How Deadly Is 17 HMR? (Super Small Varmint Round)

Published on November 9, 2025
Duration: 22:45

The .17 HMR is an exceptionally effective varmint round, delivering high velocities and violent projectile fragmentation upon impact. While it causes significant tissue damage and temporary cavity effects, its shallow penetration limits its effectiveness against larger targets or in self-defense scenarios due to projectile disintegration. The .22 LR, surprisingly, offers deeper penetration with less dramatic expansion.

Quick Summary

The .17 HMR is an excellent varmint round, delivering high velocities and explosive fragmentation for maximum tissue damage. However, its shallow penetration due to projectile disintegration limits its effectiveness for self-defense against humans, where deeper penetration is crucial.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro Skit & .17 HMR Overview
  2. 00:28What is .17 HMR?
  3. 02:32Ammunition Selection: CCI TNT & Hornady V-Max
  4. 03:19Velocity Testing Results
  5. 04:17Ballistics Gel Test: CCI TNT
  6. 07:22Ballistics Gel Test: Hornady V-Max
  7. 08:29.17 HMR vs. .22 LR Comparison
  8. 10:40Meat Target Testing
  9. 19:19Ballistic Dummy Test
  10. 20:24Final Assessment: .17 HMR Effectiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

How effective is the .17 HMR cartridge for varmint hunting?

The .17 HMR is highly effective for varmints due to its high velocity and explosive projectile fragmentation, causing significant tissue damage. However, its limited penetration makes it unsuitable for larger game or self-defense against humans.

What are the key differences in terminal ballistics between .17 HMR and .22 LR?

The .17 HMR delivers much higher velocities and causes violent expansion/fragmentation, creating a large temporary cavity but with shallow penetration. The .22 LR penetrates deeper but with less dramatic expansion and tissue disruption.

Does the .17 HMR have enough penetration for self-defense?

No, the .17 HMR is generally not recommended for self-defense against humans. Its projectiles tend to fragment or disintegrate, leading to insufficient penetration, especially on oblique shots, to reliably reach vital organs.

What types of .17 HMR ammunition were tested?

The video tested two primary types of .17 HMR ammunition: CCI TNT (Jacketed Hollow Point) and Hornady V-Max (17-grain polymer tip), both known for their high velocity and varmint-specific designs.

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