I don't own a SCAR-17 yet, but I'm in the penny saving/planning phase. I am figuring the rifle purchase will be pretty pricey, so I am planning on running a 'place holder' budget optic until I could repeat the penny saving process for a high end optic at a later date. Using this logic, I still want an optic that will be quality enough to last a few years until I can purchase said top tier optic.
Like you, I want an optic that is close to 1x, but I want more magnification to take advantage of the longer legs that the .308 offers. Logically a 1-4x or a 1-6x would be a good option. (Ideally, a 1-8x would be perfect, but that's more in the second phase of the two-part penny saving plan.) The three options I settled on were the SWFA 1-4 Classic, good quality and a reticle that I really like, the Vortex 1-4 PST, not so in love with the reticle, but the quality and warranty are awesome, and the Primary Arms 1-6 ACSS, my favorite reticle, but not sure how the scope would hold up on a SCAR-17. I'm figuring my optic budget to be $500 or less, so you have some upward wiggle room.
Another option is to troll the used optics Section in the EE. Some really great values on mid range optics that are a step above the three I listed for not a whole lot more.
What I do plan on is buying the American Defense Delta mount, specifically designed for the SCAR. It is expensive, ($220 or so) but if you do upgrade to a better optics at a later date, at least you would already have what I think is the world's best QD mount.
Good luck OP.