Unless his shots are to long for the 17 Hornet, it should work well with the right bullet. I use a 17 Rem and a 204 with great results, but I reload. With a 204 you could get by with the 39gr. load from Federal. I don't know what is available for the 17 Rem. Remington used to offer a 25gr. Hornady hp and that would work great.