Gun Reviews >
Find a Dealer >
Find a Club >
Competitions >
videos >17 Ackley Hornet
-
74
Comments
- Last updated: 15/12/2016
Comments
Small projectiles travelling fast have always ignited my interest as do Wildcat calibres and cartridges that seem to deliver superb ballistics whilst using meagre amounts of powder to do so! At the ranges I shoot the majority of my vermin at, and not withstanding my interest in long-range speciality rounds, I have become convinced that just enough gun is far better than too much. For example - a 250 yard fox and crow round that, would be reloadable, economic on powder, with low noise and recoil and above all accurate with enough energy to get the job done without overkill, what is there?
High Efficiency
I had ruled out the .17HMR, it’s not reloadable and in my view not a 200 yard cartridge! The .17 Rem was too big and their .17 Fireball was not available at the time, so a Hornetsized case would be about perfect. The venerable .22 Hornet is a much under rated cartridge and would be fi ne but I wanted a smaller .17 or .20 calibre, and so my interest turned upon the .17 Ackley version, which proved to be a genuine 250 yard vermin cartridge and ideally suited for the British countryside.
The .17 Ackley Hornet (AH) is based on the .22 Hornet but necked down to .17 calibre and then fire formed (case reshaped) to eliminate its tapered shape and signifi cantly increases the capacity with up to 15-grains (dependent on the brass you use). All making for a highly efficient design. The great advantage over the .17 HMR round is that the AH is reloadable, so far more versatile with regard working up an accurate ammunition. Before we go any further and at the risk of teaching you to suck eggs; the 17AH is not a factory offering so it’s reloading all the way!
My Rifle
Any .22 Hornet rifle can be used as a donor, I have seen excellent conversions on Anschutz and CZs. I like the old Sako Model 78 which is a forerunner to the modern Finnfire with all steel construction which would make a reliable and light weight walking/stalking varmint tool.
My rifle was sorted by Venom Custom shop, sadly now defuncted! Richard Pope (Swift Precision Rifles) can sort you a .17 AH as he’s ex-Venom and a fine smith. My baby was fitted with a Pac-Nor, Super Match Grade stainless steel barrel. The bullets weights run from 15 to 25 grains, so a 1 in 10 rifling twist rate is advisable. A 1 in 9 can be used to stabilise a 30 grainer but to me it’s a bit heavy and compromises its original function!
I went the conventional route and choose a #3 contour, 24”, 1 in 10 twist barrel, which would ensure all the powder was burnt within the bore. Venom achieved a superb blue print of the action, so all the threads and faces of the action were trued to the barrel and therefore achieved a perfect lock-up between the two. The trigger - as on all Sakos - was perfect, and the action was bedded to leave the barrel free floating. The stock was a standard Sako sporter, which Hydrographics dipped in Real tree HardWoods HD to complete the custom look and aid practicality.
On the Rim
To reload the .17 AH you will need several dies for forming and case trimming as well as all the usual precision loading techniques. As with any custom ammo a few peculiarities arose! Most evident is the Hornet is rimmed which provides the head space, which is all about rim thickness. So any cases that do not have the same rim thickness as that of the head space gauge to which the rifle was set up will cause a discrepancy in measurement. I choose Winchester brass which has a consistent rim thickness that is compatible with my rifle. Yours might favour the Remington, RWS or PPU etc.
The .22 Hornet case is very tapered, so reforming it requires the use of two dies and an extended shell holder to properly support the case. Some chambers prefer a larger case body diameter so check you reamer dimensions. Start by running the virgin cases through the 1st form die which reduces neck diameter and puts a second shoulder into the body.
Die two forms the case further and squeezes it to an even smaller dimension and the excess brass protrudes from the top of the die. It is a simple matter to trim it back to length with a saw or file, sounds tedious but is worth doing properly!
Once removed the case necks are de-burred inside and out then put through the full-length size die. The end result is a reloadable case that with a bullet inserted and a reduced charge will be used to fire form it into its final shape. At this stage I’d recommend that the brass is annealed otherwise when you fire form, a proportion of cases will split due to being work-hardened.
