Sometimes, even the most passionate firearms fans forget a gem. That’s exactly what happened with the .17 Winchester Super Magnum – a cartridge that somehow got left out of discussions about tiny calibers. But it’s not just “tiny.” It’s a bold, innovative round with a surprisingly powerful punch. While many shooters are quick to praise the .17 HMR, the .17 WSM has quietly earned a place of its own. In fact, the more you learn about it, the more you realize we’ve done it a bit dirty by not giving it the attention it deserves.
Not a “Short Magnum,” But a “Super Magnum”
At first glance, the name might confuse some. Most folks hear “WSM” and assume it means “Winchester Short Magnum.” But in this case, WSM stands for “Winchester Super Magnum.” That little twist throws off expectations, but once you get past the naming, what’s inside that tiny case is nothing short of impressive.
Unlike most rimfire cartridges that evolved from older rounds, the .17 WSM was born from something totally different – an industrial nail gun blank. Yes, you read that right. A nail gun cartridge. Someone at Winchester looked at a brass casing designed to fire nails into concrete and thought, “Let’s put a bullet in it.” That’s just about the most American thing you can do.
From Jobsite to Field: The Birth of a Bullet
What makes this origin story so fascinating is how it highlights the creativity behind the cartridge. Nail guns work by igniting powder inside a brass case to drive a nail into hard surfaces. The .17 WSM simply takes that industrial casing and repurposes it for hunting and target shooting. That kind of ingenuity is rare, especially in the world of rimfire where most new cartridges are just tweaked versions of old designs.
And what came out of this creative process is remarkable. The .17 WSM offers ballistic performance well above what you’d expect from a rimfire round, outperforming the popular .17 HMR by a considerable margin.
Big Gains in Speed and Power
Let’s talk numbers. The .17 WSM fires a heavier, better-jacketed projectile at speeds about 500 feet per second faster than the .17 HMR. Standard .17 HMR loads hover around 2,500 feet per second. The .17 WSM? It pushes a 20-grain bullet at around 3,000 fps, and there are 25-grain options that still zip along impressively. That’s a serious leap in energy and trajectory – making it far more than just another varmint round.
This extra velocity isn’t just good for bragging rights. It extends effective range, improves terminal performance, and makes the .17 WSM a more serious option for things like coyotes or longer-range shots on smaller critters.
Coyotes Beware: This Rimfire’s Got Bite
The power boost means the .17 WSM isn’t just a gopher and squirrel round. It steps into coyote territory with ease. While the .17 HMR has always been borderline for larger varmints – maybe a 100-yard gun if you’re lucky – the .17 WSM adds enough punch to stretch that range and boost confidence in your shots.
Is it a .223? Of course not. But for someone looking for a low-recoil, high-speed rimfire option that can reliably knock down a coyote at 150-200 yards, the .17 WSM is a smart choice. It hits harder, flies flatter, and handles better wind drift than its smaller cousin.
Factory Support Is Growing
For years, one of the knocks against the .17 WSM was limited rifle and ammo options. That’s slowly changing. Savage’s B.Mag line has become a budget-friendly go-to for shooters wanting to dip their toes in the .17 WSM pool. Ruger also offers its sleek 77/17 in this caliber, and it’s a beautifully built rifle that feels like a serious hunting tool.
On the ammo side, big names are stepping up. Hornady, Federal, and Winchester all offer loads now. With factory support growing and prices becoming more reasonable, the round is no longer a fringe novelty – it’s a legitimate, practical choice.
One Drawback: It’s Not Interchangeable
There is a small caveat. The .17 WSM doesn’t share the same dimensions or case head size as other rimfires. That means you can’t just swap barrels or drop it into your existing .17 HMR setup. It requires a dedicated action, and that has slowed its adoption a bit.
But considering what it offers, that tradeoff feels worth it. If you’re serious about rimfire performance and don’t want to deal with reloading centerfire rounds like the .17 Hornet or .20 Vartarg, then the .17 WSM fills a sweet spot.
For the Varmint Hunter with Ambition
This is where the .17 WSM really shines. If you want to spend a day on a prairie dog town, twisting turrets and ringing steel at 150 yards or more – without spending a fortune on ammo – the .17 WSM might be your perfect match. It offers the kind of accuracy, velocity, and flat trajectory that makes long-range varminting both fun and practical.
And let’s be honest: there’s something satisfying about wringing every bit of energy and precision out of a rimfire. The .17 WSM makes you feel like you’re shooting something much bigger, without the blast or recoil.
A Cartridge With Attitude
What I love most about the .17 WSM is its attitude. It’s scrappy. It comes from humble beginnings, a nail gun blank, and turns into a little ballistic rocket that punches above its weight class. That kind of story makes you root for it. It’s not the most mainstream round, but it has character and purpose.
In a world full of cartridges that are variations on a theme, the .17 WSM feels like something fresh. It dared to be different, and it backs up the hype with real-world performance.
Wind: Its Only Real Enemy
Of course, no rimfire is immune to the wind, and the .17 WSM is no exception. Despite the extra velocity and better ballistic coefficient, its lightweight projectiles still get pushed around in gusty conditions. That’s just the nature of the beast when you’re launching tiny bullets. But in calm conditions, or with some wind-reading skills, the .17 WSM can perform shockingly well.
If you’re used to rimfires dropping like a rock at 125 yards, shooting the .17 WSM feels like turning on cheat mode. It’s not quite a laser beam – but it’s close.
It’s Time We Gave the 17 WSM Its Due
For some reason, this cartridge has stayed under the radar. Maybe it’s the limited rifle options, or maybe people just weren’t ready to embrace something new in the rimfire world. But that time is over. The .17 WSM deserves a spot in the conversation, not just as a “tiny caliber,” but as a rimfire powerhouse in its own right.
If you haven’t looked into it yet, now’s a great time to give it a second chance. And if you’ve already got one sitting in your safe, congratulations – you’re ahead of the curve.
More Than Just a Curiosity
The .17 WSM isn’t just a cartridge for collectors or rimfire nerds. It’s a practical tool that offers meaningful performance advantages over the .17 HMR. Whether you’re punching paper, popping varmints, or just enjoying the joy of rimfire shooting, this round brings something new to the table.
We owe the .17 WSM an apology for sleeping on it for so long. It’s clever, effective, and just plain fun. And maybe, just maybe, it’s about to get the respect it always deserved.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.