The 17 WSM is part of a hunting cartridge that doesn’t excel past 200 yards, yet it wrecks most targets within that range. While the .17 WSM may not have as many fans as the .17 HMR, the caliber is still quite good on its own turf.
Just like the other .17 calibers, the WSM can benefit from a good scope that can hunt well within the close to mid-range. Finding a good coyote hunting scope is not that hard of an ask. But when you attach the .17 WSM for coyote hunting, it becomes a bit complicated.
Don’t worry, it’s nothing that a bit of thinking and searching can’t fix. That’s why, I’m here to help you find the best scope for 17 WSM and help you enjoy this wonderful caliber that most hunters love.
How To Choose a Scope For 17 WSM?
Choosing a scope will always be a hard task. But it doesn’t need to be as mind boggling as you think it will be. The decision can be divided into two simple steps. Let me explain.
The first step should be what you want from the scope. If you want long-range performance, then you want a scope with higher magnification, but if you know the range you are shooting at, then you can opt for a fixed magnified scope as well.
The next thing should be the budget. It’s something that you should think about thoroughly and make sure you think about this more than once.
After you make the decision to stick to a specific budget, the options will shrink and you can easily find out the scope that suits you the best.
1. Vortex Optics Viper PST 5-25x50mm Gen II FFP Riflescope
The Viper series is not a new one and it’s been a part of my recommendation for a while now. The main reason why you see it so often is its versatility. The Viper is not just one scope. Instead, it has many scope variants suitable for medium to long-range shooting.
The lowest you can get it is in a 2-10×32 configuration. And that’s exactly the model I recommend you to go with. It’s a close to medium-range scope that will clearly show you the vision of the coyote or similar sized animal you are hunting.
Whether it’s early morning or late afternoon, the fully multi-coated lens will outperform all competition in the same price bracket.
Vortex is known for their lenses and they didn’t disappoint with this model either. On top of that, the reticle of the scope is also in the first focal plane as the name suggests.
Is this also under a lifetime warranty policy?
Of course. All Vortex products are under their unconditional lifetime warranty. It doesn’t matter what kind of optics you have, it will have the same warranty.
What’s the tube diameter of this scope?
The tube of every single model is 30mm. The tube is also purged internally to make it water, fog, and shockproof.
Are the turrets of this scope capped?
The turrets on the 2-10×32 model are capped. The other variants have tactical turrets and they are not capped.
2. Bushnell Engage 6-24x50mm Riflescope
Bushnell is out here creating a completely new market for scopes. The amount of scopes you can find under Engage is wild. Starting from 2.5-10×44 to all the way to 6-24x50mm. On top of that, you will find models with illuminated reticles and non-illuminated reticles.
It’s a bit of a bummer that you can’t buy the 2.5-10×44 with an illuminated reticle. But it’s not mandatory for low-light conditions. The fully multi-coated lenses are fantastic under any lighting condition.
Whether it’s the broad daylight or declining sunlight during dusk, your scope won’t let you down.
The build quality of this scope is also top-notch. It’s made out of aircraft-grade aluminum. The aluminum housing is also purged chemically to make it immune to fogging. And the outside of the scope is water and shockproof. All in all, it’s capable of withstanding any harsh weather you may want to put this through.
Is this a good scope for hunting?
It’s excellent for hunting. The clear vision and wide field of view paired up with smooth magnification make it a good choice for hunting.
Does this scope come with a sunshade?
No, it doesn’t come with any sunshade in the package.
Will this scope work with an air rifle?
Yes, the scope will work with an air rifle with ease. It won’t have any issues regarding the recoil or pressure from the chamber.
3. Athlon Optics Argos BTR GEN2 6-24X50 FFP Riflescope
When it comes to scopes with high magnification and low price tags, Athlon is the brand that everyone goes to. The Argos BTR Gen2 is a wonderful not-so-little long-range scope featuring a massive 50mm objective lens. The maximum magnification of the scope is 24x.
And when you magnify from 6x to 24x, the process is smooth, jitter free, and glare free. The distortion at maximum magnification is almost non-existent. The little bit that is there is around a corner that you will never notice.
The scope doesn’t have any chromatic aberration either. It’s shock, water, and fogproof.
The lenses are fully multi-coated. The scope features APMR FFP IR MIL and APLR2 FFP IR MOA reticles. The reticles you choose will depend on your preference. Make sure to check out both reticles before you decide to go with one.
Does the scope come with mounting rings?
No, it doesn’t come with any mounting rings. You will need to purchase a pair of mounting rings on your own.
Why does Athlon use argon purging instead of nitrogen?
Argon purging uses inertia gas that has larger molecules which covers a wider space and soaks up moisture faster and makes sure moisture doesn’t leak inside. That’s why they use argon.
What kind of warranty does Athlon provide?
Athlon offers a limited lifetime warranty with their optics. While it’s not as long as Vortex, for example, it’s also not as short as 6 months that some Chinese scope offers.
4. Leupold FX-I Rimfire 4x28mm Fine Duplex Riflescope
While the Leupold VX series is known for their price-to-performance, some people kind of sleep on the FX series. The FX-I is a fixed magnifying scope with a 28mm objective lens that gathers plenty of light.