Annealing means the brass is heated to blue /green colour and then quenched in water to cool. I know this sounds a pain but the benefits are really worth it, believe me. Load with a good ¾ charge and watch in disbelief as the ejected case has reformed to the chambers shape in the Ackley’s characteristic sharp shoulder and minimal body taper, marvellous…
Load Development
The .17 AH is an incredibly efficient Wildcat utilising fast burning powders such as RL-7, Hodgdon’s H4227 and Lil-Gun, IMR 4198 and Vit N120. I primed each case with small rifle Federal Match Primers and then seated the bullets (20 and 25 grain) just off the lands i.e. just rifling engraved on the bullet where possible yet still feed in the magazine.
The extra light bullets such as Berger’s 15 and 18-grain MEF (Maximum Expansion Factor) are no longer available, but I included some data from my secret stash! With 11.5 grains of Vit N120 the 15-grainer sped along at 3956 fps, maximum velocity was achieved with 13 grains with an average speed of 4133 fps; serious crow medicine!
Most commonly available are Hornady’s 20-grain V-MAX (my all time favourite) .17 calibre projectile. 12-grains of RL7 gives a mild but accurate load with 3323 fps/491 ft/lbs, great for troublesome bunnies. Upping it to 13-grains yields 3540 fps whilst another 0.5-grains resulted in 3639 fps/588 ft/lbs. Cases were showing signs of incipient head separation so I stopped.
Snotting Along
Changing to Vit N120, a top load of 13-grains yields 3883 fps which is snotting along, yet a shift to the faster burning Lil-Gun showed only 11-grains achieved 4119 fps/754 ft/lbs energy. You can substitute this data for the 20-grain Berger hollow point bullets that are extremely accurate with ½ MOA groups at 100 yards.
If you fancy something heavier 25-grains is probably the weight limit and again V-MAX or Berger are good performers. 12-grains of IMR 4198 powder pushes the V-MAX over the chronograph at 3399 fps. Substituting it with Vit N120 gives 3301 fps.
Best velocity went to 10-grains of Lil-Gun and 3417 fps but accuracy was average at 1” whilst a slower burning powder with 12.75-grains of RL 10X gave good accuracy and 3311 fps. Any of these would be a good fox load out to and beyond 200 yards in the right hands.
Down Range
Down range trajectory is dependent on scope height. Using a 20-grain V-MAX at 3883 fps here’s the drops in 100 yard increments from a 100 yard zero: 150 - 0.1”, 200 - 1.3”, 250 - 3.6”. That’s very flat out to 200 yards but you have to keep an eye on the wind, as 10 mph will drift that bullet 5.1” at 200!
My loads were worked up in Scotland where it is cold and the Hornet can be very susceptible to heat variations so pressures can sky rocket; so reduce all loads by 2.0 grains as a starting figure. Chambers and barrel dimensions vary enormously and some of these loads are compressed but all safe in my gun, yours will be different! Remember any small change in small calibres makes a huge difference!
Conclusions
The .17 AH is a tremendously economic, accurate and efficient cartridge when compared to other .17 or .22 small capacity cases. Add a MAE sound moderator and my Sako .17 AH is my favourite varminter, I have faster wildcats such as a .17 PPC and .20 Satan but that wee Ackley does me for 90% of all my vermin shooting needs up to and beyond 200 yards.
I run my Sako ‘hot’ but a 20-grain V-MAX at 3700 fps is actually all you need as a cracking little round, less barrel fouling too. Forming cases is a drag - true, but with the new .17 Hornet from Hornady I wonder what awaits? Their case is similar but not the same, different body length and shoulder angle and their reloading data is quite conservative. Who knows, but it will be fun finding out.
