17 HMR Ballistics From Major Ammo Manufacturers

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Apr 24, 2026

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "17 HMR Ballistics Tables from Common Ammo Makers "
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Congrats! You’ve discovered our in-depth look at 17 HMR ballistics from all the major ammo manufacturers. Once you’ve found the right load, browse our selection of 17 HMR ammo – or grab bulk 17 HMR ammo if you’re stocking up – and have it quickly shipped to your door.

Click the links below to jump to your preferred ammo company and find the 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire ballistics data you need for your favorite factory load.

17 HMR Ballistics Charts

Jump to an ammo company producing this rimfire cartridge: CCI | Federal Premium | Hornady | Remington | Winchester

CCI

Jump to a ballistics chart: CCI TNT Green 16 Grain JHP | CCI TNT 17 Grain JHP | CCI VNT 17 Grain VNT | CCI A17 17 Grain Tipped Varmint | CCI V-MAX 17 Grain V-MAX | CCI Gamepoint 20 Grain JSP | CCI 20 Grain FMJ

CCI TNT Green 16 Grain JHP

CCI TNT 17 Grain JHP

CCI VNT 17 Grain VNT

CCI A17 17 Grain Tipped Varmint

CCI V-MAX 17 Grain V-MAX

CCI Gamepoint 20 Grain JSP

CCI 20 Grain FMJ

Federal Premium

Jump to a ballistics chart: Federal BYOB 17 Grain JHP | Federal Varmint & Predator 17 Grain TNT | Federal Varmint & Predator 17 Grain V-MAX

Federal BYOB 17 Grain JHP

Federal Varmint & Predator 17 Grain TNT

Federal Varmint & Predator 17 Grain V-MAX

Hornady

Jump to a ballistics chart: Hornady Varmint Express 15.5 Grain NTX | Hornady Varmint Express 17 Grain V-MAX | Hornady Varmint Express 20 Grain XTP

Hornady Varmint Express 15.5 Grain NTX

Hornady Varmint Express 17 Grain V-MAX

Hornady Varmint Express 20 Grain XTP

Remington

Jump to a ballistics chart: Remington Magnum Rimfire 17 Grain JHP | Remington Premier Magnum Rimfire 17 Grain AccuTip-V | Remington Magnum Rimfire 20 Grain JSP

Remington Magnum Rimfire 17 Grain JHP

Remington Premier Magnum Rimfire 17 Grain AccuTip-V

Remington Magnum Rimfire 20 Grain JSP

Winchester

Jump to a ballistics chart: Winchester Varmint LF 15.5 Grain NTX | Winchester Varmint HV 17 Grain V-MAX | Winchester Super-X 20 Grain JHP

Winchester Varmint LF 15.5 Grain NTX

Winchester Varmint HV 17 Grain V-MAX

Winchester Super-X 20 Grain JHP

Administrative Note: The preceding information is provided by ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type. When the manufacturer's ballistic data were unavailable, ballistic data were calculated using a ballistic calculator.

Still deciding on a load? Our best 17 HMR picks cover top options for varmint hunting, target shooting, and small game.

17 HMR Trajectory Chart

A bullet’s trajectory is its flight path. Shooters measure trajectory in inches of bullet drop, milliradians (MIL), or minute of angle (MOA). For our examples, we use inches of bullet drop.

The 17 HMR is not a long-range cartridge, but it does have a flat trajectory out to 250 yards for a rimfire round. When zeroed at 150 yards, a 20 grain JHP fired at 2,375 fps muzzle velocity rises 1.3" at 50 yards and 2" at 100, then drops -5.7" at 200 yards and -16.5" at 250.

Here is a sample 17 HMR bullet drop chart to give you a general idea of the 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire’s trajectory.

Note: The preceding chart is an example of a 17 HMR load. Actual ballistic performance varies depending on bullet weight, lot, barrel length, and environmental conditions.

17 HMR Velocity

A bullet’s muzzle velocity is the rate at which it exits the barrel, measured in feet per second (fps).

Generally, a longer barrel produces a higher muzzle velocity, as it gives exploding propellant more time to exert energy against the base of the projectile. Bullet weight and design heavily determine how much velocity a projectile will conserve downrange.

For example, heavier bullets tend to have lower muzzle velocities than lighter ones. Polymer-tipped hollow point boat tail projectiles tend to conserve velocity more efficiently than traditional soft point bullets due to their more ballistically efficient profiles.

The muzzle velocity of 17 HMR factory ammo ranges from ~2,375 to ~2,650 fps, largely depending on bullet weight.

17 HMR Kinetic Energy

A projectile’s energy is measured in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). Muzzle energy is the force with which a bullet exits the barrel. Heavier projectiles tend to have higher muzzle energy, although velocity is also a significant contributing factor.

A higher muzzle energy usually means the round has more recoil. The 17 HMR lightweight projectiles contribute to its low recoil, and make it an excellent cartridge for learning how to shoot.

Lightweight projectiles carry less energy downrange. Their stopping power drops drastically the farther they travel. When harvesting varmints with a 17 HMR, shot placement becomes increasingly critical as you increase the distance to the target.

The muzzle energy of 17 HMR ammo typically ranges from ~219 to ~265 ft-lbs. The 17 HMR is extremely limited in terms of kinetic energy and stopping power, which is why it’s only legal for hunting small game and varmints in most areas.

17 HMR Effective Range

Though it doesn’t have the knockdown power of centerfire rifle rounds such as the 223 Rem, the 17 HMR has a respectable effective range for target shooting and varmint hunting for a rimfire cartridge.

You can expect up to 200 yards out of your 17 HMR for varmint hunting, depending on the conditions (lightweight bullets are especially vulnerable to wind deflection), rifle, and ammo you’re firing. Under ideal conditions, expert marksmen can push past 250 yards.

17 HMR Ballistic Coefficient

Most 17 HMR bullets have a G1 ballistic coefficient between 0.090 and 0.132. This reflects their narrow caliber, as well as their relatively light weights.

How Do 17 HMR Ballistics Compare to Other Rimfire Cartridges?

The 17 HMR was designed to outperform the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (22 WMR, 22 Mag) under most conditions. Let’s see how it stacks up against the 22 WMR, as well as the most popular rimfire cartridge of all time: the 22 Long Rifle (22 LR).

17 HMR vs. 22 LR

For a deeper look at how these two rimfire cartridges stack up, check out our full 17 HMR vs. 22 LR comparison.

17 HMR vs. 22 WMR

Don’t miss our in-depth comparison of 17 HMR vs. 22 WMR. Learn more about ammunition performance with our ammo ballistics chart series!

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ammo.com team has gathered and answered several questions regarding 17 HMR ballistics.

How Much Does 17 HMR Drop at 200 Yards?

17 HMR will drop about 8 to 11" at 200 yards when sighted in at 100 yards.

How Far Will a 17 HMR Shoot Accurately?

The 17 HMR will shoot accurately out to ~200 yards.

Is 17 HMR or 22 Magnum More Powerful?

The 22 Magnum is more powerful, with ~300 ft-lbs of muzzle energy compared to ~250 ft-lbs for the 17 HMR.

Is 17 HMR Enough for Coyotes?

Yes, the 17 HMR is enough for coyotes within 100 yards. It is generally not considered ethical beyond that range.

Written by

Wes Littlefield