5.1 Every Factory Load — What the Makers Print, and Where They Disagree

This volume lists every current factory load for the three cartridges from the five makers whose catalogues were read in full: Hornady, CCI, Federal, Remington and Winchester. Each figure is the maker’s own, from its own page or box, read on 19 October 2026. Prices, where a maker shows one, are in Volume 9. Other makers exist (a Sellier & Bellot .17 HMR appears in Volume 4’s photograph, for one), but their catalogues were not surveyed, and nothing is said about them.

Read the tables with three cautions.

• Test barrels. Hornady prints “Test Barrel (24”)” over every table. CCI, Federal, Remington and Winchester do not state a barrel on the pages read. SAAMI’s test barrel for all three cartridges is 24 inches (Volume 3).
• Zero. Hornady, CCI and Winchester print trajectories for a 100-yard zero; Federal and Remington for a 50-yard zero. Drop figures are not comparable across those two groups without recalculation; velocities and energies are.
• Same name, different numbers. Several makers load the same bullet and print different tables for it. Where that happens it is said, and the figures are given separately.

5.1.1 The .17 Mach 2

Two loads exist.

Table 1 — 5.1 The .17 Mach 2

Maker, item	Bullet	Muzzle fps / ft·lbf	50 yd	100 yd	200 yd	Notes
Hornady 83177	17 gr V-MAX	2,100 / 166	—	1,531 / 88	1,133 / 48	24 in test barrel; −13.8 in at 200 (100 yd zero)
CCI 948CC	17 gr VNT (Speer bullet)	2,010 / 152	1,718 / 111	1,460 / 80	—	BC .125; +0.8 in at 75 yd, 100 yd zero

Sources: Hornady and CCI product pages.¹²

Three figures for one cartridge. Hornady prints 2,100 fps; CCI prints 2,010; SAAMI’s nominal for a 17-grain pointed bullet is 2,010 at 15 feet; and Hornady’s 2003 patent claimed 2,200 for its preferred embodiment.³⁴ CCI’s figure equals SAAMI’s exactly. The 90 fps between Hornady and CCI is larger than any 15-foot correction, so either the loads differ or the test conditions do; neither maker says.

CCI’s warning. CCI’s Mach 2 page carries the one restriction specific to this cartridge: “To avoid serious injury from a ruptured cartridge, 17 Mach 2 ammunition should only be used in firearms with components specifically designed to safely fire 17 Mach 2 ammunition, including the firearms action components (bolt/firing mechanism. Do not use this ammunition in firearms that have been modified unless ALL the action components have been specifically designed and verified by the firearm manufacturer as intended for 17 Mach 2.”² (The unclosed parenthesis is CCI’s.)

5.1.2 The .17 HMR

The busy one. Every load below is current on its maker’s site.

5.1.2.1 Hornady (24-inch test barrel; 100-yard zero; 1.5-inch sight height implied)

Table 2 — Hornady (24-inch test barrel; 100-yard zero; 1.5-inch sight height implied)

Item	Bullet	Muzzle	100 yd	200 yd	200 yd drop
83171	15.5 gr NTX (non-lead)	2,525 fps / 219 ft·lbf	1,830 / 115	1,291 / 57	−10.0 in
83170	17 gr V-MAX	2,550 / 245	1,902 / 137	1,379 / 72	−8.5 in
83172	20 gr HP XTP	2,375 / 250	1,755 / 137	1,274 / 72	−9.9 in

Source: Hornady product pages.¹ The 20-grain XTP is the load Savage names in its manual as its own test ammunition for the .17 HMR.⁵

5.1.2.2 CCI (100-yard zero; sights 1.5 in; muzzle / 50 / 75 / 100 yd)

Table 3 — CCI (100-yard zero; sights 1.5 in; muzzle / 50 / 75 / 100 yd)

