Load Work on the 17 Hornet

Thursday 5/16/2019

I’ve heard of the “ladder test” method for load development but haven’t ever tried it.

My normal approach is to pick a powder based on reloading manual recommendations for accuracy and or articles that I have read on a given cartridge.

Usually I will load 5 rounds each of 3 or 4 different charge weights and then shoot them for accuracy.

Accuracy can land anywhere in the range of charge weight for a given powder. Of course it’s always recommended to work up from the lowest charge weight.

Having said all that, I watched a video Monday morning about a modified ladder test which consisted of loading 10 rounds of a single listed powder and jump the charge by 2 tenths of a grain at a time. I would share the video but can’t get the site to come up.

For example:
Start charge: 50.0, then load the next round 50.2 and so on stopping at or below max charge weight.

Shoot them across the chronograph and look for similar velocities. Basically finding 2 or 3 of the charge weights that shoot close on velocity will be the charge weight range to work in.

I had a fresh package of 17 Hornet brass and wanted to do a little testing so I hustled to the basement and started into the books. What I came up with was 2 powders that I had not tried in the 17.

The weight range on the small cartridge only allowed jumps of 1 tenth at a time if I wanted more than 3 shots to fire per powder.

What I ended up with was 6 rounds using IMR 4198 and 7 rounds using Accurate 2200.

Down to the shooting bench with the rifle and chronograph I went.

While the 2200 gave me some close pairings on velocity, all of them were on the slow side for the Hornet. IMR 4198 was interesting to say the least.

Here are the velocity results from IMR 4198
Grains                   Velocity
11.0                      3322
11.1                      3357
11.2                      3394
11.3                      3487
11.4                      3516
11.5                      3521

Notice nearly 100fps jump between 11.2 and 11.3.

Then the loads cleared the 3500fps mark with 11.4 and 11.5 being only 5fps difference.

17 Hornet ammo from Hornady ammo dumps a 20 grain bullet out at 3650fps. I was pushing my pills through a 22 inch barrel not a 24” test receiver that Hornady likely used. That would account for 70 to 100fps loss.

Based on the video, 11.4 or 11.5 would be a nice place to work. I loaded 5 rounds at 11.5 grains using the same 20 grain Vmax bullet then switched to a 20 grain Nosler bullet and loaded 5 more.



This is 4 shots with the Nosler 20 grainer that ended up about 1/4 inch group, that's a 1 inch sticker. On the 5th round, the primer had seated upside down and I did not catch that. I think my 2nd Lee Auto Prime is wearing out.

I have been using Accurate 1680 in the 17 Hornet with great results. IMR 4198 just adds some variety.