While I understand it is possible to fire 17HH in a 17 AH chamber the results are less than desirable.I just watched a video that says you can shoot the 17 HH in a 17 Ackley chamber,....your thoughts?
I'll go back in my chronogaph files and look at data for both powders.I have heard a lot of people warn against lol gun as it peaks out real quick. Have seen online reports of blowing primers and cases. Never tried as I can’t get it. Have thought about w296 as well but same thing it’s maybe a bit fast and might peak out.
Since it's an AI Hornet, leave it that way. I've been shooting one since about '93 and it's a favorite. Started with a 20"TC carbine (which is one of the best window/truck guns you could ever want) and liked it enough to have Wessinger rebarrel a Ruger 77/22Hornet into 17AH, 20"also. They both shoot really well. Don't screw around changing yours to HH, just use as it is and enjoy. Fireforming loads are every bit as accurate as with formed cases. One thing....factory hornet brass is undersized at the web, so you may see a slight bulge with formed brass, dependiing on your chamber.. And the body die won't touch it. The T/C has a custom barrel and fired cases have that very small bullge....no big deal and I don't even worry about it. The Wessinger chamber was done with a sligthly tighter reamer and there's no bulge. Your chamber chamber may/may not have the slightly tighter chamber, but either way it's nothing to worry about. Don't know why all that Hornet brass is a.wee bit undersize, it just is. At least mine is, but it's also from the early '90s. Started shooting 20 and 23gr bullets with 680 powder, went to 1680. Same thing. With VV130 or 133 don't remember which, got another 200fps. Primers are Rem 7-1/2. That T/C goes with me all the time. Again, don't bother changing to HH, it would be a waste of money for no gain..Question, if you guys where me, just starting out, i haven't bought bought dies or anything yet for this Ackley hornet, would you
rechamber to the 17 HH or keep it Ackley hornet? I know they're close in performance.
I just didn't know if there was any advantage one over the other at this point.
Was thinking, either way, I would have the barrel threaded for a suppressor.
I agree, I found some new norma brass i though I would trySince it's an AI Hornet, leave it that way. I've been shooting one since about '93 and it's a favorite. Started with a 20"TC carbine (which is one of the best window/truck guns you could ever want) and liked it enough to have Wessinger rebarrel a Ruger 77/22M into 17AH, 20"also. They both shoot really well. Don't screw around changing yours to HH, just use as it is and enjoy. Fireforming loads are every bit as accurate as with formed cases. One thing....factory hornet brass is undersized at the web, so you may see a slight bulge with formed brass, dependiing on your chamber.. And the body die won't touch it. The T/C has a custom barrel and fired cases have that very small bullge....no big deal and I don't even worry about it. The Wessinger chamber was done with a sligthly tighter reamer and there's no bulge. Your chamber chamber may/may not have the slightly tighter chamber, but either way it's nothing to worry about. Don't know why all that Hornet brass is a.wee bit undersize, it just is. At least mine is, but it's also from the early '90s. Started shooting 20 and 23gr bullets with 680 powder, went to 1680. Same thing. With VV130 or 133 don't remember which, got another 200fps. Primers are Rem 7-1/2. That T/C goes with me all the time. Again, don't bother changing to HH, it would be a waste of money for no gain..
Thank you Matt, thanks for taking the time, BlessingsMost Ackley chambers are improved to 40 degrees. But the 17 Ackley Hornet is 30 degrees.Be careful when you source your dies as the 17 K Hornet is 33 degrees. I've seen drawings on the net that show both angles as the Ackley version but it is 30. I absolutely love my 17AH, it rivals many rifles and is a Bullberry 15" pistol.
I am glad you found that CZ, they really are nice rifles. One day I plan on building a Ruger#1 into a 17AH or perhaps running into a Cooper 38 that is so chambered. I remember my friend Dan C of Wyoming making a 503 yard shot at a pd at the 2nd annual Saubier shoot with a beautifully stocked Cooper in 17AH with a 20 Vmax, we were all pretty amazed as that really is pushing what this little Hornet can and should do. We normally would never push the Hornet that far but it was a double dog dare. The pd just fell over dead at the shot which really surprised all those watching including Doug Derner who was instrumental in helping design the 17 HH, perhaps that was a little of the inspiration for him. I wish he was still around to ask. Enough rambling, I hope you enjoy your 17AH they are tons of fun.
Matt
I ran into that issue with 'Lil Gun too. It shot nice groups, but better to run it with the lightest bullets and at a bit lower velocity than with most of the other powders. I didn't run it hot enough to blow a primer, but it was evident that pressure built up noticeably faster. I don't have any experience with CFEBLK as it came out long after I settled on the loads I like, but I intend to try it (when I can get some) on some 15.5 NTX bullets I picked up a while back. The Lil Gun might be perfect for those bullets. Time will tell. I did do a lot of testing with IMR 4227 and H 4198, along with other powders.I have heard a lot of people warn against lol gun as it peaks out real quick. Have seen online reports of blowing primers and cases. Never tried as I can’t get it. Have thought about w296 as well but same thing it’s maybe a bit fast and might peak out.
I have never shot any NTX bullets in anything so really don't know how they act as far as pressure.I ran into that issue with 'Lil Gun too. It shot nice groups, but better to run it with the lightest bullets and at a bit lower velocity than with most of the other powders. I didn't run it hot enough to blow a primer, but it was evident that pressure built up noticeably faster. I don't have any experience with CFEBLK as it came out long after I settled on the loads I like, but I intend to try it (when I can get some) on some 15.5 NTX bullets I picked up a while back. The Lil Gun might be perfect for those bullets. Time will tell. I did do a lot of testing with IMR 4227 and H 4198, along with other powders.
I have always been amazed at the accuracy of that 15.5 NTX in my .17 HMR. It runs out of gas at bout 275-325 yards. Boosting the velocity with the Hornet will be very interesting to see how much more distance can be had with that little pill.I have never shot any NTX bullets in anything so really don't know how they act as far as pressure.
A lot of the non-toxic bullets (no lead core) tend to peak pressure sooner from previous experience.
I have no evidence or experience but think if you hit pressure early with Lil Gun and lead core bullets then it would really be a problem for the NTX.
Maybe someone can chime in that knows the answer for sure?