.22 LR, 9mm, .45 ACP, 5.56 NATO, and .308 Win seem to get all of the glory.
But there are dozens of other cartridges that are worthy of our attention. .17 HMR is just one of them!
.17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, or .17 HMR, is a comparatively young cartridge that made a huge splash when it first came on the market over a decade and a half ago.
The round’s popularity isn’t surprising. It’s one of the fastest and most accurate rimfire cartridges currently on the market.
Yet a lot of people still aren’t very familiar with the .17 HMR or what it can do.
So what do you need to know about this relative newcomer?
I’ve put together this guide to tell you! Now let’s get started.
Table of Contents
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What Is .17 HMR?
.17 HMR is, as the name would suggest, a rimfire cartridge that first hit the market in 2002 and is used primarily in rifles, but also in some revolvers.
Also as the name would suggest, .17 HMR was developed by Hornady with assistance from Marlin and Ruger.
The design was inspired by rounds created by hobby rimfire cartridge makers, or wildcatters, who were attempting to develop a round with similar ballistics to the Remington Magnum Rimfire, or 5mm RMR, because of its speed and flat trajectory.
The developers designed .17 HMR to be a high-velocity cartridge that was also accurate and dependable.
The .17 HMR is a necked-down version of the .22 Magnum and generally uses a 17-grain bullet, though you can also find rounds with 20 grain and 15.5-grain bullets.
Though .17 HMR was designed to replicate the ballistics of the 5mm RMR.
But the .22 Magnum cartridge was instead used as the parent case because it was more widely available, was stronger than other .22 cases, and wouldn’t require significant changes to existing rifle and magazine designs like the 5mm RMR would thanks to its unusual head.
.17 HMR is available in hollow point, soft tip, and full metal jacket (FMJ).
.17 HMR Ballistics
It’s here that we begin to see why so many people enjoy using this particular cartridge. For starters, the range is one of the best you can get for a rimfire.
Typically, 250-yards is considered the effective range of a .17 HMR bullet out of a rifle, and the first 100-yards of this distance is going to have a completely flat trajectory.
This means for the majority of what you aim at with this caliber (with my assuming most of your critters are going to be relatively close), you’ll have no problem taking them out.
Provided you can put the reticle on target, you should be golden.
Even wind doesn’t seem to pose as much of a problem to the .17 HMR as when compared with other rimfires.
Whereas other rimfire calibers can really get tossed off-target by steady gusts, the .17 HMR can still ring relatively true without as much drift.
Out to 100-yards, you’re typically looking at these bullets hitting with 136 foot-pounds of force as well.
That means it’s plenty strong enough to take out that rogue skunk who keeps spraying your dog without your ever having to worry about being inside the immediate stink zone.
Uses of .17 HMR
.17 HMR is primarily used for mid-range small game and varmint hunting. The bullet’s velocity and accuracy make it ideal for hunting rabbit, possum, and raccoons from up to 200-yards.
The round’s high energy can make it a bit too destructive for hunting varmints like squirrels and chipmunks, but if you’re not particularly concerned with preserving the body, then .17 HMR can be a great choice.
Skilled marksmen have used .17 HMR for larger game like hogs and coyotes, but it takes a hell of a shot and a range within about 50 yards to pull it off.
The other major use for .17 HMR is for plinking.
It balances affordability with speed and accuracy. It’s also relatively quiet compared to larger ammunition, though it is louder than its main competitor, .22 WMR.
Best .17 HMR Ammo
Now that you know a bit about .17 HMR and what it’s useful for, let’s talk about some of my favorite HMR rounds for plinking and hunting.
.17 HMR Plinking Ammo
When it comes to plinking ammo, my favorite .17 HMR rounds are Federal Premium V-Max Polymer Tip and Winchester Varmint.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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I don’t want to spend much on plinking ammo, so I like that these rounds are super affordable but also have respectable accuracy, velocity, and energy.
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Both of these are great ammo picks, normally I just grab the cheaper option since I love both equally.
.17 HMR Hunting Ammo
For hunting, either Hornady Varmint Express or CCI Gamepoint is the way to go.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Hornady Varmint Express is the OG of .17 HMR, and it shows offering excellent quality at an affordable price.
Whether you go with 15.5-, 17-, or 20-grain, the soft tip offers superior accuracy alongside impressive expansion. Of course, that expansion means this ammo is best used for pest control.
CCI Gamepoint is better if you want to preserve your game. It’s a full metal jacket round that expands minimally to protect your meat.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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It’s also incredibly accurate, with a max rise of only 0.6-inches when sighted for 100-yards.
