Decoding the .17 Caliber Family: How Many Are There?
The question "How many .17 calibers are there?" isn't straightforward. While the ".17" designation points to a bullet diameter near 0.17 inches, the reality is more nuanced, encompassing a diverse family of cartridges with varying designs, intended uses, and performance characteristics. There isn't a single definitive answer, as the number depends on how you categorize them.
We can break down the .17 caliber family into several key groups to better understand the scope:
.17 Rimfire Cartridges: A Popular Choice for Small Game
This category is perhaps the most prolific, dominated by rounds designed for small game hunting and target shooting. Popular examples include:
- .17 HMR (.17 Hornet Magnum): A high-velocity round known for its accuracy and effectiveness on small game.
- .17 Mach 2: Another high-velocity round, often marketed as an alternative to the .17 HMR. The exact differences are marginal but exist in terms of velocity and bullet design.
- .17 WSM (.17 Winchester Super Magnum): While less common than the HMR and Mach 2, this cartridge offers even greater range and energy.
- .17 Remington: A less powerful but still popular rimfire round, suitable for smaller varmints and target practice.
It's important to note that within these main types, you might find variations in bullet weight, bullet design (hollow point, solid point, etc.), and even specific manufacturer offerings. This adds to the overall count of distinct .17 caliber rimfire cartridges available.
.17 Centerfire Cartridges: A Niche Market
Centerfire .17 calibers are considerably less common than their rimfire counterparts. These cartridges generally target a more specialized market:
- .17 Remington Fireball: A popular option for varmint hunting and target shooting that delivers more power than rimfires.
- .17 Winchester Super Magnum (centerfire): Although it exists in both centerfire and rimfire versions, they're distinct cartridges with different performance profiles.
- .17 Ackley Hornet: A wildcat cartridge, meaning it's not produced by major ammunition manufacturers but is instead custom loaded. These are often used for benchrest competition.
Wildcat cartridges significantly increase the potential number of .17 calibers because each custom creation could be considered unique.
The Challenges of Counting .17 Calibers
The difficulty in giving a precise number stems from:
- Wildcat Cartridges: The constant creation of new wildcat cartridges makes any count instantly outdated.
- Minor Variations: Subtle differences in bullet weight, powder load, and case dimensions can lead to variations within a named cartridge type.
- Manufacturer-Specific Rounds: Different manufacturers might offer slight modifications to existing designs, creating minor variations.
Conclusion: More Than a Few
Ultimately, stating an exact number of .17 caliber cartridges is impossible. However, a safe assertion is that there are many more than a handful. The readily available commercially produced cartridges, combined with the ever-evolving world of wildcat cartridges, ensures the .17 caliber family is diverse and continues to grow. Understanding the distinctions between rimfire and centerfire, as well as the existence of wildcat cartridges, provides a clearer understanding of this fascinating collection of ammunition.
