimfire cartridges are concerned, and comes in just 500 fps or so behind the . 17 Hornet. With a 100-yard zero, the 20-grain . 17 WSM bullet drops but 1.2 inches at 150 yards and 4.1 inches at 200 yards, giving a very usable trajectory from a rimfire rifl
Vortex, more magnification and a slightly larger objective. Or if one has an A/O, I'd go with that one.
Contrary to popular belief, objective size does NOT regulate field of view. It only admits more light. The larger objective gains you very little on a broad daylight rifle.
I'd go with the 4.5-14 scope, the lower setting being much more usable on close - and likely scurrying - targets. Even that is overkill on a 200-yard rifle.
Hint: ALWAYS start out with your scope on its lowest setting for any kind of hunting. There will be time to crank it up for a long shot, but no time at all to crank it down for a close one.
I just remembered a "rule of thumb" I used years ago about calculating the highest scope power you need.
It is based on maximum expected range and game size. Begin with the first digit of the number of hundreds of yards you set as your usual or maximum range. If that's 300 yards, your range value is 3. Got that?
Deer get a size value of 3, coyotes get a size value of 4, prairie dogs get a size value of 5, and critters as small as ground squirrels get a 6. Now you simply multiply the range value by the size value.
Thus, for 300-yard shots, the highest magnification you need for deer is 3 times 3, or 9X, for coyotes a 12X, for PDs a 15X and tiny critters an 18X. Adjust those for the ranges and game you expect.
Note that for deer at woods range then, a 3X is plenty - which is born out by the trainloads of deer that have been harvested using straight 4X scopes.
Just guessing that the op is going to use it for shooting critters such as sage rats and the like. If that's the case, then the higher powered scope will make a difference on a 4" rat at 250+ yards, or one a bit closer with only their head sticking out of the hole. I have a 17 WSM and they don't make the best "Hunting " rifle.
Either will work
thanks for the replies
I’d go pick the Burris b/w those
I have a 17hmr 77/17 that has had a Nikon Monarch 4-12 on it since day one. I bought the first rifle that came in the store back when the 17hmr was just coming out. It has taken more than a few p-dogs and groundhogs over the years and 12x was sufficient. It is also plenty of power to shoot itty-bitty groups at the 100 yard range. Granted I am not using it on a WSM but I would opt for the Burris. Bob
If it's a full field II I hope you have actually held it in your hands to check it out. On the one I bought, the whole eye piece turned to adjust power. And it was hard to turn. Think channel locks. Mine has the ballistic pled reticle. Which is good. If you're not familiar with the E1 reticle, better take a look. I own older Burris scopes and think highly of them. Their new stuff, not so much. I'd go with the viper if it was me.
I like the vortex and the price point , along with very good quality, and I use high power variables for target and varmint, I like to pin point the target.