Hornady 17 Hornet accuracy loads

[Yote Hunter]

10.3 gr VV 110 20 gr vmax fed 205M Hornady brass. Fast and accurate in CZ 527 American. 3650 fps

 

[kcjim]

I am shooting Win 296 powder with 20 gr V-Max’s in my CZ 527. I started out with Win 296 because it was the only suitable powder I could find at the time (several years ago). I have been pleased with its performance enough to not try anything else.

 

[TheCZKid]

I finally came up with a very accurate load for my CZ Varmint, with the 20 V-max bullet, BLK powder 12.6 grains, seated 1.455" base to ogive length (BTOL), CCI-400 primer. Last 4 tests averaged .197" average, so I'm a happy camper.
I was hoping to get input on best seating depth for the Nosler 20 HP bullets? Nosler doesn't list any load data for the 17 Hornet, but The Accurate powder website says says 1.720" COAL for Varmageddon bullet, but there's two kinds (1) the tipped and (2) a hollow point, and I don't know which they are referring to.
Tonight I just loaded up some rounds for a seating depth test, from 1.425" BTOL to 1.480" in .005 increments, and I'll post the results here. I loaded all with same specs as above, except for seating depth the variable.

 

[trader steve]

I see several people turning outside of 17 hornet necks how about inside reaming I have a 17 caliber Wilson inside reamer would that work ? Don't have much brass and don't want to ruin it.steve

 

[TheCZKid]

I see several people turning outside of 17 hornet necks how about inside reaming I have a 17 caliber Wilson inside reamer would that work ? Don't have much brass and don't want to ruin it.steve

I've never reamed the inside of a neck for uniformity, but it would require you to properly size the neck down to determine how much material your reamer will remove. And I'm not sure how you control consistent neck thickness, only uniformity of the inside surface being smooth. If you think the inside of the necks do not offer a uniform surface, then you could ream it, then neck turn the outside after, and you should have uber-uniform or at least smooth necks inside and out.
Neck turning seems easier.

This video shows someone who tried to solve the inside reaming & outside turning issue... definitely a rabbit hole, lots of $ in 3 different machines, problems to solve.

 

[moorepower]

I use 12.2 A1680 with the 20 Vmax. I want to try CFEBLK and A2200, whichmany that have tried find to be the best .17H powder.

 

[JSH]

I tinkered with a project years ago that I could ream, and then still take enough off the outside to clean it up all the way around.
17 Hornet, can shoot lights out and drill holes one day. Then the next go like a shotgun pattern. I will say I learned a lot working with the 17HH. Lots of frustration going down dead end roads trying to solve issues.
For some odd reason I really like the cartridge, but I won’t own another.
I went to the 17Fireball, way way easier on my nerves and accuracy is over the top of the HH. I have worked up loads to the 17HH level with ease.

 

[moorepower]

I tinkered with a project years ago that I could ream, and then still take enough off the outside to clean it up all the way around.
17 Hornet, can shoot lights out and drill holes one day. Then the next go like a shotgun pattern. I will say I learned a lot working with the 17HH. Lots of frustration going down dead end roads trying to solve issues.
For some odd reason I really like the cartridge, but I won’t own another.
I went to the 17Fireball, way way easier on my nerves and accuracy is over the top of the HH. I have worked up loads to the 17HH level with ease.

I built mine on a Ruger 77/22H, mostly because of the rotary magazine. I love having a repeater that feeds like butter. We all love the tiny groups, but I can't honestly say that I might of missed a single crow or Pdog because of accuracy issues. I do have 300 pc of RWS brass that I bought to try for the .17H to see if I could improve it a bit. I wish that I would have my reamer ground for a shorter throat. I also have an L46 that would make a great .17 FB someday.

 

[No manches"]

Has anyone tried the blackhole cup-hollow point 30grn bullets? On the .17 hornet?....
I stumbled into something crazy.
Powder LT32
11.4 gr
CCI400
Magneto speed.
#1 2870fps
#2 2880fps
#3 2877fps
#4 2881fps
#5 2874fps
1/4 inch accuracy! At 100 yards
And yes it shows some pressure signs*.. all Hornady brass neck turn to 0.010
One case shows a belt= like a belted magnum! Quite funny. (All primers looked good.)

 

[Catfur]

I see several people turning outside of 17 hornet necks how about inside reaming I have a 17 caliber Wilson inside reamer would that work ? Don't have much brass and don't want to ruin it.steve

That inside reamer is actually a torture device sold by some sadist at LE Wilson. If you're worried about neck thickness then outside turn, unless you enjoy blisters on your fingers.

As to accuracy, I get great accuracy with RL7, if not great speed. .4" 5 shot groups without much dickering with charge weights and no messing at all with seating depth (Nosler 20gr varmageddon, I believe).