For Summer Varmint Adventures — Include a .17 HMR Rifle

Planning a Prairie Dog hunting adventure this summer? Consider bringing a .17 HMR rimfire rifle. Of course, for long shots you’ll definitely want a centerfire. We like the 20 Practical in an AR and a 22 BR/BRA in a bolt-action. That will have you covered out to 700 yards. But for shorter shots on small critters — say inside 150 yards — it makes sense to have an accurate .17 HMR rimfire rig. Today’s 17 HMRs are capable of surprising accuracy, rivaling a good centerfire rig, but with less recoil and much lower cost per shot. And the .17 HMR offers more than double the velocity of a .22 LR — up to 2650 fps with a 17-grain bullet.

Top Shot former Champion Dustin Ellerman likes his Volquartsens, and we can see why. With one of his favorite .17 HMR rimfire varmint rigs, he’s seen some outstanding accuracy with CCI ammo. A few seasons back, on his Facebook page, Dustin reported: “Prepping for prairie dogs and I’m floored by this cold, sub-half-inch group shot with the Volquartsen Custom .17 HMR at 100 yards.” This thumbhole-stock rifle features a Bowers Group USS suppressor, and 3-12x56mm Meopta Scope. Dustin tried different types of CCI .17 HMR ammo. This small group was shot with CCI A17 ammo.

What’s the effective range of a .17 HMR on prairie dogs? You might be surprised. in 2015, Dustin took another Volquartsen .17 HMR on a Prairie Dog hunt in Wyoming. He was impressed with the rifle (shown below) and the little rimfire cartridge. Dustin says the effective range of the .17 HMR is farther than one might expect: “I made hits out to 300 yards. 200 yards was easy as long as the wind wasn’t too bad.”

Here’s the Volquartsen .17 HMR Dustin used in Wyoming in 2015:

After that 2015 P-Dog expedition, Dustin became a fan of the .17 HMR cartridge: “Never paid it much attention before now because the ammo is five times more expensive than .22 LR and I mostly target shoot. However, for prairie dogs, the .17 HMR is amazing!” Consider this — Hornady’s .17 HMR ammo pushes a 17gr V-Max bullet at 2550 fps, twice as fast as typical .22 LR rounds.

Prairie Dog Adventure with Savage A17
This video shows a successful Prairie Dog hunt. Watch and you’ll see hits out to 160 yards (00:50), proving the effective range of the .17 HMR cartridge. The host is shooting a Savage A17 semi-auto .17 HMR rifle in a Boyds laminated stock.

Things to Know about .17 HMR Ammunition

Bullet Type & Weight: The standard bullet weight for .17 HMR is 17 grains, with options up to 20 grains for improved wind resistance and penetration. Polymer-tipped bullets expand rapidly on impact, while jacketed hollow points (JHP) offer deeper penetration.

Which is more powerful, .22 Mag or .17 HMR? While the .22 WMR (Magnum) may offer slightly more raw energy, .17 HMR delivers superior velocity and flatter trajectory, giving it better accuracy at long distances. For precision shooting, .17 HMR generally has the edge.

How does .17 HMR ammo compare to other rimfire cartridges? Compared to .22 LR or .22 WMR, .17 HMR shoots flatter, faster (typically 2500+ fps), and with greater accuracy at extended distances. It’s a top choice for rimfire shooters who demand high performance beyond 100 yards.

What is the effective range of .17 HMR? Good .17 HMR ammo is highly accurate up to 150–200 yards for small game and varmints. Some experienced shooters can push it beyond 200 yards with the right optics and wind conditions.

What is the best barrel length for .17 HMR rifles? A barrel length between 20–22 inches is optimal for .17 HMR, balancing velocity, maneuverability, and accuracy. Shorter barrels are lighter but may lose some velocity, while longer barrels offer slightly better ballistics at the cost of weight.

Is the .17 HMR good for beginners? Yes .17 HMR has low recoil, flat trajectory, and simple handling for new shooters. It’s an easy-shooting round that offers good performance with low recoil.

These tips come from the helpful Target Sports USA 17 HMR Ammo Guide. Readers can Click HERE to access Ammo Guide content and see .17 HMR ammo offerings at TargetSportsUSA.com.

.17 HMR Ammo DEALS — CCI, Hornady, Remington, Winchester