Hornady 17 Hornet accuracy loads

[bullfrog]

I know I can look in a manual or online for load data for the 17 Hornet and I have. I know every gun is different, but I also know some loads are just better in most guns. I'm hoping you fellas can post your accuracy loads with the 20gr v-max to give me a head start.

 

[B23]

I have two CZ 527 17 Hornets and they both like 12.2gr AA1680 w/20gr Vmax. I've loaded from 12-12.4gr of 1680 and the 12.2 load seems to shoot the best for me. Actually, the 12 and 12.2 load shot pretty much the same, the 12.2 just shot a little faster.

I recommend getting the Redding type S neck sizing die (Redding part #71279) and a few different size bushings. Hornady's 17 Hornet brass, with regard to neck thickness, is allllllllll over the map from lot to lot. I have 17 Hornady Hornet brass that ranges from .009 - .012 neck thickness. I keep my brass sorted by neck thickness so I can consistently run .001 neck tension.

Also, most of these factory guns seem to have fairly long chambers so don't be surprised if the brass, after first firing, comes out looking funny above the rim. It's often referred to as a bulge, but it's actually just the opposite and it's a section that has stretched because of the excessive headspace. Another reason why I much prefer to use the Redding neck sizing only die, you don't really want to FL size brass being shot in a chamber with excessive headspace.

 

[JSH]

My accuracy load was 11.0 of IMR4198.
I started putting some together last week and ran into an issue.
Pulled the funnel off of one and “my case runeth over”???
Dropped another and weighed it, same thing. First thing I thought was a clump of media, looked and nothing.

Ended up it was a case issue. I weighed them, spread was from 49-57 grains. Separated 400, used the lab scale at work ;-).

You might keep that in mind.

 

[Bill K]

You are correct, each rifle is it's own beast. Work with some 1680 and CFE Blk. Work up a load from about mid range to max you will find one yours like.

 

[searcher]

The neck tension irregularities are a huge accuracy robber on this little round. I strongly suggest a skim neck turning. I like 11.5 H4198 with 20 V-max, CCI400 or 9.3 IMR 4227 with 20 V-Max, CCI400 or 10.8 H4198 with 25 Berger, CCI400. All .019" off lands in my rifle (or 1.478" length using Hornady tool). These are with a Lilja barrel and shoot between .200" and .400" MOA. My prior factory CZ barrel also liked variations of these recipes. Good Luck.

 

[B23]

If your shooting any of the factory guns like CZ, Ruger, or Savage, they generally have so much freebore a 20gr bullet will damn near fall out of the case before you can touch the lands, and, unless you plan to single feed, you're limited to magazine length.

If you neck turn, all the more reason to use a bushing die.

 

[dstoenner]

I have a CZ 527 and getting the right combination of things was not easy. Out of the gate it shot the 15.5 NTX factory ammo with great accuracy. 20 vmax was OK but not stellar.

I then started trying to do hand loads. WOW was this harder than any caliber I have loaded for. I tried 4198 and 322 (IIRC). Another reloader at the range that has a couple of 22 hornets said to try 1680. I finally found some and it did tighten things up but the best I found was CFE-BLK. At that point the 25 Berger HPFB was the most accurate. Then Hornady came out with the 15.5 NTX for hand loaders. I bought a 100 to try out. Well those hand loaded with 12.4 CFE-BLK at the same OAL that Hornady factory loads them at shoots lights out. I also use Remington 6 1/2 primers as these are the primers that were created for calibers like the 17/22 Hornet.

I have to agree with previous posts that the Hornady brass is horrible. I have seen some where the primer pockets are so deep the primer pocket uniformer doesn't even touch the the burnt powder.

Maybe it is just me but I have the most difficult time keeping the bullets from going sideways as I start the seating and therefore crinkling the neck. I package my brass up in 55 cases per bag because it may take all the extra 5 to get 50 rounds.

David

 

[bullfrog]

Thank you all for your replies. Has anyone checked federal brass to see if it is any better?

 

[Bill K]

Can't speak about Federal brass, have not used any of it yet, but the Hornady brass I have been using has worked just fine, regardless of how so many seem to put it down.

 

[B23]

Can't speak about Federal brass, have not used any of it yet, but the Hornady brass I have been using has worked just fine, regardless of how so many seem to put it down.

Federal and Hornady, when it comes to the 17 Hornet, are one and the same. Hornady loads the 17 Hornet ammo for Federal.

