.17 HMR Trajectory Calculator
See how .17 HMR stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The .17 HMR is a flat-shooting rimfire cartridge built for varmint and small game hunting. With a 17-grain bullet at 2,550 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 7.2 inches of drop at 200 yards, 15.8 inches at 250 yards, and 29.0 inches at 300 yards. The lightweight bullet sheds velocity quickly past 200 yards, so most shooters keep shots under 150 yards for consistent accuracy.
Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. The .17 HMR comes in 15.5 to 20 grain options with varying velocities. You can also factor in wind, shooting angle, and atmospheric conditions.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (.17 HMR) is pre-selected for the first load.
.17 HMR Trajectory Chart
.17 HMR Ballistics Data
| Range (yd) | Elevation (in) | Elevation (MOA) | Elevation (MIL) | Windage (in) | Windage (MOA) | Windage (MIL) | Time (s) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2550.0 | 245.52 |
| 25 | -0.51 | 1.93 | 0.562 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.031 | 2410.03 | 219.31 |
| 50 | 0.1 | -0.19 | -0.056 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.063 | 2275.25 | 195.46 |
| 75 | 0.29 | -0.37 | -0.107 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.097 | 2144.69 | 173.67 |
| 100 | 0.01 | -0.01 | -0.002 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.133 | 2018.5 | 153.84 |
| 125 | -0.81 | 0.62 | 0.18 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.171 | 1896.84 | 135.85 |
| 150 | -2.23 | 1.42 | 0.413 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.212 | 1780.05 | 119.64 |
| 175 | -4.34 | 2.37 | 0.689 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.255 | 1668.67 | 105.13 |
| 200 | -7.23 | 3.45 | 1.004 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.302 | 1563.22 | 92.27 |
| 225 | -11.01 | 4.67 | 1.358 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.351 | 1464.07 | 80.93 |
| 250 | -15.8 | 6.03 | 1.755 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.404 | 1371.98 | 71.07 |
| 275 | -21.75 | 7.55 | 2.196 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.461 | 1288.07 | 62.64 |
| 300 | -29.01 | 9.23 | 2.685 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.521 | 1213.53 | 55.6 |
Take this table to the range
The .17 HMR reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.
Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.
Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.
Available .17 HMR Ammunition Ballistics
| Product | Velocity (fps) | BC | 50yd Drop | 100yd Drop | 150yd Drop | 200yd Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCI Gamepoint .17 HMR 20gr Jacketed Soft Point Ammo Ballistics | 2375 | 0.125 | 0.0" | -0.6" | -4.0" | -11.4" |
| Federal Premium .17 HMR 17gr Hornady V-Max Rimfire Ammo Ballistics | 2530 | 0.125 | 0.0" | -0.3" | -3.1" | -9.3" |
| Hornady Varmint Express .17 HMR 15.5gr NTX Lead-Free Ammo Ballistics | 2525 | 0.115 | 0.0" | -0.4" | -3.4" | -10.1" |
| Hornady Varmint Express .17 HMR 17gr V-Max Ammo Ballistics | 2550 | 0.125 | 0.0" | -0.3" | -3.0" | -9.1" |
| Remington Premier Magnum .17 HMR 17gr Accutip Rimfire Ammo Ballistics | 2550 | 0.125 | 0.0" | -0.3" | -3.0" | -9.1" |
| Winchester Rimfire .17 HMR 15.5gr NTX Lead-Free Ammo Ballistics | 2550 | 0.115 | 0.0" | -0.4" | -3.3" | -9.8" |
Zeroing the .17 HMR
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 17gr G1 .155 at 2,550 fps, with a 1.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). Rimfire velocities are low, so the zero you pick changes the drop at 100 yards more than any bullet choice does. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.
.17 HMR zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 125-yd zero | 150-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 45 yd | 35 yd | 28 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 125 yd | 150 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.3" | +0.8" | +1.5" |
| Max ordinate distance | 73 yd | 82 yd | 92 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (4" vital zone, ±2") | 0–146 yd | 0–160 yd | 0–178 yd |
| Sight in at 50 yd | +0.1" (+0.2 MOA) | +0.4" (+0.8 MOA) | +0.9" (+1.6 MOA) |
| Drop at 100 yd | +0.0" | +0.7" | +1.5" |
| Drop at 150 yd | -2.2" | -1.3" | 0.0" |
| Energy at 100 yd | 154 ft-lb | 154 ft-lb | 154 ft-lb |
How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 4" vital zone, ±2" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 200 yards.
Key terms
- Near zero
- Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
- Far zero
- Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
- Max ordinate
- The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
- Point blank range (MPBR)
- The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.
