17 hornet, powder choices.

[6mmdasher]

VV 120 11.8 grains, 20 gr v-max,61/2 rem primers, shoots 3450 fps .250 groups out of my Thompson Center 14" pistol at 100 yds.

AA1680 11.8gr 20gr v-max 3300 fps .50 groups out of my 17 Ackley Hornet

[Dean2]

For the 17 FB and 20 or 25 grain bullets, I have had excellent results using Benchmark. Very good velocity, over 4000 fps with the 20s, and excellent accuracy. Benchmark is easy to find here in Canada and last batch was $24 a pound. 8208 also works great for the 30 grain bullets but is too slow for the lighter bullets. Produces good accuracy with the lighter bullets just not great velocity.

For the 17 HH i am using Lil'Gun which I realize many people don't like but works great for me, is easy to get, also works great in my 221 FB and 22 Hornets and is quite cheap at $25 a pound. I have also used 1680 in the 17 HH with very good results but supply is sporadic.

[dungheap]

I have no experience with the .17HH, but in my .17AH I have used W-680 (discontinued, but it's around), 1680 and a few others, but in the end my go-to load turned out to be from P.O. Ackley's book: Fill your case to the top with IMR 4198 and plop a bullet on top. I'm not saying that this is going to work in every situation, but approaching that carefully might amaze you like it did me. I do consistently use Remington 7 1/2 primers and seat my bullets so they're barely in the case, mostly 20gr V-max these days, but have tried others with good results. Cases are R-P and W-W.

[MTyotehunter]

I had my best luck with AA1680 and only had luck with light primers like fed. 200s or rem. 6 1/2

[6mmdasher]

17 AH or 17 HH 1680/VV120 Go no farther

22 Hornet Lil Gun or 1680 Go no farther These are the powders that work for me Little gun in a 17 AH or 17 HH not so some have had success not I

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by 6mmdasher

17 AH or 17 HH 1680/VV120 Go no farther

22 Hornet Lil Gun or 1680 Go no farther These are the powders that work for me Little gun in a 17 AH or 17 HH not so some have had success not I

I have been looking for either of these powers without any luck, I believe the real question we are all asking is what AVAILABLE powder? I just bought 1 pound of Accurate 2200 and I even have a pound of Lil Gun that I may even carefully work up a load with. I have a couple thousand of the Hornady 20gr. Zmax bullets that I want to shoot in this rifle. Hopefully I can make some thing happen with one of these powders.

Nelson

[MTyotehunter]

Nelson

Love the little 20 V/Z max! I have been seeing imr4227 on shelves, Not going to get quite as high of velocity but close.

Careful with lil gun, alot of the data is not correct and I have seen high pressure with starting loads. wouldnt consider trying it in 17 hornet.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by MTyotehunter

Nelson

Love the little 20 V/Z max! I have been seeing imr4227 on shelves, Not going to get quite as high of velocity but close.

Careful with lil gun, alot of the data is not correct and I have seen high pressure with starting loads. wouldnt consider trying it in 17 hornet.

Hodgdon has published data, and I always start at the lowest load and slowly work up loads, was going to try to wait on the LIL GUN loads until the weather warmed up to develop a load. I figured this way that would rule out the temp. sensitive part for me, and I have read both sides of the LIL GUN debate and people either hate it or love it. With all the pushing the limits of cartridges out there I am surprised we don't see more blown up rifles than we do. I don't push mine because I like my eyes and fingers just the way they are, I always back down if i see negative pressure signs. My family depends on me to support them and I don't want to let them down.

Reloading is as safe as we make it. Just start low,go slow, and be safe we all have people who want to keep us in one piece.


Nelson

[Alycidon]

I use 10.2gr N120, BR4 or Fed 205, 20gr Vmax 2 thou off the lands. Thats as hot as I can load without pressure signs in my CZ527 17AH semi custom.

A