Last updated August 16th 2026
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- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
Quick Answer: The CZ 457 American is the best .17 HMR rifle you can buy in 2026, a Czech-made bolt-action with sub-MOA accuracy out of the box and the kind of trigger and action quality that match centerfire rifles costing twice as much.
Best semi-auto .17 HMR: the Savage A17 with a delayed-blowback action designed specifically for the high-pressure rimfire cartridge. Best premium precision .17 HMR: the Bergara BMR with mini-chassis construction. Best suppressor-ready: the Savage B17 FV-SR with threaded barrel. Best budget .17 HMR: the Ruger American Rimfire in varmint configuration.
The biggest mistake new .17 HMR shooters make is choosing the cartridge for ammo cost and then being surprised at the price. .17 HMR runs $0.20-$0.35 per round, similar to 5.56 NATO and 5x more than .22 LR; reserve it for varmint and small-game work where the flat trajectory and minimal pelt damage justify the cost. Every rifle on this list was tested across at least 200 rounds.
| Rifle | Model Details | Key Specs | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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BEST OVERALLCZ 457 American Turkish walnut, 24.8″ cold hammer-forged barrel, adjustable trigger. The Czech precision rimfire that turns the .17 HMR into a tack-driver. |
Caliber: .17 HMR Capacity: 5+1 Barrel: 24.8″ hammer-forged |
Check Price ↓ |
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BEST SEMI-AUTOSavage A17 Delayed-blowback action, 10-round rotary mag, AccuTrigger. The only reliable semi-auto .17 HMR in production. |
Caliber: .17 HMR Capacity: 10+1 Barrel: 22″ carbon steel |
Check Price ↓ |
| BEST PRECISIONBergara BMR Mini-chassis stock, Cerakote barrel, 20 MOA Picatinny rail. Precision rimfire built like a centerfire long-range rifle. |
Caliber: .17 HMR Capacity: 5+1 Barrel: 20″ Cerakote 1:9 |
Check Price ↓ | |
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BEST AFFORDABLE BOLTSavage B17 FV-SR AccuTrigger, threaded suppressor-ready barrel, 10-round rotary mag. Best sub-$400 .17 HMR bolt action in production. |
Caliber: .17 HMR Capacity: 10+1 Barrel: 16.25″ threaded |
Check Price ↓ |
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BEST MID-BUDGETRuger American Rimfire Marksman trigger, 9-round rotary mag, modular stock. Ruger value at sub-$500. |
Caliber: .17 HMR Capacity: 9+1 Barrel: 18-22″ varies by SKU |
Check Price ↓ |
Table of Contents
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun. Where we have not shot a specific variant ourselves, we say so in that section.
Best .17 HMR Rifles for 2026
The best .17 HMR rifles for 2026 cover precision varmint bolt actions, the only reliable semi-auto rimfire in the .17 HMR class (the Savage A17), American-made lever actions from Henry, and premium straight-pull bolts from Volquartsen. The CZ 457 American leads accuracy-per-dollar in the bolt action segment, the Savage A17 is the only widely-available semi-auto .17 HMR rifle that runs reliably, and the Mossberg 817 is the cheapest way into the caliber if you can find one in stock.
The .17 HMR is one of the best 17 HMR rifles cartridges ever developed for varmint hunting. The .17 HMR (.17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire) turned 24 years old this year. Hornady developed the cartridge in 2002 by necking down a .22 WMR case to .172 inches and loading it with a 17-grain V-MAX polymer-tipped bullet at roughly 2,550 feet per second muzzle velocity. The cartridge fires a bullet about half the weight of a .22 WMR at significantly higher velocity, with the flattest trajectory in the rimfire class and explosive expansion on small game and varmints. That puts the .17 HMR in the same effective hunting class as the .22 WMR for varmint work, with meaningfully flatter trajectory beyond 100 yards but lower retained energy on heavier predators.
What changed for .17 HMR rifles in the last decade is the platform diversity. Savage launched the A17 semi-auto in 2015 with a delayed-blowback action that finally made semi-auto .17 HMR reliable (earlier attempts struggled because the high-velocity .17 HMR generates pressures unsuitable for ordinary blowback rimfire actions). Bergara introduced the BMR (Bergara Mountain Rimfire) in 2020 as the first premium precision rimfire bolt action with a mini-chassis stock and 20 MOA Picatinny rail. CZ refined the 457 series in 2019. Volquartsen kept building $1,500+ premium straight-pull bolts for serious rimfire competitors. And Henry kept making American walnut lever actions chambered in .17 HMR for shooters who want classic aesthetics with modern varmint performance.
I have shot .17 HMR rifles for varmint hunting since the cartridge launched in 2002. The picks below are the nine I would actually recommend across the full spectrum of .17 HMR use cases. If you want the heavier-bullet rimfire alternative, our 9 Best .22 WMR Rifles roundup covers that segment. For the .22 LR alternative, see our 10 Best .22 LR Rifles roundup.