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
click on image to enlarge
74 Comments
purchase ceftin pill <a href="https://rtadalafilpl.com/">cialis over the counter</a> tadalafil 20mg pills
Rsuhkh
13 Aug 2022 at 01:20 AMzithromax uk <a href="https://metformil.com/">generic metformin</a> glucophage price
Qackrb
08 Aug 2022 at 11:07 PMcialis 10mg brand <a href="https://sildenedpill.com/">real viagra pills</a> cheap viagra generic
Xpkegj
07 Aug 2022 at 04:54 PMbuy diflucan 100mg sale <a href="https://diflucansx.com/">diflucan medication</a> order viagra 50mg generic
Xkddog
06 Aug 2022 at 10:26 AMbuy generic zofran 4mg <a href="https://zofrapl.com/">ondansetron cost</a> propecia sale
Etlfdm
04 Aug 2022 at 02:58 PMorder zantac 300mg without prescription <a href="https://meloxicamp.com/">order meloxicam 7.5mg for sale</a> brand tamsulosin 0.2mg
Adwhza
03 Aug 2022 at 08:19 AMcost tadalafil 10mg <a href="https://levofloxacinl.com/">levofloxacin order online</a> dutasteride oral
Eowfnq
02 Aug 2022 at 01:39 AMorder esomeprazole 40mg online cheap <a href="https://sidenafilppl.com/">real viagra pharmacy prescription</a> cialis tadalafil 40mg
Ukwtla
31 Jul 2022 at 06:35 PMorder sildalis for sale <a href="https://sildalispl.com/">order sildalis for sale</a> buy cozaar 25mg for sale
Bvhlve
30 Jul 2022 at 11:06 AMisotretinoin online buy <a href="https://amoxicipls.com/">buy generic amoxicillin</a> order aurogra 50mg without prescription
Tuvimc
28 Jul 2022 at 11:35 PMviagra pills 150mg <a href="https://edspill.com/">erection pills that work</a> generic prednisone
Wcevpe
27 Jul 2022 at 04:11 PMOsu Levitra En France <a >Cialis</a> Achat Propecia Paris
naiffenda
27 Jul 2022 at 11:44 AMbuy methotrexate 5mg online cheap <a href="https://warfariny.com/">warfarin drug</a> reglan buy online
Efwecq
26 Jul 2022 at 08:11 AMflexeril us <a href="https://ketorolacbuy.com/">toradol 10mg price</a> buy clopidogrel sale
Mvpthl
24 Jul 2022 at 10:38 PMbuy zetia 10mg online <a href="https://domperidonebc.com/">cost domperidone</a> buy generic domperidone 10mg
Admwib
23 Jul 2022 at 09:40 AMsildenafil cost <a href="https://edtadalp.com/">order tadalafil generic</a> buy tadalafil 10mg online
Awvzab
21 Jul 2022 at 12:11 PMbaricitinib 2mg drug - <a href="https://metforminf.com/">order glucophage 500mg online</a> lisinopril sale
Xxqwuq
17 Jul 2022 at 11:24 PMplaquenil 200mg over the counter - <a href="https://casletadal.com/">oral cialis 20mg</a> purchase cenforce generic
Gfpftv
16 Jul 2022 at 06:05 AMoral deltasone - <a href="https://dprednisolone.com/">purchase prednisolone pill</a> generic prednisolone
Vrctfn
12 Jul 2022 at 08:41 PMbest ed drugs - <a href="https://sildenfr.com/">sildenafil 50mg generique pas cher</a> viagra 200mg kaufen generika
Ylgdwo
11 Jul 2022 at 09:54 AMsildenafil us - <a href="https://sildenaplls.com/">order viagra 100mg online</a> buy sildenafil 100mg pill
Rqmftq
10 Jul 2022 at 01:27 AMflagyl 200mg cost - <a href="https://augmepl.com/">augmentin 1000mg oral</a> cephalexin oral
Gdrnfe
08 Jul 2022 at 09:07 PMbuy finasteride for sale - <a href="https://ciprofloxacind.com/">cipro uk</a> cipro 1000mg cost
Rlhlcg
07 Jul 2022 at 12:52 PMbuy generic ondansetron 4mg - <a href="https://valacyclovirs.com/">order valacyclovir for sale</a> buy valacyclovir 1000mg generic