Part	Load	BC	Velocity, fps	Energy, ft·lbf	Pack
949CC	A17, 17 gr Tipped Varmint	.128	2,650 / 2,312 / 2,153 / 2,000	265 / 202 / 175 / 151	200
950CC	A17, 17 gr Tipped Varmint	.128	same	same	50, discontinued
923CC, 959CC	VNT, 17 gr (Speer bullet)	.125	2,650 / 2,305 / 2,142 / 1,986	265 / 200 / 173 / 149	125, 50
49	V-Max, 17 gr (“loaded with the Hornady V-Max bullet”)	.128	2,550 / 2,220 / 2,064 / 1,915	245 / 186 / 161 / 138	50
53	TNT, 17 gr JHP	.100	2,550 / 2,132 / 1,938 / 1,757	245 / 172 / 142 / 116	50
951	TNT Green, 16 gr, lead-free	.090	2,500 / 2,043 / 1,834 / 1,642	222 / 148 / 120 / 96	50
52	Gamepoint, 20 gr JSP	.125	2,375 / 2,051 / 1,898 / 1,754	250 / 187 / 160 / 137	50
55	Full Metal Jacket, 20 gr	.130	2,375 / 2,063 / 1,915 / 1,776	250 / 189 / 163 / 140	50

Source: CCI product pages.² CCI’s 2023 anniversary release named VNT and Gamepoint as its two most popular .17 HMR loads.⁶ CCI describes the FMJ as “a CCI exclusive”, made for “small game” with “no expansion”, and the Gamepoint as giving “minimal meat and hide damage” (Volume 7).

5.1.2.3 Federal (50-yard zero; sights 1.5 in; muzzle / 50 / 100 / 150 yd; 10 mph drift printed)

Table 4 — Federal (50-yard zero; sights 1.5 in; muzzle / 50 / 100 / 150 yd; 10 mph drift printed)

Part	Load	BC	Velocity, fps	Energy, ft·lbf	Drift, in
P771	Varmint & Predator, 17 gr Hornady V-Max	.125	2,530 / 2,194 / 1,884 / 1,606	242 / 182 / 134 / 97	0.8 / 3.3 / 8.1
P770	Varmint & Predator, 17 gr Speer TNT JHP	.110	2,530 / 2,150 / 1,804 / 1,502	242 / 174 / 123 / 85	0.9 / 3.8 / 9.4
770BTL250	Champion BYOB, 17 gr JHP, 250-round bottle	.110	2,530 / 2,150 / 1,804 / 1,502	242 / 174 / 123 / 85	0.9 / 3.8 / 9.4

Source: Federal product pages.⁷ The BYOB bulk load and the Speer TNT load print identical tables.

5.1.2.4 Remington (50-yard zero; muzzle / 50 / 100 / 150 yd; 10 mph drift printed)

Table 5 — Remington (50-yard zero; muzzle / 50 / 100 / 150 yd; 10 mph drift printed)

Part	Load	BC	Velocity, fps	Energy, ft·lbf	Drift, in
29-28464	Premier Magnum Rimfire, 17 gr AccuTip-V	.125	2,550 / 2,212 / 1,901 / 1,621	245 / 185 / 136 / 99	0.8 / 3.2 / 8.0
29-20023	Magnum Rimfire, 17 gr JHP	.100	2,550 / 2,132 / 1,757 / 1,434	245 / 172 / 116 / 78	1.0 / 4.3 / 10.5
29-20025	Magnum Rimfire, 20 gr JSP	.125	2,375 / 2,051 / 1,754 / 1,492	250 / 187 / 137 / 99	0.9 / 3.7 / 8.9

Source: Remington product pages.⁸

5.1.2.5 Winchester

Table 6 — Winchester

Symbol	Load	Figure	Where Winchester prints it
S17HMR1	Varmint HV, 17 gr polymer-tip V-Max	2,550 fps	Product page feature text
S17HMR1LF	Varmint LF, 15.5 gr NTX polymer tip, lead-free	2,550 fps	Box front and side
X17HMR1	Super-X “Game & Target”, 20 gr JHP, “Made in USA”	not printed	—
(reference on WSM boxes)	17 HMR 20 gr	2,375 fps; 1,776 at 100 yd; 1,304 at 200	Back of the Varmint HV and HE 17 WSM boxes

Source: Winchester product pages and the box images they serve.⁹ Winchester’s product pages say “There is no ballistics data available at this time” for every .17 load.

