Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max Ammunition: The Ultimate Choice for Precision Varmint Hunting and Small Game

Are you a dedicated varmint hunter seeking unparalleled accuracy and devastating terminal performance? Do you need a rimfire cartridge that consistently delivers clean, ethical kills on small game like prairie dogs, groundhogs, squirrels, or even the occasional fox? Look no further than the Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 17 grain V-Max ammunition, available at DEGuns. Engineered for excellence, this specific load (SKU 83170, UPC 090255831702) represents the pinnacle of rimfire cartridge development, offering a potent combination of high velocity, flat trajectory, and explosive bullet performance.

For serious shooters and hunters, choosing the right ammunition is paramount. The Hornady Varmint Express line is designed to address the common challenges faced in varmint hunting: achieving long-range precision, ensuring reliable ignition, and delivering decisive knockdown power without excessive over-penetration or ricochet risks. This 17 HMR offering stands out as a premier solution for those who demand consistency and superior results in the field or on the range.

Understanding the Power of the 17 HMR Caliber

The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (17 HMR) has rapidly become a favorite among small game and varmint hunters since its introduction. Why has this nimble cartridge garnered such widespread acclaim? Its design offers distinct advantages over traditional rimfire calibers like the .22LR:

• Blazing Velocity: The 17 HMR is renowned for its exceptional speed. With a muzzle velocity of 2550 feet per second (fps) for the 17 grain V-Max bullet, it is significantly faster than most .22LR loads, which often struggle to exceed 1200-1500 fps. This high velocity translates directly into a flatter trajectory.
• Flat Trajectory: For varmint hunting, where targets can be small and distances variable, a flat trajectory minimizes the need for extensive holdover or complex ballistic calculations. The Hornady 17 HMR Varmint Express maintains a remarkably flat flight path out to 150-200 yards, making precise shot placement much more achievable. This characteristic greatly simplifies target acquisition and engagement, particularly in windy conditions or at extended ranges where a slight error in elevation can mean a missed shot.
• Inherent Accuracy: The 17 HMR cartridge is inherently accurate. Its design, coupled with high-quality ammunition like Hornady's Varmint Express, often results in sub-inch groups at 100 yards from a quality rifle. This precision is critical for taking small targets and ensuring an ethical harvest.
• Reduced Wind Drift: While all projectiles are affected by wind, the high velocity and efficient design of the 17 HMR's lightweight bullet help to mitigate wind drift compared to slower, heavier rimfire rounds. This can be a significant advantage when shooting in open fields where varmints are commonly found.

In essence, the 17 HMR bridges the gap between traditional rimfire cartridges and some smaller centerfire rounds, offering a cost-effective, low-recoil, and highly effective option for specialized hunting applications.

The Hornady V-Max Bullet: Engineered for Explosive Performance

At the heart of the Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR cartridge lies the legendary Hornady V-Max (VMX) bullet. This 17-grain projectile is a masterpiece of ballistic engineering, specifically designed to deliver devastating terminal performance on small to medium-sized varmints. What makes the V-Max bullet so effective and what benefits does it offer hunters?

• Polymer Tip Design: The distinctive red polymer tip serves multiple critical functions. Firstly, it enhances the bullet's ballistic coefficient, improving its aerodynamic efficiency and helping it maintain velocity downrange. This contributes to the flatter trajectory and reduced wind drift. Secondly, and most importantly for varmint hunting, the polymer tip initiates rapid and dramatic expansion upon impact, even at lower velocities commonly encountered at longer ranges.
• Rapid, Violent Fragmentation: The V-Max bullet is designed for explosive fragmentation. Upon striking a target, the polymer tip drives into the core, causing the thin jacket and lead core to expand violently and fragment. This energy transfer is incredibly efficient, resulting in immediate and humane incapacitation of varmints and pests. This characteristic is often referred to as "explosive terminal performance."
• Minimal Over-Penetration: Because the V-Max bullet fragments so readily, it typically does not over-penetrate. This is a crucial safety feature, especially when hunting in areas where ricochets could be a concern. The energy is largely expended within the target, minimizing collateral damage and ensuring a clean, contained impact.
• Exceptional Accuracy: Beyond its terminal ballistics, the V-Max bullet is manufactured with extreme precision, contributing to the overall accuracy of the Hornady Varmint Express ammunition. Consistent bullet construction means consistent flight, shot after shot.

