Latest Loads: A Heavier .17 Hornet

by
posted on September 4, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
horne.jpg

When habitually pitting your .17 Hornet against coyotes, or pressing it into service for prairie dogs in the windy West, you should consider Hornady’s heavier, 0.172"-diameter, 25-gr. V-Max bullet. Thanks to its 0.230 (G1) ballistic coefficient, in a 10-m.p.h. full-value breeze the tiny projectile deflects a tad less than its lighter 20-gr. sibling at 200 and 300 yds., thereby making hits easier. It also delivers slightly more energy at distance, too. More important to the coyote hunter, though, is the 25 percent increase of metal brought to the quarry; that greatly boosts the potential for lethality. Lastly, I’ve found 25-gr., .17-cal. bullets to consistently exhibit better accuracy than their lighter counterparts, as demonstrated at the range with this load. So, for those in search of an accurate, do-it-all recipe for a trusty .17 Hornet, look no further.

Latest

Taurus TXM 01
Taurus TXM 01

TX Maxed: The Taurus TXM in 5.7x28 mm and .22 WMR

Using its TX series architecture yet again, Taurus is adding the 5.7x28 mm and .22 WMR to its chambering options with the new-for-2026 TXM.

Review: Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak Ammunition

Federal’s new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak takes a long-range staple even farther.

New for 2026: Pulsar Thermion 3 Riflescope

Pulsar’s newest thermal scope offers longer range, sharper detail and expanded functionality.

AKs In The USA: The Current State of the American AK Platform

Despite it being the primary rifle of the enemy for most of its existence, American shooters have nonetheless warmed to the AK platform, creating an unlikely love story.

Demand for Guns, Ammo & Firearm Accessories Accelerates

October gun sales increased according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) estimate, but the quarterly reports from major manufacturers reflect purchases significantly higher.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 9, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.