.17 Hornet Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.17 Hornet: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Small Rifle |
| Used For | Varmint Hunting, Target Shooting |
| Case Design | Rimless, Bottleneck |
| Year Introduced | 2012 |
.17 Hornet: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Extremely high velocity for flat trajectory
- ✔ Very low recoil
- ✔ Excellent accuracy at medium ranges
- ✔ Minimal wind drift compared to other.17 caliber rounds
- ✔ Efficient powder burn for its size
Cons
- ✘ Limited to small game and varmint hunting
- ✘ Ammunition can be more expensive than larger calibers
- ✘ Less readily available than more common calibers
- ✘ Performance drops significantly at longer ranges
- ✘ Requires specialized cleaning due to small bore size
.17 Hornet: A Comprehensive Overview
The .17 Hornet is a centerfire rifle cartridge known for its high velocity, flat trajectory, and minimal recoil. Developed by Hornady in 2011, it's based on the .22 Hornet case necked down to .17 caliber. This round is popular among varmint hunters and target shooters for its exceptional accuracy and performance at moderate ranges.
History and Development
The .17 Hornet was introduced by Hornady Manufacturing Company in 2011. It was designed to offer better ballistic performance than the .17 HMR rimfire cartridge while still maintaining low recoil and moderate muzzle blast. The cartridge is essentially a .22 Hornet case necked down to accept a .17 caliber bullet.
Hornady collaborated with Sturm, Ruger & Co. to develop rifles chambered for this new cartridge. The first commercially available rifle for the .17 Hornet was the Ruger 77/17, introduced alongside the cartridge in 2011. This partnership ensured that shooters had immediate access to both the ammunition and firearms designed to utilize it effectively.
The .17 Hornet quickly gained popularity among varmint hunters and target shooters due to its impressive ballistic performance. It offers a flatter trajectory and higher velocity than its parent cartridge, the .22 Hornet, while producing less recoil and noise. These characteristics make it an excellent choice for shooting small game and varmints at ranges up to 300 yards.
Performance and Applications
The .17 Hornet typically fires bullets weighing between 15.5 and 20 grains at velocities ranging from 3,650 to 3,870 feet per second. This high velocity contributes to the cartridge's flat trajectory and excellent accuracy at moderate ranges. The lightweight bullets and high velocities also result in minimal wind drift, making the .17 Hornet effective in windy conditions.
Varmint hunting is the primary application for the .17 Hornet. It's particularly effective on small game such as prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and coyotes. The cartridge's high velocity and lightweight bullets produce dramatic terminal effects on small targets while minimizing pelt damage on larger varmints like coyotes.
Target shooting is another popular use for the .17 Hornet. Its minimal recoil and flat trajectory make it enjoyable to shoot at paper targets or steel plates. The cartridge's accuracy potential allows skilled shooters to achieve tight groups at distances up to 300 yards, making it suitable for certain long-range shooting competitions.
Timeline of .17 Hornet Development:
.17 Hornet Performance Characteristics
The .17 Hornet offers impressive ballistic performance in a small package. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 3,650 fps (20-grain V-MAX)
3,870 fps (15.5-grain NTX) Measured at the muzzle with a 24-inch barrel |
| Energy | 590 ft-lbs (20-grain V-MAX)
515 ft-lbs (15.5-grain NTX) Muzzle energy |
| Trajectory | 2.7 inch drop at 200 yards (20-grain V-MAX) When zeroed at 100 yards |
| Effective Range | 300 yards For varmint hunting and target shooting |
| Recoil | 1.5 ft-lbs In a 7-pound rifle |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .17 Hornet loads.
.17 Hornet: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .17 Hornet ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Varmint Hunting | 0-300 | Excellent for small varmints like prairie dogs and ground squirrels |
| Small Game Hunting | 0-200 | Effective for rabbits and similar-sized game |
| Target Shooting | 0-400 | Capable of good accuracy at longer ranges with minimal wind drift |
| Predator Control | 0-250 | Suitable for coyotes and foxes within this range |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .17 Hornet is known for its flat trajectory and high velocity, making it particularly effective for varmint hunting. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .17 Hornet
The .17 Hornet's high velocity and flat trajectory make it suitable for specific applications:
Caliber Comparisons: .17 Hornet
The .17 Hornet is a centerfire rifle cartridge known for its high velocity and flat trajectory. To understand its place in the varmint hunting and target shooting world, let's compare it to similar cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .17 Hornet with other popular varmint cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .17 Hornet with other popular varmint cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .17 Hornet with other popular varmint cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .17 Hornet with other popular varmint cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .17 Hornet
The .17 Hornet is a centerfire rifle cartridge introduced by Hornady in 2012. It's known for its high velocity and flat trajectory, making it popular for varmint hunting and target shooting.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .17 Hornet | 20 | 0.102 |
| .17 Hornet | 25 | 0.127 |
| .17 Hornet | 15.5 | 0.079 |
| .17 Hornet | 15 | 0.076 |
Note: The .17 Hornet offers excellent ballistic performance for its size, with very high velocities and flat trajectories. Its relatively low sectional density compared to larger calibers is offset by its high velocity, making it effective for small game and varmint hunting at moderate ranges.