Hornady Varmint Express 17 HMR 20 gr XTP

1

At a Glance

FeatureDetails
ManufacturerHornady
Cartridge17 HMR
Product LineVarmint Express Rimfire
Primary UseVarmint and predator hunting
Bullet TypeXTP Jacketed Hollow Point
Bullet Weight20 gr
CaseBrass (rimfire – action-length class not applicable)
PrimerRimfire – neither Boxer nor Berdan
Packaging50 rounds per box
Typical Price~$23–25 / box (~$0.46 per round)
Closest CompetitorsWinchester Super-X 17 HMR 20 gr XTP · 17 HMR – Remington Magnum Rimfire 20 gr JSP · CCI Game Point 17 HMR 20 gr JSP

Official Specs

Verified manufacturer specifications for this exact factory load. Missing values were not calculated.

SpecValueSource
Muzzle Velocity2,375 fpsCurrent Hornady manufacturer data
Muzzle Energy250 ft-lbsCurrent Hornady manufacturer data
Bullet Weight20 grCurrent Hornady manufacturer data
Bullet TypeXTP Jacketed Hollow PointCurrent Hornady manufacturer data
BC G1.125Current Hornady manufacturer data
BC G7—Not found in verified official manufacturer sources
Manufacturer SKU83172Current Hornady manufacturer data
UPC—Not found in verified official manufacturer sources
Case MaterialBrassCurrent Hornady manufacturer data
PrimerRimfire – neither Boxer nor BerdanRimfire cartridge design
ReloadableNo – not conventionally reloadableRimfire cartridge design

Not verified: G7 BC, UPC. These fields remain blank where applicable.


Ballistics Table

Official Hornady data from a 24-inch test barrel. Hornady publishes muzzle, 100-yard, and 200-yard values with a 100-yard zero. Blank cells were not published.

Distance (yd)Velocity (fps)Energy (ft-lbs)Trajectory (in)10 mph Wind Drift (in)
02375250-1.5—
50————
10017551370—
150————
200127472-9.9—
250————
300————

The XTP Bullet

Hornady identifies this exact 83172 load as a 20 gr HP XTP. Current factory data lists 2,375 fps muzzle velocity, 250 ft-lbs muzzle energy, a G1 BC of .125, and a 24-inch test barrel.


Variants

This page covers only Hornady Varmint Express Rimfire 17 HMR 20 gr XTP Jacketed Hollow Point, SKU 83172. Different bullet weights, bullet designs, product lines, or SKUs are separate factory loads.


Best Uses

  • Manufacturer-designated fit: Varmint and predator hunting.
  • Lead restrictions: This load is not identified here as a lead-free option.
  • Firearm fit: Use only in a firearm correctly marked for 17 HMR and follow the firearm maker’s ammunition guidance.

Reliability Notes

AmmoReports has no approved structured field submissions for this exact SKU yet. Manufacturer figures above are controlled test data; actual results can vary by firearm, barrel, lot, and conditions. For semi-automatic firearms, follow the ammunition and firearm manufacturers’ current instructions.


Competitors

Published AmmoReports LoadWeightBulletOfficial Muzzle VelocityRelationship
Winchester Super-X 17 HMR 20 gr XTP20 grJacketed Hollow Point2,375 fpsDifferent factory load – compare in the same rifle
17 HMR – Remington Magnum Rimfire 20 gr JSP20 grJacketed Soft Point2,375 fpsDifferent factory load – compare in the same rifle
CCI Game Point 17 HMR 20 gr JSP20 grJacketed Soft Point with Dimple-Tip2,375 fpsDifferent factory load – compare in the same rifle

Each link above goes to the exact published AmmoReports page for that manufacturer, cartridge, product line or bullet, and weight.


Price Reality

  • Typical retail range: $23–25 per box of 50 (US market, 2025–2026)
  • Per-round cost: approximately $0.46
  • vs. Winchester Super-X XTP: the Winchester X17HMR1 uses the same bullet at the same velocity and lists for ~$13–15/box — roughly half the price. The Hornady load carries no recall history; the Winchester load does. Whether that premium is worth paying is a personal risk assessment.
  • vs. CCI Game Point JSP: the CCI load is ~$0.28/round vs ~$0.46 for Hornady — a significant difference for a 20 gr hunting load; the trade-off is XTP controlled expansion vs JSP terminal behavior
  • Fair price benchmark: under $24/box is competitive; above $26/box is difficult to justify

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 exact factory load does this report cover?

This report covers Hornady Varmint Express Rimfire 17 HMR 20 gr XTP Jacketed Hollow Point, manufacturer SKU 83172.

Are the ballistics in this article official manufacturer data?

Yes. Published manufacturer values are shown unchanged, and distances the manufacturer does not publish are left blank.

Does 17 HMR use a Boxer or Berdan primer?

Neither. 17 HMR is a rimfire cartridge. The priming compound is located in the rim rather than in a separate centerfire primer.

Can the fired 17 HMR case be reloaded?

17 HMR cases are not conventionally reloadable. The rimfire priming system is not designed for normal Boxer-primer reloading.


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 #FirearmBarrel (in)Avg Velocity (fps)ShotsTemp (°F)ChronographLotNotes

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.


You need to first.

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) ·

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