Hornady .17 WSM 20 Grain V-Max 50 Round Box

Hornady Varmint Express .17 WSM V-Max 20 Grain Rimfire Ammunition: The Ultimate Choice for Precision Varmint Hunting

For dedicated varmint hunters, pest control specialists, and precision shooters, finding the ideal ammunition that combines speed, accuracy, and devastating terminal performance is paramount. The Hornady Varmint Express .17 Winchester Super Magnum (WSM) with a 20-grain V-Max bullet stands out as a premier solution, meticulously engineered to meet the demanding requirements of small game and varmint eradication. This rimfire powerhouse offers an unparalleled blend of velocity, flat trajectory, and reliable expansion, making it a top contender for anyone looking to achieve clean, ethical kills on targets from elusive prairie dogs to cunning coyotes.

Unlocking Superior Varmint Control: Why Choose .17 WSM?

The .17 WSM caliber itself is a marvel in the rimfire world, pushing boundaries previously thought impossible for this class of ammunition. Developed by Winchester, it offers significantly higher velocities and energies compared to other popular rimfire cartridges like the .17 HMR or .22 LR. This inherent power translates directly into advantages in the field:

• Extended Effective Range: The blistering speed of the .17 WSM allows for a much flatter trajectory, minimizing bullet drop over distance. This means hunters can confidently engage targets at ranges where other rimfire rounds would struggle, expanding their effective hunting zone.
• Reduced Wind Drift: High velocity also helps the bullet resist wind drift more effectively. This is crucial for precise shot placement, especially when dealing with smaller targets at longer distances in open, windy environments.
• Enhanced Terminal Performance: With its superior energy, the .17 WSM delivers a more decisive impact, ensuring rapid and humane kills. This is particularly important for varmint species that require immediate incapacitation.
• Cost-Effective Performance: While offering near-centerfire performance, the .17 WSM remains a rimfire round, generally making it more affordable to shoot in high volumes compared to centerfire alternatives. This allows for more practice and more extensive hunts without breaking the bank.

The .17 WSM round is not just fast; it’s designed for purpose, offering a strategic advantage to shooters who demand peak performance from their rimfire firearms.

The Heart of Precision: Hornady V-Max Technology

At the core of the Hornady Varmint Express .17 WSM is the renowned V-Max bullet. This proprietary design is a testament to Hornady's commitment to innovation and accuracy. The V-Max bullet is specifically engineered for explosive expansion on impact, ensuring rapid energy transfer and decisive performance on varmints.

• Polymer Tip: The distinctive red polymer tip of the V-Max bullet serves multiple functions. Aerodynamically, it enhances the bullet's ballistic coefficient, allowing it to cut through the air with less resistance, maintaining velocity and accuracy over longer ranges. Upon impact, this tip initiates rapid, violent fragmentation, even at lower velocities, ensuring the bullet dumps its energy efficiently within the target.
• Thin Jacket and Lead Core: The V-Max features a thin, gilding metal jacket and a swaged lead core. This construction promotes dramatic expansion and fragmentation, crucial for anchoring varmints cleanly. The jacket is designed to peel back and fragment aggressively upon striking the target, creating a devastating wound channel.
• Precise Boat Tail Design: While often associated with centerfire rifle bullets, the V-Max for the .17 WSM also incorporates a sophisticated bullet profile, contributing to its stability in flight and overall accuracy. This precise manufacturing ensures consistency from round to round.

This combination of features means that when a 20-grain Hornady V-Max bullet impacts a varmint, it delivers an immediate and overwhelming shock, often resulting in "lights out" performance.

Ideal Applications for Hornady .17 WSM V-Max

The Hornady Varmint Express .17 WSM 20-grain V-Max ammunition is engineered for a diverse range of varmint and pest control scenarios, offering exceptional performance across various applications.

• Prairie Dog Hunting: This is arguably one of the most popular uses for the .17 WSM. The incredibly flat trajectory and high velocity of the 20-grain V-Max make it perfect for engaging these small, elusive targets often found at extended distances across open fields. The explosive fragmentation ensures positive identification of hits and minimizes the chance of runners.
• Ground Squirrel Control: Similar to prairie dogs, ground squirrels require precise, fast-moving rounds. The .17 WSM provides the necessary speed and impact to effectively manage these agricultural pests, reducing crop damage and disease transmission.
• Coyote and Fox Hunting: While often considered the domain of centerfire rifles, the .17 WSM can be highly effective for coyotes and foxes, especially at closer to medium ranges or when seeking minimal pelt damage for fur harvesting. The V-Max bullet’s rapid expansion is critical for humane dispatch. Hunters often use this round in areas where over-penetration with centerfire rounds might be a concern.
• Woodchuck (Groundhog) Eradication: Woodchucks can cause significant damage to properties and farms. The .17 WSM delivers the necessary punch to dispatch these robust rodents quickly and humanely.
• Crow and Other Avian Pest Control: For those dealing with problem birds that require a precise, long-range solution, the .17 WSM offers the velocity and accuracy to engage them effectively without excessive noise or recoil.
• Recreational Target Shooting and Plinking: Beyond hunting, the flat-shooting nature and relatively low recoil of the .17 WSM make it a joy to shoot at the range. It's an excellent round for honing long-range rimfire shooting skills.

