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

Henry Mini Bolt G2 02
Henry Mini Bolt G2 02

Henry Updates Mini Bolt Youth Rifle

Henry Repeating Arms introduced its Mini Bolt Youth rifle nearly 25 years ago as an ideal training rifle for young firearm enthusiasts. In 2025, the platform received a number of design updates.

Preview: Avian-X AXP Lessers Fusion Pack

The AXP Lessers Fusion Pack from Avian-X offers a bundle of six durable life-like decoys in a variety of postures to attract even the wariest of Canadian geese.

Gun Of The Week: Armscor TM22-S-18

We're on the range in this video to get a closer look at an affordable plinker imported by Armscor. Whether you’re training on a budget or just want a rimfire for plinking, the TM22 is a proven platform worth investigating.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 22, 2025

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

Winter Warrior: The Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG

A little-known light machine gun from the inter-war era, the Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 garnered a poor reputation during its service in World War II, but a closer look and some context reveals how innovative it was for its time.

Federal Ammunition Honored By National 4-H Shooting Sports

Federal Ammunition was recently honored with the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals or companies that have made significant contributions to the 4-H Shooting Sports program at a national level.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.