Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 17 caliber bullet options.

Need to work up some loads for my 17 hornet. I just shot a box of factory 20 grain vmax until I could load up some. It seems like there are very few options. I want a higher BC than the 20 grn hollow points. I was thinking of trying g the 25 grain Hornady hp, but seems like they stopped making them? Am afraid the 25 grn vmax wont stabilize. (Rifle is the savage 25 walking varmint) I had got some Nosler 20 grn hollow points, and they did show promise with 5 shot .8 inch group at 100 yrs. But the dismal bc has me looking for a better bullet. So seems like the 20grn tipped hornady and nosler are my best option? Just making sure I am not missing anything here. I am a bit reluctant to pay for the 25 grn Bergers as they are quite a bit more than the Hornady and nosler. Game is eastern groundhogs. I may just go with the 20 grn vmax since the factory stuff I tried has laid them out pretty quickly.

Why not shoot the 17 gr used in 17 HMR? High BC.

Where do I find them?

It's too bad they stuck a 1:14 twist on that rifle. I can't figure out why...I'd suggest sticking with 20gr V-max since they shoot well in your rifle.

You don't - to my knowledge, Hornady doesn't offer their 17gr 17 cal bullets as a component. I've shot hundreds of prairie dogs this summer with the 20gr V-max out of my CZ 17 Hornet and they worked great! I suggest you stick with the 20 gr poly-tipped bullets in your 17 Hornet. I wish I had them as a kid when I was harassing woodchucks in New England.

I checked Savage's website, and according to them they used a 1:9 twist.

Ahh. You are correct. I was looking at the wrong caliber. Your 1:9 will stabilize ANY 25gr bullet just fine.

I remain with the 20 grain VMAX in my 2 17 Hornets.

Same here, they are like peanut butter and jelly with the 17 hornet. Woodchucks just fall over like they had a heart attack when hit with this combo and then their tail does the death rattle. The little hornet lets you watch the entire thing through the scope.

20 grain vmax, is the cats ass in 17H

Not many heavy options available any more, especially cost effective options. Look at Saubier. com for anything small cal.