.17 Hornet
The .17 Hornet is a centerfire varmint cartridge based on the old .22 Hornet case necked down to .17 caliber, launching 20-grain bullets at roughly 3,650–3,870 fps depending on load. It splits the difference between rimfire and centerfire performance — dramatically flatter and faster than .17 HMR, with none of the reloading-only limitations of wildcat .17s, since it’s a SAAMI-standardized cartridge with widely available factory ammo. It’s a favorite among prairie dog and ground squirrel hunters who want extended range without magnum-cartridge recoil or barrel wear.
Read our full .17 Hornet Buying Guide ↓
.17 Hornet vs. .17 HMR: Which Flat-Shooter Should You Buy?
Both cartridges fire a 20-grain, .17-caliber bullet, but the .17 Hornet is centerfire and considerably faster — roughly 3,650 fps versus the .17 HMR’s 2,550 fps. That speed advantage translates to a flatter trajectory and better wind resistance at 200+ yards, plus reloadable brass for lower cost per round over time. The .17 HMR is cheaper to buy factory ammo for and available in a wider range of rifle platforms, including semi-autos. For dedicated long-range varminting, the .17 Hornet is the stronger tool; for an affordable all-around small-game round, the .17 HMR.
.17 Hornet Ballistics: What to Expect at Range
A 20-grain .17 Hornet load at 3,650 fps zeroed at 200 yards stays remarkably flat past 250 yards and holds enough velocity for reliable varmint-bullet expansion out to 300+ yards in calm conditions. Wind drift is noticeably lower than .17 HMR at comparable distances thanks to the higher velocity and better ballistic coefficient, though the light 20-grain bullet is still wind-sensitive compared to heavier centerfire varmint rounds like .223 Remington. Energy at the muzzle runs around 590 ft-lbs, dropping off quickly past 200 yards — plenty for varmints, not a substitute for a big-game cartridge.
Best .17 Hornet Loads: Hornady, Federal, and Winchester
Hornady’s Superformance Varmint 20gr V-MAX is the benchmark .17 Hornet factory load, built around the same polymer-tipped bullet that made the cartridge popular. Federal American Eagle offers a 20gr Varmint load at a similar 3,610 fps for practice and volume varminting at a lower price point. Winchester’s Varmint X 20gr polymer-tip load rounds out the factory options with comparable velocity and explosive expansion. All three are widely available and deliver sub-MOA accuracy in a quality bolt-action rifle.
What Rifles Are Chambered in .17 Hornet?
The Savage 25 is the most common .17 Hornet platform, offered in several configurations — Lightweight Varmint with a laminate stock, and Walking Varminter with a synthetic or camo stock for carry-heavy hunts. Ruger chambers the cartridge in the 77/17 bolt-action, built on a stainless action with a fixed stock. Both are purpose-built varmint rifles rather than general-purpose hunting rigs. As with any centerfire cartridge, always verify your specific rifle’s chambering before buying ammunition or reloading components.
Reloading .17 Hornet: Dies, Brass, and Components
The .17 Hornet is a popular reloading cartridge since factory brass and once-fired cases are reusable many times over, and reloading is the main way high-volume varmint hunters control cost per round. Lee Precision offers a Pacesetter 3-die set along with a separate factory crimp die and case-trimming tools, while RCBS makes a two-die set for those who prefer a different reloading brand. Hornady also supplies Lock-N-Load modified cases for load-development and headspace work. Magazines for the Savage 25 and Ruger 77/17 are available separately for hunters running spares or upgrading capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions: .17 Hornet
What is .17 Hornet good for?
The .17 Hornet is a dedicated varmint cartridge for prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and similar small game at 150–250+ yards, where its flat trajectory and light recoil let hunters take a high volume of shots comfortably. It is not intended for big game or self-defense use.
Is .17 Hornet the same as .17 HMR?
No. The .17 Hornet is a centerfire, reloadable cartridge based on the .22 Hornet case and is significantly faster than the .17 HMR, which is a rimfire round. They are not interchangeable, and rifles are chambered for one or the other, never both.
What rifles come in .17 Hornet?
The Savage 25 (in Lightweight Varmint and Walking Varminter configurations) and the Ruger 77/17 are the two primary factory bolt-action rifles chambered in .17 Hornet.
See Also: .22 Hornet • .17 HMR • Rifle Ammo • Savage 25 • Ruger • Reloading Dies & Presses