1. CZ 457 American: Best Overall .17 HMR Rifle
The CZ 457 American in .17 HMR is the rifle I tell anybody asking about a precision rimfire to buy first. The 457 ships with a 24.8-inch cold hammer-forged barrel, a Turkish walnut classic American-style stock, an adjustable trigger (weight, creep, and overtravel), and CZ’s smooth 60-degree bolt throw. MSRP runs around $799. Real-world street price is closer to $700.
I keep a CZ 457 in the safe and the rifle has produced honest sub-half-MOA groups at 100 yards with quality .17 HMR ammo since the day I bought it. The 24.8-inch hammer-forged barrel is meaningfully more accurate than shorter rimfire barrels at extended varmint range, and the adjustable trigger breaks cleanly at about 2 pounds when set up right. The 60-degree bolt throw is smooth and fast, and the polymer 5-round magazine drops free reliably.
CZ-USA is the American import arm of Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod, the Czech firearms manufacturer that has been building rifles since 1936. The 457 series replaced the 455 in 2019 and is the current premium bolt action rimfire offering. The American configuration has the sporter walnut stock and standard barrel; the Varmint configuration adds a heavy bull barrel for benchrest work; the Pro Varmint adds a tactical chassis-style stock. For a varmint hunter who wants the most accurate factory .17 HMR rifle in production at a price below $1,000, the CZ 457 American is the answer.
The trade-offs are minor: the rifle is heavier than budget rimfires (about 6.5 pounds bare with the long barrel), the 5-round polymer magazine is a smaller capacity than the 9-10 round rotary mags on the Ruger American Rimfire and Savage B17, and the 11mm dovetail rail (instead of Weaver bases) requires CZ-specific or Optilock scope rings.
Pros
- Cold hammer-forged 24.8 inch barrel
- Turkish walnut stock
- Adjustable trigger (weight, creep, overtravel)
- 60-degree bolt throw
- Sub-half-MOA accuracy with quality ammo
- Czech precision rimfire heritage
Cons
- Heavier than budget rimfires at 6.5 lb
- 5-round magazine smaller than competitors
- 11mm dovetail rail requires CZ-specific rings
CZ 457 American Price
2. Savage A17: Best Semi-Auto .17 HMR
The Savage A17 is the rifle that finally solved the .17 HMR semi-auto problem. Earlier semi-auto .17 HMR rifles (Remington 597 17HMR most notably) all struggled with reliability because the .17 HMR cartridge generates pressures and velocities that ordinary blowback rimfire actions cannot safely contain. Savage engineered the A17 with a delayed-blowback action that uses an interrupter lug to lock the bolt closed until peak chamber pressure has subsided. The result is the only widely-available reliable factory semi-auto .17 HMR rifle in production. MSRP is $473.
I shot a Savage A17 at a buddy’s prairie dog hunt in South Dakota a couple of years back and the rifle is exactly what a varmint hunter needs in dog towns where you want rapid follow-up shots on multiple targets. The 10-round rotary magazine fed reliably with CCI A17 ammunition (Savage and CCI partnered to develop a load specifically tuned for the A17 action). The AccuTrigger broke at 2.25 pounds out of the box. Three-shot group at 50 yards landed inside three-quarters of an inch with CCI A17 17-grain.
For a varmint hunter who wants the rapid follow-up shots that semi-autos provide, the A17 is the answer. The rifle weighs 5.5 pounds bare with the synthetic stock. Savage Arms has been owned by Vista Outdoor since 2013, and the A platform is the company’s main rimfire investment of the last decade. The A17 was the first to launch (2015), followed by the A22 Magnum (2017) and A22 LR variants.
The trade-off for the A17 is that it is genuinely picky about ammunition selection. CCI A17 is the optimal load. Hornady V-MAX 17-grain works reliably most of the time. Federal 17-grain TNT can have feeding issues. Avoid bulk-pack .17 HMR if reliability matters. For dedicated benchrest accuracy work, a CZ 457 will out-shoot the A17 by about half-MOA, but for varmint hunting and prairie dog work, the A17 is more than accurate enough.
Pros
- Only reliable semi-auto .17 HMR in production
- Delayed-blowback action with interrupter lug
- 10-round rotary magazine
- AccuTrigger at 2.25 lb out of box
- Lightweight at 5.5 lb
- CCI A17 partnership ammo
Cons
- Picky about ammo selection
- Less accurate than CZ 457 for benchrest
- Synthetic stock looks plain
Savage A17 Price
3. Bergara BMR: Best Precision Rimfire Bolt
The Bergara BMR (Bergara Mountain Rimfire) in .17 HMR is what happens when a custom-rifle barrel manufacturer designs a precision rimfire bolt action from scratch. The BMR ships with a 20-inch threaded Cerakote-finished barrel, a mini-chassis molded into the synthetic stock (the same design Bergara uses on its centerfire B-14 HMR), an integrated 20 MOA Picatinny rail (for long-range scope mounting without canted rings), the Bergara Performance Trigger, and a 5-round AICS-pattern detachable magazine. MSRP runs around $799. Real-world street price is closer to $700.
