Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Suggestions Please - 17 Hornet

Just about 2 years ago I purchased a nifty, like new, Ruger Model 77/17 Hornet V/T.
To date I have only shot factory ammunition in it and I have been VERY happy with the accuracy and the lethality of the cartridge and my Rifle. Factory ammunition seems to have disappeared over the last year.
Anyway it is time to start reloading my own ammunition and get it ready for the upcoming spring (if it ever gets here!) Colony Varmint season.
I would appreciate any and all suggestions you may have for obtaining accuracy with Varminting type bullets.
I have lots of once fired brass now, several types of small Rifle primers, several brands of 20 and 25 grain bullets but am perhaps low on suitable powders.
Thanks in advance
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

E-Z P-Z, Just buy a copy of Mule Deer's latest book - Gun Gack IV. The first chapter of that book has all the info you need.
Here's the link: https://www.riflesandrecipes.com/product-category/books/rifles-and-handloading/

CFE BLK is the powder Im using , as good as any and better than some.......couple lbs will be enough to blast alot of gophers

Id stick to 20 grainers , heavier bullets are quite a bit slower


both the V-max and the 20grain Nolsers shoot great in my CZ , I just set the COL to the same as the factory V-max loads

Ditto, cept I’m shooting a Cooper with the exact same result…

Also run the 20 gr. v-max but I use 1680 for the powder.

TRnCO, Shrapnel, Sdgunslinger & MT DD FAN: Thanks all for the suggestion and also to those who replied by PM to my inquiry.
I have some CFE BLK on hand and will get after it staring with that powder.
Have a month or so before the Gopher Wars getting going at this elevation - so plenty of time.
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

CFE BLK should work dandy for you, as will A1680. I use both of them with 20gr bullets (V-Maxs & Noslers) and the loads shoot great.

<^>

Why wait, get them in the snow...

Shrapnel: You ARE my hero!
Many of the ranches, at my elevation, are "thawing out" a bit and the ranch roads are susceptible to much damage when driven on, now.
I have been shooting from the few solid ground spots available.
"Cabin fever" is a bitch - and makes you stretch things a bit!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
P.S.: Love that Cooper 17 CCM of yours.
Keep up the good work.
Come on spring - low of 14 degrees here tonight with BARELY above freezing tomorrow.

Yep, as others have mentioned, CFE BLK and 20gr Vmax is about perfect in this cartridge.

CFE BLK and Varmint Nightmare X-Treme 17 Caliber .172 Diameter 20 Grain Premium Flat Base HP 500 Count from Midsouth.

Not sure what powders you have on hand & I have been away from the 17 Hornet for a while now. As I recall accurate 2200 was my favorite propellant in the 17 Hornet.

FWIW: Recently acquired a Lyman 51st edition manual. Lyman seems to favor a CCI 400 primer. A max charge of N120 is listed as their most accurate propellant in their rifle for 20 grain projectiles. They list 11.1 grains as a accuracy load & max charge for 3600 fps from a 24" barrel.

Their accuracy load for 25 grain projectiles they list 11.5 grains of Rx7 for 3348 in their test barrel. Each of these loads are listed as their max pressure loads so starting low & working up for your rifle may be advisable as usual.

They are listing a OAL of 1.710 for both the 20 & 25 grain V-max.

Expect red mist stories soon:)

Ben Lurkin, BS2 & Hunterapp: Thank you all as well.
Yep "I" have always started low!
Taking the day off for entertaining this Easter - will get back to the loading room Monday.
Thanks again
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I use CFEBLK now but I had awesome accuracy with Nosler 20GR FBHP VARMAGEDDON and Hornady 20grn Vmax with W296/H110. This load was not the fastest but it was crazy accurate at 3300fps. The W296/H110 also gave amazing accuracy with the 15.5grn NTX lead free from Hornady. I used H322 to get 3200fps out of my 25grn Vmax's and great accuracy. I gave up a hair of accuracy going to CFEBLK as a do all for all three bullets but I get max velocity out of them now. Rifle is a Savage M25 walking varminter with a Leupold VX1 3-9x40.

Bmoney: Thank you very much for that information - I am taking notes on all of it. Especially the "NTX lead free" suggestion as here in Montana the "anti's" are now advertising and campaigning for "lead-free" ammunitions from shotguns, pistols and Rifles!
It's always something.
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

You bet. I have used the NTX 15.5's exclusively here in the SoCal deserts for jack rabbits. It will whollop them, I have killed them out to 200 and it buries them.