 

[dstoenner]

Federal and Hornady, when it comes to the 17 Hornet, are one and the same. Hornady loads the 17 Hornet ammo for Federal.

I went out and checked the few Federal cases i have. They are headstamped FC and the font and size are way different than any Hornady case. Not saying your wrong just noting the differences. I did weigh a FC case and Hornady and they were within .5 grains of each other. But as small as these cases are I cannot imagine they could be major different. I didn’t do any dimensional measurements. Hornady rim thickness are all over the place.

David

 

[B23]

I went out and checked the few Federal cases i have. They are headstamped FC and the font and size are way different than any Hornady case. Not saying your wrong just noting the differences. I did weigh a FC case and Hornady and they were within .5 grains of each other. But as small as these cases are I cannot imagine they could be major different. I didn’t do any dimensional measurements. Hornady rim thickness are all over the place.

David

My information about the Federal American Eagle 17 Hornet ammo being relabeled Hornady ammo, came directly from Federal. I've actually talked to them twice about it and they are who told me it's all the same O same O.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I found that the best accuracy was achieved in my Savage with CFE Black, near the max, at around 3550fps.

 

[Bill K]

I think you will find that one company loads all the 17 Hornet and from what I have been told the 17 HMR brass and they are all the same, case, powder and all, just the head stamp for who they go too is changed.

 

[B23]

I think you will find that one company loads all the 17 Hornet and from what I have been told the 17 HMR brass and they are all the same, case, powder and all, just the head stamp for who they go too is changed.

CCI used to load all of the 17 HMR until Winchester tooled up a few years ago and go into the 17 HMR ammo making game.

Not that is matters but since we are already wayyyy off track anyway, Winchester is the sole provider for all 17 WSM ammo.

 

[Bill K]

I know it changed hands some, but point is still most of the brass and bullets are all the same, regardless, so we just work with what we have and enjoy our little beasts.

 

[searcher]

Back in the last brass shortage - I bought a 1,000-count bag of Winchester .22 Hornet brass with the intent of necking down to .17 Hornet once I wore out my Hornady brass (in the unlikely event that should occur). While the Hornady necks were my only issue - once skim-turned, they actually are pretty durable and without problems - though I load them fairly light by what I see others doing. Every time I run across that bag of Winchester brass - I wonder how it compares to the Hornady. Has anyone necked that Winchester down - and if so - how did it endure?

 

[th82457]

So far in my CZ 527 Varmint, I have had fair to very good groups with A2200 & LT-30 and the 20 gr. Hornady V-Max. Going to do a ladder test with both next time out. Also want to try CFE Black in both the .17 Hornet & my .20 VT. The Hornady 20 V-Max factory ammo. shoots pretty well out of my CZ also, but not quite as tight as my handloads.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have a CZ 17 Hornet, Had it for more than a few years.. Best groups are with 2200 in mine.. and a 17 or 20 grain bullet..

 

[accurate shooter]

I have two CZ 527 17 Hornets and they both like 12.2gr AA1680 w/20gr Vmax. I've loaded from 12-12.4gr of 1680 and the 12.2 load seems to shoot the best for me. Actually, the 12 and 12.2 load shot pretty much the same, the 12.2 just shot a little faster.

I recommend getting the Redding type S neck sizing die (Redding part #71279) and a few different size bushings. Hornady's 17 Hornet brass, with regard to neck thickness, is allllllllll over the map from lot to lot. I have 17 Hornady Hornet brass that ranges from .009 - .012 neck thickness. I keep my brass sorted by neck thickness so I can consistently run .001 neck tension.

Also, most of these factory guns seem to have fairly long chambers so don't be surprised if the brass, after first firing, comes out looking funny above the rim. It's often referred to as a bulge, but it's actually just the opposite and it's a section that has stretched because of the excessive headspace. Another reason why I much prefer to use the Redding neck sizing only die, you don't really want to FL size brass being shot in a chamber with excessive headspace.

I have have had problems with neck thickness variance in this brass that have caused expensive and possibly dangerous problems. I had a reamer built to fit what was, at lease in one box of ammo remarkable consistent brass. These factory rounds only varied .0002" in loaded round neck diameter, and only .0009" in headspace. The loaded round neck diameter went from .193" to a whopping .198" in the next box I bought. My reamer had a .196" diameter, so I am sure bad things would have happened had I not checked this out!! Come on Hornady, really!!!!