Well the new rimfire cartridge is here and it is a smoking hot round:  the .17 Winchester Super Magnum.  The new rimfire promises “pinpoint accuracy” and the “downrange performance of a centerfire cartridge.”

Ok, let’s cut to the chase:  the new Winchester cartridge is pushing a 20 grain bullet at 3,000 fps.  That is an amazing feat for a rimfire.  Energy measures right at 400 ft-lbs (399.6 if my math is correct.)  A 25 grain bullet screams along at 2,600 fps for 375 ft-lbs of energy.

Initially, Winchester will make the .17 Super Mag in three loads.  The first is a 25 grain Varmint HE with a plastic tip bullet, and the other two are 20 grain loads:  a Varmint HV with a plastic tip and a Super-X with a conventional JHP.

According to the press release, engineers have been developing the .17 WInchester Super Magnum for more than three years, suggesting a lot of R&D went into this new round.  Pressures must be significantly higher than the .17 HMR and .22 WMR to make these kinds of speeds.

It will be interesting to see how the obvious battle between the .17 HMR and .17 WSM will play out.  The .17 HMR has been a success, and for all of the same reasons that the new Winchester cartridge claims.  Without the substantial increase in velocity, I would have said the .17 WSM had no chance…but 350 – 400 fps is a big jump.

The new round will dump more than 150% more energy into the target when compared to the .17 HMR according to the Winchester product information.  Also, the company claims the new .17 Super Mag is much more accurate in long range shooting due to improved wind drift and bullet drop characteristics.  For varmint hunters, this can be a really big deal.

Winchester states the new .17 Super Mag should be on dealer’s shelves by April.  MSRP has not been announced, however, the company makes several references to the affordability of the ammunition when compared to centerfire cartridges.  Nothing will be as cheap as .22 LR, but I imagine the .17 Winchester Super Magnum will be significantly cheaper than comprable centerfire rounds.  50-round boxes and 1,000-round cases will both be available.

At this time, there is not any announcement of a rifle chambered for the new cartridge.  I expected to hear something from a gun maker at the same time Winchester Ammunition rolled out the cartridge, but I haven’t heard or seen anything yet.  I expect to see something at SHOT of course.

So, what do you guys think?  Are you interested in a new rimfire, especially one blazing along at 3,000 fps?

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