Short answer first: most 17 HMR loads push a 17-grain bullet at about 2,550 fps. That one fact explains why the round shoots so flat and why varmint hunters love it. Still, 17 HMR ballistics are not all the same. Bullet weight, bullet type and barrel length all move the numbers. Below you will find the published data for every load we stock and a plain guide to using it.
What Is the 17 HMR?
HMR stands for Hornady Magnum Rimfire. Hornady introduced it in 2002. It takes the .22 WMR case and necks it down to hold a .17 caliber bullet. The result is a small, fast rimfire with very little recoil.
It is a rimfire round, not a centerfire. It only fits guns chambered for 17 HMR. Do not try to load it in a .22 WMR or a 17 WSM gun.
Want to see the parent round? Our 22 WMR ballistic data guide covers it. For a faster rimfire option, see the 17 WSM data guide.
17 HMR Ballistics by Load
Here is every load in our 17 HMR ammo line, from the fastest to the slowest.
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCI VNT | 17 | Polymer tip | 2,650 | 265 | 125-round pack |
| CCI A17 | 17 | Polymer tip | 2,650 | 265 | 200-round box |
| Hornady Varmint Express | 17 | V-Max | 2,550 | 245 | 50-round box |
| CCI V-Max case | 17 | V-Max | 2,550 | 245 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| Winchester Varmint HV | 17 | V-Max | 2,550 | 245 | 50-round box |
| Browning BPR | 17 | Polymer tip | 2,550 | 245 | 50-round box |
| Remington AccuTip | 17 | AccuTip-V | 2,550 | 245 | – |
| Federal V-Shok | 17 | V-Max | 2,530 | 242 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| Federal Speer TNT | 17 | JHP | 2,530 | 242 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| Federal BYOB 250 | 17 | JHP | 2,530 | 242 | 250-round pack |
| Remington Premier JHP | 17 | JHP | 2,530 | 242 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| CCI TNT Green | 16 | Lead-free HP | 2,500 | 222 | 50-round box |
| Winchester Varmint LF | 15.5 | NTX lead-free | 2,550 | 224 | 50-round box |
| Hornady XTP | 20 | XTP JHP | 2,375 | 250 | 50-round box |
| CCI GamePoint | 20 | JHP | 2,375 | 250 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| CCI FMJ case | 20 | FMJ | 2,375 | 250 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
Reading 17 HMR Ballistics Data
Muzzle Velocity
Velocity is the speed at the muzzle in feet per second. More speed means the bullet drops less and drifts less in the wind over a given range. The CCI VNT 17-grain and the CCI A17 17-grain both list 2,650 fps. They are the fastest loads we carry. The A17 was built for semi-auto rifles chambered in 17 HMR.
Muzzle Energy
Energy is a blend of bullet weight and speed. It is a rough guide to how hard a bullet strikes. The 17-grain polymer tips list 245 ft-lb. The 20-grain XTP and FMJ loads list 250 ft-lb at 2,375 fps. So the heavier bullet gives up speed but keeps about the same energy.
What the Numbers Don’t Tell You
Energy says nothing about how the bullet acts on impact. A V-Max tip breaks apart fast. A 20-grain FMJ barely opens at all. Choose by bullet type first, then use the numbers to compare.
Which 17 HMR Load for Which Job?
Prairie Dogs and Ground Squirrels: 17-Grain Polymer Tips
This is what the 17 HMR does best. V-Max, AccuTip and VNT bullets expand fast and rarely pass through. The Hornady Varmint Express 17-grain V-Max is the original load for the round.
Foxes and Coyotes: Hollow Points
Jacketed hollow points like the Speer TNT open a bit slower than a polymer tip. Pick close shots and good placement. A 17 HMR is light for coyotes, so pass on long or poor angles.
Small Game for the Pot: 20-Grain FMJ
The CCI 17 HMR 20-grain FMJ is made to save meat on squirrels and rabbits. It punches through instead of blowing up. Head shots are still best.
Lead-Free Areas
Some areas require non-lead ammo. The CCI TNT Green 16-grain lists 2,500 fps and 222 ft-lb. The Winchester Varmint LF 15.5-grain lists 2,550 fps. Check your state rules on lead.
Can a 17 HMR Kill a Deer?
People ask this a lot. The 17 HMR is a varmint and small game round. Its bullets are light and built to break up fast. Many states do not allow rimfire cartridges for deer at all. Use a legal centerfire round for deer and check your state’s hunting regulations.
Barrel Length, Altitude and Wind
Box data comes from a test barrel. A short rifle or a 17 HMR pistol will show less speed. Light bullets also lose speed fast and get pushed hard by wind. On a breezy day, a 17 HMR can drift more than you expect. Thin air at high altitude adds a little reach, and cold air takes a little away. Confirm your zero in the field before a hunt.
Do they make subsonic 17 HMR ammo? None of the loads we stock are subsonic. The round is built for speed, and all good 17 HMR ballistics start with that speed.
Shop 17 HMR Ammo
See all of our 17 HMR ammo, from 50-round boxes to 500-round cases. Try two or three loads, check the group size at 100 yards, and stock up on the one your rifle likes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HMR stand for in 17 HMR?
HMR stands for Hornady Magnum Rimfire. Hornady developed the cartridge and launched it in 2002. It is a .22 WMR case necked down to hold a small .17 caliber bullet, which gives it high speed and a flat path.
What is a 17 HMR good for?
The 17 HMR is a varmint and small game round. It suits prairie dogs, ground squirrels, crows and similar pests at rimfire range. With good shot placement it can take foxes. Pick polymer tips for varmints and FMJ to save meat on small game.
How fast is a 17 HMR?
Most 17-grain loads list about 2,550 fps at the muzzle. In our stock, CCI VNT and CCI A17 list 2,650 fps, the fastest we carry. The 20-grain loads list 2,375 fps. Expect lower numbers from short barrels.
Is 17 HMR rimfire?
Yes. The 17 HMR is a rimfire cartridge. The primer compound sits in the rim of the case instead of in a separate primer. It fires only in guns chambered for 17 HMR, not in .22 WMR or 17 WSM firearms.
Will a 17 HMR kill a deer?
The 17 HMR is not a deer round. Its light bullets are made to break up fast on small animals. Many states do not allow rimfire for deer. Use a legal centerfire cartridge and check your state rules before you hunt.
