Introduced by Hornady in 2002, the .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR) revolutionized the rimfire world. By necking down a .22 WMR case to accept a lightweight .17 caliber projectile, engineers created a cartridge that shoots incredibly fast and flat.
With standard 17-grain polymer-tipped bullets leaving the muzzle at roughly 2,550 feet per second, the .17 HMR pushes the effective range of a rimfire rifle out to 200 yards. It has become the gold standard for small varmint hunting, offering explosive terminal performance and pinpoint accuracy.
Standard .17 HMR Drop Chart (100-Yard Zero)
Here is the standard trajectory data for the two most popular .17 HMR loads, assuming a 100-yard zero and a standard optic height of 1.5 inches above the bore.
| Distance (Yards) | 17-Grain V-MAX Drop (inches) | 20-Grain XTP Drop (inches) |
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 50 | +0.1 | +0.4 |
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 150 | -2.6 | -4.0 |
| 200 | -8.5 | -11.5 |
Understanding the Trajectory
To get the most out of this cartridge, it helps to understand exactly what the numbers on the chart mean in the field:
- The 100-Yard Zero: Because the round is so fast, zeroing your rifle at 100 yards is optimal. With a 17-grain bullet, the projectile never rises more than a fraction of an inch above your line of sight between the muzzle and the 100-yard target. This means you can aim directly at the center of a small target anywhere from 25 to 110 yards and guarantee a hit without having to hold your crosshairs high or low.
- The 150-Yard Drop-Off: Rimfire bullets are light and shed velocity quickly. Once the .17 HMR passes 125 yards, gravity takes over aggressively. At 150 yards, you will need to aim about 2.5 to 4 inches high (depending on your bullet weight) to hit your mark.
- The 200-Yard Wall: While the .17 HMR is entirely capable of reaching 200 yards, the drop becomes significant—plunging 8.5 to over 11 inches. More importantly, wind drift becomes a major factor at this range. A mere 10 mph crosswind can push a light 17-grain bullet over 15 inches off target at 200 yards.
- 17-Grain vs. 20-Grain: The 17-grain V-MAX is built for sheer speed and fragmentation, resulting in a flatter trajectory. The 20-grain XTP (or GamePoint) is heavier and slower, causing it to drop a few inches more at 200 yards. However, the heavier 20-grain bullet carries its energy better and penetrates deeper, making it a better choice for slightly tougher game like coyotes.