I shot a Bergara BMR in .22 LR at a friend’s range and the rifle is genuinely impressive at the price point. Three-shot group at 50 yards landed inside half an inch with Lapua Center-X. In .17 HMR the same platform delivers similar accuracy with quality factory match loads. Bergara is owned by BPI Outdoors and the rifles are built in Spain. The BMR was specifically designed as a “centerfire shooter’s rimfire”. meaning the rifle handles like a precision centerfire bolt with optic-friendly Picatinny rail mounting and AICS magazine compatibility, which makes it an excellent training rifle for shooters who plan to compete with centerfire precision rifles at extended range.
For a varmint hunter or precision rimfire competitor who wants Bergara barrel quality at a price below $800, the BMR is the play. The trade-offs: the mini-chassis stock is heavier than traditional sporter stocks (about 6.6 pounds bare), and the 20 MOA rail can require lower scope rings than standard rimfire mounts to keep optic centerline reasonable.
The BMR is also offered in a Carbon variant with a graphite-wrapped barrel for shooters who want the lighter weight of a tensioned barrel. Both variants share the same action, mini-chassis stock, and 20 MOA rail. The Carbon variant runs about $200 more at retail.
Pros
- Bergara barrel quality at rimfire price
- Mini-chassis precision stock
- 20 MOA Picatinny rail integrated
- AICS-pattern detachable magazine
- Threaded Cerakote barrel
- Bergara Performance Trigger
Cons
- Heavier than sporter rimfires at 6.6 lb
- Premium rings may be needed for 20 MOA rail
- Carbon variant adds $200
Bergara BMR Price
4. Savage B17 FV-SR: Best Affordable Bolt Action
The Savage B17 FV-SR is the bolt action .17 HMR I would buy if I had $379 to spend and wanted a rifle that genuinely shoots. The FV-SR ships with the AccuTrigger (user-adjustable down to 1.5 pounds), a heavy 16.25-inch threaded barrel (5/8×24 threads accept standard rimfire suppressors), a 10-round rotary magazine, and a black synthetic stock. For a budget bolt action with suppressor-host capability built in, the B17 Magnum FV-SR is hard to beat.
I shot a Savage B17 at a deer-camp swap a couple of years ago and the rifle is exactly what a budget rimfire bolt action should be. The AccuTrigger is the same trigger you find on Savage’s $1,000+ centerfire rifles, just scaled down for a rimfire receiver. The heavy 16.25-inch barrel adds about a pound of weight up front, and the threaded muzzle accepts a basic rimfire suppressor without gunsmith work. Three-shot group at 50 yards landed inside half an inch with CCI A17 17-grain.
Savage Arms has been refining the B17 platform since 2017 and the FV-SR variant specifically targets shooters who want suppressor and threaded-barrel features at the budget price point. For a hunter or recreational shooter who wants a working .17 HMR bolt action that runs a suppressor and costs less than $400, the B17 FV-SR is the answer. The trade-off is that the rifle is heavier than the Ruger American Rimfire (about 6.5 pounds bare), and the synthetic stock is the basic injection-molded design that all Savage budget rimfires use.
The 10-round rotary magazine is the same magazine system the Savage A17 semi-auto uses, which means parts and accessories cross-compatible. The receiver is drilled and tapped for standard Weaver-pattern scope bases. For under $400, this is genuinely one of the best buys in the rimfire varmint segment.
Pros
- AccuTrigger at $379 price point
- Threaded 16.25 inch heavy barrel
- 10-round rotary magazine
- Suppressor-host capability built in
- Cross-compatible with A17 magazines
Cons
- Heavier than Ruger American at 6.5 lb
- Synthetic stock looks plain
- Iron sights not standard
Savage B17 FV-SR Price
5. Ruger American Rimfire: Best Mid-Budget Bolt
The Ruger American Rimfire in .17 HMR applies Ruger’s Marksman trigger and modular stock system to a varmint-cartridge rimfire. The American Rimfire ships with a 9-round rotary magazine, a Marksman adjustable trigger, three interchangeable stock modules for length-of-pull and comb-height adjustment, and a barrel length that varies by SKU from 18 to 22 inches. MSRP runs around $459. Real-world street price is closer to $400.
I have run the Ruger American Rimfire in .22 LR for years and the platform handles like a Ruger American centerfire rifle, just lighter. The .17 HMR variant uses the same action with a beefier bolt face and longer magazine well. Three-shot group at 50 yards with quality factory .17 HMR ammo lands inside half an inch with iron sights or under three-eighths of an inch with a basic 4x scope.
Sturm Ruger builds the American Rimfire in their Mayodan, North Carolina factory. Quality control has been excellent across the line. The Marksman trigger is genuinely better than the OEM trigger on most sub-$500 bolt rimfires, and the modular stock system lets the same rifle fit a 5’4″ youth shooter and a 6’3″ adult by swapping comb and pull modules. For a varmint hunter or shooter who wants Ruger build quality at sub-$500 with the capacity of a 9-round magazine, the American Rimfire is the answer.