The scope body is constructed from high-quality aluminum. The chassis is purged with nitrogen to make it immune to internal fogging. Purging is done to remove all residue moisture from the inside of the tube.
The lenses are fully multi-coated and they feature a twilight light management system. The twilight light management system is an advanced method of gathering light.
The light transmission on this method is better and cleaner and it ensures a crisp image in any lighting condition. Thus making it a great deal for low-light enthusiasts.
Which ring will be best for this scope?
For precision shooting and hunting, Vortex Pro Series rings will be a wonderful choice. They will retain the adjustment setting of the scope with a good grip.
Is this a good choice for air rifles?
Yes, it is. You can use it with most rifles including sniper ones as well. But it may not perform optimally if you pair it with something bigger than .17 WSM.
Is this a good optic for hunting?
Yes, it is. Don’t let the fixed magnification fool you. The hunting capability of this scope is awesome.
5. Hawke Vantage IR 4-16×50 AO Riflescope
Vantage IR is made by Hawke Sport Optics. They have been in the industry of making hunting and sports optics for a long time now. The Vantage IR is a budget offering from the company that comes with a very long magnification.
The maximum magnification of the scope is 16x and the objective lens is extremely wide at 50mm. The field of view of this scope makes it an awesome piece of equipment for hunting.
The field of view is more important than a lot of newbies think. You can see more visually thus making sure you cover the exit of your prey as well.
The lenses of this scope are fully multi-coated. Multiple layers of coating enhance the vision clarity of the scope and make it more sturdy and resistant against scratches, oil, and water splashes. It’s also quite easy to clean the optic with just a wet microfiber cloth.
Is the reticle illuminated?
Yes, the reticle is illuminated. You will find a total of 5 adjustable levels of brightness settings. Including both red and green colored reticles.
What’s in the box?
You will find the scope itself, a pair of lens covers with elastic bands, and a piece of microfiber cloth to clean the lens. You will also find a single CR2032 battery and an instruction manual to operate the scope.
Is this a 30mm tube?
No, it’s not. To make sure you don’t mistake it for a 30mm tube, Hawke even mentions the diameter in the title of the scope.
6. Primary Arms SLX 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope
Primary Arms SLX is a value for money riflescope. The trend of shoving in higher magnification in a lower priced scope still prevails. I mean, it’s a trend that works and people love it, why change? The SLX has a huge scope. Featuring a 44mm objective lens.
The tube of the scope is made out of aluminum. The aluminum inside is purged with nitrogen to make it immune to fogging. As the scope is sealed well and is protected all around, water can’t get inside either. You can use the scope in a swamp like a jungle if you want to.
The reticle of this scope is partially illuminated as well. It comes with 6 levels of brightness setting and is powered by the universal CR2032 battery. The partial red illumination comes in super handy in low-light environments.
What kind of scope rings will I need for this scope?
You will need a pair of rings that are 30mm. There are quite a few notable brands that make 30mm rings. Including Vortex, Leupold, Hawke, etc.
Is this scope too heavy for a .17 WSM weapon?
It’s not. The weight is balanced towards the center with a little tilted to the front. Which is expected due to the bigger lens diameter in the front. But overall, a pretty balanced scope.
Is this a good scope for hunting?
Yes, it’s a great scope for hunting. The accuracy and performance of the scope are what make it a good hunting scope.
7. BSA 3-12×40 Sweet 17 Rifle Scope
The last scope that I want to suggest to you guys is from BSA. The Sweet 17 riflescope is suited for all sorts of .17 calibers. While the turrets are calibrated for .17 HMR 17gr. A and .20 gr bullets, the scope is capable of running on a .17 WSM firing rifle as well.
The optic is capable of shooting well beyond 200 yards. Even though the .17 WSM is not the most accurate thing after 200 yards, it never hurts to have extra headroom. The scope itself is made out of durable and high-quality aluminum. The aluminum tube is shock, fog, and waterproof.
The lenses are coated to show clear and bright visual sceneries. There are no problems regarding chromatic aberration either. Coyote hunting or even turkey hunting with this caliber will be tons of fun.
Even though I don’t think anyone would use this for turkey hunting. But hey, if you have a rifle for that, you know what to do.
Does this scope come with mounting rings?
A couple of different models of the BSA optics come with dovetail rings. But most of them don’t.
What’s the weight of this optic?
The total weight of this optic varies on the model. The one I’m suggesting weighs 22.70 oz.
Is this the illuminated reticle variant?
No, it’s not. It’s a standard Duplex reticle and it doesn’t feature a hint of illumination.
Conclusion
Well, that didn’t take that long, did it? I know it’s still a bit of a hard task to choose just one among the list. Even though I did say they all are some of the best .17 WSM scopes on the market, the decision making is still to be made. But you will need to make the decision regardless. So, don’t overthink. Go for the one that suits your shooting style and fits in your budget as well.
With that said, that’s all for now. I do hope you return for more later. I will be waiting patiently like you did while reading it. And I appreciate you reading it as well. I hope you are having a good day, I will see you on the next one. Take care and have fun.