Ifxomw
04 Jul 2022 at 09:23 PMorder tadalafil 5mg for sale - <a href="https://meloxicamr.com/">generic meloxicam 7.5mg</a> purchase tamsulosin pills
Wiiriw
02 Jul 2022 at 07:15 PMbuy levaquin 500mg online - <a href="https://rcialipll.com/">order tadalafil pills</a> cialis for men over 50
Tpiiwq
01 Jul 2022 at 05:18 AMorder cozaar 50mg sale - <a href="https://esomeprazolen.com/">purchase nexium</a> promethazine generic
Zgtpdw
29 Jun 2022 at 12:58 AMorder plavix 150mg without prescription - <a href="https://rclopidogrel.com/">clopidogrel buy online</a> cost reglan 10mg
Kwwzeo
27 Jun 2022 at 07:59 AMbuy flexeril 15mg generic - <a href="https://rpropranolol.com/">inderal 10mg tablet</a> buy inderal 20mg sale
Ozlmsd
25 Jun 2022 at 02:28 PMisotretinoin over the counter - <a href="https://rtetracycline.com/">tetracycline 250mg tablet</a> cheap tetracycline 500mg
Iperqz
23 Jun 2022 at 09:52 PMpurchase modafinil for sale - <a href="https://rerectpill.com/">new ed drugs</a> oral budesonide
Rkdbpn
22 Jun 2022 at 03:29 AMpurchase viagra for sale - <a href="https://rtadalafil.store/">buy cialis 20mg sale</a> cialis 20mg drug
Nzhjob
20 Jun 2022 at 03:48 PMcenforce 50mg uk - <a href="https://cenforcer.com/">cenforce for sale online</a> brand domperidone 10mg
Oovrtw
19 Jun 2022 at 06:17 AMprednisone 5mg over the counter - <a href="https://amoxicilli.store/">order amoxicillin 250mg generic</a> buy amoxil 250mg generic
Yudtif
16 Jun 2022 at 01:55 AMorder cialis 40mg pill - <a href="https://edtadxs.com/">tadalafil online</a> viagra 150mg price
Aibymy
14 Jun 2022 at 05:56 AMcheap synthroid for sale - <a href="https://triamcinol.store/">triamcinolone 10mg without prescription</a> hydroxychloroquine 200mg oral
Gtlrfi
12 Jun 2022 at 06:17 PMcost albuterol - <a href="https://casinoandslotx.com/">online slot machines</a> buy dapoxetine 60mg pills
Qtetgq
11 Jun 2022 at 06:36 AMlevitra 20mg pills - <a href="https://vardenafilxp.com/">purchase vardenafil online cheap</a> cost clomid
Vqazdf
09 Jun 2022 at 03:08 PMlisinopril drug - <a href="https://hydlisinopr.com/">lisinopril 10mg drug</a> atenolol 100mg pills
Eapfhb
08 Jun 2022 at 03:38 AMcost metformin 1000mg - <a href="https://amlodipine.store/">buy amlodipine 10mg online cheap</a> order norvasc without prescription
Yxaerw
06 Jun 2022 at 02:13 PMhydroxychloroquine online buy - <a href="https://chloroquins.com/">aralen uk</a> baricitinib 2mg uk
Dpdjkj
05 Jun 2022 at 12:49 AMorder furosemide - <a href="https://ivermecptin.com/">ivermectin 6 mg over counter</a> stromectol usa
Moowhn
03 Jun 2022 at 09:13 AMorder prednisolone 40mg generic - <a href="https://viagsildss.com/">sildenafil 100mg england</a> order generic viagra 150mg
Hnujef
01 Jun 2022 at 05:23 PMorder amoxil 500mg pills - <a href="https://azithromycpl.com/">order zithromax 250mg for sale</a> pfizer viagra 50mg
Qyhjsd
31 May 2022 at 05:07 AMpurchase prednisone online cheap - <a href="https://accutanpll.com/">accutane brand</a> accutane pills
Ontuji
29 May 2022 at 08:10 PMcheap cialis generic - <a href="https://erectplls.com/">cost cialis 40mg</a> order provigil without prescription
Khfdtq
28 May 2022 at 10:59 AMdoxycycline order online - <a href="https://clomidg.store/">clomid 100mg brand</a> levitra vs cialis
Qlslyf