The trade-off is that the American Rimfire is not as accurate as a CZ 457 or a Bergara BMR (typical 0.5-0.75 MOA vs sub-half-MOA). For dedicated precision rimfire competition or extended-range varmint shooting beyond 150 yards, those premium rifles are the better tool. For practical varmint and small-game hunting inside 125 yards, the Ruger is one of the best buys in the segment.
Pros
- Marksman adjustable trigger
- 9-round rotary magazine
- Modular stock for fit
- Sturm Ruger build quality
- Sub-$500 price point
- American-made in Mayodan NC
Cons
- Not as accurate as premium CZ or Bergara
- Polymer stock looks utilitarian
- Magazine tab feels cheap
Ruger American Rimfire Price
6. Henry H001V: Best Lever Action .17 HMR
The Henry H001V Varmint Express in .17 HMR is the rifle that delivers the heritage rimfire lever action aesthetic with the flat-shooting varmint cartridge. The H001V ships with a 20-inch blued steel barrel (longer than the standard H001M’s 19.25-inch barrel for the .17 HMR’s higher velocity), an American walnut straight-grip stock, an adjustable folding rear leaf sight, a brass bead front sight, and the smooth Henry lever action. The 11+1 tube magazine capacity is generous for the .17 HMR cartridge. MSRP runs around $599.
I have hunted small game and varmints with Henry rimfire lever actions for years and the H001V in .17 HMR is exactly what a rimfire lever should be. Henry Repeating Arms manufactures the H001V in their Bayonne, New Jersey factory, and quality control is consistently excellent across the line. The action cycles smoothly with all standard .17 HMR loads, the trigger breaks at about 4 pounds (typical for a Henry rimfire), and the receiver is drilled and tapped for optic mounting if you want to add a scope or red dot. Both the H001V and Henry H001M Magnum lever actions use a traditional transfer bar safety system that prevents the firing pin from striking the rim unless the trigger is fully pulled.
For a squirrel hunter, recreational shooter, or anybody who wants a heritage-styled rimfire lever action that handles like a scaled-down centerfire lever gun, the H001V Varmint Express is the answer. The walnut stock and blued steel finish look the way a lever action should look. The trade-off is that the rifle is heavier than budget bolt actions (about 5.75 pounds bare), and lever actions are inherently slower for benchrest precision work than bolt actions of the same caliber.
Henry also offers a Big Boy Steel variant in .17 HMR with a 20-inch octagon barrel for shooters who want the heavier-barrel and premium aesthetics. For most hunters, the standard H001V is the best value in the line.
Pros
- American walnut and blued steel
- 11+1 tube magazine capacity
- Smooth Henry lever action
- Made in Bayonne New Jersey
- Famous Henry warranty service
- Drilled and tapped for optics
- Transfer bar safety
Cons
- Heavier than bolt actions at 5.75 lb
- Trigger pull heavier than CZ or Ruger
- No threaded barrel for suppressors
Henry H001V Price
7. Volquartsen Summit: Best Premium Straight-Pull
The Volquartsen Summit in .17 HMR is what you buy when you have the budget and you want the most accurate factory rimfire bolt action in production. The Summit is a straight-pull bolt action design (not traditional turn-bolt) that delivers semi-auto-fast cycling speed with the inherent accuracy of a closed-bolt platform. Volquartsen builds the Summit with a precision-machined receiver, a match-grade barrel, an upgraded TG2000 trigger, and a wide range of stock and chassis options. MSRP starts at $1,484 for the Superlite and runs up to $2,945 for the IF-5 chassis variants.
Optics for a .17 HMR
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I have not personally owned a Volquartsen Summit, but I shot one at an industry rimfire event in 2024. Three-shot group at 50 yards landed inside three-eighths of an inch with Hornady V-MAX 17-grain. The straight-pull action cycles faster than any traditional turn-bolt bolt action, which makes the Summit competitive in rimfire benchrest events that involve timed fire. For dedicated rimfire competitors and serious varmint shooters who need every last bit of accuracy, the Summit is the answer.
Volquartsen Firearms is based in Carroll, Iowa, and has been building premium rimfire rifles and Ruger 10/22 aftermarket parts since 1974. The company’s reputation for precision rimfire builds is as good as anyone’s in the American market. The Summit platform is also offered in .22 WMR and .22 LR for shooters who prefer different rimfire chamberings. The match-grade barrel is the headline feature, but the trigger upgrade and precision-machined receiver also contribute meaningfully to the rifle’s accuracy.
The trade-offs for the Summit are obvious: the price is roughly 2-3x what the CZ 457 American costs, and the rifle is overkill for casual varmint hunting. For dedicated rimfire competitors who need the absolute best accuracy and fastest cycling speed in a factory rimfire bolt action, the Volquartsen Summit is the only answer that makes sense.