For hunters targeting small, elusive varmints, the V-Max bullet's ability to deliver quick, clean kills is paramount. It ensures an ethical harvest and prevents wounded animals from escaping, which is a key consideration for responsible hunting.

Hornady's Unwavering Commitment to Quality and Consistency

When you choose Hornady Varmint Express ammunition, you're not just buying bullets; you're investing in decades of ballistic expertise and an unwavering commitment to quality. Hornady's reputation for producing some of the most consistent and reliable ammunition in the world is well-earned, and their rimfire line is no exception. How does Hornady ensure such high standards?

• Meticulous Component Selection: Every component of the Varmint Express 17 HMR cartridge is carefully selected and matched to the specific load. This includes the brass casing, the powder, and the primer.
  • Premium Brass Casings: The brass used in Hornady Varmint Express cartridges is chosen to meet rigorous standards for reliability, corrosion resistance, and proper hardness. This ensures consistent feeding from magazines, reliable extraction, and the ability to withstand maximum chamber pressures safely. High-quality brass contributes significantly to shot-to-shot consistency and the longevity of your firearm.
  • Precisely Matched Propellants: The powder charge is meticulously matched to the 17-grain V-Max bullet to achieve optimal pressure, velocity, and accuracy. This isn't a "one-size-fits-all" approach; rather, it's a finely tuned balance that maximizes performance while maintaining safety and consistency.
  • Reliable Primers: Each primer is carefully chosen for its ability to quickly, completely, and reliably ignite the powder charge. Consistent ignition is fundamental to accurate shooting, ensuring that every round performs identically to the last.
• Stringent Quality Control: Hornady employs rigorous quality control measures throughout their manufacturing process. From the raw materials to the finished cartridge, every step is monitored to ensure that each box of Varmint Express ammunition meets their exacting specifications. This attention to detail results in exceptional lot-to-lot consistency, meaning that when you buy a new batch of Hornady 17 HMR, you can expect the same reliable performance as your previous purchase.
• Extensive Testing: Before any ammunition leaves the factory, it undergoes extensive testing for accuracy, velocity, and terminal performance. This ensures that the published specifications are accurate and that the ammunition will perform as expected in real-world scenarios.

This comprehensive approach to manufacturing means that when you load Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR into your rifle, you can have absolute confidence in its performance, whether you're taking a critical shot on a distant groundhog or aiming for a tight group on paper.

Ideal Applications: Who Benefits Most from Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR?

The Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max ammunition is perfectly suited for a variety of specific shooting and hunting scenarios. If you're asking, "What's the best ammunition for pest control?" or "Which rimfire round offers the most precision for small game?" then this Hornady offering is a top contender.

