Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Tell me about the BSA Sweet 17

I've aquired a 3-12x BSA Sweet 17 on a used 22 rifle.
As I understand the theory behind the scope the adjustments are set up for 17HMR. The problem is I don't want and will never own a sub calibre rifle. So, is this scope acceptable for 22lr use? Are there any centerfire rifles it could be used only
Thinking of sending it down the road, but it seems like a nice entry level scope. I've got a good 10-22 that could use it....
What are y'alls thoughts???

It doesn’t stand for best scope around. I’d send it down the road. No doubt it would work on the 10/22 but there are better choices.

I agree with Ky221. Also, I'm not sure what it will bring but ebay is a place it might get some action.

The trouble with eBay is it costs the advantage seller 15% to sell including being forced to use pay pal.
If I decide to sell I'll list it here first.
My only problem with it is the weight.
I'll post this afternoon here at $65 shipped.

I believe the technical term for BSA scopes in Quebec is "la Piece de la Chinae Junque"..

BSA Scopes should change their brand name to POS Scopes...

I hear you. I've got another one that came on a rifle. I installed it on my Encore 223. It works great. The only issue as with all inexpensive scopes is the quality of the glass. However, when compared to old Weavers from the forties through the sixties they're really nice.
This one is heavy, just like the old Weavers, and it's not even steel.

I've scrapped a few that came my way... and the reason I scrapped them...

they didn't hold up and were heavy.. so you'd think that would mean they were tougher..

and I am far from a scope snob....

I have plenty of tascos....

You're right about the heavy part........ Probably also about the holding up part.....

Friends don't let friends buy BSA scopes........

Yeah, dont sell it to anyone you know or like.

John Boy: Good luck with your sale - personally I have seen/encountered just absolutely horrible experiences with the BSA line of scopes.
I have never and would never buy a new BSA scope - nor would I ever again buy a used BSA scope.
I could go on and on about the terrible quality and performance issues my friends have had with all manner of BSA scopes.
The few I have bought at "throw-away" prices on the used market were just plain NO GOOD.
I have one BSA scope downstairs in my gun vault room that was GIVEN to me - it was bought by a big game Hunting partner of mine and he put it in his den to mount up on his sons Varmint Rifle.
Three or four months later he got around to mounting the scope and the "finish" on that brand new scope had turned to a very sticky and very uniform tar! I mean it would stick in ones hands!
I tried to resist his gifting it to me and tried to persuade him to "return" the scope to the sporting goods store he had bought it from but he had misplaced the receipt and the store is 105 miles distant.
So I have it - its sitting (sticking!) in its factory box absolutely useless.
Many years ago I bought a Rifle that came with a 36 power BSA scope on it - I turned the Rifle for a profit but decided on a whim to try to put the 36 power BSA to use as a temporary scope on Rifles I buy, to "test" for accuracy potential.
I will say this it has worked in that regard pretty well on maybe 10 different Rifles I have used it on.
Mind you I just put the scope on used Rifles make some handloads and fire the Rifle to get an indication on its accuracy potential. No long term or field use.
This scope has done that simple task fine for me - I will grant that.
But again money spent on BSA scopes, IME and IMO, can be much "better spent" elsewhere.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I got a used one at a pawn shop to put on my pellet gun. A Ruger Blackhawk Elite .177 caliber. It looks the part.
20190903_205139~4.jpg 799 x 133

I took the turret off and just use the 1/4 click. Works ok but the shock from the springer knocked the AO ring loose and it pops off now and then.

😂 headed for flea bay 😂 thanks guys.

I am simply amazed how my nice used rifles I see that have a BSA mounted on them. I know not everybody is as avid about this stuff as I am or even some members of this forum; but, it still amazes me.

A friend of mine tried one, says that BSA stands for Been Screwed Again. He will have nothing to do with them.

I've got two that came on rifle purchases. The 4-12x Classic is on a 223 and seems to work fine. The problem I see with the sweet 17 is that it's grossly overweight...... It seems twice the weight of the classic.
Would I deliberately buy one? No.

I put one on a 7mm STW.

Lasted for about 500 rounds until the prisms started moving with every pull of the trigger.

Replaced it with a Leupold. End of problems.

I remember reading years ago on here or some other forum about a professional guide who took a bunch of BSA executives on some sort of big game hunt; said execs all showed up to a man with rifles wearing Leupold scopes

saw one of the rack at a local gunshop/pawn shop...

was on a Remington in 300 Win Mag...

I am sure it worked great for ONE shot... then the owner traded it in, because the gun was not accurate...
Southern Oregon Trailer Park logic...

LOL. That's gold!

Quite an enlightening thread here. Sounds like BSA don't make 'em like they once did. Not that they were ever highly rated but my 10 / 22 has had one on it for about 20 years now and it still works great. When it dies I'll upgrade to something else. If I were in the OP's position I think I would try it on a 22 just for grins and curiosity. Just treat it like a regular 22 scope and zero at the desired range and don't worry about it being calibrated for the 17 HMR. Then; while waiting for it to crap out you can shop for something more worthwhile.

I figured worst case that I would send it to them to see what they would do....

Dude! It was designed and calibrated for a 17HMR!


If you got 500 rounds through a 7mmSTW with one, Id call that a great testimonial!

Mine wasn't actually the Sweet 17, but one of their early Mil Dot versons made for real rifles.

Want to hear the real Irony? Despite loosing focus with every shot, it never lost zero. Sure I'd have to re-focus after every shot, but it still shoot decent groups.

I killed an antelope with it at 465 yards. Just dialed in the range and held in on the center for the blur. The 150gr NBT took care of the rest.

But when it comes back, it is still a BSA. I have been trying to figure out what BSA stands for. Is it Broken Scope Assembly, Been Screwed Again, or Better Stay Away?

I had a Sweet 17 Mach II 10/22 in 17 Aguila - seemed to work ok. Bright enough in broad daylight and killed a ton of prairie dogs with it one year. I found that I wasn't a knob twister and removed it (plus the dang numbers on the knob were so small). The outside finish was peeling off so I sent it in and they replaced it with the 17 HMR version. I still have it for emergencies.

I don't think I would try any BSA on a center fire rifle.

I bought one new many years ago and the finish ended up melting. I put it back in the original box with intentions to contact them and try to return it. That was +10 years ago, it’s gotta still be around somewhere I need to dig it out and see what’s left of it.

I was curious and John made me an offer I couldn't refuse...
It works fine on the Savage 17HMR.
I have better glass on my other rimfires but this scope zeroed easily and works as expected for the distances I'll be shooting on the farm.

One came through the shop a few years ago that was about as clear as looking through 2% milk. I sent it off and when it came back the view had approved to skim.

I can't afford those expensive scopes. YET. Buying a Powerball ticket this afternoon...

I use a paper towel roll and dental floss, duct taped to my rifles. Works great, but the adjustments suck, and POA changes in the rain.

garbage

Yup