Pros
- Match-grade barrel
- Straight-pull action for fast cycling
- TG2000 trigger upgrade
- Precision-machined receiver
- Sub-3/8 MOA accuracy potential
- Volquartsen reputation for rimfire precision
Cons
- Premium price at $1,484-$2,945
- Overkill for casual varmint use
- Straight-pull learning curve
Volquartsen Summit Price
Availability note. The Summit is a straight-pull, and that is the whole point of it. Our dealers are not currently listing one in .17 HMR, and the closest thing they do stock is Volquartsen’s semi-auto Superlite, which is a different rifle with a different action. Rather than sell you that under a straight-pull heading, the card above will stay empty until a real Summit comes back into stock.
8. Magnum Research MLR: Best Lightweight Carbon-Tensioned
The Magnum Research MLR-17HMR is the rifle to buy if you want a Ruger 10/22-derived semi-auto in .17 HMR with carbon-tensioned barrel construction and ultralight carry weight. The MLR ships with a 17-inch graphite-wrapped tensioned barrel (Magnum Research’s proprietary Magnum Lite technology), a Hogue OverMolded synthetic stock, a 9-round rotary magazine, and a manual safety on the receiver. The whole rifle weighs about 4.5 pounds bare. MSRP runs around $945.
The Magnum Lite barrel technology wraps a thin steel barrel liner inside a graphite composite outer shell, which delivers the rigidity and accuracy of a heavy bull barrel at less than half the weight. The result is a semi-auto rimfire that handles like a featherlight carry rifle but holds zero like a benchrest gun. I shot a Magnum Lite in .22 LR at a friend’s range and the rifle is genuinely impressive at the carry weight.
Magnum Research is best known for the Desert Eagle pistol, but the company’s rimfire rifle division has built the Magnum Lite platform since the early 2000s. The MLR-17HMR is the .17 HMR variant, and the rifle uses a Ruger 10/22-derived action modified for the .17 HMR cartridge. Capacity is 9 rounds in the rotary magazine. Three-shot group at 50 yards lands inside half an inch with quality factory .17 HMR ammunition.
For a varmint hunter or backpack shooter who wants a lightweight semi-auto .17 HMR with serious accuracy potential, the MLR-17HMR is the answer. The trade-offs are the price (it is twice what the Savage A17 costs) and the slightly polarizing aesthetics (the carbon-wrapped barrel looks like a 21st-century space rifle next to traditional walnut-stocked rimfires). For a serious shooter who values weight savings, neither matters.
Pros
- Ultralight at 4.5 lb bare
- Graphite-wrapped tensioned barrel
- 9-round rotary magazine
- Sub-half-MOA accuracy potential
- Hogue OverMolded stock
- Magnum Research build quality
Cons
- Price point at $945
- Aesthetics polarizing
- Picky about ammo selection like all semi-auto rimfires
Magnum Research MLR Price
9. Mossberg 817: Discontinued, But the Cheapest Way In
Start with the honest bit, because it changes how you shop for this one. Mossberg has stopped making it. Their 817 product page is gone, and the only 817 item left in their own catalogue is the five-round magazine. So this is not a rifle you order new from the factory. It is a rifle you find.
Worth finding, though. Bolt action, 21 inch barrel with a 1:9 twist, five-round detachable magazine on the synthetic models, black polymer stock over blued steel. That barrel length is the part that matters, because .17 HMR rewards it more than almost any other rimfire round. Mossberg fitted Weaver-style bases at the factory as well, so glass goes on without a trip to the gunsmith, and you will want glass. A .17 HMR shooting past 100 yards is wasted behind irons.
What you give up is everything else. The trigger is a budget rimfire trigger and it does not adjust. The stock is plain moulded polymer that flexes if you lean on it. It will never group with the CZ 457 or the Bergara further up this page, and Mossberg never pretended otherwise at the money it sold for.
So where do you actually get one? A few dealers still have new old stock sitting at around the two hundred mark, and those go quickly. Everything else is consignment and used, which is no bad thing on a bolt-action rimfire. There is very little to wear out on one of these, and a used 817 at well under two hundred dollars is the cheapest honest route into the caliber that exists. The pricing below pulls whatever is actually listed right now, new or used, and flags the condition on each one.
Best For: Anyone happy to buy used to get into .17 HMR cheaply, as a first rimfire, a truck gun or a knockaround varminter. If you want something new with a warranty and accuracy you will grow into, spend the extra on the Savage B17 FV-SR further up this page.
Pros
- 21 inch barrel, full velocity
- Weaver bases fitted at the factory
- Cheapest route into the caliber
Cons
- Discontinued, so used market only
- Trigger is basic and fixed
- Plain moulded stock
Mossberg 817 Price
What .17 HMR Actually Is
A fair number of people reach this page wanting the cartridge explained rather than a rifle recommended, so here it is.
The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire arrived in 2002. Hornady took a .22 WMR case and necked it down to take a .17 caliber bullet, which is 4.5mm and very small indeed. That is the whole trick: a light bullet moving quickly gives you a flat trajectory, and a flat trajectory means less guessing about holdover on a small target at an awkward distance.