5.1.3 The .17 WSM

All Winchester; all from the backs of Winchester’s own boxes (100-yard zero; 10 mph drift).

Table 7 — 5.3 The .17 WSM

Symbol	Load	Muzzle	50 yd	100 yd	150 yd	200 yd
S17W20	Varmint HV, 20 gr polymer tip	3,000 fps / 400 ft·lbf	2,745 / 335; −0.2 in; 0.4 drift	2,504 / 278; 0; 1.7	2,275 / 230; −1.2; 3.9	2,058 / 188; −4.1; 7.3
S17W25	Varmint HE, 25 gr polymer tip	2,600 / 375	2,411 / 323; 0; 0.4	2,230 / 276; 0; 1.6	2,057 / 235; −1.8; 3.8	1,892 / 199; −5.6; 7.0
X17W15PLF	Varmint X, 15 gr lead-free polymer tip	3,300 / 363	2,879 / 276; −0.2; 0.6	2,496 / 207; 0.0; 2.4	2,143 / 153; −1.2; 5.8	1,821 / 110; −4.3; 11.2

The X17W15PLF box also prints 125 yards (2,316 fps, 179 ft·lbf, −0.4 in, 3.9 in drift) and 175 yards (1,978, 130, −2.5, 8.2).⁹ Winchester’s original Super-X 20-grain JHP (X17W20), sold at the launch, is no longer in its catalogue; its 2013 page gave a BC of 0.130 and 2,641 fps at 50 yards.¹⁰

Two things in these tables are worth seeing. The 15-grain lead-free load is the fastest rimfire load in this dive and also the one that slows down fastest: it starts 300 fps ahead of the 20-grain load and is 237 fps behind it at 200 yards, and its wind drift at 200 yards (11.2 in) is half as much again as the 20-grain’s (7.3). The 25-grain load starts slowest and carries the most energy at 200 yards (199 ft·lbf), with the least drift.

5.1.4 Where the makers disagree

One bullet, three tables. Hornady’s 17-grain V-MAX in the .17 HMR appears under four labels. Hornady prints 2,550 fps and 1,902 at 100 yards. CCI’s “V-Max”, which it says is loaded with the Hornady bullet, prints 2,550 and 1,915. Federal’s “Hornady V-Max” prints 2,530 and 1,884. Winchester’s Varmint HV says 2,550 at the muzzle and nothing else. These are different makers’ loads of one bullet, and each table is that maker’s.

Two makers, one table. Remington’s 17-grain JHP and CCI’s 17-grain TNT print the same table digit for digit: BC .100, 2,550 / 2,132 / 1,757 fps and 245 / 172 / 116 ft·lbf. Remington’s 20-grain JSP and CCI’s 20-grain Gamepoint likewise: BC .125, 2,375 / 2,051 / 1,754 fps. Both brands belong to the same parent (Volume 2). Identical tables suggest a common load or a common calculation; neither maker says which, and this dive does not assert one.

A page that contradicts its box. Winchester’s product page for S17HMR1LF describes a “Tin Hollow Point” with “Patented Tin Technology” that “delivers a blistering 1650 fps velocity”. Winchester’s own box for the same symbol says “17 HMR, 15.5 grain, 2550 fps, polymer tip NTX”. The page text has evidently been copied from a lead-free .22 product. The box is right: 1,650 fps is not a .17 HMR velocity.⁹

