The .17 Remington

The .17 Remington might not be the first cartridge that comes to mind when you think of centerfire rifles, but for varmint hunters and precision shooters, this tiny speed demon has carved out a loyal following since its introduction by Remington in 1971. Chambered in rifles ranging from lightweight hunting builds to custom varmint rigs, the .17 Remington delivers blistering speed, minimal recoil, and pin-point accuracy. But like any caliber, it has its tradeoffs.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of the .17 Remington to help you decide if it deserves a place in your rifle rack.

Pros of the .17 Remington

1. Blazing Velocity
The .17 Remington pushes a 20-grain bullet at over 4,000 feet per second. That translates into a flat trajectory and minimal bullet drop out to 300 yards — making it ideal for small targets like prairie dogs, coyotes, and other varmints.

2. Extremely Low Recoil
Thanks to its small case and lightweight bullets, recoil is nearly nonexistent. You can stay on target through the shot, making quick follow-ups and spotting hits easier — especially beneficial in high-volume varmint shooting.

3. Outstanding Accuracy
With its small diameter and high velocity, the .17 Remington can be incredibly precise when paired with a quality barrel. Benchrest-level accuracy is achievable with the right load and rifle combination.

4. Minimal Pelt Damage
For fur hunters, the .17 Remington is gentle on pelts, often delivering clean kills without massive exit wounds — a major bonus if you’re harvesting hides for sale or taxidermy.

Cons of the .17 Remington

1. Barrel Fouling
One of the major complaints about this cartridge is rapid copper fouling. Due to its small bore and high velocity, cleaning is required more frequently than with larger calibers to maintain consistent accuracy.

2. Wind Sensitivity
Despite its speed, the .17 Remington’s light bullets are heavily affected by wind. Wind drift becomes a serious factor at distances beyond 200 yards, making precision shooting more challenging in variable conditions.

3. Limited Bullet Selection
While more manufacturers have added .17 caliber bullets in recent years, the options are still fewer than in more common calibers like .22 or .243. This can limit load development and customization potential.

4. Not Ideal for Bigger Game
This one’s obvious, but it’s worth stating: the .17 Remington is not suitable for anything larger than varmints or small predators. It’s illegal for deer-sized game in most jurisdictions due to its minimal terminal energy.

Final Thoughts

The .17 Remington is a niche round with a lot to offer for shooters in the know. It shines in varmint hunting scenarios where flat trajectory, light recoil, and precision are king. However, it requires diligent barrel maintenance, is affected by wind, and has limited use outside of its specialized lane.

If you’re a serious varmint hunter looking to stretch your capabilities and don’t mind frequent cleanings, the .17 Remington can be an incredibly fun and effective caliber. Just be sure your shooting environment and needs align with what this zippy little round does best.

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Want to build a custom varmint rifle? Viking Armament can help. Contact us to discuss custom builds tailored to this caliber’s unique strengths.