.17 HMR Ammo Prices - From $0.24/rd

What Are the Current .17 HMR Ammo Prices?

What .17 HMR Ammo Types Are Available?

• .17 HMR Varmint loads — 17gr V-MAX and polymer-tipped for prairie dogs, squirrels, and coyotes at range
• .17 HMR Target / FMJ loads — 20gr FMJ for target shooting and plinking at extended rimfire ranges
• .17 HMR Small Game loads — XTP and controlled-expansion for rabbits and other edible small game

How Much Does .17 HMR Ammo Cost Per Round in 2026?

The .17 HMR occupies a unique price point — more expensive than .22 LR but dramatically cheaper than any centerfire varmint cartridge. For shooters who want to reach out past 100 yards on varmints without centerfire costs, the .17 HMR is the sweet spot.

Varmint loads run $0.20—0.32 per round for 17gr polymer-tipped bullets from CCI, Hornady, and Winchester. The 17gr V-MAX at 2,550 fps is the de facto standard — it fragments violently on impact and is devastating on prairie dogs and ground squirrels out to 200 yards. This is 3—5x the cost of .22 LR but offers roughly 3x the effective range.

FMJ and target loads run $0.18—0.25 per round for 20gr full metal jacket. CCI's 20gr FMJ is the cheapest way to shoot .17 HMR and is accurate enough for target work. The heavier bullet bucks wind slightly better than the 17gr V-MAX but doesn't fragment on varmints.

Small game loads run $0.25—0.35/rd for 20gr XTP hollow points designed for controlled expansion. Unlike the explosive V-MAX, the XTP expands without fragmenting — better for small game where you want to preserve meat.

Wind sensitivity warning: The .17 HMR's tiny 17–20gr bullets are extremely sensitive to wind. At 100 yards, a 10 mph crosswind deflects a 17gr V-MAX roughly 3 inches. At 200 yards, that becomes 12+ inches. The .17 HMR is a calm-day cartridge — in windy conditions, a .22 WMR or .22 LR at closer range may be more practical.

.17 HMR vs .22 LR — Cost and Capability

The .22 LR costs $0.05—0.10/rd — roughly 3–4x cheaper than .17 HMR. But the .17 HMR shoots flat to 150 yards where the .22 LR drops like a rock past 75. If your shooting is inside 75 yards, .22 LR is the clear value play. Beyond 100 yards on varmints, .17 HMR justifies the premium with dramatically better trajectory and terminal performance.

.17 HMR Market Trends

The .17 HMR market is stable with niche but loyal demand from varmint hunters and precision rimfire enthusiasts. CCI and Hornady dominate production. Availability improved significantly from the rimfire shortage years (2013–2016) and is now consistent. The cartridge saw renewed interest with the growing precision rimfire competition scene, though most competitors prefer .22 LR for its lower cost.

.17 HMR Ammo Brands — CCI, Hornady, Winchester & More

• CCI — V-MAX, TNT, and FMJ. The dominant .17 HMR producer with the widest variety.
• Hornady — V-MAX and XTP. Created the .17 HMR cartridge in partnership with Ruger.
• Winchester — Varmint HV polymer tip. Competitively priced.
• Federal — Polymer-tipped varmint loads. Solid alternative to CCI/Hornady.

Where to Buy .17 HMR Ammo Online

• MidwayUSA — Widest selection across all .17 HMR bullet types
• Lucky Gunner — Fast shipping, good rimfire inventory
• Palmetto State Armory — Competitive pricing
• Target Sports USA — Member pricing on bulk orders
• Sportsman's Warehouse — Online and in-store pickup

Related Calibers — .22 LR, .22 WMR, .223 Rem

• .22 LR — Much cheaper, shorter range, the cheapest round to shoot
• .223 Remington — Centerfire step-up, much more power, much more expensive
• .243 Winchester — Full centerfire varmint capability, good for coyotes and deer
• 5.56 NATO — Military spec .223, the standard AR-15 varmint option