17 Hornet

Bit of load info for those interested,
I am back in new Zealand and had to redo .17 hornet loads, N120 is $175 a Kg and ADI2207 (H4198) is $55 for 500g,
worked up a load with 20 v-max and 11.5 gr ADI2207 (H4198) with a wsr primer, just as good for accuracy as the VV120 loads, guessing about 3450fps, in the 24" varmint, no crony on hand.
Then had a play with trail boss, for a quitter load, as have a spot with lots of rabbits close to town, and lots acreages in area, 3.5gr trail boss, WSR primer and a 25gr Hornardy HP, about 1700 fps, but the great news is, same point of impact at 50m as I get with the 20gr loads, ADI2207 (h4198) 11.5 gr,
I did try 2.5 gr of trail boss its 2" lower,
might be of use to some one shooting near buildings, stock etc.
 
southernman said:
Bit of load info for those interested,
I am back in new Zealand and had to redo .17 hornet loads, N120 is $175 a Kg and ADI2207 (H4198) is $55 for 500g,
worked up a load with 20 v-max and 11.5 gr ADI2207 (H4198) with a wsr primer, just as good for accuracy as the VV120 loads, guessing about 3450fps, in the 24" varmint, no crony on hand.
Then had a play with trail boss, for a quitter load, as have a spot with lots of rabbits close to town, and lots acreages in area, 3.5gr trail boss, WSR primer and a 25gr Hornardy HP, about 1700 fps, but the great news is, same point of impact at 50m as I get with the 20gr loads, ADI2207 (h4198) 11.5 gr,
I did try 2.5 gr of trail boss its 2" lower,
might be of use to some one shooting near buildings, stock etc.
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I have a good supply of N-120, but I will try H4198 as I already use it in my 17Fireball.
 
You probably won't be able to get enough H4198 in the Hornet to make decent speeds. Likely to top out @ 3400 fps with a 20gr Vmax (24" brl)
 
todbartell said:
You probably won't be able to get enough H4198 in the Hornet to make decent speeds. Likely to top out @ 3400 fps with a 20gr Vmax (24" brl)
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The Hornady data lists 3463fps with 11.8gr, That is more than my rifle produces with the most accurate n-120 load, and plenty for shooting ground squirrels.
 
I tried 11.7gr ADI2207, (H4198) for one group, seamed ok, but due to upsetting a wasp nest, abandoned testing, have ten rounds loaded up at 12gr, case is full to the top, and another twenty at 11.7 and 11.8 to try. I am hoping to get the same accuracy as my 10.5gr N120 load, looking good thus far, and would be happy with 3450-3500fps for speed, if I want to go faster I can use the fireball.
if I can get reasonable speed with ADI2207, I will be happy, as the pressures are 6000psi less that the rest, at 39000psi, should give good brass life,
elk, what are you getting for speed with 10gr N120,
 
Whilst waiting for my dies to arrive from Grouse River, I went ahead and picked up some Hornady 25gr. hp bullets and a lb of H4198 powder. The Hogdon reloading site recommends a max load of 11.1 gr of this powder. I also have some H322 I can try.
In the beginning, I purchased factory ammo (20gr V-max), which I found to have inconsistent results on paper from lot to lot. I would also like a little heavier bullet which is less frangible in larger varmints like coyotes which would be an occasional need. Normally this is my go to ground hog rifle. I guess I failed to mention that I'm shooting a CZ 527 American. I'm very happy with this rifle and have no issues with the bolt hitting the scope. I bought this because I have CZ 452 in 17 Hmr which is also a great rifle. The one thing I like about Cz rimfire rifles is that they look like centerfire rifles. Side by side the 452 and the 527 are the same size rifle.
 
I still haven't tried any reloads in my 17, got a great deal on a case of Hornady ammo so i'm using that and accumulating brass. Finally got some dies and will be trying Lilgun for a load come spring. Mounted a Vortex Diamonback HP 4-16 in Leupold rings. The scope is not as clear as i'd like so may change that this winter.
 
southernman said:
I tried 11.7gr ADI2207, (H4198) for one group, seamed ok, but due to upsetting a wasp nest, abandoned testing, have ten rounds loaded up at 12gr, case is full to the top, and another twenty at 11.7 and 11.8 to try. I am hoping to get the same accuracy as my 10.5gr N120 load, looking good thus far, and would be happy with 3450-3500fps for speed, if I want to go faster I can use the fireball.
if I can get reasonable speed with ADI2207, I will be happy, as the pressures are 6000psi less that the rest, at 39000psi, should give good brass life,
elk, what are you getting for speed with 10gr N120,
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10.5gr of N-120 produces about 3300fps in my CZ527. That was measured at right around 0 degrees. I will do more testing in spring when the weather warms up, as I have no idea as to whether N-120 is temperature sensitive.
 
The 17 hornet is a great cartridge, I built one on an old stevens single shot shot gun that had a rusted out bore. I installed a green mountain barrel blank and chambered it with a Manson reamer in the 17 Hornady Hornet. I am primarily a blackpowder guy but this thing is nothing short of fun. The bullet arrives just before you pull the trigger. I used it this weekend with my son shooting gophers and it was deadly. It was a very windy day but in spite of what people say about the 17 and wind it worked very well. I allowed for some windage at long ranges but was not bad. There is no recoil so you see everything in the scope and the report was not bad. We should have wore ear plugs but it was very mild compared to any other centre fire I have used. It is absolutely deadly on gophers, my son was very impressed to say the least! I may have to build another for my son.