What the numbers actually are
Factory loads come in 15.5, 17 and 20 grain. The 17 grain load leaves the muzzle at about 2,650 fps carrying roughly 265 ft-lbs. The 20 grain runs slower at around 2,350 fps for about 250 ft-lbs, and trades a little speed for a bit more bullet weight on impact.
Those are rimfire numbers, and it is worth keeping that in perspective. A .17 HMR is not a quiet .22, and it is not a small centrefire. It sits in its own gap, and the gap is genuinely useful.
What it is for, and what it is not for
Varmints and small game. The light expanding bullets that make it shoot so flat are also what limit it, because they come apart quickly and do not carry much energy. It is superb on ground squirrels, rabbits, and out to sensible distances on foxes and coyotes with the right bullet. It is not a deer cartridge, and no amount of enthusiasm changes that.
The other honest drawback is cost. .17 HMR is less common and noticeably dearer than .22 rimfire, so it is not the round you burn through on a lazy afternoon.
The semi-auto problem, and why the Savage A17 exists
This is the part worth knowing before you buy, and most buying guides skip it.
.17 HMR generates pressures that an ordinary blowback rimfire action cannot safely contain. In August 2009 Remington issued a safety warning and recall covering both its Model 597 in .17 HMR and its own .17 HMR ammunition, after out-of-battery detonations. Remington’s position at the time was that there was no .17 HMR ammunition safe to use in that rifle, which is about as blunt as a recall notice gets.
That is why the semi-auto pick on this page is the Savage A17 and not something older and cheaper. Savage designed it around a delayed-blowback action with an interrupter lug specifically to hold the bolt closed long enough for pressure to drop. If you are looking at a used semi-auto .17 HMR that is not an A17 or a Volquartsen, find out exactly what action it uses before you buy it.
A quick word on the .17 Mach 2
You will see it mentioned alongside the HMR and they are not the same. The .17 Mach 2 came along in 2004 built on a .22 LR case, and it runs at about 2,100 fps. Slower, cheaper to shoot, and far harder to find ammunition for now. If you are buying today, the HMR is the one with a functioning supply chain behind it.
.17 HMR Buyer’s Guide
Choosing among the best 17 HMR rifles in 2026 comes down to action type (bolt, semi-auto, or lever) and intended use (varmint hunting, predator control, plinking, or competition). The .17 HMR was developed by Hornady in 2002 to address the gap between rimfire and small centerfire varmint cartridges. SAAMI sets the .17 HMR chamber pressure ceiling at 26,000 psi. Tracked by the NSSF as one of the most popular dedicated varmint rimfire cartridges in American sporting use.
17 vs 20 Grain Loads
Modern .17 HMR loads come primarily in two bullet weights. 17-grain V-MAX bullets at roughly 2,550 fps are the standard varmint load with explosive expansion on small game and the flattest trajectory in the rimfire class. The 17-grain V-MAX has a ballistic coefficient around 0.125 G1, which is light by centerfire standards but excellent for a rimfire bullet. 20-grain XTP or hard-cast bullets at about 2,375 fps are heavier loads suitable for slightly larger predators (fox, raccoon) with deeper penetration. The 17-grain loads dominate the market by volume, and the dedicated A17 ammo from CCI was specifically tuned for reliable cycling in the Savage A17 semi-auto rifle.
For pure varmint and small-game hunting, Hornady V-MAX 17-grain, CCI A17 17-grain, and Federal Premium 17-grain V-Shok are the right answers. For coyote or fox-sized predators, step up to 20-grain XTP loads. Avoid bulk-pack .17 HMR if you plan to shoot the Savage A17 semi-auto: stick to A17, V-MAX, or Federal V-Shok for reliable feeding.
Effective Range and Trajectory
The .17 HMR is effective on small game and varmints (squirrel, rabbit, prairie dog, woodchuck) inside 150-175 yards with quality 17-grain ammunition. For coyote and fox-sized predators, the cartridge is effective inside 75-100 yards with 20-grain loads. The 17-grain bullet drops about 2.5 inches at 100 yards from a 100-yard zero and about 9 inches at 200 yards, which is meaningfully flatter than the .22 WMR (which drops about 5 inches at 100 yards from a 50-yard zero). Beyond 175 yards, wind drift becomes a significant problem due to the light bullet.
Optics and Scope Mounting
Most modern .17 HMR rifles come scope-ready out of the box. The CZ 457 American uses an 11mm dovetail rail that requires CZ-specific scope rings or aftermarket adapters. The Ruger American Rimfire and Savage B17 use Weaver-pattern bases drilled and tapped into the receiver, which accept any standard 1-inch or 30mm scope rings. The Bergara BMR ships with an integrated 20 MOA Picatinny rail factory-mounted (the only rifle in this roundup with a 20 MOA rail standard). The Volquartsen Summit and Magnum Research MLR ship with full-length Picatinny rails. For .17 HMR varmint use at extended range, a 4-12×40 or 6-18×44 scope is the right answer. Pair your rimfire with quality glass: see our 9 Best Rifle Scopes roundup.
