The 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (17 HMR) is a newer rimfire cartridge and has quickly gained a following amongst target shooters and varmint hunters.
Thanks to its flat trajectory and minimal recoil, the 17 HMR’s accuracy is second to none out to 200 yards. It’s enough to give small game nightmares.
Want the raw performance numbers? Our 17 HMR ballistics guide covers trajectory, velocity, and energy across every major factory load.
Due to its small size, the 17 HMR has limited hunting and long-range capabilities. That’s why it’s important to choose the right 17 HMR ammo. Doing so helps maximize your 17 HMR target and hunting rifle’s potential.
For target shooting, we recommend CCI 17 HMR 20 grain FMJ ammo because it’s reasonably priced, reliable, and highly accurate.
When hunting raccoons, prairie dogs, and other varmints, we’ve found the best 17 HMR round to be Hornady 17 HMR 17 grain V-MAX due to its high muzzle velocity, reasonable price, and V-MAX bullet’s explosive terminal ballistics.
Top 17 HMR Ammo Picks
| Best Overall | Hornady 17 HMR 17 Grain V-MAX |
|---|---|
| Best Target/Plinking | CCI 17 HMR 20 Grain FMJ |
| Best for Varmint Hunting | Remington 17 HMR 20 Grain JSP |
| Best Lead-Free | Hornady 17 HMR 15.5 Grain NTX |
| Best Budget | Federal 17 HMR 17 Grain Polymer Tipped |
Best 17 HMR Round Overall
Hornady 17 HMR 17 Grain V-MAX
Specs
- Bullet Weight: 17 Grains
- Case: Brass
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,550 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 245 ft-lbs
Why I Chose It
Hornady is the company that developed the 17 HMR, so they rightly should manufacture the best ammo. Hornady doesn’t owe their reputation for making high-quality ammo to flashy marketing gimmicks. It just works.
Rimfire rounds sometimes don’t fire (more so than Boxer-primed alternatives, at least). That’s rarely the case with Hornady 17 HMR 17 grain V-MAX, though. They’re very reliable rounds, and cycle smoothly through semi-automatic rifles.
This ammo’s price isn’t the lowest, though it’s reasonable considering its quality. The biggest drawback is that so many people stock up on these rounds that they often become difficult to find.
If you’re planning to go varmint hunting and most of the prairie dogs or coyotes are within the 200-yard mark, then you’ll be firing a bullet with a flat trajectory, which generally means better accuracy.
The polymer-tipped V-MAX is one of the best hunting bullets on the market because it’s accurate and packs a punch (for a rimfire bullet). Many other companies load it in addition to Hornady, its manufacturer. I’ve watched it drop a wide range of varmints and wouldn’t hesitate to take it close-range hunting or to the shooting range.
Best 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo for Target Shooting
CCI 17 HMR 20 Grain FMJ
Specs
- Bullet Weight: 20 Grains
- Case: Brass
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,375 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 250 ft-lbs
Why I Chose It
CCI is a trusted brand in the rimfire cartridge space, and makes reliable ammo that feeds well in most firearms.
The 20 grain full metal jacket (FMJ) bullet resists wind drift more effectively than a lighter alternative (although it’s ultimately an exercise in splitting hairs, as the 17 HMR bullet is light and therefore vulnerable to wind deflection by design).
Because the bullet is heavier, you’ll see the velocity is slightly slower. But these rounds are still very fast, which helps maintain a flat trajectory out to 200 yards (the 17 HMR’s conventionally recognized effective range).
CCI is proud of their ammo. That’s reflected by their prices for it. Although rimfire ammo is relatively cheap, these rounds are on the higher end of the spectrum as far as 17 HMR ammunition is concerned.
Continue reading Best 17 HMR Ammo: Top Picks for Hunting and Target Shooting on Ammo.com
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