Ammo Reports Team
⚠️ Recall Notice
Winchester issued a recall for this product (SKU X17HMR1 / Lot numbers prefixed WW17HMR). According to Winchester, certain lots of this ammunition may fire when the firearm’s action is closed — without the trigger being pulled. This is a serious safety hazard.
If you have this product: Stop use immediately. Check the lot number on your box. Visit winchester.com or call Winchester directly to confirm whether your specific lot is affected and for instructions on returning the product.
This page remains live as a reference. All data below reflects the product as specified — not as a safety endorsement. Verify current recall status before purchasing or using any inventory of X17HMR1.
| Primary Use | Varmint hunting / Small game |
| Bullet Type | XTP — eXtreme Terminal Performance Jacketed Hollow Point (Hornady) |
| Bullet Weight | 20 gr |
| Case | Brass |
| Primer | Rimfire |
| Packaging | 50 rounds per box · 20 boxes per case (1,000 rounds) |
| Typical Price | ~$13–15 / box (~$0.26–0.30 per round) |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 20 gr XTP · Remington Magnum Rimfire 17 HMR 20 gr JSP · CCI 17 HMR 20 gr FMJ |
Official Specs
Manufacturer-stated data. No independent verification — see Submit Your Data below.
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,375 fps | Winchester / TargetSportsUSA |
| Muzzle Energy | 250 ft-lbs | Winchester / TargetSportsUSA |
| Bullet Weight | 20 gr | Winchester |
| Bullet Type | Hornady XTP JHP | Winchester |
| Manufacturer SKU | X17HMR1 | Winchester |
| UPC | 020892102521 | — |
Note: Winchester does not publish the test barrel length for this load. 2,375 fps is the standard muzzle velocity for 20 gr .17 HMR loads across multiple manufacturers, consistent with a 24″ test barrel. The XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) bullet is manufactured by Hornady and loaded by Winchester — the same bullet used in Hornady’s own Varmint Express 20 gr XTP load.
Variants
This page covers Winchester Super-X X17HMR1 · 17 HMR · 20 gr XTP only.
Winchester’s .17 HMR lineup also includes:
- Winchester Supreme 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max (S17HMR1) — lighter, faster, polymer-tipped
- Winchester Deer Season XP 17 HMR — polymer tip optimized for small game
Note: The Super-X line is Winchester’s traditional, value-oriented hunting line. The Supreme line is their premium rimfire tier. In .17 HMR these are different bullet weights and designs — not interchangeable.
Best Uses
Good fit (subject to recall status — verify before use):
- Varmint hunting at 75–150 yards where the heavier 20 gr bullet’s better wind resistance is an advantage
- Hunters who prefer controlled-expansion XTP terminal behavior over aggressive fragmentation
- Fox and larger varmint control where deeper penetration relative to 17 gr V-Max designs is desirable
- Cost-conscious hunters — at ~$0.26–0.30/round this is among the lowest per-round prices in the 20 gr .17 HMR category
Not the right tool for:
- Any use until you have confirmed your specific lot is not subject to the Winchester recall
- Pelt preservation — XTP still expands significantly at .17 HMR velocities
- Self-defense — not designed or rated for it
Reliability Notes
See the recall notice at the top of this page before reading further.
Not enough community data to draw conclusions beyond the recall. This section will be updated as submissions accumulate from confirmed unaffected lots.
