.17 HMR Ammo for Sale | Varmint Rimfire Ammunition

.17 HMR Ammo

The .17 HMR—17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire—is the most popular high-velocity rimfire varmint cartridge, firing a 15.5–20 grain bullet at 2,375–2,650 fps. It delivers a flat trajectory and minimal wind drift out to 200 yards, making it the go-to rimfire choice for prairie dog, ground squirrel, and other varmint hunting where shots extend beyond what .22 LR or .22 WMR can handle cleanly. We carry varmint and small game loads from CCI, Hornady, Federal, and Winchester.

Read our full .17 HMR Ammunition Buying Guide ↓

Ballistics Overview

The .17 HMR fires a 17-grain V-MAX or 20-grain XTP bullet at 2,375–2,650 fps, producing 190–245 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. Zeroed at 100 yards, it drops approximately 2.5 inches at 150 yards and 8 inches at 200 yards—one of the flattest trajectories available in a rimfire cartridge. Wind drift is minimal compared to slower rimfire options at practical varmint ranges. The .17 HMR is supersonic well past 200 yards and remains effective on small varmints out to that distance with a capable shooter behind the trigger.

Varmint Hunting

The .17 HMR is specifically designed for varmint hunting at distances where .22 LR and .22 WMR begin to lose effectiveness. Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and similar small varmints are the primary targets, with shots from 50 to 175 yards being the cartridge’s sweet spot. The Hornady 17gr V-MAX and CCI 17gr V-MAX are the most popular loads, fragmenting explosively on impact for clean kills and minimal pelt damage. For fox or larger small game, the 20gr XTP offers more retained energy and less explosive fragmentation.

Small Game Hunting

For squirrel, rabbit, and similar small game, the .17 HMR is effective but produces more meat damage than .22 LR or .22 WMR due to its explosive fragmentation at higher velocities. If pelt or meat preservation is important, the .22 WMR with a 40-grain hollow point is a better choice for small game. The .17 HMR is best suited for varmints where destruction of the target is acceptable or desirable. Hornady 20gr XTP and Federal 20gr Gamepoint are better small game options than the V-MAX loads if fragmentation is a concern.

Compatible Platforms

The .17 HMR is available in bolt-action, semi-automatic, and lever-action rimfire rifles. Popular platforms include the Ruger Precision Rimfire, CZ 455/457, Savage A17, and Henry .17 HMR lever action. The Savage A17 is purpose-designed for reliable semi-automatic cycling with .17 HMR and is one of the few semi-autos that handles the cartridge well. Most traditional semi-automatic .22 rimfire designs do not reliably cycle .17 HMR—confirm your platform is rated for the cartridge before purchasing.

.17 HMR vs. .17 WSM

The .17 WSM (Winchester Super Magnum) is a newer, more powerful .17-caliber rimfire that pushes a 20-grain bullet to 3,000 fps—significantly faster than the .17 HMR. The .17 WSM extends effective varmint range beyond 200 yards and delivers more energy on target, but platform selection is more limited and ammunition costs more. For most rimfire varmint hunters, the .17 HMR offers the best balance of performance, platform availability, and ammunition cost. See our .17 WSM page for comparison.

Browse our .22 WMR page for a heavier rimfire varmint option, or see our .17 WSM page for extended-range performance. Visit our rimfire ammo overview for all rimfire calibers.