I'm writing a review of my new 17HMR and (one thing leading to another) have prepared a brief timeline detailing important points leading to the development of the current 17 calibre rimfire cartridges that we shoot. I thought I'd post it here for prosperity and trivia:
1831 US patent on rimfire cartridge
1845 22 Flobert bb cap marketed
1857 22 short developed for Smith and Wesson's revolver
1871 22 long rifle appears
1959 Winchester introduces 22 Magnum
1970 Remington introduced the 5mm rimfire magnum - never gained a following and was discontinued in 1982
1992 Shooting Times ran article (copy can be found at Varmiter.com) that piqued public interest in the 17 cal rimfire
2002 17HMR - necked down WMR case was commercially released by Hornady working with Marlin and Ruger
2004 17HM2 – based on a 22 long rifle case and designed to be more economical in cost per round than the HMR version
Currently a variety of ammo available from Remington, Hornady, CCI, Federal and Winchester with 17 grain or 20 grain bullets ranging from the original plastic tipped design to game point and full metal jackets
1831 US patent on rimfire cartridge
1845 22 Flobert bb cap marketed
1857 22 short developed for Smith and Wesson's revolver
1871 22 long rifle appears
1959 Winchester introduces 22 Magnum
1970 Remington introduced the 5mm rimfire magnum - never gained a following and was discontinued in 1982
1992 Shooting Times ran article (copy can be found at Varmiter.com) that piqued public interest in the 17 cal rimfire
2002 17HMR - necked down WMR case was commercially released by Hornady working with Marlin and Ruger
2004 17HM2 – based on a 22 long rifle case and designed to be more economical in cost per round than the HMR version
Currently a variety of ammo available from Remington, Hornady, CCI, Federal and Winchester with 17 grain or 20 grain bullets ranging from the original plastic tipped design to game point and full metal jackets
