17 Ackley Hornet

claimbuster

claimbuster

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Looking at a pretty little 17 Ackley Hornet. I really think I should have it. Who all is shooting one? Thoughts? What are you feeding it?
 
I got my AH about a month ago. I have yet to work up anything to shoot but all my supplies came in Monday. I can't wait to see a blown out hornet case necked down to .17. From what I can gather most people are using AA 1680. I think the AH will soon become my favorite gun.
 
Ive had a 17 ackley hornet for several years now, great cartridge. I reccommend AA1680, topped off with a 25 grain Hornady hp, great combination, accurate and deadly. Ive killed deer, javelina, coyotes, bobcat fox and even a mt lion with my ackley hornet.
I use Redding dies, and remington brass, with winchester srp. Your gonna like it, and you will be amazed at just how well it performs.
 
What type of action is the least expensive way to build a 17 AH? What caliber do you need to start with? If you could help with some basic info that would be great.
kevlars
 
Quote:
What type of action is the least expensive way to build a 17 AH? What caliber do you need to start with? If you could help with some basic info that would be great.
kevlars



The best thing to start with would be a 22 hornet rifle. Just get it rebarreled to a 17AH. Any competent gunsmith can do the work.

Probably the cheapest way to go would be a TC Contender Frame. Then You could special order the 21 inch barrel from a couple different supply houses, snap it on the frame and go shoot. You will have to have a special set of forming dies to load the rounds. This will involve running 22 hornet brass in to a sizer, load the rounds and firefrom them to your chamber. Then you have the brass needed to reload subsequent rounds. Randy
 
What sort of velocities can you expect from a 17 AH? Would it be OK on yotes out to say 200 to 250 yards? Sounds like a neat little cartridge, and I like oddball stuff anyway, so this might be a cool prject. I have a Dillon RL 550B that I used to load 9MM on, never loaded any rifle ammo on it though. Any idea what it would cost to start loading rifle ammo (i.e. 17 AH) on the Dillon? Would probably end up loading 223 Rem on it too.
kevlars
 
Velocity, using 25 grain Hornady hp, mine is right at 3400 fps, lighter bullets, 18 - 20 grains,you can expect slightly higher. 200-250 yard coyotes could be killed, and I have, but thats a long shot with any calling rifle. If your calling them, shots should be in the 25-75 yard range most of the time, just no need to shoot much farther.
Mine is on a T/C action, with a Bullberry barrel, I don't like the longer barrels, so I use 18-20 inchers, makes for a real handy overall length package.
There are one or two places where you can obtain sized brass if you dont want to go to the trouble of forming your own, otherwise, you need a form die, you can buy one on the Bullberry website, then just use over the counter Redding loading dies for reloading. I used to use the suggested method of stuffing pistol powder topped off with tissue paper for fire forming, but now I just laod them up with 25 grain bullet....they are very accurate, they just look odd with the two shoulders and odd shape, but shoot fine.
A great caliber,and good shooter, I love mine.
 
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