A comparison chosen for the marketing. Winchester’s 17 WSM boxes claim “2-1/2 times the down range energy of 17 HMR” and “50% flatter trajectory and reduced wind drift compared to 17 HMR”. The comparison load printed beside them is a 20-grain .17 HMR at 2,375 fps, the slowest common HMR load. Against it the claims hold at 200 yards: 188 against 75 ft·lbf, −4.1 against −9.9 inches of drop, 7.3 against 16.1 inches of drift. Against Hornady’s 17-grain V-MAX (72 ft·lbf and −8.5 inches at 200 yards), the energy ratio is about the same and the drop advantage smaller.⁹¹

“100 fps faster.” CCI says its A17 load “produces muzzle velocities 100 fps faster than other 17 HMR loads with the same bullet weight”. On CCI’s own pages that is true against its V-Max and TNT (2,650 against 2,550). Its own VNT, at 2,650, matches it.²

5.1.5 Which load for what

A short guide; Volume 7 has the reasoning.

Table 8 — 5.5 Which load for what

Job	.17 HM2	.17 HMR	.17 WSM
Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, rats	Either load	V-MAX, VNT, A17, AccuTip-V, TNT	20 gr Varmint HV; 15 gr Varmint X
Woodchucks, foxes, coyotes at modest range	Light for the job (Volume 7)	20 gr XTP or a 17 gr polymer tip	25 gr Varmint HE
Small game for the pot; pelts	—	CCI 20 gr FMJ or Gamepoint	No non-expanding WSM load is made
Lead-restricted ground	—	Hornady 15.5 gr NTX, Winchester Varmint LF, CCI TNT Green	15 gr Varmint X
A semi-automatic rifle	Only in a rifle built for it, such as Savage’s A Series Magnum (Volume 8)	CCI A17, in the Savage A17 it was built for	Winchester’s loads in a rifle built for the WSM

5.1.6 Bibliography

Footnotes

1. Hornady product pages, hornady.com/ammunition/rimfire/: 17-mach-2-17-gr-v-max-varmint-express-rimfire (83177), 17-hmr-15.5-gr.-ntx (83171), 17-hmr-17-gr-v-max (83170), 17-hmr-20-gr-xtp (83172); catalogue enumerated from hornady.com/sitemap.xml (lastmod 2026-10-12). Read 2026-10-19. ↩ ↩² ↩³

2. CCI product pages, cci-ammunition.com/rimfire/cci/: a17/6-949CC, a17/6-950CC, vnt/6-923CC, vnt/6-959CC, vnt/6-948CC, v-max/6-49, tnt/6-53, tnt-green/6-951, gamepoint/6-52, full-metal-jacket/6-55; caliber pages 17-hmr and 17-mach-2. Read 2026-10-19. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

3. ANSI/SAAMI Z299.1 (2018 approval), velocity and pressure table, printed p. 6. ↩

4. US Patent 7,011,028 B1 (Hornady), performance table. ↩

5. Savage Arms rimfire bolt-action owner’s manual, Section 12, as recorded in the Savage 93R17 dive’s research notes. ↩

6. CCI press release (2023), “CCI Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary of 17 HMR Rimfire Ammunition Production”, reprinted at huntinglife.com, read 2026-10-19. ↩

7. Federal Premium product pages, federalpremium.com/rimfire/: varmint-and-predator-hornady-v-max/11-P771, varmint-and-predator-speer-tnt/11-P770, champion/byob/11-770BTL250; caliber page 17-hmr. Read 2026-10-19. ↩

8. Remington product pages, remington.com/rimfire/magnum-rimfire/: 29-28464, 29-20023, 29-20025; caliber page 17-hmr. Read 2026-10-19. ↩

9. Winchester product pages, winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rimfire/: Varmint-HV/S17HMR1, Varmint-LF/S17HMR1LF, Super-X/X17HMR1, Varmint-HV/S17W20, Varmint-HE/S17W25, Varmint-X-Lead-Free/X17W15PLF, and the box images they serve (wdm2.blob.core.windows.net/winchester/products/symbol/…); catalogue enumerated from winchester.com/sitemap.xml. Read 2026-10-19. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

10. Winchester, X17W20 product page, Internet Archive capture 2013-02-18. ↩