Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .17 Hornet with .172 | 20gr | Hornady V-MAX bullet and 35 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon LilGun, Lovex S040 and Vihtavuori N110.
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.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 94% | 47,747 psi | 89% | 3553 fps | 96.1% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,876 psi | 85% | 3530 fps | 95.9% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 92% | 46,775 psi | 87% | 3553 fps | 96.2% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,935 psi | 89% | 3468 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,151 psi | 86% | 3448 fps | 97.8% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 96% | 47,921 psi | 89% | 3468 fps | 98% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,934 psi | 87% | 3465 fps | 98% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,240 psi | 90% | 3701 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 88% | 45,092 psi | 84% | 3648 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 90% | 48,225 psi | 90% | 3701 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,035 psi | 86% | 3668 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,714 psi | 46% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,193 psi | 47% | 2244 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,700 psi | 46% | 2221 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,019 psi | 47% | 2241 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,601 psi | 87% | 3501 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,776 psi | 89% | 3533 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 88% | 46,586 psi | 87% | 3497 fps | 99.9% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 88% | 47,326 psi | 88% | 3527 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S053ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,667 psi | 72% | 3392 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S053ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,566 psi | 74% | 3425 fps | 96.4% |
| Lovex S053ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,653 psi | 72% | 3392 fps | 95.9% |
| Lovex S053ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 40,306 psi | 75% | 3448 fps | 96.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,091 psi | 45% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,511 psi | 46% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,091 psi | 45% | 2274 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 24,410 psi | 45% | 2297 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,158 psi | 67% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 37,173 psi | 69% | 3281 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,201 psi | 67% | 3248 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 36,898 psi | 69% | 3278 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,659 psi | 87% | 3560 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,906 psi | 89% | 3593 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,702 psi | 87% | 3560 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N110ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,427 psi | 88% | 3586 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 92% | 45,034 psi | 84% | 3501 fps | 95.5% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 90% | 43,294 psi | 81% | 3474 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate No. 11 FS | <<locked>> | 90% | 44,106 psi | 82% | 3497 fps | 95.5% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,926 psi | 67% | 3196 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,694 psi | 67% | 3199 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 86% | 35,911 psi | 67% | 3192 fps | 95% |
| ADI AR 2205 | <<locked>> | 86% | 36,405 psi | 68% | 3222 fps | 95.4% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | 9.4 gr | 80% | 33,170 psi | 62% | 3363 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | 9.4 gr | 80% | 34,185 psi | 64% | 3399 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | 9.4 gr | 80% | 33,170 psi | 62% | 3363 fps | 99.3% |
| Hodgdon LilGun | 9.4 gr | 80% | 33,924 psi | 63% | 3396 fps | 99.5% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,217 psi | 34% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 17,854 psi | 33% | 1998 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,217 psi | 34% | 2005 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,594 psi | 35% | 2028 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | 8.1 gr | 80% | 36,506 psi | 68% | 3268 fps | 98.8% |
| Lovex S040 | 8.1 gr | 80% | 37,637 psi | 70% | 3307 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S040 | 8.1 gr | 80% | 36,550 psi | 68% | 3268 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex S040 | 8.1 gr | 80% | 37,289 psi | 69% | 3304 fps | 99.1% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,506 psi | 68% | 3337 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 96% | 35,288 psi | 66% | 3314 fps | 95% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 98% | 36,492 psi | 68% | 3337 fps | 95.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 96% | 36,013 psi | 67% | 3340 fps | 95.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 17,129 psi | 32% | 2028 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 17,593 psi | 33% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 17,129 psi | 32% | 2028 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 17,506 psi | 33% | 2051 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 21,176 psi | 39% | 2766 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 21,306 psi | 40% | 2782 fps | 96.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 21,176 psi | 39% | 2766 fps | 96.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 21,785 psi | 41% | 2805 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | 7.8 gr | 80% | 25,672 psi | 48% | 3009 fps | 96.5% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | 7.8 gr | 80% | 25,788 psi | 48% | 3022 fps | 96.7% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | 7.8 gr | 80% | 25,657 psi | 48% | 3005 fps | 96.4% |
| Vihtavuori N110 | 7.8 gr | 80% | 26,426 psi | 49% | 3048 fps | 97% |
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 35 powders for .17 Hornet loaded with the .172 | 20gr | Hornady V-MAX. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 3,701 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,221 fps to 3,701 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 35 of the 35 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (370 MPa), the top charges use 45–90 %, leaving at least 10 % 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. Hodgdon LilGun, Lovex S040, Vihtavuori N110 rank at the top here: for .17 Hornet 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.