Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .17 HMR with .172 | 22gr | Peregrine VLR5 (VLR-5) bullet and 4 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% | 21,799 psi | 82% | 1814 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 21,553 psi | 81% | 1834 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,073 psi | 76% | 1831 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 19,725 psi | 74% | 1850 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 | 2 gr | 80% | 15,447 psi | 58% | 1611 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 2 gr | 80% | 15,316 psi | 58% | 1637 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 2 gr | 80% | 14,359 psi | 54% | 1624 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 2 gr | 80% | 14,112 psi | 53% | 1650 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 4 powders for .17 HMR loaded with the .172 | 22gr | Peregrine VLR5 (VLR-5). ReloadSwiss RS 14 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,850 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,814 fps to 1,850 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 4 of the 4 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (183 MPa), the top charges use 74–82 %, leaving at least 18 % headroom. The 22.0 gr projectile in 0.172" calls for a 1:8.0 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 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 | 22gr | Peregrine VLR5 (VLR-5) 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.