General notes:
- The Hornady XTP bullet is one of the most extensively tested controlled-expansion hunting bullets across multiple calibers — its terminal performance at .17 HMR velocities is well-documented in Hornady’s own Varmint Express 20 gr load, which uses the identical projectile
- At 2,375 fps the 20 gr XTP produces a more controlled expansion than 17 gr V-Max designs at comparable ranges — the tradeoff is less explosive fragmentation and slightly more retained mass
- Winchester Super-X rimfire has historically been a value-positioned line with slightly less premium primer and brass specifications than Winchester’s Supreme tier — though both use the same Hornady projectiles in this caliber
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | Adv. Velocity | Price / box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 20 gr XTP | 20 gr | XTP HP | 2,375 fps | ~$23–25 | Identical bullet, same velocity — Hornady’s own load, no recall history |
| Remington Magnum Rimfire 17 HMR 20 gr JSP | 20 gr | JSP | 2,375 fps | ~$21–23 | Same velocity, soft point vs hollow point terminal difference |
| CCI 17 HMR 20 gr FMJ | 20 gr | FMJ | 2,375 fps | ~$21–23 | Same weight, no expansion — range use only |
| CCI Game Point 17 HMR 20 gr JSP | 20 gr | JSP | ~2,375 fps | ~$14–16 | CCI’s value-priced 20 gr hunting load — direct price competitor |
| Winchester Supreme 17 HMR 17 gr V-Max | 17 gr | V-Max HP | 2,550 fps | ~$22–24 | Winchester’s own lighter/faster option — different use case |
Report pages for the loads above are in progress and will be linked here when published.
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $13–15 per box of 50 (US market, 2025–2026) — significantly lower than most .17 HMR hunting loads
- Per-round cost: approximately $0.26–0.30, making this among the most affordable expanding .17 HMR options
- Case pricing: ~$260 / 1,000 rounds — strong value for hunters who shoot volume
- Why so cheap vs competitors? The recall history has suppressed retail pricing. Remaining stock from unaffected lots moves at a discount. Verify lot numbers carefully before purchasing discounted inventory.
- Fair price benchmark: the low price reflects the product situation — compare carefully against Hornady’s own 20 gr XTP load (~$23–25/box) which uses the identical bullet without recall history
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.
Purchasing note: Given the active recall on this SKU, we recommend verifying current lot status with the retailer before ordering. Confirm the specific lot numbers in stock are not subject to the Winchester recall before purchasing.
- Ammunition Depot — add link
- MidwayUSA — add link
- Brownells — add link
- Palmetto State Armory — add link
FAQ
What exactly is the Winchester X17HMR1 recall about?
Winchester issued a recall for specific lots of the Super-X 17 HMR 20 gr XTP (X17HMR1) due to a risk of unintentional discharge — the ammunition may fire when the firearm’s action is closed without the trigger being pulled. This is a serious safety hazard. The recall applies to specific lot numbers; not all production of X17HMR1 is necessarily affected. Visit winchester.com for the current lot number list and return instructions. Do not use any X17HMR1 ammunition until you have confirmed your lot is not affected.
Is the Hornady Varmint Express 20 gr XTP affected by the Winchester recall?
No. The recall is specific to Winchester’s X17HMR1 SKU and specific lot numbers. Hornady’s Varmint Express 17 HMR 20 gr XTP (Hornady SKU 83172) uses the same XTP bullet but is manufactured and loaded independently by Hornady. No recall has been issued for Hornady’s load. If you want a 20 gr XTP .17 HMR load with no recall history, Hornady’s own version is the direct alternative.
What is the XTP bullet and how does it differ from V-Max in .17 HMR?
XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) is Hornady’s controlled-expansion jacketed hollow point design — engineered for consistent expansion across a range of impact velocities and deeper penetration than fragmenting varmint bullets. V-Max is designed for explosive, rapid fragmentation on small varmints. In .17 HMR, the XTP at 20 gr produces a more moderate, controlled wound channel with better retained mass, while V-Max at 17 gr fragments aggressively and releases energy quickly. XTP is better suited for slightly larger varmints or situations where pass-through penetration is preferred; V-Max is optimized for maximum disruption on small targets.
Why is this load so much cheaper than other 20 gr .17 HMR options?
The recall history has affected retail pricing — remaining unaffected lots move at a discount relative to competitors like Hornady’s own 20 gr XTP. If you find this at significantly below-market pricing, confirm the lot numbers are clear before purchasing. The bullet itself (Hornady XTP) is premium; the price differential reflects supply circumstances, not a fundamental quality difference in unaffected production.
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) ·