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I had the CZ out Saturday, and I had a pretty high hit percentage going on ground squirrels to about 200 yards, despite the wind. Even at 200 yards, it is very apparent when the bullet strikes a ground squirrel.
 
rwnblack said:
The 17 hornet is a great cartridge, I built one on an old stevens single shot shot gun that had a rusted out bore. I installed a green mountain barrel blank and chambered it with a Manson reamer in the 17 Hornady Hornet. I am primarily a blackpowder guy but this thing is nothing short of fun. The bullet arrives just before you pull the trigger. I used it this weekend with my son shooting gophers and it was deadly. It was a very windy day but in spite of what people say about the 17 and wind it worked very well. I allowed for some windage at long ranges but was not bad. There is no recoil so you see everything in the scope and the report was not bad. We should have wore ear plugs but it was very mild compared to any other centre fire I have used. It is absolutely deadly on gophers, my son was very impressed to say the least! I may have to build another for my son.
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That's a interesting & unique gun you built. Must have a heavy walled barrel on it.
 
Thanks,

It is a cool rifle. The barrel is heavy but overall the rifle has a nice balance and is easy to carry. I tapered the barrel a bit but left lots of meat on it. The stock is that plastic tenite that stevens used for a while so that is very light. This is my only plastic rifle but it is kinda neat. I bushed the firing pin, casehardened the action and worked on the trigger so it has a nice crisp light tigger. It has a cheap 22 scope on it that I had on hand but it works okay anyway. I have a small martini action so that may have to become my next 17 hornet.
 
I had the 17 out for gophers a couple of weeks ago, I loaded up a bunch with 11.2 g H4198 and 20 gr bullets, it was deadly on the gophers. Given the season is late and the grass is now very tall, you could only see small parts of the gopher at long ranges but that was not an issue for this rifle. I also fire formed a bunch of 22 hornet brass and they all seemed to work well. We stepped the brass down in two stages, then i put a scoop of unique in the case topped with kleenex, they blew out very nice. I will have to keep my eyes out for once fired 22 hornet brass for sure.
rwnblack said:
Thanks,

It is a cool rifle. The barrel is heavy but overall the rifle has a nice balance and is easy to carry. I tapered the barrel a bit but left lots of meat on it. The stock is that plastic tenite that stevens used for a while so that is very light. This is my only plastic rifle but it is kinda neat. I bushed the firing pin, casehardened the action and worked on the trigger so it has a nice crisp light tigger. It has a cheap 22 scope on it that I had on hand but it works okay anyway. I have a small martini action so that may have to become my next 17 hornet.
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I finally picked up a 17 Hornet. Got a good deal on a new Ruger 77/17 stainless laminate. Hope it shoots well. Just have to figure out what scope to mount on it. Have Bushnell Legend HD 4.5-14x44 scopes mounted on both a Ruger 77/22 Hornet, and a CZ 452 22 magnum. Glass seems pretty good for the price point. Or have a 6500 Elite 2.5-16x42 I could mount if I can find 30mm rings.

I'm not opposed to buying another scope. What scopes are you guys using for gophers on your 17 Hornet?
 
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I have had a new Cooper in 17 Hornet waiting two months for load development, while my basement development is being done. The final paint goes on this week, then I will set up my shelving and move in my bench and my loading room will be ready to go. Then I will see how accurate this rifle really is.
 
The 17 hornet has been around for forever and is only just now becoming a factory chambered round. It's a fun gopher, beaver and fox gun, it's a little light for coyotes past 100 yards. Although cheap to load and not bad, the savage 25s aren't great guns. I'd look at a ruger or a CZ before touching one of those savages.

But my honest opinion? 17 fireball, I LOVE that caliber. Slower then the 17 rem so it doesn't burn barrels, faster then the 17 hornet so it has a little more lunch for coyotes out to distance. It's my favourite 17 cal all around. If you ever find a gun, buy it and load for it, you'll love it.
 
scott_r said:
Id love a 17 FB but rifles are as rare and brass even more so. From what Ive read necking down .221 FB is a PITA too..not sure how true this is.

Cheers!!
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I made my 17FB brass by necking down Nosler 221FB brass to 20 cal using my 20Vartarg die, and then to 17cal using the 17FB die. Sizing to 20 cal is quick and easy, but I found that I had to neck down to 17cal by running the case half way into the die, and then raise the press lever, turn the case half a turn, and then finish the process. I distorted the shoulder of the first case by trying to size to 17 cal in one step, but it works fine doing it in two steps. I used a tiny bit of Imperial sizing wax on the neck to do the forming. No neck turning was required for use in my rifle. I get about 3800fps with the 25gr v-max in my rifle using H4198.
 
There's a place in the brass that still produces 17 fireball brass, if you order enough they ship it to Canada. I'm actually considering just buying the 223 to 17 fireball form dies and getting it over with. It's a worthy investment for a gun this wonderful.
 
I finally got to load up some Lil Gun to try in my 17 Hornet, and the starting load produced 3777fps at 28 degrees. I trust the magnetospeed, but other than the velocity, I see no indication of excess pressure. No flattening on the primers, no brass extrusion, no extra resistance lifting the bolt, but I will reduce the powder charge a bit and recheck the speed anyways. Accuracy was right around 1/2moa for five shots.
 
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