17 Win Super Mag Ammo

About .17 WSM Ammo

Introduced by Winchester in 2012, .17 WSM was developed by necking down an industrial nail gun blank to accept a .172-inch diameter bullet, producing a rimfire case significantly larger and stronger than any previous rimfire cartridge. The result is a 20gr load at approximately 3,000 fps or a 25gr load at 2,600 fps, giving .17 WSM a meaningful velocity and energy advantage over .17 HMR across the board.

Compared to .17 HMR, .17 WSM produces roughly 15-20% more muzzle velocity, noticeably flatter trajectory, and better wind resistance, extending reliable varmint accuracy from .17 HMR's practical 150-yard ceiling to 200 yards and beyond in capable hands. Muzzle energy runs approximately 400 ft-lbs with the 20gr load, nearly double the 245 ft-lbs produced by the standard .17 HMR load. For varmint hunters who have maxed out what .17 HMR can do and want more range without stepping up to a centerfire, .17 WSM is a compelling and cost-effective answer.

What Is .17 WSM Best For?

• Extended-range varmint hunting: Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, woodchucks, and similar small varmints at 150-200 yards where .17 HMR is starting to run out of steam. The higher velocity and better wind resistance of .17 WSM make it noticeably more capable at those distances.
• Predator hunting: The increased energy of .17 WSM makes it a more capable choice for fox and coyotes compared to .17 HMR, particularly at moderate range with precise shot placement. It is still best used inside 150 yards on full-grown coyotes.
• Windy conditions varminting: The higher BC and velocity of .17 WSM's 25gr load in particular provides better resistance to wind deflection than .17 HMR, making it a better choice for open-country varmint hunting where wind is a consistent factor.
• Shooters who want maximum rimfire performance: For rimfire enthusiasts who want the most performance available without moving to a centerfire cartridge, .17 WSM sits at the top of the rimfire power spectrum.

Bullet Types Available

• 20gr Polymer Tip / V-MAX: The most common and widely available .17 WSM loading. Winchester's 20gr Supreme Varmint load and Hornady's 20gr V-MAX are the benchmark choices for varmint hunting, delivering explosive fragmentation on impact at .17 WSM's elevated velocities.
• 25gr Polymer Tip: The heavier option trades some velocity for better wind resistance and retained energy at longer distances. Winchester's 25gr Supreme Varmint load is the go-to choice for shooters who regularly deal with wind or want to push beyond 175 yards.

Rifles Chambered in .17 WSM

Platform availability for .17 WSM is more limited than .17 HMR due to the cartridge's higher pressure requiring a stronger action than most standard rimfire designs. Current production rifles include the Savage B.Mag, Ruger American Rimfire, Winchester Wildcat, and the Franklin Armory F-17 semi-automatic. The Savage B.Mag was the first rifle brought to market for .17 WSM at the cartridge's 2012 launch and remains the most widely used platform. Ammunition availability, while more limited than .17 HMR, has improved as the cartridge has matured and Winchester, Hornady, and Federal have all committed to ongoing production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between .17 WSM and .17 HMR?

.17 WSM is significantly more powerful than .17 HMR. The 20gr .17 WSM load exits the muzzle at approximately 3,000 fps compared to 2,550 fps for the standard 17gr .17 HMR load, and produces nearly double the muzzle energy. .17 WSM has a flatter trajectory, better wind resistance, and a longer practical effective range for varmint hunting. The tradeoffs are higher per-round cost, more limited rifle platform availability, and louder muzzle blast. They are not interchangeable.

Is .17 WSM a rimfire or centerfire cartridge?

.17 WSM is a rimfire cartridge despite producing velocity and energy figures that approach some light centerfire loads. It was developed from a larger and stronger rimfire case than any previous rimfire design, allowing it to operate at higher pressure than .17 HMR or .22 WMR. This means .17 WSM requires a purpose-built stronger action and is not compatible with rifles chambered for .17 HMR or .22 WMR.

Is .17 WSM good for coyotes?

It is a more capable choice for coyotes than .17 HMR, but still best used inside 150 yards with precise shot placement. The 20gr load at 3,000 fps produces around 400 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, adequate for clean kills on coyotes at close to moderate range with a well-placed shot. Beyond 150 yards on a full-grown coyote, a centerfire like .223 Remington is a more reliable choice.

Is .17 WSM ammo hard to find?

More so than .17 HMR. .17 WSM has a smaller installed base of rifles and a narrower factory load selection, and is not stocked by all retailers. Winchester, Hornady, and Federal all produce factory loads and online availability is generally more consistent than local retail. Buying in bulk when you find it in stock is the most practical approach.

How much does 17 WSM ammo cost per round?

Expect to pay roughly $0.28-$0.45/rd for standard 20gr and 25gr varmint loads. .17 WSM runs somewhat more expensive per round than .17 HMR due to its larger case and lower production volume. Buying in bulk is the most effective way to reduce your per-round cost.