• Dedicated Varmint Hunters: This ammunition is purpose-built for varmint hunting. Its high velocity, flat trajectory, and explosive V-Max bullet make it ideal for species like:
  • Prairie Dogs: The quintessential target for the 17 HMR. Its precision allows for headshots at considerable distances, and the V-Max ensures a quick, humane dispatch without ricocheting across vast open fields.
  • Groundhogs/Woodchucks: Whether in agricultural fields or suburban areas, the 17 HMR offers the power and accuracy to take down these destructive pests effectively and safely.
  • Squirrels & Rabbits: While some hunters prefer .22LR for these, the 17 HMR offers superior range and precision, especially for headshots that preserve meat. The explosive fragmentation minimizes pass-throughs.
  • Crows & Other Avian Pests: For longer shots on tough-to-hit bird targets, the 17 HMR's flat trajectory and accuracy are invaluable.
  • Light Coyotes/Foxes (Close Range): While generally considered light for larger predators, a well-placed shot with a V-Max at close to moderate ranges can be effective for smaller, thinner-skinned coyotes or foxes, especially where ethical considerations demand minimal penetration.
• Pest Control Enthusiasts: For farmers, ranchers, or property owners dealing with nuisance animals, the 17 HMR provides an effective and relatively quiet solution for pest management. Its controlled expansion and minimal ricochet risk make it safer for use in areas where buildings or livestock might be present.
• Precision Target Shooters: Beyond hunting, the inherent accuracy of the 17 HMR makes it a fantastic choice for rimfire precision shooting competitions or simply honing your long-range skills without the cost and recoil of centerfire cartridges. Its consistent performance makes it an excellent training round.
• Hunters Seeking Minimal Pelt Damage: While the V-Max is known for fragmentation, on very small varmints, it can sometimes be preferred over through-and-through shots from other calibers, which can cause more pelt damage if fur is to be harvested. For species where explosive fragmentation is acceptable or desired for quick incapacitation, the V-Max excels.

Key Performance Data for the Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR (UPC 090255831702)

Understanding the ballistics of your ammunition is crucial for optimizing your shooting performance. The Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 17 grain V-Max offers impressive figures that contribute to its efficacy:

• Bullet Weight: 17 grains – A lightweight projectile designed for high velocity and rapid fragmentation.
• Muzzle Velocity: 2550 feet per second (fps) – This blistering speed ensures a flat trajectory and rapid target acquisition.
• Muzzle Energy: 245 foot-pounds (ft lbs) – Sufficient energy to deliver decisive terminal performance on small varmints.
• Bullet Type: Hornady V-Max (VMX) – The polymer-tipped, rapidly expanding bullet designed for explosive fragmentation.
• Casing Material: Brass – Premium brass ensures reliable feeding, extraction, and corrosion resistance.
• Rounds Per Box: 50 – A convenient quantity for a day at the range or a hunting excursion.
• Boxes Per Case: 40 – For those who buy in bulk, a full case provides ample supply.

These specifications highlight why the Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR is so effective. The combination of high velocity, a lightweight, aerodynamically efficient bullet, and the devastating V-Max terminal performance makes it an incredibly potent package for rimfire hunting.

Why Choose Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR from DEGuns?

When you're ready to elevate your varmint hunting or precision shooting experience, the Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max (Model 83170, UPC 090255831702) is a superior choice. Its unmatched accuracy, devastating terminal performance, and Hornady's legendary quality control ensure that every shot counts. For hunters and shooters who prioritize precision, reliability, and ethical outcomes, this ammunition delivers consistent excellence.

You can find this high-performance ammunition readily available at DEGuns. Stock up on Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR and experience the difference that premium ammunition makes in the field. Whether you're culling pests, enjoying a day of target shooting, or pursuing elusive small game, trust Hornady to provide the accuracy and power you need.

Invest in your shooting success. Choose Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR, the preferred ammunition for serious varmint hunters and precision shooters worldwide. Its consistent performance, combined with the explosive effectiveness of the V-Max bullet, will transform your rimfire shooting experience.

Product Specifications Overview

Feature	Detail	Value
Brand	Manufacturer	Hornady
Model	Product Line	Varmint Express
Caliber	Ammunition Type	17 HMR
Bullet Type	Projectile Design	Hornady V Max (VMX)
Bullet Weight	Projectile Mass	17 gr
Muzzle Velocity	Initial Speed	2550 fps
Muzzle Energy	Initial Force	245 ft lbs
Rounds Per Box	Quantity per Box	50
Casing Material	Cartridge Casing	Brass
Application	Intended Use	Hunting
Boxes Per Case	Quantity per Case	40
SKU	Stock Keeping Unit	83170
UPC	Universal Product Code	090255831702