Ammo Reports Team
At a Glance
| Primary Use | Varmint hunting / Predator control |
| Bullet Type | V-Max — Polymer-Tipped Hollow Point (Hornady) |
| Bullet Weight | 17 gr |
| Case | Brass |
| Primer | Rimfire |
| Packaging | 50 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | ~$21–23 / box (~$0.43 per round) |
| Closest Competitors | CCI VNT 17 HMR 17 gr · Winchester Supreme 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max · Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max |
Official Specs
Manufacturer-stated data. No independent verification — see Real-World Data below.
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,530 fps | Federal / Ammunition Depot |
| Muzzle Energy | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Bullet Weight | 17 gr | Federal |
| Bullet Type | Hornady V-Max (polymer tip) | Federal |
| Product Line | Federal Premium V-Shok | Federal |
| Manufacturer SKU | P771 | Federal |
| UPC | 029465057275 | — |
Note: Federal does not publish test barrel length or muzzle energy for this load on retail listings. The 2,530 fps figure is the most commonly cited value across distributor listings. Actual velocity will vary by barrel length — see community submissions below.
Variants
Federal’s V-Shok line for .17 HMR currently lists the 17 gr V-Max as its primary offering in this caliber. Federal also produces a 17 gr Speer TNT JHP variant under the same Premium umbrella (SKU: PD17HMR1) — that load has its own report page.
This page covers Federal Premium V-Shok P771 · 17 gr V-Max only.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Prairie dog, ground squirrel, and woodchuck hunting at ranges up to 150+ yards
- Predator calling — coyote, fox — where explosive terminal performance at moderate distance is acceptable
- Precision varmint work where flat trajectory and minimal wind drift matter
- Hunters who want a proven, widely available factory load with consistent lot-to-lot quality
Not the right tool for:
- Pelt hunting where minimal damage is a priority — V-Max bullets fragment aggressively
- Self-defense — not designed or rated for it
- High-volume range practice — same cost-per-round as premium hunting ammo
Reliability Notes
Not enough data to draw conclusions. This section will be updated as submissions accumulate. Patterns such as failure-to-fire rate, cycling issues, or lot-specific anomalies will be noted here once supported by data.
General notes from open sources:
- The V-Max bullet design is produced by Hornady and loaded by Federal under license — the projectile itself is identical to what Hornady loads in their own Varmint Express line, which has a long track record in .17 HMR
- Thin-jacketed polymer-tip bullets like V-Max can produce more barrel fouling over extended sessions compared to FMJ or heavier JSP designs — more relevant in semi-auto platforms
- Federal Premium brass-cased rimfire has a reputation for consistent primer ignition and tight dimensional tolerances across lots
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | Adv. Velocity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max | 17 gr | V-Max HP | 2,650 fps | Same bullet, higher listed velocity — different powder charge |
| CCI VNT 17 HMR 17 gr Varmint Tipped | 17 gr | Varmint Tipped | 2,650 fps | Top-selling 17 HMR load, widely available |
| Winchester Supreme 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max | 17 gr | V-Max HP | 2,550 fps | Same bullet design, comparable velocity |
| CCI TNT 17 HMR 17 gr JHP | 17 gr | JHP (no tip) | 2,500 fps | No polymer tip — slightly less velocity, more affordable |
| Remington Magnum Rimfire 17 HMR 20 gr JSP | 20 gr | JSP | 2,375 fps | Heavier bullet, slower, better wind resistance, less fragmentation |
Report pages for the loads above are in progress and will be linked here when published.
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $21–24 per box of 50 (US market, 2025–2026)
- Per-round cost: approximately $0.42–0.48
- Bulk availability: .17 HMR is a specialty rimfire caliber — larger case quantities exist but stock varies by retailer
- Fair price benchmark: up to ~$23/box is normal for Federal Premium; above $26/box without a supply disruption is overpriced
- vs. competitors: Federal V-Shok typically lands at or slightly below Hornady Varmint Express, and at or above CCI VNT in everyday pricing
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
- Ammunition Depot — add link
- MidwayUSA — add link
- Brownells — add link
- Palmetto State Armory — add link
FAQ
What makes the V-Max bullet different from a standard hollow point?
The V-Max uses a polymer tip — a small plastic insert seated in the hollow cavity. On impact, the tip drives inward and initiates expansion more reliably and consistently than an open hollow point, especially at the moderate velocities found at longer ranges. The thin jacket is designed to fragment rapidly, which maximizes energy transfer in small varmints. It is a Hornady-designed projectile; Federal loads it under their V-Shok line.
Federal V-Shok vs Hornady Varmint Express — same bullet, so what’s the difference?
The projectile is identical — both use the Hornady 17 gr V-Max. The differences are in the powder charge and quality control process. Hornady’s own load is listed at 2,650 fps vs Federal’s 2,530 fps, suggesting a different powder charge. In practice, many shooters report the two are functionally interchangeable in terms of accuracy and terminal performance. If your rifle has a preference between the two, it will show up in group size at 100 yards.
Is this the most popular .17 HMR load?
The 17 gr V-Max loading in general — across all brands — is the dominant .17 HMR option by sales volume. CCI VNT and Hornady Varmint Express are the most frequently cited, but Federal V-Shok P771 is widely stocked and well-regarded. Among Federal’s own .17 HMR offerings it is their flagship varmint load.
Does .17 HMR work at 200 yards?
It can reach 200 yards, but most shooters find wind drift becomes a significant variable beyond 150 yards. The 17 gr bullet is light and fast, which gives it a flat trajectory but limited resistance to crosswind. The 20 gr loads (like Remington JSP or Hornady XTP) hold up marginally better in wind at distance. For most varmint hunting scenarios — prairie dogs, ground squirrels — 100–150 yards is the practical effective range where the caliber excels.
What rifles are commonly used with this ammunition?
The most popular bolt-action platforms for .17 HMR include the Savage 93R17 series, Ruger 77/17, CZ 455/457, and Marlin XT-17. Popular semi-auto options include the Savage A17 and CZ 512. Any rifle chambered for .17 HMR will chamber this ammunition; accuracy preference between loads can vary by individual barrel.
Submit Your Data · Real-World Results
Manufacturer velocity figures are measured under controlled lab conditions — barrel length, temperature, and lot number all affect real-world performance. The data below comes from community submissions tied to specific test conditions and reviewed before
publishing.
Once this page reaches 3 approved submissions, aggregate velocity
and confidence level will appear here automatically.
| UPC # | Firearm | Barrel (in) | Avg Velocity (fps) | Shots | Temp (°F) | Chronograph | Lot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shot this load? Share your results — firearm type, barrel length, average velocity, shots fired, temperature. No account required.
All submissions are manually reviewed before appearing on this page.
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Results vary by firearm, barrel condition, ammunition lot, and environmental factors.
Submitted data is for reference only.
AmmoReports does not guarantee accuracy of user-submitted results.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions) ·
