Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .17 HMR with .172 | 20gr | Hornady V-MAX bullet and 6 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 14 and Hodgdon TrailBoss.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 22"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,219 psi | 80% | 1916 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,422 psi | 81% | 1919 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 19,885 psi | 75% | 1854 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 19,740 psi | 74% | 1936 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 19,508 psi | 73% | 1909 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 19,551 psi | 74% | 1936 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 22"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 1.9 gr | 80% | 15,302 psi | 58% | 1713 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 1.9 gr | 80% | 15,432 psi | 58% | 1716 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 1.9 gr | 80% | 15,040 psi | 57% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 2 gr | 80% | 14,344 psi | 54% | 1729 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 2 gr | 80% | 13,967 psi | 53% | 1696 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 2 gr | 80% | 14,243 psi | 54% | 1729 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 6 powders for .17 HMR loaded with the .172 | 20gr | Hornady V-MAX. ReloadSwiss RS 14 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,936 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,854 fps to 1,936 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 6 of the 6 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (183 MPa), the top charges use 73–81 %, leaving at least 19 % headroom. The 20.0 gr projectile in 0.172" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, Hodgdon TrailBoss, Hodgdon TrailBoss reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. ReloadSwiss RS 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for .17 HMR with the .172 | 20gr | Hornady V-MAX they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.