The Current World of .17 HMR Ammunition
While these are some of the better .17 HMR cartridge options, the fact of the matter is that right now you have to get what you can get.
Multiple online retailers have been out of stock of .17 HMR now for months, and in many cases, there’s no telling when warehouse supplies will be restocked.
So quite honestly, if you see it, get it.
.17 HMR Rifles
Of course, even the best ammo is useless without something to shoot it out of.
Fortunately, I’ve also assembled some recommendations for something to make that ammo go boom.
Handgun choices for .17 HMR are a bit limited, but there’s no shortage of rifle choices, so let’s start there.
I’d be more selective of which .17 HMR rifle I chose compared to my willingness to snatch up just about any ammunition out there. However, there’s a severe shortage of these on the market right now as well.
If you can find a rifle chambered in such though, my recommendations are two-fold: stick with something affordable and find something that you like.
Real ornate, right?
Budget-Friendly .17 HMR Rifles
For starters, spending anything over $400 on a rimfire rifle to me just doesn’t feel right.
Throwing big money around is for night vision, AK-47s, and bolt-action 6.5mm Grendel pieces. I don’t want to drop major dollars on something that I’m going to be “plinking” with.
Or shooting possums with, for that matter.
If you’re like me in that thought process, I recommend checking out what Savage has to offer, particularly, the Savage 93 FSS.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Chiappa makes an interesting little break-action .17 HMR called the Little Badger as well that may be more in the price range you’d be willing to spend.
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“It’s Just Money” .17 HMR Rifles
If you are willing to spend big money, one of the most widely recommended is the Ruger 77/17.
The Ruger 77/17 was designed by Ruger specifically for .17 caliber ammo and is available in .17 HMR, .17 WSM, and .17 Hornet.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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The Ruger 77/17 is a classically styled bolt action rifle with plenty of modern touches. It has a stainless steel action, cold hammer-forged barrel, and a detachable rotary magazine.
It also has built-in sling swivel mounts to make this rifle easier to carry, even when trekking through the underbrush, as well as integrated scope mounts on the steel receiver and included scope rings.
What’s your take on the Ruger? Give it a rating!
.17 HMR Handguns
Handgun choices in .17 HMR are fewer and almost exclusively revolvers.
The Taurus Tracker is one such revolver.
This is a durable revolver great for hunting small game!
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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It has a textured rubber grip to help you keep maximum control over the weapon in all kinds of conditions and has a seven-shot capacity, giving you an extra shot before you need to reload when compared to most revolvers.
The Tracker also has an excellent safety mechanism. The gun can be locked with a key at which point the revolver can’t be cocked or fired and the manual safety can’t be disengaged.
When you’re ready to use it again, you can unlock it and get going. The same key can be used for any Taurus revolver or pistol.
If you don’t like the Taurus, check out Smith & Wesson’s Model 647.
It’s a beautiful revolver that, unfortunately, also has a ridiculous cylinder lock. It’s a hard gun to find, but it’ll get you into the world of .17 HMR revolvers.
If you’re looking for something a little more cowboy and a little less film noir, check out the Ruger Single-Six or the Chiappa 1873 SSA 17.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Both of them are single-action, unfortunately, but they’re the cheapest way to get a .17 HMR handgun that I know of.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Conclusion
Whether you want a fun plinker or a varmint hunter, the .17 HMR can get the job done.
Though ammo can be tough to find, when you do find it, it’s worth it to play with this fun round.
Have you done much shooting with .17 HMR? Let us know in the comments below. If you’re interested in other obscure or mainstream calibers then you’ll want to check out our Ammo & Reloading Guide!
30 Leave a Reply
Killed many a PD at 100-150 yards and several at a tish over 200 with a 17HMR out the window of the pickup. Absolutely amazing rimfire.
My CZ 452 is my favorite gun to shoot! I love it so much that I got the 455 when I found one. I use it for plinking gophers. If you can them, you can hit them! I would love to have the Alexander AR version, but I’m hesitant to because I already go through so many rounds on a shoot, I’d go broke with a semi-auto!
I know exactly where this is going to hit at any distance. I have a fairly cheap take off scope from a combo rifle/scope a buddy sold me, and it works fine on my 452. I spent a little extra and got the Luepold Rimfire scope on my 455. Both are heavy barreled lasers!
Love me some 17HMR!
Love my Savage B17 FV. It's a tack driver. AccuTrigger is light & crisp, and the rotary magazine is slick and low-profile.
What’s so funny aboot saying zed eh? That’s the way it’s pronounced!