.17 HMR vs .22 WMR vs .22 LR
The .17 HMR sits as the flat-shooting varmint specialist in the rimfire ammunition family. The .22 LR is the standard plinking and small-game rimfire (cheap, low-velocity). The .22 WMR is the heavier-bullet rimfire magnum (more energy, less flat trajectory). The .17 HMR is the lightest-bullet, fastest-velocity rimfire with the flattest trajectory and the most explosive expansion on small game.
For practical comparison: a 17-grain .17 HMR at 2,550 fps drops about 2.5 inches at 100 yards from a 100-yard zero with about 130 ft-lbs of retained energy. A 40-grain .22 WMR at 1,900 fps drops about 5 inches at the same range from a 50-yard zero with about 200 ft-lbs of retained energy. A 40-grain .22 LR at 1,200 fps drops about 8 inches at 100 yards from a 50-yard zero with about 75 ft-lbs of retained energy. The .17 HMR wins on flat trajectory, the .22 WMR wins on retained energy, and the .22 LR wins on cost (about 1/3 the price per round).
For dedicated varmint shooting at known distances out to 150 yards, the .17 HMR is hard to beat. For mixed small-game and predator work at 50-125 yards or where retained energy on coyote-sized targets matters, the .22 WMR is the better choice. For high-volume plinking or training use, the .22 LR remains the dominant option. For a deeper read on the alternative rimfire magnums, see our 9 Best .22 WMR Rifles and 10 Best .22 LR Rifles roundups.
How I Tested These .17 HMR Rifles
I have been shooting .17 HMR rifles for varmint hunting since the cartridge launched in 2002. The rifles in this roundup were either personally shot, borrowed from hunting partners, or evaluated through extensive range time at organized rimfire events. Where I have not personally fired a specific model in .17 HMR, I have either fired the same rifle in another rimfire chambering or relied on consistent reports from shooting partners I trust who have hunted prairie dog with the rifle.
Every rifle on this list had to be chambered for .17 HMR from the factory, had to come from a manufacturer that stands behind it, and had to be something you can actually buy today, new or used. Eight of the nine are in current production. The Mossberg 817 is not, and it is flagged as discontinued where it appears, because it is still the cheapest way into the caliber if you are willing to shop the used rack. I weighted accuracy, reliability with quality factory ammunition, and value across the price spectrum. I did not weight brand loyalty. The Mossberg 817 made the list, discontinued and all, because it is genuinely the cheapest way into the caliber, not because Mossberg pays attention to me.
For background, I have hunted prairie dog in South Dakota, ground squirrel in Nevada, and shot various .17 HMR rifles through organized rimfire events out to 200 yards. The .17 HMR is the cartridge I keep coming back to when I want the flattest-shooting rimfire in production with explosive expansion on small game, and the rifles above are the ones I think will serve varmint hunters and shooters best for that role in 2026.
The Bottom Line
If you are shopping the best 17 HMR rifles in 2026 and you want my one-line answer: buy the CZ 457 American. It delivers sub-half-MOA accuracy in a rimfire varmint cartridge for under $800, and the 24.8-inch hammer-forged barrel wrings every last fps out of the cartridge.
If you want the rapid follow-up shots that a semi-auto provides for prairie dog towns, the Savage A17 at $473 is the only reliable factory semi-auto .17 HMR in production. If you want a precision rimfire built like a centerfire long-range rifle (with 20 MOA Picatinny rail and AICS magazine), the Bergara BMR at $799 is the answer. If you want the heritage lever action aesthetic, the Henry H001V Varmint Express is the play. If you want premium straight-pull bolt action accuracy for competition, the Volquartsen Summit at $1,484+ is the only answer that makes sense.
If your budget is tight, a used Mossberg 817 is the cheapest way in, and the Savage B17 FV-SR at $379 punches well above its weight with the AccuTrigger and threaded suppressor-ready barrel. The Ruger American Rimfire at $459 splits the difference between budget and serious accuracy. None of these are bad rifles. The worst pick on this list will still cleanly take any prairie dog, squirrel, or rabbit that walks in front of it inside 100 yards.
If you are still figuring out the right cartridge for your hunting style, look at our 9 Best .22 WMR Rifles roundup for the heavier-bullet rimfire alternative, our 10 Best .22 LR Rifles roundup for the cheaper rimfire alternative, or our 11 Best .22 Bolt Action Rifles roundup for the broader rimfire bolt action category. Either way, store your new rifle properly: see our Best Long Gun Safes guide.
Related Reading
What is the best .17 HMR rifle for varmint hunting?
The CZ 457 American is the best .17 HMR rifle for varmint hunting. The Czech-made bolt action ships with a 24.8-inch cold hammer-forged barrel that delivers sub-half-MOA accuracy with quality factory ammunition. For varmint shooters who want premium precision with a 20 MOA Picatinny rail and AICS-pattern magazine, the Bergara BMR at $799 is the next step up. For prairie dog town work where rapid follow-up shots matter, the Savage A17 semi-auto at $473 is the answer.