26 May 2022 at 02:10 PMbuy amoxicillin 1000mg generic - <a href="https://levitragn.store/">order levitra 20mg pills</a> order generic levitra
Asbsft
23 May 2022 at 02:24 PMbuy ampicillin 500mg - <a href="https://ciproflox.store/">order ciprofloxacin sale</a> cialis tadalafil 20mg
Gltjgg
21 May 2022 at 02:41 PMbuy ceftin 250mg pills - <a href="https://robaxinx.store/">brand methocarbamol</a> purchase tadalafil pill
Nmaaqq
20 May 2022 at 03:44 AMbudesonide for sale online - <a href="https://tadalafde.com/">purchase tadalafil generic</a> buy antabuse generic
Suwmik
18 May 2022 at 04:17 PMcephalexin 125mg canada - <a href="https://xerythromycin.store/">brand erythromycin 500mg</a> buy erythromycin online cheap
Fywsrm
15 May 2022 at 01:14 AMbactrim 960mg brand - <a href="https://bactrimx.store/">bactrim over the counter</a> viagra ca
Caojev
12 May 2022 at 05:23 PMorder augmentin generic - <a href="https://tadalcialis.store/">buy cialis 40mg generic</a> tadalafil 10mg cost
Fzirdj
10 May 2022 at 05:02 AMbrand prednisolone 10mg - <a href="https://gabapentinx.store/">buy neurontin pills</a> brand name cialis
Qznjen
07 May 2022 at 05:48 PMviagra 150mg ca - <a href="https://bestusasild.com/">buy generic viagra 50mg</a> buy sildenafil 100mg online cheap
Ffuiug
02 May 2022 at 08:44 PM<a >hydroxychloroquine cost per pill</a> Venta De Priligy Qanbtx
Arrelay
09 Feb 2022 at 02:23 AMSemen contains sperm. <a >Plaquenil</a>
Arrelay
27 Jan 2022 at 05:47 AMReynolds pentad Charcots triad plus septic shock and altered mental status CNS Quick Hit Reynolds pentad is a highly toxic state that requires emergency treatment. https://www.apriligyn.com
TRIAPHY
18 Jan 2022 at 10:59 PM<a >extra super levitra</a> Ofloxacin Vs Ciprofloxacin
depsynC
18 Jan 2022 at 02:18 AMCan Lasix Cause Dehydration
can you drink on azithromycin
20 Dec 2021 at 03:27 PM<a href="http://vpropecian.com ">propecia ireland</a>
pieliaTaB
18 Dec 2021 at 07:52 PM<a href="http://abuyzithromi.com ">promethazine without prescription</a>
Wendips
18 Dec 2021 at 02:53 PM<a href="https://buyneurontinis.com/ ">gabapentin benefits</a>
steeple
10 Dec 2021 at 07:29 AMContraindicaciones Propecia
neurontin for nerve pain
08 Dec 2021 at 07:47 PMPropecia Hautarzt
best place to buy cialis online forum
08 Dec 2021 at 05:04 PM<a href="https://abuyneurontins.com/ ">dosage of neurontin</a>
Hangago
06 Dec 2021 at 03:25 AMViagra Venta Libre Cordoba
hydroxychloroquine for ra
05 Dec 2021 at 01:30 AM<a href="http://buyplaquenicv.com/ ">hydroxychloroquine pills</a>
pseurbefs
04 Dec 2021 at 11:32 PM<a href="https://atadalafiloop.com/ ">buy cialis online without prescription</a>
Ulcedly
04 Dec 2021 at 05:14 AMForum Cialis Prise Quotidienne
azithromycin dosage
03 Dec 2021 at 09:47 PMThanks for sharing your experiences!
In return I will share a couple of my pets. one point seven grains of Trailboss has done some amazing things quietly 20 gr Vmax…Six grains of accurate #9 is my go too squirrel medicine 20 gr. Varmint Nightmare
Ken
16 May 2020 at 08:26 PMis there a difference between a 17 Ackley hornet and a 17 Ackley hornet improved. can I use the new 17 hornet brass and resize it to make 17 Ackley hornet improved brass
Robert Yaussy
26 Nov 2015 at 06:16 PMHave you tried factory .17 Hornet resized to .17 Ackley Hornet?
dennis
01 Apr 2015 at 04:15 PM