An Ammo Guide to 17 WSM

As one of the newer rimfire calibers on the market, 17 WSM, also known as 17 Winchester Super Magnum, is becoming increasingly popular amongst hunters and other precision rifle shooters. Originally developed in 2012 by Winchester in conjunction with rifles made by Savage, 17 WSM ammo was made to provide a small caliber bullet that could fly extremely fast and straight over long distances. It was partially developed as a response to 17 HMR (17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire), which came out in 2002. One of the main reasons for 17 WSM is that customers liked having a rifle with solid stopping power at range that didn't produce a ton of recoil, muzzle flash, or noise, which makes it an excellent choice for predator and varmint hunting. From taking down foxes and coyotes that are terrorizing your livestock to squirrels and rabbits during the hunting season, 17 WSM ammo is made to give you the precision you need to make a clean kill. 

What Is 17 WSM Ammo?

The first thing you need to understand if you're new to 17 WSM ammo is that it is a rimfire cartridge. Unlike most rifle ammo, which use centerfire cartridges, the primer for a rimfire round is located in a hollow rim that protrudes slightly from the base of the cartridge. This is a much simpler process for firing a round than a centerfire rifle, as the firing pin doesn't have to hit a small, specific point on the ammo to fire. This often makes the ammo and related firearms cheaper to produce. 

Another thing about 17 WSM ammo is that it was originally based off of .27 caliber nail gun blanks, as these cartridges has a much thicker casing that allowed for extreme pressure, something that is crucial for making a small caliber bullet fly straight at longer distances. Winchester took these cartridges and necked them down to fit a 17 caliber projectile, creating 17 WSM. While the bullet is similar in size to a 22LR, the total length of the round is much longer. The shape of a 17 WSM bullet also has a pointed nose, while 22 LR ammo has a flat or rounded nose. This is what allows for a lot more gunpowder than you would typically see with a small caliber round. All of this combined creates a fast-flying, hard-hitting round that is perfect for putting down small game and predators at range.

17HMR vs 17 WSM

Since 17 WSM was created in response to 17 HMR, it makes sense to compare the two types of ammo. The best place to start this comparison is with velocity and muzzle energy, as these are the primary benefits of both cartridges. For this, we'll compare Hornady Varmint Express 20 Grain 17 HMR eXtreme Terminal Performance and Winchester Varmint HV 20 Grain 17 WSM. Both of these ammo types are designed specifically for varmint hunting, so they are the most similar rounds.

• Hornady Varmint Express 20 Grain 17 HMR:
  • Velocity: 2,375 ft/s
  • Muzzle Energy: 250 ft-lbs
• Winchester Varmint HV 20 Grain 17 WSM:
  • Velocity: 3,000 ft/s
  • Muzzle Energy: 400 ft-lbs

In both categories, 17 WSM ammo outperforms 17 HMR. This is largely due to the fact that 17 WSM is based on the larger .27 caliber blank that has a much thicker casing. With the extra reinforcement, Winchester is able to load it to a much higher pressure. This results in comparable bullets traveling at faster speeds and producing nearly twice as much muzzle energy, allowing you to take down larger targets at short range and smaller targets at longer ranges.

Who Still Makes 17 WSM Ammo?

While some brands make 17 WSM, the most popular and available by far is Winchester ammo. This makes sense as the round is still fairly new in the realm of high-pressure, specialized hunting rounds, as well as the fact that it isn't yet as popular as some other varieties. Thankfully, Winchester makes several different types of 17 WSM, so you have a few ammo options depending on how you're planning to use it. For example, you can get 17 WSM ammo in varying bullet weights, including 15 grain, 20 grain, and 25 grain, letting you pick one that specifically matches your intended target. Additionally, they also have polymer-tip rounds and rapid expansion lead rounds, so you can match your ammo to your preferences and hunting regulations, as some types of hunting require lead-free bullets.

Find Tons of In-Stock 17 WSM Ammo at OpticsPlanet!

Now that you know the basics of 17 WSM, you can pick up a few boxes and get to shooting! Whether you're looking for a brand new hunting round or you're just trying to practice your long-range shooting with an inexpensive round, 17 WSM ammo is the perfect choice. We also have everything you need to complete your shooting setup, including plenty of high-powered rifle scopes, rifle magazines, hunting apparel, and more!