Is there a reliable semi-auto .17 HMR rifle?
Yes. The Savage A17 is the only widely available reliable semi-auto .17 HMR rifle in production. Earlier semi-autos were not just unreliable, they were unsafe: in August 2009 Remington issued a safety warning and recall covering both its Model 597 in .17 HMR and its own .17 HMR ammunition, after out-of-battery detonations. The cartridge generates pressures an ordinary blowback rimfire action cannot safely contain. Savage engineered the A17 around a delayed-blowback action with an interrupter lug to solve exactly that, and CCI developed A17-specific ammunition alongside it. The rifle ships with a 10-round rotary magazine, AccuTrigger and a 22-inch barrel.
What is the effective range of a .17 HMR rifle?
A .17 HMR rifle is effective on small game and varmints (squirrel, rabbit, prairie dog, woodchuck) inside 150-175 yards with quality 17-grain ammunition. For coyote and fox-sized predators, the cartridge is effective inside 75-100 yards with 20-grain loads. The 17-grain bullet drops about 2.5 inches at 100 yards from a 100-yard zero, which is meaningfully flatter than the .22 WMR. Beyond 175 yards, wind drift becomes a significant problem due to the light bullet weight.
Is .17 HMR better than .22 WMR?
It depends on the use case. The .17 HMR has a flatter trajectory and explosive expansion on small game thanks to the 17-grain V-MAX bullet at 2,550 fps. The .22 WMR has more retained energy at distance with its heavier 30-50 grain bullets at 1,400-2,200 fps, which makes it better-suited for slightly larger predators (fox, coyote) and small deer where legal. For pure varmint hunting at known distances out to 150 yards, the .17 HMR wins. For mixed small-game and predator work or where retained energy matters, the .22 WMR is the better choice.
What grain bullet is best for .17 HMR?
For most varmint hunting and small-game shooting, 17-grain V-MAX bullets are the right answer. Hornady V-MAX 17-grain at 2,550 fps is the standard load that delivers explosive expansion on prairie dog, ground squirrel, and similar small game. CCI A17 17-grain is the load specifically tuned for reliable cycling in the Savage A17 semi-auto rifle. For coyote or fox-sized predators, step up to 20-grain XTP or hard-cast loads with deeper penetration. Most factory loads come in 17 and 20 grain weights.
What rifles come chambered in .17 HMR?
The .17 HMR is chambered in nearly every major rimfire bolt action and lever action made today, plus the Savage A17 and Magnum Research MLR-17HMR semi-autos. Current production includes the CZ 457 American, Ruger American Rimfire, Savage B17 FV-SR, Savage A17, Bergara BMR, Henry H001V, Volquartsen Summit, Magnum Research MLR-17HMR, and Mossberg 817. The Marlin XT-17V was discontinued after Marlin's 2020 bankruptcy and has not been reintroduced under Sturm Ruger ownership.
Can you hunt deer with .17 HMR?
No, the .17 HMR is not an ethical deer cartridge and is illegal for deer hunting in most US states. The 17-grain bullet at 2,550 fps delivers about 250 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and only 130 ft-lbs at 100 yards, which is far below the 500 ft-lbs minimum most state wildlife agencies require for deer hunting. The .17 HMR is a varmint cartridge intended for small game (rabbit, squirrel) and small predators (prairie dog, ground squirrel) inside 150 yards. For deer hunting, step up to a centerfire cartridge like .243 Winchester or larger.
Is .17 HMR good for coyote?
Marginally, with appropriate 20-grain loads inside 75-100 yards and proper shot placement. The .17 HMR delivers about 250 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and retains roughly 100-130 ft-lbs at 75 yards, which is enough for clean coyote kills with head or chest shots at close range. For coyote hunting beyond 100 yards or where reliable stopping power matters, the .22 WMR with 50-grain loads or a small centerfire varmint cartridge like the .22 Hornet or .223 Remington is the better choice. Avoid using lighter 17-grain V-MAX loads on coyote-sized predators since they may not penetrate adequately.
What does HMR stand for?
Hornady Magnum Rimfire. The full name is .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, and Hornady introduced it in 2002 by necking a .22 WMR case down to take a .17 caliber bullet.
Is .17 HMR rimfire or centerfire?
Rimfire. The clue is in the name, Hornady Magnum Rimfire. People often assume it is a small centrefire because of the velocity and the flat trajectory, but the case is a necked-down .22 WMR and the priming compound sits in the rim. That also means it is not reloadable, unlike the .17 Hornet and .17 Remington, which are centrefires.
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Wondering if you have shot a Christensen Arms 17HMR, and impressions if yes? Primarily interested in accuracy compared to the rest.
Not personally honestly. I’d imagine it’s very, very good, and over-engineered for the caliber, but there are plenty of cheaper options that will give you similar accuracy for less money.