.17 HMR
Also called: .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, 17 Mach, seventeen HMR
A very fast, flat-shooting rimfire that is a favorite for prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and other small varmints out to about 150 yards.
- Type
- Rimfire
- Bullet diameter
- .172 in
- Case length
- 1.058 in
- Overall length
- 1.35 in
- Typical bullet weights
- 15.5 to 20 grains
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 2,375 to 2,550 fps
- Recoil
- Light recoil
- Quarry
- Varmints & predators, Small game
- Typical range
- Small varmints out to about 150 yards in calm conditions
- Availability
- Common and widely stocked
Safety: Bullets can break up or ricochet on hard ground and rocks. Pay close attention to your backstop and what lies beyond it.
What it is good for
- Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and other small varmints.
- Flat, accurate shooting at moderate range with almost no recoil.
- Small game where fast, light bullets give a clean result.
Where it falls short
- The bullet is light and affected by wind, so shooting in gusts is harder than it looks.
- It can destroy small game meat at close range, so many hunters avoid it for eating animals.
- It is not an ethical choice for deer or coyotes.
Easily confused with
- .22 WMR: the case this one is necked down from, with a heavier, slower bullet of larger diameter.
Field notes
Introduced in 2002, the .17 HMR gave rimfire shooters a much flatter trajectory than a .22. Its bullet is small and fast, which is why it works well for small varmints.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.