About .17 HMR

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about .17 HMR today. The cartridge has persisted for over 20 years and is employed by many shooters. Our goal today is to provide a brief overview of the cartridge while delving into traits, features, use cases, and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about .17 HMR.

What is .17 HMR?

The .17 HMR, or .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, was introduced by Hornady in 2002. Derived from the .22 Magnum, the cartridge sought to replicate the performance of the 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum. Before becoming standardized and commercialized, wildcat loaders sought to create a high velocity rimfire cartridge with a flat shooting trajectory. The resulting cartridge was one of the fastest and flattest shooting rimfire cartridges to ever exist, filling the void left by the absence of the 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum. Initial support came from Hornady, Ruger, and Marlin in 2002, with CCI, Remington, and Federal producing .17 HMR ammunition just a few years later.

Put plainly, the .17 HMR is a bottleneck rimfire cartridge. As a bottleneck cartridge, the .17 HMR features a distinct neck, shoulder, and taper. This is a departure from the typical straight walled nature of rimfire cartridges. This allows for the cartridge to achieve high velocities and a flat shooting trajectory. Like other smallbore rimfire cartridges, the .17 HMR is a low-recoiling round. This makes the .17 HMR accessible and able to be employed by shooters of all types. Newer shooters can utilize the cartridge without being abused by excessive recoil. Experienced shooters can employ the cartridge effectively, taking advantage of its light recoil and high velocity and accuracy potential.

Is .17 HMR Interchangeable with Other Calibers?

Despite being derived from the .22 Magnum, the .17 HMR is not interchangeable with its parent case. This is to say that firearms chambered in .22 Magnum are incapable of accepting .17 HMR ammunition. Of course, the inverse is also true as firearms chambered in .17 HMR cannot accept .22 Magnum ammo. Despite this lack of interchangeability, some components, like magazines, can be compatible with both .17 HMR and .22 Magnum ammunition. This is the case with single stack rifle magazines used by CZ rimfire rifles. The cartridge is also not interchangeable with the .17 Mach 2, another .17 caliber cartridge introduced by Hornady in 2004. The .17 Mach 2 was derived from the .22 Long Rifle and will not interchange with the .17 HMR. Simply put, one should only use .17 HMR ammo in firearms chambered in .17 HMR.

How Available is .17 HMR Ammunition?

At this point in time, .17 HMR ammunition is not nearly as prevalent as loadings for other rimfire calibers. While multiple companies produce .17 HMR ammo, offerings for .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum are simply more prevalent and widely available. Ammo manufacturers such as Hornady, CCI, Federal, Remington, and Winchester produce .17 HMR ammunition. These offerings encompass standard full metal jacket (FMJ), hollow point, polymer tipped, and soft point loadings. These loadings are typically found in either individual box form or in bulk ammo quantities.

While popular among its users, the .17 HMR tends to be rarer than offerings for .22 Long Rifle and other rimfire calibers. There are simply more companies producing .22 Long Rifle ammo across the globe than there are producers of .17 HMR ammo. Ammunition is typically bought up very quickly by proponents of the round, making it scarce on shelves at times. Of course, one could buy bulk .17 HMR ammo in person or online to ensure they have ample stock of the round. If one elects to buy ammo online, they will generally have more options than they would in person.

How Available are Firearms Chambered in .17 HMR?

At this point in time, the .17 HMR cartridge is well-supported by the firearms industry. The most common firearms chambered in the .17 HMR cartridge will be rifles. These rifles are most commonly found in the form of bolt action and lever action rifles. Companies such as Browning, Ruger, Henry Repeating Arms, and CZ are among the producers of .17 HMR chambered firearms. Additionally, companies such as Savage Arms and Alexander Arms offer semi-automatic rifles in the caliber. The wide range of options on the market appeal to the needs and preferences of shooters of all types. One will have no problem finding a firearm chambered in .17 HMR if they are looking for one.

What is .17 HMR Used For?

The .17 HMR, like many other cartridges, is often employed in plinking and recreational shooting applications. The light recoil, flat trajectory, and high accuracy potential of the cartridge makes it an enjoyable round for shooters of all types to employ. With the .17 HMR, one can easily reach out to distances which can be challenging with smaller, slower rimfire calibers. Shooting accurately at extended ranges always makes for a good time at the range.

One of the most common applications for .17 HMR comes in the form of hunting. The cartridge excels at dispatching a variety of small game and varmints. This is mainly due to high velocities and expansion of hollow point and soft point projectiles. Hunters commonly take a wide range of game such as squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, and even coyotes. Of course, as with any type of hunting, one should utilize proper firearms, ammo, equipment, and practices. Doing so helps ensure an ethical and optimal hunt.

Conclusion

All in all, the .17 HMR is a potent and capable cartridge which is enjoyed by shooters of all types. Recreational shooters and hunters alike can appreciate the high-performance nature of the cartridge. Despite the occasional scarcity of ammunition, the cartridge is still well-supported by the industry as a whole. We here at True Shot Ammo offer .17 HMR ammo for sale in addition to the other ammunition we stock. Whether you want to buy .17 HMR ammunition or pick up buy ammunition of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

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Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.