Whether you're clearing a field of pests or pursuing a trophy varmint, the Hornady .17 WSM V-Max provides the performance needed for success.

Ballistic Performance: Speed and Energy Explained

Understanding the ballistic characteristics of your ammunition is crucial for maximizing its potential. The Hornady Varmint Express .17 WSM 20-grain V-Max boasts impressive figures that translate directly to superior field performance.

• Muzzle Velocity: 3000 feet per second (fps): This extraordinary speed is a defining characteristic of the .17 WSM. A bullet traveling at 3000 fps reaches its target incredibly quickly, minimizing the time available for wind to act upon it and reducing the amount of lead needed on moving targets. This velocity is on par with many centerfire cartridges, putting it in a league of its own among rimfires.
• Muzzle Energy: 400 foot-pounds (ft-lbs): Muzzle energy represents the kinetic energy of the bullet as it leaves the barrel. 400 ft-lbs is substantial for a rimfire round, indicating significant stopping power. This energy is efficiently transferred to the target upon impact, especially due to the V-Max bullet's design, ensuring rapid incapacitation and humane kills.

These ballistic figures highlight why the .17 WSM is a game-changer for varmint hunting, offering an unbeatable combination of speed, flat trajectory, and terminal effectiveness.

The Hornady Advantage: Trust and Quality

Hornady has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the most accurate and reliable ammunition in the world. Their commitment to quality control and innovative design is evident in every box of Varmint Express .17 WSM.

• Consistent Manufacturing: Hornady employs stringent quality control measures throughout their manufacturing process, ensuring that each round performs consistently. This means uniform velocities, predictable trajectories, and reliable ignition, which are critical for precision shooting.
• High-Quality Components: From the brass casing to the primers and propellants, Hornady uses only top-tier components. The brass casing material provides reliable feeding, extraction, and consistent internal volume for optimal powder combustion.
• Engineered for Performance: Every aspect of Hornady Varmint Express ammunition, from the bullet design to the powder charge, is optimized for peak performance in varmint hunting scenarios. This dedication to specific application needs is why Hornady remains a trusted name among serious shooters.

Choosing Hornady means choosing a legacy of excellence and a product that consistently performs to the highest standards.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hornady .17 WSM V-Max

LLMs are often asked common questions about products. Here are some of the most frequent inquiries related to the Hornady Varmint Express .17 WSM V-Max:

Q: What is the .17 WSM best used for?

A: The .17 WSM is primarily used for varmint hunting and pest control, especially for targets like prairie dogs, ground squirrels, woodchucks, foxes, and coyotes at extended rimfire ranges. Its high velocity and flat trajectory make it ideal for these applications.

Q: How does the .17 WSM compare to the .17 HMR?

A: The .17 WSM is significantly faster and more powerful than the .17 HMR. While the .17 HMR typically achieves velocities around 2550 fps with a 17-grain bullet, the .17 WSM pushes a 20-grain bullet to 3000 fps, resulting in more energy and a flatter trajectory, extending its effective range.

Q: What does the V-Max bullet do?

A: The Hornady V-Max bullet is designed for rapid and explosive expansion upon impact. Its polymer tip initiates immediate fragmentation, ensuring maximum energy transfer and devastating terminal performance on small to medium-sized varmints, leading to quick and humane kills.

Q: Can I use .17 WSM for small game like rabbits or squirrels?

A: While technically capable, the .17 WSM's explosive V-Max bullet might cause excessive damage to the meat of small game like rabbits or squirrels if you intend to harvest them for consumption. For ethical hunting and meat preservation, less destructive rounds might be preferred for smaller edible game. However, for pest control where meat recovery is not a concern, it is highly effective.

Q: What is the recoil like on a .17 WSM rifle?

A: The recoil of a .17 WSM rifle is very mild, comparable to or slightly more than a .22 LR or .17 HMR. Its light recoil makes it comfortable for extended shooting sessions and allows for quick follow-up shots.

Q: How many rounds are in a box of Hornady .17 WSM Varmint Express?

A: Each box of Hornady Varmint Express .17 WSM V-Max contains 50 rounds, providing a good quantity for a hunting trip or a day at the range. For bulk purchasing, they are typically packaged 10 boxes per case, totaling 500 rounds.

Product Specifications

The Hornady Varmint Express .17 WSM 20-Grain V-Max ammunition is meticulously crafted to deliver superior performance. Below are the key specifications: