17 HMR Ammo For Sale
Overview of 17 HMR Ammo
The 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (17 HMR) was developed as a joint venture among Hornady, Marlin, and Ruger and was released in 2002. It is a lightweight rimfire cartridge with a high velocity and flat trajectory, making it a favorite of varmint hunters and long-range shooters alike.
The 17 HMR was nothing short of an overnight success. The round accomplished what wildcatters had been doing for many years, and replicated the ballistics of the obsolete 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum (the fastest rimfire cartridge in history). Shooters adored the round so much that sales quickly outstripped production capacity. Within two years of its release, Remington, CCI, and Federal all began offering their own lines of 17 HMR ammo to help keep up with demand. Today, 17 HMR ammo is also available from Winchester as well.
Best 17 HMR Ammo for Specific Use Cases
| Use Case | Details |
|---|---|
| Best 17 HMR Ammo | Best Overall: Hornady Varmint Express 17 grain V-MAX. Runner-Up: CCI 20 grain FMJ. |
Which 17 HMR Bullet Type Is Right for You?
As with most other cartridges, the 17 HMR is commonly loaded with several types of bullets. The most common are FMJ, HP, and polymer-tipped. Each bullet has its own relative pros and cons. Let's break each one down.
FMJ
17 HMR full metal jacket (FMJ) bullets are best for plinking and target shooting because they're less expensive but still accurate. Since the bullet doesn't expand, it's less than ideal for hunting applications.
HP
17 HMR hollow point (HP) bullets are less expensive than polymer-tipped alternatives. HPs are designed to expand following impact, inflicting a wider wound channel as a result.
Polymer-Tipped
17 HMR polymer-tipped bullets such as AccuTip, V-MAX, and Tipped Varmint, are hollow point bullets with polymer tips that improve accuracy and expansion over those of HP bullets. They're more expensive, but the best choice for varmint hunting with the 17 HMR.
17 HMR Ammo Best Use Cases
- Low-Recoil Rifle & Pistol Shooting
- Learning Proper Shooting Mechanics
- Target Shooting/Plinking
- Long-Range Rimfire Shooting (Within 300 Yards)
- Small Game Hunting (Squirrels & Rabbits)
- Varmint Hunting (Groundhogs, Prairie Dogs)
17 HMR Effective Range
For small game and varmint hunting, the effective range of the 17 HMR is about 200 yards. The 17 HMR is capable of 300-yard shots during target shooting, although its lightweight bullet is easily blown off target. Check out our in-depth article for a deeper dive into 17 HMR ballistics!
How Does The 17 HMR Compare To Other Rimfire Calibers?
| Caliber | Recoil | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 LR | Similar | 17 HMR has a flatter trajectory and is more accurate | 17 HMR ammo is more expensive |
| 22 WMR | Similar | 17 HMR has a flatter trajectory and is more accurate | 17 HMR has less stopping power |