Description

Federal Premium Varmint & Predator .17 Hornet 20gr Tipped Varmint — 500 Rounds

The Federal Premium Varmint Predator 17 Hornet is Federal’s premium varmint and predator load in .17 Hornet.

A 20-grain polymer-tip bullet at 3,610 fps, with explosive expansion designed for coyote, prairie dog, and similar predators at the distances this cartridge reaches.

At $0.94 per round for 500 rounds, the Federal Premium Varmint Predator 17 Hornet is the volume buy for a high-volume varmint cartridge.

.17 Hornet — The Cartridge

The .17 Hornet is a centrefire varmint cartridge formed from a necked-down .22 Hornet case.

At 20 grains and 3,610 fps, it achieves a flat trajectory and explosive terminal performance at ranges the .17 HMR cannot reach.

The .17 Hornet is not a .17 HMR (which is rimfire) and not a .17 WSM (which is also rimfire). It is a centrefire round for rifles chambered specifically for .17 Hornet.

Federal Premium vs American Eagle — Two Different Lines

The description on this page references “American Eagle Varmint & Predator.” This is not the same as Federal Premium Varmint & Predator.

American Eagle: Federal’s value line. Good ammunition at a lower price point than Premium.

Federal Premium (this product): Federal’s premium line, with tighter tolerances and higher-quality components. The Tipped Varmint bullet in the Premium line uses a polymer tip specifically for explosive expansion at high velocity.

The spec table and product title correctly say Federal Premium. The description text was imported from an American Eagle product page. The copy below is specific to the Federal Premium load.

The Tipped Varmint Bullet

The 20-grain Tipped Varmint bullet uses a polymer tip over a thin jacket designed for explosive expansion on impact.

At 3,610 fps, the Federal Premium Varmint Predator 17 Hornet delivers rapid bullet breakup that minimises meat damage on fur-bearing animals and prevents ricochet on prairie dog shoots.

At these velocities, the Federal Premium Varmint Predator 17 Hornet bullet typically fragments inside the target — desirable for varmint control where bystander exposure is a concern.

Specifications

• Caliber: .17 Hornet (centrefire — not .17 HMR)
• Bullet: 20 grain, Tipped Varmint (polymer tip, thin jacket)
• Muzzle velocity: 3,610 fps
• Application: Varmint, predator (coyote, prairie dog, fox)
• Cartridge case: Brass, reloadable
• Primer: Centrefire
• Quantity: 500 rounds (10 × 50-round boxes)

Compared to the Hornady Superformance .17 Hornet in This Range

The Related Products on this page shows the Hornady Superformance .17 Hornet 20gr V-MAX 500 rounds — the direct competitor at the same grain weight and round count.

Both are 20-grain polymer-tip .17 Hornet loads.

The V-MAX uses Hornady’s Superformance propellant for higher velocity; the Federal Premium Varmint Predator 17 Hornet uses Federal’s own loading approach. Both suit the same varmint applications.

Browse the .17 Hornet ammunition category. Cartridge specifications are published by SAAMI and by Federal Premium directly. Safe storage guidance is available from the NSSF.

---

SHORT DESCRIPTION (above Add to Cart)

Federal Premium Varmint & Predator .17 Hornet. 20-grain Tipped Varmint, 3,610 fps, explosive expansion. Brass case, reloadable. 500 rounds (10 × 50-round boxes). This is a centrefire .17 Hornet — not .17 HMR or .17 WSM. For coyote, prairie dog, and varmint applications.

---

💬 Before You Go — Running .17 Hornet on Coyotes or Prairie Dogs?

Using this load? Leave a review with the species and the distance — and tell us whether you prefer the Federal or the Hornady Superformance V-MAX in the same caliber. That head-to-head is exactly what the next .17 Hornet buyer wants to read. And if you came looking for a load we don’t carry, tell us. 🎯

---

Please purchase and use ammunition responsibly and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. Ammunition cannot be shipped to all jurisdictions — verify legal shipment to your address before ordering. Buyers must be of legal age in their jurisdiction. Not for sale to prohibited persons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is .17 Hornet? A centrefire varmint cartridge, formed from a necked-down .22 Hornet case. Not the same as .17 HMR (rimfire) or .17 WSM (rimfire). Requires a rifle specifically chambered in .17 Hornet.

Is this Federal Premium or American Eagle? Federal Premium — the premium line, not American Eagle (the value line). The description text references American Eagle; that’s an import error. This product is the Premium line.

What game is it for? Varmints and predators — coyote, prairie dog, fox, ground squirrel. Not suitable for deer or larger game.

Does the bullet exit or fragment inside the target? At 3,610 fps, the Tipped Varmint bullet typically fragments inside the target. This minimises meat damage on fur-bearing animals and reduces ricochet risk.

How does it compare to the Hornady Superformance .17 Hornet V-MAX in this range? Both are 20-grain polymer-tip varmint loads at comparable velocities. The V-MAX uses Hornady’s Superformance propellant. Both are appropriate for the same applications; choose based on velocity data from each manufacturer and which your rifle shoots more accurately.

Can I reload the brass? Yes — Federal brass, Boxer-primed, reloadable. .17 Hornet brass is available from Federal and other manufacturers.

How many rounds is 500? 10 × 50-round boxes.

What’s the per-round cost? $470 / 500 = $0.94 per round.