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.17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, commonly known as the .17 HMR, is a rimfire rifle cartridge descended from the .22 Magnum. It was developed by necking down the .22 Magnum case to take a .17 caliber (4.5 mm) bullet. Commonly loaded with a 17 grain (1.1 g) bullet, it can deliver velocities in excess of 2550 ft/s (750 m/s).
Development
The .17 HMR round was developed by dedicated rimfire wildcatters who worked to create a rimfire cartridge with an exceptionally flat trajectory. These wildcatters were seeking to match the ballistics of the obsolete 5 mm (.20 caliber) Remington Magnum rimfire, but with this ammunition virtually nonexistant the .17 caliber became their bullet of choice. The .22 WMR was the logical parent case, as it was commonly available and had a far larger and stronger case than the .22 Long Rifle. The .17 caliber wildcats not only met, but far exceeded the 5 mm Remington Magnum's velocities and flat trajectory. The accuracy of these cartriges was also quite good.
Hornady, in conjunction with Marlin Firearms and Sturm, Ruger, followed much the same path. With the .22 WMR case as the starting point, a simple barrel change was sufficient for most firearms to chamber the new cartridge. In 2002 the first rifles and ammunition began appearing on the market, and the .17 HMR was an instant hit. Whilst the ammunition was relatively expensive due to the high-performance .17 caliber bullets used, it was still cheaper than most centerfire ammunition, Thus the availability of moderately priced and accurate firearms from Marlin and Ruger (leaders in the rimfire rifle market) allowed the .17 HMR to be an instant hit. Other makers of firearms and ammunition soon introduced .17 HMR offerings.
Firearms
The original .17 HMR rifles were bolt action and based on .22 WMR actions. Single-shot and lever action rifles are now available, as well as various single action and double action revolvers, and even Semiautomatic rifles.
Availability
Due to the specialized bullets the .17 HMR uses, there is only a narrow range of ammunition available for it. The bullets generally weigh from 17 to 20 grains, and have expanding designs such has hollow points or soft points. The terminal ballistics of the lightweight expanding bullets limit the .17 HMR to the smallest of game animals and varmints. .17 HMR ammunition is also harder to find than the .22 caliber rimfire rounds, though this is changing as the popularity of .17 HMR rifles gathers momentum.
.17 HMR rifles and ammo have continued to sell briskly long after gun retailers expected sales to have tapered off. Following the success of the .17 HMR, the .17 Hornady Mach 2, or .17 HM2, was introduced in early 2004. The .17 HM2 is based on the .22 Long Rifle case, but slightly lengthened and necked down to .17 caliber.
".17 HMR"