Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .17 WSM with .172 | 21gr | Peregrine VLR-4 bullet and 4 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2, 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.
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: 22"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 82% | 27,876 psi | 84% | 2979 fps | 96.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 23,018 psi | 70% | 2001 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 22,452 psi | 68% | 2054 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 29,501 psi | 89% | 2848 fps | 98% |
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 LilGun | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,904 psi | 78% | 2910 fps | 95.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 2.4 gr | 80% | 16,578 psi | 50% | 1788 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 2.5 gr | 80% | 16,404 psi | 50% | 1844 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | 6.6 gr | 90% | 23,032 psi | 70% | 2628 fps | 95.2% |
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 5 powders for .17 WSM loaded with the .172 | 21gr | Peregrine VLR-4. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,979 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 2,001 fps to 2,979 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 5 of the 5 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (228 MPa), the top charges use 68–89 %, leaving at least 11 % headroom. The 21.0 gr projectile in 0.172" calls for a 1:7.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14, SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 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. SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2, ReloadSwiss RS 14, Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for .17 WSM with the .172 | 21gr | Peregrine VLR-4 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.