No mention of the Savage A-17? jeez, I thought you were going to do a inclusive review. Between the tack driving accuracy (especially the 22") and the fact you don't need to grab a handle and pull it back to fire another round, it has been the nicest varmint destroyer I have.
I completely agree! My A-17 is an armadillo destroyer!
I also have a savage A17 auto. Great squirrel gun. It does need the extra energy of the CCI A17 ammo for consistent ejection empties. I've shot well over 9000 rounds and still 80+yrd accuracy is great.
That Savage 93R is the most accurate rim fire rifle I have ever had the pleasure of owning. And mine was consistently accurate with several different brands of .17HMR. Squirrel head shots all morning at 100yrds give and take 25yds. Amazing rifles.
A MEN ! I'VE OWNED MY SHARE OF GUNS. A LOT OF REALLY ACCURATE SHOOTERS. I HAVE TO SAY ABSOLUTELY THE SAVAGE 93R17 I OWN IS A ABSOLUTE TACK DRIVING MACHINE. NOTHING TO HOLD DEAD ON AT 80 TO 100 YARDS AND TAKE THEM THEIR NUT THIEFS. LOL
Any rifle with less than 1 MOA at over 100 yards is a superb rifle. My $300 Savage 93R with a good used Centerpoint scope that cost $75 is one of my favorite and consistent, super accurate platforms I have. Less than 1 MOA at 125 yards with cheap ammo.
That Savage 93R is the most accurate rim fire rifle I have ever had the pleasure of owning. And mine was consistently accurate with several different brands of .17HMR. Squirrel head shots all morning at 100yrds give and take 25yds. Amazing rifles.
Don't kill possums! No rabies and they eat thousands of ticks.
You are correct! Possums are good for our environment!! Do Not Shoot Them!!
Didn't see that that was mentioned.
HMR could also stand for Hornady, Marlin, Ruger. Just a thought.
Browing T-Bolt is an excellent 17 HMR rifle.
Great woodchuck round. I have a marlin 917 with the heavy barrel. Lightened up the trigger spring. Nice inexpensive good shooting gun.
This round is extremely great round I use it for hogs and one shot to the neck with cci game rounds will drop the hog in it's tracks at 75 yards dead. When u said you have to be with in 50 yards for an accurate kill shot on a large varmint was wrong.
I’ve been using my Savage 93r to rid the planet of possums and raccoons for the past year. Drops them like rocks! Really want the .17 Alex arms upper.
Almost all major gun companies make revolvers chambered in 17hmr. Ruger, Taurus, S&W, Chiappa......etc
There are even AR-15'S chambered in 17HMR.
I first bought a straight pull action from ati, had a real problem extracing the spent rounds. The back of the case was bulged which in turn deformed the rim, after sending the rifle back twice, I fell out of love with the rifle but not the round. Recently i acquired a Rossi magazine fed bolt action for $137 plus shupping and xfer fee and I'm back in love. An acquaintance has a heavy bbl Savage bolt gun too.
I'm able to buy ammo for around $8.00 plus shipping which adds another dollar or so if you get a quantity. The name of the place is SG Ammo out of Oklahom
My fave type of shooting is a game I call "FORE!" It involves a golf ball or empty 12ga cases. The leader points out a target then shoots at it. If the tatget moves, it's considered a hit. The shooter keeps shooting until the Shell is out of sight. Its one heck of a thrill to hit a golfball and watch it soar then you get to call out the name of the game.
Rossi bolt and semi-auto small caliber rifles are nice for the price, I have their semi-auto .22 LR RS22 that I paid $102 shipped and love it!
Perhaps a future review of the Alexander Arms .17 HMR in the AR platform? :-)
Maybe, Sam!
First time I've heard of someone doing .17 HMR on the AR platform. It would be interested to try out!
Love my Marlin 917VS in .17HMR. I have only ever shot it in 17 gr and I'm totally satisfied with Hornady's V-Max. From a bench rest I can repeatably place 3 rounds at a 100 yds that can be covered with a dime. My son dropped a coyote at under a 100 yds and he dropped right now. I put a BSA Sweet 17 scope on it and I've been really happy with the total package. The only criticism I have of the Marlin are the magazines that come with it. They seem sloppy and cheap although to date I have not had them fail to feed properly.
I dropped a hog a 75 yards with mine and after that fell in love with the gun it is my go to hog and scouting rifle when deer season is not in.
Thanks for such a great piece on my favorite round! I bought my Savage B17 about a year ago for less than $400 and have loved it ever since.
Love my Savage also
Good round, used it for years now. Doesn’t require special talent for coyote use.