.17 HMR with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 17gr load first crosses the line of sight at 45 yards, peaks +0.3" at 73 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is +0.0" at 100 and -2.2" at 150 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,550 | 246 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.5" | -1.93 | -0.56 | 2,410 | 219 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +0.1" | +0.19 | +0.06 | 2,275 | 195 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +0.3" | +0.37 | +0.11 | 2,145 | 174 | 1.4 |
| 100 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 2,018 | 154 | 2.6 |
| 125 | -0.8" | -0.62 | -0.18 | 1,897 | 136 | 4.2 |
| 150 | -2.2" | -1.42 | -0.41 | 1,780 | 120 | 6.2 |
| 175 | -4.3" | -2.37 | -0.69 | 1,669 | 105 | 8.7 |
| 200 | -7.2" | -3.45 | -1.00 | 1,563 | 92 | 11.7 |
17gr G1 .155 at 2,550 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.
.17 HMR with a 125-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 125 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 17gr load first crosses the line of sight at 35 yards, peaks +0.8" at 82 yards, returns to zero at 125, and is +0.7" at 100 and -1.2" at 150 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,550 | 246 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.3" | -1.30 | -0.38 | 2,410 | 219 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +0.4" | +0.82 | +0.24 | 2,275 | 195 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +0.8" | +1.00 | +0.29 | 2,145 | 174 | 1.4 |
| 100 | +0.7" | +0.63 | +0.18 | 2,018 | 154 | 2.6 |
| 125 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 1,897 | 136 | 4.2 |
| 150 | -1.3" | -0.79 | -0.23 | 1,780 | 120 | 6.2 |
| 175 | -3.2" | -1.74 | -0.51 | 1,669 | 105 | 8.7 |
| 200 | -5.9" | -2.82 | -0.82 | 1,563 | 92 | 11.7 |
17gr G1 .155 at 2,550 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.
.17 HMR with a 150-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 150 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 17gr load first crosses the line of sight at 28 yards, peaks +1.5" at 92 yards, returns to zero at 150, and is +1.5" at 100 and 0.0" at 150 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,550 | 246 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.1" | -0.51 | -0.15 | 2,410 | 219 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +0.9" | +1.61 | +0.47 | 2,275 | 195 | 0.6 |
| 75 | +1.4" | +1.79 | +0.52 | 2,145 | 174 | 1.4 |
| 100 | +1.5" | +1.43 | +0.42 | 2,018 | 154 | 2.6 |
| 125 | +1.1" | +0.80 | +0.23 | 1,897 | 136 | 4.2 |
| 150 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,780 | 120 | 6.2 |
| 175 | -1.7" | -0.94 | -0.27 | 1,669 | 105 | 8.7 |
| 200 | -4.3" | -2.03 | -0.59 | 1,563 | 92 | 11.7 |
17gr G1 .155 at 2,550 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.
Maximum Point Blank Range for the .17 HMR
Maximum point blank range (MPBR) is the zero that keeps the bullet inside a vital zone, never more than half its height above or below the line of sight (an 8" zone is ±4"), for as far as possible. Zero at the distance in the table and you can hold dead-on from the muzzle to the far edge of the window.
| Vital zone | Zero at | Hold dead-on from | To (MPBR) | Max ordinate | Near / far zero | CSV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4" (coyote, varmint, paper) | 163 yd | 0 yd | 188 yd | +2.0" at 98 yd | 26 / 163 yd | Download |
MPBR assumes a centred hold, a level shot and no wind; it is a ceiling, not a licence to skip ranging. The far edge of the window is where the bullet has already fallen half the vital zone.
Which Zero Should You Use for the .17 HMR?
The .17 HMR is flat enough that the short zeros are pointless. At this page's 1.5" scope height a 50-yard zero is a near zero: the bullet is still climbing at 50, peaks a hair high at 70 and crosses back down at 90 yards. A 75-yard zero is the tangent zero, barely touching the line of sight and then falling away. Neither buys anything over a 100-yard zero.
Zero at 100 yards. The 17gr bullet peaks just 0.3" high at 73 yards, is 2.2" low at 150 and stays inside a 4" varmint zone out to 146 yards. If you want the widest hold-dead-on window on ground squirrels and prairie dogs, the maximum-point-blank-range zero for a 4" zone is 163 yards, with a window running to 188.
The number that should worry a .17 HMR shooter is in the wind column, not the drop column: a 17gr bullet drifts about 2.6" in a 10 mph crosswind at 100 yards and over 6" at 150, nearly three times its drop at that distance with a 100-yard zero. Zero on a calm morning, keep the rifle zeroed at 100, and spend your practice on reading wind.
Guidance reviewed 2026-09-13.
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.17 HMR Ballistics Comparisons
Stock Up On .17 HMR Ammo for the Range
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentry Ammo | 1000 | $238.04 | $22.99 | $261.03 |
$0.26
1000 Rounds
|
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| Fast Ammo | 1000 | $296.47 | $10.99 | $307.46 |
$0.31
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| Sentry Ammo | 1000 | $284.66 | $22.99 | $307.65 |
$0.31
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| Sentry Ammo | 1000 | $321.17 | $9.99 | $331.16 |
$0.33
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| Sentry Ammo | 500 | $157.83 | $17.99 | $175.82 |
$0.35
500 Rounds
|