17 HH, 20 vs 25 grainers

[Frankm]

Anyone have first hand experience, pro/con, of going from 20 to 25 grain bullets in 17 HH?

My Ruger has 9 twist so should be good there.

Just wondering others experience accuracy wise, velocity differences seen and overall performance for grd squirrels through occasional coyotes/foxes.

Thx

 

[Frankm]

Add l info, I ve been using AA1680 loaded to 3550 fps with 20 grain VNE H/Ps.

Would probably go 25 VMax if I get favorable input.

 

[Frankm]

Moderator, pls excuse me but if this would get more input in Small Stuff forum feel free to move. Thank you

 

[fantastic]

I use 2200 exclusively in my CZ Varmint 17HH with 20 gr. V-Max. I am getting about 3570 fps. with a SD of about 27 and groups under 1/2". I have shot a lot of 1/4" 3 shot groups with 13.0 gr. and while fireforming with 12.2 gr.

 

[fantastic]

Have used the 20 and 25 grain bullets on prairie dogs and I would definitely recommend the 20's. The 25 grain bullets are probably just as deadly but they seem to go right through the big dogs and they run or crawl away down their holes so it's hard to tell if they were hit hard. The 20's generally knock them down harder and the smaller pups that are just now coming out up here do some great back flips with pieces flying all over. Haven't used the 15 grain bullets but in my opinion the heavier bullet should have an advantage in the wind and out past 100 yards that is a big factor up here.

 

[JSH]

I run 20’s in mine, CZ527. 25’s were ok, but as mentioned above they seem to “needle” through at times. If I go past 200, I usually swap and go to the 17FB, still 20’s but more speed. I will run those till the wind picks up or distance is way more, then the 17 with 25’s or the 204.

Since I got the 17FB the 17HH sees a lot less use. The 17HH is just so damn cute I can’t talk my self into getting rid of it.

 

[Frankm]

I know going with the 25 you lose slot of speed but you do get a much better BC.... probably just need to do some accuracy testing and see if gun likes the 25 s.

I ve got 3-4K of 20 grain VNE s so I can do a lot of shooting. I guess I could sell some of them if the 25 s perform better.

 

[dstoenner]

I found that for my cz527 that berger 25 gn with cfe-blk was the best accuracy. The factory 15.5 load is also very accurate. Now that Hornady has released the 15.5 ntx to us handloaders i am going to have to give them a try.

David

 

[TheOtherZilla]

My CZ likes the 25's over the 20's. Hornadays. HP's or vmax work. A2200