17 and 20 grain loads in the .17 HMR : Is that all they can load?

[coyote trapper1928]

Checking out the .17 HMR ballisitics today , and was wondering if 20 grain bullets are the heaviest that can be loaded in the .17 HMR.? What do you think??

[Keith L]

I have three different 17HMRs and none of them shoot the 20 grain loads very well.  They drive tacks with the 17s though.  I assume anything heavier would be even worse.

[Oldtimer]

I expect if there were demand, heavier bullets could be loaded.  Imagine doubling the weight to say, 40 grains.  The velocity would be down to maybe 1300-1350 fps.  Who would want a rimfire that would do that, at $7 a box?

[R.W.Dale]

 I've shot critters with both loads and I'm of the opinion that no other loadings are required.

[Keith L]

I expect if there were demand, heavier bullets could be loaded.  Imagine doubling the weight to say, 40 grains.  The velocity would be down to maybe 1300-1350 fps.  Who would want a rimfire that would do that, at $7 a box?

Geez, kinda sounds like a .22lr...

[tuck2]

A longer  bullet would require a faster rate of rifleing twist . In the .224 Cal rifles if one would like to shoot to 60 Gr or heiver bullet it takes a 1-8 twist  while most .224 center fire rifles come with a 1-12 or 1-14 inch twists . A longer bullet would also have to be seated deeper into the case which reduce space for powder.

[bscman]

Okay, lets think about this...

The .17HMR is a necked down .22Mag.
It is designed to be lighter and faster than the .22mag, which translates into a long flat trajectory.

Going with a heavier bullet will defeat the purpose of the round. Heavier= slower with a trajectory that is less flat.

IF you want a bullet heavier than 20 grains, why not get a .22mag? You can buy 33gr ballistic tips for the .22mag, or the traditional 40grainers.

[just bill]

The 17 caliber is a 1-9 twist in factory guns. 1-8.9 in CZ.  The highest grain they could go is 25.  They could make a 20 gr vmax.........but it's only 3 grains?  They have the caliber dialed in for best accuracy and allt the ammo is made under one roof with tight specs now, thats about as good as it gets when you include a spitzer rather than round nose bullet previously the only pick in rimfires.

"Shooting 20 gr accurately" - Most Savages do, Marlin's do, CZ does and is less ammo picky.........shoots the TN'T too.

You want hevaier with a modern non round nose bullets think ".20 HMR" shooting 30-32 grains........maybe someday or shoot the round nose 22wmr's.

Can't have it all in one caliber.

[drdougrx]

Hi All,

I have a Ruger 77/17 and it's a royal pain.  I finally am getting it to shoot well with 17gr hp's.  The plastic tips bullets shoot just aweful.

[bscman]

You want hevaier with a modern non round nose bullets think ".20 HMR" shooting 30-32 grains........maybe someday or shoot the round nose 22wmr's.

Again, you can get a 33gr. ballistic tip for the .22mag...its been out for quite a while...
Looks just like a fat .17hmr V-Max.